The Tiny Blinky: How Much Sense Does It Make?
 

When I renewed my membership with the bicycle coalition in my state, I noticed that there were small "gifts" (i.e. bicycle shirts, T-shirts, caps, water bottles, etc.) included with various amounts that the good member might wish to contribute. Being someone of limited means but not being chintzy, I contributed a $50 membership for the year. For my contribution, I received the "gift" of a bike light.

The bike light was a white blinkie about the size of a fifty-cent piece or dollar coin that one would mount on the front of a helmet or the handlebars of a bicycle. It was the sort of blinkie that had the limited uses of making a cyclist of being seen. Although it's bright and has practical uses at times, how much sense does a blinky like this make?

Remember, I contributed the money to the bicycle coalition for continued membership, its contributions to society, and for great bicycling. I didn't spend the money for just to get an accessory and be taken for a fool.

What do you think?

Why do you think you are being taken for a fool because that gave you a small light?

FWIW, I have one and it's surprisingly visible.

if it's this blinky:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

it makes a *lot* of sense...

I'm not opposed to ultra-tiny blinkies, but I would never depend on them alone. Maybe they're good as a secondary or tertiary source of light, especially strapped onto a helmet where weight is an issue. The problem as I see it is that small blinkies have small batteries, which either means small light output or small run-time. Neither one of those is conducive to safety, and that's the goal, right? Being safe?

I personally prefer modern, high-efficiency leds in a package that takes AAA batteries. AAAs are big enough to hold some serious power. In the AAA family, you can choose from alkaline for convenience and price, NiMH rechargables, or for the ultimate, find some lithium primaries.

Ya never can have enough lights.

Attach it your Helmet, Handlebar, Bag or Dog.

Don't stress be blinky

Rob