discocarp

I've had it with our lights. They're some $20 serfas. I'm ready to plunk down some cash for some Dinottes, but I'm not sure what to get.

I need to get lights for both myself and my wife, doubling any cost. Currently we do mostly suburban utility cycling & commuting (both often in the dark). I was considering either a 600 for each of us or a dual 200 for each of us. Opinions? A pair of tail lights too.

The next question is about batteries for touring. We have never toured, but we're seriously thinking about doing a trip next year. I don't want to drop a small fortune on lights and end up needing to do it again next year. How am I going to charge these things? Solar? Should I deal with the hassle of the AA models instead of the battery packs? Or is the availability of AA batteries not really worth it (especially since I can't use alkalines with the dinottes, except in a real pinch)?

derath

I LOVE my Dinottes. I run dual 200L-AA on my handlebars. They are nice and the ease of AA is one thing I like. You can use Lithium AA's in a pinch as a backup and get a decent runtime out of them. Regular AA's work too, but the runtime is short.

For touring they make AA solar rechargers, which should suffice.

Now, as much as I like Dinotte, I would almost think the Fenix route might be nicer for touring. Chances are when touring you probably wouldn't be doing a ton of riding after dark. The Fenix uses 2 AA vs 4 for the Dinotte. Plus it is just a flashlight, so would be useful around the campsite as well.

Or get a hub generator based system. No batteries needed.

-D

flipped4bikes

I can see the Dinotte headlights working just fine for touring, but if camping, perhaps using Fenix as suggested so you can have your flashlight and eat your dinner too! As for the Dinotte taillight, definitely get one, not two. Not sure the person following would appreciate being blinded.

derath

I still don't know if I would go Dinotte for a taillight touring. It is an awesome light, but a superflash is pretty bright, and going to get a longer runtime on fewer batteries. I mean if you had one 200L and a taillight, that is 8 AA's you have to figure out how to recharge 8 batteries on the go per bike.

-D

acroy

I vote Fenix. Maybe a pair of the l2D's:

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_...6a5ea80129652f

270 lumen for 2.4 hrs or 160lumen for 4hrs. Use them as flashlights around the camp, etc. Cheap too!

i run dual P3D premium and like them, but the cr123a batteries are much harder to find than aa's.

cheers

discocarp

Thanks for the info on the Fenix. How would you mount this to the bike? Would the 6" length get in the way, especially with 2 of them? How long is the 200 in comparison? Are these going to be enough for errand running at night? They look great for touring, but are they realistic for utility biking use?

Thanks also for the taillight tips. I hadn't thought of someone staring right into the taillight. We do a lot of utility biking as a pair, so this would have been a huge mistake. Also a good point about battery life on the taillights.

How many batteries could I realistically expect to keep charged per bike with solar on a sunny day?

genec

When I toured, I made it a practice to be somewhere before dark... it was so much easier to set up tent and do dinner without the added burden of no light.

On the flip side, I often found myself getting up quite early, so hitting the road at first real light was no problem.

I really see little advantage in touring at night... especially in areas in which you are not familiar. Now having backup lighting for the rare late mistake is another issue... and in that case I used a generator light and had a small removable battery powered light that I could also use as a flashlight.

Let the commuters do the night rides... tour in daylight.

discocarp

Thanks for the advice everyone, it is much appreciated.

After sleeping on it, I've decided to go with the standard Dinottes (not the AA version). Since it looks like we can get a Fenix relatively cheap for touring I'm just going to focus on some great commuter lights for now and worry about touring when the time comes.

Now I just have to choose 200 / dual 200 / 600. I'm leaning towards the dual 200 (one bar, one helmet probably).

paulrad9

A co-worker has the dual set-up but now regrets it and wished he had gotten the 600L as he rather have one light/cord on his bike than two.

discocarp

Definitely a valid concern!

The only reason I'm considering the dual 200 over the 600 is so I can helmet mount one. If I went with the 600, I'd still want a helmet light eventually (and I'm now considering the fenix down the road for this).

tarwheel 

I bought a Fenix L2D Premium in August and have really been impressed with it. I had been using a CygoLite NiteRover for many years, and the Fenix is much brighter and lighter. Plus it frees up a bottle cage. My Fenix w/ two AA batteries is brighter than the CygoLite with both bulbs running, and the AA batteries are much easier to recharge and less expensive. If the batteries should die, you can easily carry a couple of spares in a seatbag or pick up some new ones in just about any store. You could buy two Fenix lights for about $125 and they would put out an incredible amount of light, and still weigh very little.

Mounting the Fenix lights is very simple using the TwoFish Lockblocks that they sell on their site. Using the blocks, you can mount the lights to your handlebar or helmet. Plus it is very simple to switch a light to another bike. Finally, you can very easily remove the Fenix light from the mount if you need a powerful flashlight for some other use. I do it all the time, mostly recently to check out the crawlspace under my home. The beam is so powerful I could light up the entire area.

flipped4bikes

You're in luck. Dinotte is running a sale on the 2-cell LIs this week!

SSP

The 600L comes with a helmet mount. It's a bit heavy, but I use it that way on my 7-10 mile commutes.

I much prefer being able to turn my head and throw the insanely bright beam in whatever direction I want (yes, I have "control issues" ).

cyccommute 

I fully agree...up to the generator. I carry a lamp for using around camp but I always get into camp well before dark. For a camp light, the Fenix would be okay. However Coast makes a really cool defraction lamp that would be more useful around camp.

And use disposable batteries for touring. The last thing you need on tour is stuff that requires recharging.

Sir Bikesalot

When touring, will you be staying somewhere at night with access to power? If so, then you can go with rechargeables as long as they can last during the time period of dawn and dusk riding...I'm estimating a total of 5-8 hours here. And it would be nice if they could function as daytime blinking lights too. For the taillight, I would go with the earlier suggestion of the Super Flash (using AAA alkalines). For the headlight, I would have to go with Use Exposure's Enduro MaXx LED light; it can go at 720 lumens for 3hrs, 480 for 10hrs, and 240 for 24hrs! This runtime beats all other lights hands down, considering that 240 lumens is all you'll probably need. It does use a propriety Li-ion battery pack so you'll have to bring the charger along with you. $450 (which is very worthwhile IMHO).

https://www.exposurelightsusa.com/

sesmith

I have the 600L headlight/200L tail light combo and it makes a great commuting light set. If you feel the need for a 2nd helmet light add another 200L, but I think it would be unnecessary (except for the occasional car stare-down). Seriously, the 600L throws plenty of light on it's own. I think I'd get sea sick using a helmet light...but maybe I'd get used to it. The tail light is awesome for visibility, and I can T both lights on to one battery.

mulchie

Ho happy trails!
I can see the wisdom of a fenix up front. They are great and would be immensely useful around the camp. No problem with the 6" length. If you spelunk further idown nto this site you'll see lots of elaborate posts on mounting and you can visualize the whole setup. Thanks to Varuscelli for that!
For the rear, though, I'd definitely say at least one DiNotte tail on flash for long runtime. I think it's a critical safety issue. They can be seen for a mile and they make a huge difference. The other day I thought I had my DiNotte tail on but the joint came loose (my fault, I hadn't snugged it properly) and it was off so I was running only on my Mars 3.0 blink on new batteries and I kept thinking GEEZ these cars are coming close! When I got to my destination I realized why. Last night I was driving behind someone with no light at dusk and darn near hit the guy. He had a powerful headlamp but that doesn't count when you are approaching from behind at 50 mph. which in my mind puts you closer to the bike no matter what than if you are going the opposite direction.
I'm sure you'll sort out batteries, rechargeables and the rest with everyone's help here.
but be safe and have a blast.

discocarp

Well, our washing machine broke so the budget shrunk up real quick. I went with one fenix l2d per bike. I'll probably add more lighting early next year (helmet or extra bar light), but this should be a huge upgrade over what we have for now.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Zero_Enigma

I've not toured but I am thinking of a short 1-2 day thing next year. My riding season is over thanks to early snowing.

For me versatility and adaptability is key. I bought a Dinotte 4xAA 140lumen tail light in Oct/07 because if I'm out and about AA is easy to find at any convience store or possiblely barter while on the trails with other people for some power. For the front light I made my own DIY light. For a mechanically/electrically challenged guy like me to build a light with a sildering iron, hacksaw and portable drill (a corded works as well if you if you practice trigger control) as my main tools. Sandpaper was the other main item. I found out if you don't have a soldering iron you could heat up the tip of a long narrow srew driver on the stove and it'll be an improvised iron tip. You only need about 1/2-1ft of solder which you can get at any college by asking some students or buying some at RadioShack.

My unit takes 6xAA and puts out ~326lm (already factored in 80% regulator effeciency (80% full power) and the 85% optic lenses. I could get 90%+ if I used reflectors) and has a wide voltage range of 3.6v-9v which allows me to take power from any source as long as it's under 9v.

Here are images of my light. My bike light. I used 2xLED's tho I could make a single LED unit for a smaller helmet light. It's a very basic build and if you need help I can help you out.

discocarp

Very happy with the fenix. Great bang for the buck and a HUGE upgrade over what we had. The bike mounts come monday, but the zip ties work for now.

Thanks!