MEversbergII

Just a minor one. I found a set of these at Target for about three dollars a pair.



Not exactly high end, but the red ones are destined to swing from the back of my pack (which has lots of mounting straps). White ones might go on my handlebars.

Also, I found some LED lights like this:



Got them for a buck. Got two to mount on my handlebars (going to google up DIY mounts, not spending 5 bucks / mount on Amazon for a one dollar light), one for my pack and one for the GF's pack. Much brighter and probably more durable than the current $20 POS's from Target I run right now.

M.

dynaryder

Those are fine for auxiliary lighting,but don't rely on them for your main lights. I see folks all the time around here with 'hipster cysts'(thank you BikeSnob) as their only lights. They really are too dim and disappear quickly amongst all the other light sources in traffic. Drives me nuts when I see all the companies putting these things out now because they're stylish;lights are safety devices and function should trump form.

Homebrew01

Yes, those are a minimum "be seen" lights, but will not let you see where you are going. If you ride at night, get some real lights. Check out the lighting forum for lots of options.

MEversbergII

Oh, totally with you guys. Are those "hypster cysts"? Those LED flashlights are surprisingly bright; I think they'll let me see where I'm going well enough. The dangly things, though, are backup lights. They're just there to flash on the back of my pack as a warning to anyone behind me. Just attached them today, so I'm going to wait until dark to see just how they compare to the thing I have now.

Side thing - someone pulled up alongside me the other day in traffic to suggest I wear blinkers. In broad daylight. Response: Somehow, I don't think a flashing red light will get anyone's attention anymore than the sun shining down on my big ass tan backpack. Also, don't talk to me in traffic, keep your damn eyes to the front.

M.

Machka 

Good for checking your cue sheet in the middle of the night. And that's about it.

Get yourself a decent taillight if you're going to be riding in dark conditions.


If that is a really bright, long range LED flashlight, it'll work.

no1mad 

Just about every light is bright when held at arms length inside a store- the better ones for riding in traffic will likely do some damage to your eyes if viewed even at half power that close.

As to the suggestion of using blinking tail lights during the day? It is a good one- one that you should consider. Invest in the Hotshot at the minimum for daytime use. Here is a video showing the effectiveness of using powerful tail lights on an overcast day (link can be found in a few different threads in the Electronics and Commuting forums).
Your tan backpack will likely be invisible during the day under the right circumstances- say you're in deep shade/shadow (trees/buildings) and the traffic coming behind is in full sun. Here is an article that better explains the concept, though it is more about night time- https://www.mechbgon.com/visibility/activevpassive.html

DX-MAN

Right now, I really don't need a headlight, as I have no reason to go out at night. During the winter, though, when sundown hits at 5:15PM, and I don't get off work until 6, I do need one then. Tail light gets used whenever the sun's not shining.... For the present, I have a Coleman LED, about the size of your $1 Target special -- mine puts out 144 lumens, pretty bright when I need it to be. Next spring, I'll invest in the Cree light recommended over at Amazon, same price as the Coleman...and keep the Coleman as a backup.

As far as a cheap mount: use a reflector clamp with a swiveling mount for the reflector itself; put two cheap brake pads on it, use a piece of elastic to strap it onto the pads. (Sorry, don't have a pic right now, misplaced the mount!)

EDIT: found another mount, meant as another hookup for a light; you just remove the reflector, and in the two holes in the swiveling bracket, you mount to brake pads side-by-side.

dynaryder

The dangly things are hipster cysts. Knog started that crap,and now there are many companies that put them out.

Burton

Some things people only buy because they're a 'deal'. Other things people line up to pay outrageous prices for because their performance is head and shoulders above anything else available.

I'm more interested in stuff in that second catagory.

MEversbergII

Well, all this sounds like good advice. I guess I am underestimating just how bright small lights can be in (obscured) daylight. I'll put one of those HotShots in with my next Amazon order. Going to give those flashlights a go - worst case they're still better than the one I have now until I can fork out for a really nice one.

M.