Schmidt E6 vs Lumotec Oval Plus

[rainedon]

I'm looking for some advice on which lamp would work best for me using a Schmidt SON. I've heard that the E6 has a more focussed light pattern and is therefor brighter where you need it to be brighter. But I do a lot of commuting in the dark and I like the idea of the LED backups on the Oval Plus for when I'm stopped.

Does anybody have experience with both of these lights that might be able to give me a comparison. Is the E6 that much better that it would be worth it to run that and then a backup LED flasher (to be seen)? By the way, my riding is typically commuting and riding brevets in the dark and sometimes the wet. But I ride a fixed gear so my speeds do not typically go over over 25ish mph. Also, I'm not too interested in running a secondary light, just the primary at this point.

Thanks,
Nate

[Camel]

I'm looking for some advice on which lamp would work best for me using a Schmidt SON. I've heard that the E6 has a more focussed light pattern and is therefor brighter where you need it to be brighter. But I do a lot of commuting in the dark and I like the idea of the LED backups on the Oval Plus for when I'm stopped.

Does anybody have experience with both of these lights that might be able to give me a comparison. Is the E6 that much better that it would be worth it to run that and then a backup LED flasher (to be seen)? By the way, my riding is typically commuting and riding brevets in the dark and sometimes the wet. But I ride a fixed gear so my speeds do not typically go over over 25ish mph. Also, I'm not too interested in running a secondary light, just the primary at this point.

Thanks,
Nate

I've used the standard B&M, and the Oval Plus (with the LED standlight). The focus of the halogen lighting is pretty darned good-the light can be aimed just where you want it.

Given the option, I'd go for the E6 (because it's supposed to be an even better focus). The standard B&M does have the (passive) white reflector though.

My Oval plus cracked because I overtightend the mounting bolt-and unless I goop it all upwith JB weld or something, its pretty darned useless now. The standlight is a good idea, but the lighting that it provides (TO BE SEEN when stopped) is entirely underwhelming. Utterly useless (in my opinion) if stopped in rain/mist-fine if it's a clear night (when least needed).

[Michel Gagnon]

I have the Lumotec Oval Plus, which I bought before the E6 was available. The integrated reflector is interesting, as it allows you to avoid installing a separate white reflector (required here). As for the standlight: it is about as effective as those who install a taillight with weak batteries on their backpack (i.e it points to the sky). The Lumotec has also an advantage over the E6 if you ride on bike paths: its slightly wider and less focussed beam would giive you better lighting in the curves.

But for the rest of it, if you can afford it, I think you should go with the E6. Buy also a small LED headlight such as the Cateye EL400 or the BTL Super Doppler (which I have).
The Super Doppler comes on a bracket that allows 10-15° of rotation, so you can aim it inside turns. It can also be pointed down to brighten up potholes (useful in the rain) or up to wake up car drivers. And it can be used in steady or flashing mode. It also lasts about 30 hours on a set of 3 AAA batteries.

As an added bonus, if your main system ever fails or if you need to fix your bike at night, you'll appreciate having a battery headlight.

[rainedon]

Thanks for your words. It sounds like the standlight on the oval plus is not all that effective. I currently have a planet bike LED flasher that I can use in tandem with the E6. I'm just planning for my future lighting system for when my current system fails. I have a 13 watt L&M halogen that I like a lot, but it is a few years old and just a matter of time before the battery fails. I'm sick of worrying about burn times and charging it every night anyway.

[Michel Gagnon]

I haven't done a real test: i.e. park the bike in traffic, walk away from it and look at the standlight of the Lumotec Oval Plus. The major advantage of such a standlight is that it is part of the headlight, so you'll always have it with you even if you didn't plan any nighttime riding. That being said, your Planet Bike flasher will be a more effective standlight.