Lightest, Smallest, Sleekest Helmet Light?
 

I am looking for the lightest, least obtrusive, lowest-aero-drag light to mount on a helmet.

It need not be a street sweeping torch, but I'm looking for something more than a coin cell blinky. It should have enough of a beam that I can point it at drivers about to pull out in front of me etc. It should also have at least a 3-4 hour runtime.

The Knog Blinder Road looks like a possibility. Any others you like? And what is the best, sleekest way to mount them on a helmet?

One thing I would consider is mounting just the light head (LED, enclosure and lens) on the helmet, if that will give me a very low-profile installation, and running a wire to the battery pack in a pocket. Anyone have a source of heads?

check out the Serfas Thunderbolt. I use a red one on the back of my helmet; they also make a clear "front" light.

My Dinotte XML-3 mounts on my helmet and I have the option of mounting the battery on the helmet, or in my jersey pocket (I usually use a small fanny pack under my jersey so my pockets are still free). This light will definitely get drivers' attention - I used it for this just last week. I believe it definitely is the reason a car on a side street stopped rolling forward into the intersection (and potentially into me).

I like the Thunderbolt a lot, have a red one on my seatstay. How do you mount it on a helmet? The helmet I have in mind is the Air Attack, an "aero" helmet without a lot of vents.

I LOVE my Light and Motion Vis 360+. It is very bright with a good beam pattern, small, and has integrated rear red light (can be turned off). It rivals my brighter handlebar mounted light, which is much higher lumens (700) for overall effectiveness. L&M also has a light that is just a battery and headlight like this that could probably be helmet mounted, but I haven't looked into it.

While small and bright, I don't think this meets the OPs requirement of 3-4 hours of battery life, at least based on my experience with my Thunderbold tail light.

What about this?

Nano Spot - Miniature Spotlights - FrightProps.com

LED mini spot, 12v, 0.25w, supposed to be a 30 degree beam, might be able to hide it under the side edge of the helmet, one of each side?

I know that is not very bright. The purpose of the helmet light would be a "signaling" light - to point it at drivers and get their attention, so they don't pull out in front of me, etc. The bike wears a regulation "light up the road" light.

I was going to suggest the Vis 360, but this is a better idea. They rate the output at only 120 lumens on the Vis 360, but it's a lot brighter than what I expect for 120 lumens.

I suggest getting something with a hard clamp, not a rubber band. The rubber bands don't last long.

Sounds like an Amoeba light is just what you are looking for!

The light head measures 1 1/2" wide x 2 1/8" long x 3/4" tall and weighs only 45 grams. It is running 2 XP-G2's for an output of about 800 lumens. It runs off a 2 cell Li-Ion pack that with get you about 3.5hrs of runtime. The battery and light head are so small and light weight (~160 grams total) that both can be mounted on the helmet or the battery can be run in a jersey pocket. This light will definitely get a drivers attention that is trying to pull out in front of you.


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*****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G74...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Seems like all the auto parts stores have a good selection of small, cheap, powerful lights.

Ace Hardware has a small 200 lumen light for about $20, IIRC. That equals the power of the 200L Dinotte light, which I paid over $100 for not that many years ago.:(