lumens
05-25-09 | 08:38 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Raleigh Sports, Giant Cadex, Waterford X-11, Specialized Rockhopper Comp FS, Viscount Aerospace Pro, Scwinn Passage
lumens
Hey guys, I'm thinking about getting a headlamp to wear over my helmet. I want a headlamp so I can use it for hiking and other activities as well. Would 130 lumens allow me to see the road at all?
05-26-09 | 05:52 AM
#2
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
On the bars/fork, 120 lumens is what I consider about bare minimum to ride at a fair speed. On your head, I dunno.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
06-02-09 | 02:18 PM
#4
Software for Cyclists
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Redding, California
Bikes: Trek 5200, Specialized MTB
That would be a good "be seen" light, but I wouldn't want to go more than about 15 mph with it.
FWIW, headlight mounted lights tend to disguise potholes and other road hazards, because you don't get a proper shadow since the lamp source is so close to your eyes.
Best bet would be the 130 lumen headlamp, combined with a bar-mounted light (200+ lumens). Especially if you can put the headlamp into flashing mode...that's a real attention getter.
FWIW, headlight mounted lights tend to disguise potholes and other road hazards, because you don't get a proper shadow since the lamp source is so close to your eyes.
Best bet would be the 130 lumen headlamp, combined with a bar-mounted light (200+ lumens). Especially if you can put the headlamp into flashing mode...that's a real attention getter.
06-02-09 | 02:30 PM
#5
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From: La Verne CA
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
A headlamp for hiking and biking are 2 completely different needs.. I personally use a 230 lumen light onm the helmet in conjunction with a P7 (600 lumens) on the bars.. The helmet light is more for being seen and to get attention of drivers on the road.. If you are riding anything above 15+ mph 300 combined lumens would be a minimum requirement, more is better..
This is my helmet light, L-mini from Shining Beam..
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...ni-1081/Detail
The only headlamp that would be close in output would be a zebralight H60, but they are 100.00..
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info...roducts_id=622
This is my helmet light, L-mini from Shining Beam..
https://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...ni-1081/Detail
The only headlamp that would be close in output would be a zebralight H60, but they are 100.00..
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info...roducts_id=622
06-03-09 | 01:33 AM
#7
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: seattle
Bikes: tirove
i use a light and motion arc nihm which is about right at 650 lumens.
i also have a mte sf15 p7 led which is advertised at 900 but is realistically around 700 in a much less usable spread.
basically, your eyes will adjust to local light levels. if you're staring at car headlights or bright buildings or street lamps that don't cover the part of the road you're on, you'll need something with a lot more lumens than 130.
however if you're going under 15 mph just getting from point a to point b, you probably don't even need 100.
i also have a mte sf15 p7 led which is advertised at 900 but is realistically around 700 in a much less usable spread.
basically, your eyes will adjust to local light levels. if you're staring at car headlights or bright buildings or street lamps that don't cover the part of the road you're on, you'll need something with a lot more lumens than 130.
however if you're going under 15 mph just getting from point a to point b, you probably don't even need 100.
