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LIGHTS. help pick my light

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Old 04-30-06, 05:19 PM
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LIGHTS. help pick my light

i have $300 to spend on ebay ( just got my bonus)

i love to ride at night but now i want a good quality light to make this safe

Please help me pick a light

two i'm considering Cat-eye double shot, or blackburn X6
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Old 04-30-06, 05:25 PM
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try here

https://www.bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/142723-light-selection-guide.html
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Old 04-30-06, 05:49 PM
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Hey... if you wanna be a bit more frugal... My roommate just got a nightrider Trail Rat. It is REALLY bright, and it is only like $110. They make one with 2 halogens, for like 250 or something. I would say though, the only annoying thing is the NiMH battery, it has some weird charging rules. If you really wanna spend all $300, get something with a Lithium Ion battery... thats my only suggestion.

I have a cheap $60 light, and it blows ass... I am waitng to just creaam a pothole one of these days. I NEED a new light. I may buy an HID just cause they are so cool... but like $400...
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Old 04-30-06, 06:28 PM
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I have 2 lights. One is the Planet Bike Aliias from Performance for $99. It is a 10w halogen. Not bad, but a little yellow in color. The second is the Light & Motion Arc Li-Ion which I got on eBay for $300. It is much brighter and whiter, and the battery is smaller and lasts significantly longer (3 hours vs. 2). The only problem is that after about 2 months of use, the L&M wouldn't 'ignite.' I sent it back to them, and I'm sure they'll replace it. Even so, it kind of ticked me off after so little time.

If I had to pick, and if you do a lot of riding in the dark, I'd still go with the L&M. More than anything, a good light will buy you safety. Frankly, in the pitch black of night either does an OK job (although the L&M is obviously better). When the sun starts rising though, I really appreciate having the brighter light as I think that this is the time when cars might be more likely to not see you. If it is only for very occasional use, get the Planet Bike (or something else cheaper than the arc lamps) and use the other money for some other toy. Just my humble opinion...
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Old 04-30-06, 07:18 PM
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go to batteryspace.com and look at their bike lights. could get quite a lot there for $300
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Old 04-30-06, 11:32 PM
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I commute with a Light & Motion. Its super bright and I can get 3+ hours out of the NiMH battery. I used it all last summer without any problems and am 30 minutes from using it tonight on the way home. The only bummer is that since it's so powerful, it disrupts my wireless computer and I don't always get accurate readings, and the odemeter isn't as high as it should be.
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Old 04-30-06, 11:46 PM
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If you've got $300 to spend on lights, don't bother with battery lights, go with a Schmidt Hub lighting system:

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm

I just wish I could afford a Schmidt Hub lighting system ... I have the worst time with all the other lights I have.
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Old 04-30-06, 11:59 PM
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Dude, you can get a good Cateye light that works and doesn't look half bad for $50. Spend the other 250 on something else.
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Old 05-01-06, 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
If you've got $300 to spend on lights, don't bother with battery lights, go with a Schmidt Hub lighting system:

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm

I just wish I could afford a Schmidt Hub lighting system ... I have the worst time with all the other lights I have.
Yep. I totally drool over that stuff.

One of the local shop guys here has a Schmidt with a Nitto light mount that takes the place of nut on the front QR skewer. Looks pretty cool. Then you could move the whole deal around to different bikes in a snap. I'm not sure if this is the exact same one, but you get the idea.

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Old 05-01-06, 01:36 AM
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For a little more than your budget the arc hid is a great light.. Includes all the hardware to mount on bars or helmet.. I have had this light for over 2 years and still running solid..

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7237152643
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Old 05-01-06, 05:23 AM
  #11  
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Snag a HID on ebay for $300 man!

Originally Posted by GeorgerinNH
i have $300 to spend on ebay ( just got my bonus)

i love to ride at night but now i want a good quality light to make this safe

Please help me pick a light

two i'm considering Cat-eye double shot, or blackburn X6
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Old 05-01-06, 02:18 PM
  #12  
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I have this one (minus the taillight):

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...TOKEN=86282012

I ride most mornings in the dark (pitch dark in winter). I can go about 25mph and be able to see things in time to avoid them with this light. It's compact, takes 4 AA rechargeable batteries, or 4 regular AAs. Works for me.
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