socalrider

Took a Video of the many of the lights I have tried and currently use when riding.. Video taken from 15 feet away..

Output estimates are: 200-225 lumens for Romisen RC-C8 Flood to throw.. Super nice light using R2 emitter and gives you tight throw to full flood.. Nice because it uses AAA as well as 18650 cells.. Long runtime using 18650 - 3-4 hours on high mode.. Flashing mode very useful because it is much slower than the fenix - about 100 pulses per minute

XTAR P7 - 400 Lumen output.. I put this in the mix because of the longer runtime, close to 2 hours and because I have dropped and abused this light and it just keeps running, some 2 years after I bought it.. I normally gives this to friends who have no lights. Smaller size and weight make it ideal for helmet light.. Under 4 ounces without batteries..

Romisen RC-2R4 II R5 LED flashlight- 300 lumens.. Orange Peel Reflector make this a very nice light if you are on a budget, give you distinct hotspot with a fair amount of spill.. Longer runtime over P7 or MC-3 lights. 2.5 to 3 hours on high mode..

Magicshine P7 Bike Light - Still love this light, about 500+ lumens OTF.. Long runtime, solid output.. I know the new ones have battery issues, but this 1st gen light is still going strong for me.. I have to top up battery before riding to get 2+ hour runtime on high mode, but that is fine..

Elektrolumens EDC-MCe- 700 lumens OTF. Brightest single cell 18650 light on the market.. Beam shape does not have distinct hotspot, the beam is just bright and smooth, perfect for bike riding. Downside is light has 1 hour runtime - single mode light.. You do get about 15 minutes of diminished output which is still bright enough to ride at speed.. Light is quite expensive but you will not be disappointed.

All these lights can be used with Twofish Lockblocks or Cyclopblocks..

I have provided links below for all the lights shown and here is the video for all the light..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU2SP8YJGDM

Romisen RC-C8 II R2 Flood-to-Throw LED Flashlight
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...h-C8-II/Detail

Lighthound XTAR SSC P7 LED flashlight
https://www.lighthound.com/XTAR-SSC-P...ns_p_2623.html

Shiningbeam Romisen RC-2R4 II R5 LED flashlight
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...4-II-R5/Detail

Magicshine P7 Bike Light - Lots of Vendors on Ebay

Elektrolumens EDC-MCe
https://elektrolumens.com/EDC-P7/EDC-MCE.html

no1mad 

Thanks for taking the time to do the vid and write up! Do you know of any other beam shots of the R5? And that RC-C8...the Shiningbeam site says it has a "regular" switch- is that a tail or a slide on the side? And which block for these work, Lock or Cylop?

socalrider

Both have a tail switch.. The R5 is brighter than the C8 light.. Either lockblock or cyclop will work fine.. The C8 is a little thicker because it allows multiple cells, like 3-aaa batteries..

If you are looking for a single light the R5 would be the best for brightness.. You can dial in the beam to your liking with the C8 light..

no1mad 

I'm thinking that the C8 would make a good MUP light and the R5 would be used in conjunction for those stretches when riding to/from the MUP. As speed or distance off the MUP increases, I could run dual R5's on the bars and move the C8 up top. That would get me like 800-850 lumens for roughly $75 (before shipping) and getting cells and a charger or two.

socalrider

SB does have a new R5 light that is very bright - 450 lumens, you lose about 40-60 minutes of runtime at high mode over the stock R5 Romisen.. This newer light is 80 minutes at full brightness then dimished light for up to 2 hours. I would buy the Cool White w/ Orange Peel reflector.. They are about 20.00 more than the stock R5 Romisen light.. This in conjunction with the C8 would be all you need. The C8 also has a nice flashing mode, something the R5's do not have which is nice for early morning or riding at dusk.

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...-rocket/Detail

colleen c

I just did a quick and simple run test with the MG XP-G R5 light. So far I am very please with the performance of the light.

I used AW 2900 MAH 18650 with a starting volt of 4.19 charged from my Pila charger. Here's what I got.

1) After one one of continuous run, the battery read 3.63volt and there was hardly any dimming from the light.
2) 1.5 hours later the battery read 3.48v and a very slight dimming when compare side by side with my second identical light with fresh battery, but again, it was hardly noticable.
3) At 2 hrs of continuous runtime, the battery read 3.22v and the output of the light was more noticable dimmer but yet useable as I estimate it shining at about 250-350 lumens.

The fact that it draws only 1.5 amps is a big advantage on how much consistant light this unit will gives out over the span of the battery life. Compare to a P7 drawing 2.5 amps, at about the one hour mark with the same battery, the P7 is already dimmed and barely useable out on the road. For those who have P7 and want to upgrade to a better efficient flashlight in the same brightness, I recommend this light.

mechBgon

How does the beam pattern on the 450-lumen XP-G compare to the RC-2R4 II, fairly similar? And thanks socalrider for the comparison

socalrider

I have the stock Romisen R5 and it is a very nice light because you have a defined hotspot with a fair amount of side spill which is useful for bike riding.. The problem with many of the P7's is the beam is so wide it feel very washed out at time..

Colleen - which model did you get - Cool white or Neutral and is it the OP or smooth reflector..

colleen c

I bought the Cool White with the OP reflector for my partner bike. After buying the first unit, I was impress enough with the performance that I bought a 2nd identical unit from Shining beam for myself and planing to mount that on my MTB. Here is the link of that light.

https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...-rocket/Detail

socalrider

I may go with the cool white and smooth to get a little more of a thrower since I have my main light as the EDC-Mce which is very bright..

colleen c

I'm not so sure the XP-G in the MG reflector may have the throw you need when you are running your EDC-MCE. that EDC seem to have quite of bit of flood that is also very bright. I think the MG XP-G R5 might just be a bright spot in the middle of your EDC MCE. If I have a chance, I can do a beamshot of an distant object as a sample.

socalrider

I'm a flashaholic so don't give me a reason not to buy another light.. I'm going to give a new R5 I bought via CPF a try tonight before jumping and getting the newer R5 from SB.. I'm going to see if aiming the R5 down the road over the top of EDC makes any difference on the road..

Fynn

This thread is great. It is helping me make my choice. Getting closer to getting ready to pull the trigger on my first flashlights for bike use.

davidad

You are gonna have fun when the Cree XM hits the market. It's just starting to be available to builders.

Iowegian

Thanks for doing all this, great information. I just got an R5 from SB and while it is quite nice I miss the flash mode. I'll probably get one of the C8's you mentioned for town and dawn/dusk rides. I still love my MagicShine but these 'little' lights are really nice for short trips to the store, kids' bikes and backups.

socalrider

I think the C8 light is nice because it gives you a few options for battery use, especially people who are not ready to commit to using 18650 cells.. The strobe is very useable and is not seizure inducing like the fenix lights..

balto charlie

Well done Socal You and colleen have become BFs light gurus. I want to see a showdown between her bike and yours decked out with ALL of your lights I am interested in the newest R5 but need to get a Li-Ion charger. I see Colleen mentions Pila charger, is this the one? https://www.flashlightz.com/product.php?product=171829
Socal, what charger do you use?
Also I see that Li-Ion 18650 batteries are up to 2900mah but a little pricey.
Fenix strobe: I kinda like the seizure strobe, NObody cuts me off while that mode is on I, like you, do only use at dawn and dusk. If I use it at night I would have a seizure. Thanks again.

colleen c

SoCal has a 5X MCe 1300 lumen flashlight using 2x 18650. I'll be like a match next to the Sun in comparison.

Conclusion = SoCal win by TKO

BTW, that is the Pila charger I have.

Fynn

I took your advice and ordered the c8 and the MG P-Rocket with OP reflector. I will let you know how it turns out.

socalrider

Yes I use the Pila charger and it is the best on the market.. I never had any issues with my Ultrafire WF-139 charger either, but have more confidence in the Pila Charger.. The AW and Panasonic 2900's are the best on the market.. I have also good success with Japanese Ultrafire 2600 and standard UF 3000's from this ebay vendor. His prices are higher but he buys direct from Ultrafire.. I would say most of the UF 3000 and now 3600 cells on ebay are fakes or factory seconds.. I would not even consider the new 3600mah Ultrafires.. I have bought 2 sets of them and they are about as good as a 2500 mah cell in my opinion.. All the cells below are protected models..

Japanese 2600: https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT
UF 3000's: https://cgi.ebay.com/Ultrafire-Rechar...item56413ec99d
Panasonic 2900: https://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-NCR186...item5addb11eed
AW 2900:https://www.lighthound.com/AW-18650-P...ry_p_3671.html
AW 2600: https://www.lighthound.com/AW-18650-P...ry_p_3125.html

Pila charger: https://www.flashlightz.com/product.php?product=171829

Good cheap source for lockblocks, $5.00 and free shipping: https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...WNX:IT&afsrc=1

socalrider

I have been searching for a good mount. The light is big and heavy. It is a monster thrower and extremely bright. I think the only thing out there brighter is the Elektrolumens Firesword, that thing puts out 3000 lumens.. I have seen some beam shots and it puts my light to shame.

https://elektrolumens.com/FireSword/FireSword-IV.html

I found the fenix strobe to be fine early in the morning or during the day but at dusk it can be confusing to drivers.. There 1st instict when they see flashing lights is there is a firetruck or ambulance coming.. When approaching intersections this can be a problem.

Richard Cranium

Thanks for the post. I've some video - very similar my Ms tail lights bouncing light off of a white garage.

I think 2010 is the year that the idea of bike lighting goes beyond whether a light is bright.

I've nearly been hit several times -even with good lights, simply because drivers are too lazy or too distracted to bother to even look for a vehicle that doesn't have all the "marker" lights and or head lights of a new car.

One idea I may follow up on - adding strobe lights to the handle bar ends -aimed nearly sideways. But, what a effing hassle.

balto charlie

Thanks a lot. Seems more info on the geoman packs. All batteries are included and fire is the problem. I must buy something else in the interim...still using the geoman light but for how long??

balto charlie

I also find my near misses are from the side. I use a helmet mounted Fenix on high or strobe and aim at any cars entering"MY" road from either side. I don't blow them away, just a quick glance and it usually gets their attention, stops them cold.
You can also get amber blinkies for bike mount or arm straps. They use AA. Can't recall where I saw them. Nowadays I want LEDS w/ Li-Ion.

socalrider

I agree using a headlight is essential depending on when you ride. If I ride close to dusk, I always use a helmet light in addition to the lights on my bike.

My cheap and easy light is one that is 9.00 shipped.. It is only a 1w led, puts out 60 lumens, has 3 modes.. High - Low and Flashing.. The flashing has a nice tempo about 100 pulses per minute.. I normally leave it on flashing mode to get drivers attention..

You can use either 12 or 18 inch length of velcro to attach to helmet.. There is a small screw on the headlamp, if you tighten this a touch it will make the movement a little stiffer which is better for bike riding, so you do not have to adjust it if it moves on you..

https://cgi.ebay.com/1W-LED-NEW-HEADL...item3a5614626f

velcro: https://www.rei.com/product/794899

another nice item for night time riding is the Nathan Acid Reflex Snap Leds.. These can be worn around your arms or I put them around the rear triangle of my bike just above the brakes.. They stay in place and give 360 degree flashing leds..

https://cgi.ebay.com/Nathan-Acid-Refl...item3a57d7205b