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Headlights with high tech reflectors

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Old 11-03-11, 09:05 PM
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Headlights with high tech reflectors

I recently bought a Serfas light for very occasional use when riding to the start of a ride pre-dawn or maybe the odd, short night ride. I'm a bit surprised that its reflector doesn't create an asymmetrical beam since this would clearly be more efficient, but I suspect that the reflector dimensions are a bit of a limitation.

What compact lights are out thee with higher tech reflectors. More to be gained with an efficient design than with brute force lumens.
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Old 11-04-11, 05:46 AM
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This Ixon IQ light
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.asp
has a very good reflector that helps it to focus the light where you need it most. It works better for me that the other light that I have and rated at 200 lumens of light.
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Old 11-04-11, 05:55 AM
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I also have The Ixon IQ. I use it for day riding safety.

Here is the beam, not my photo.



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Old 11-05-11, 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by rdtompki
...What compact lights are out thee with higher tech reflectors. More to be gained with an efficient design than with brute force lumens.
I have the Ixon IQ as well; I got one after 10wheels recommended it about a year ago. It does a better job than my old home-made light which had much more power, but not well focused power.
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Old 11-05-11, 06:51 AM
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That light-field photo doesn't look very assymmetrical to me. What am I missing? I'd expect to see something like an automotive headlight with a kickup to the right of beam center.
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Old 11-05-11, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Road Fan
That light-field photo doesn't look very assymmetrical to me. What am I missing? I'd expect to see something like an automotive headlight with a kickup to the right of beam center.
It has a horizontal cutoff at the top of the beam and get progressively dimmer as you move down the beam (the road closer to you). This gives very even illumination to the road at all distances away from you. The assymetry is not in left-right fashion, but in an up-down(i.e. fore-aft) direction. Read up on Peter White's site about headlight beams.
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Old 11-05-11, 11:39 AM
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I decided to go with an asymmetric beam when I rode along with someone who had one. My symmetric, 3 led light had more overall output, but his was where we needed it, on the road in front of us. it's too bad nobody sells reflectors like this to DIY'ers
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