CompleteStreets

So we've entered the age of high-quality, bright USB lights that light up the road ... and die after a few hours. Some last 1.5 hours, some maybe as long as 10 hours. Well, that's not good enough for me.

Is there a headlight that lasts over 20 hours and doesn't cost a fortune? I'm perfectly fine with AA or AAA batteries, or any other type of batteries, so long as I can stay within budget. I'd like to spend under $40 but I'm willing to pay $80 if I have to. At this point in time I'm not interested in generator lights. Maybe in the future. Thanks for any suggestions.

RedandBlack

Something that lights up the road for 10 to 20 hours for $40 is asking a lot. A good compromise for that price is the https://www.amazon.com/Metro-360-Hots...rds=streak+310 . 360 lumens, 10 hours headlight life (on lower settings), and 500 hours for the tail light. I have the 310 version and I'm very happy with it. I mostly use the low light settings even on the darkest stretches and only use the bights for fast downhill sections so I can go out riding several nights before I need to charge. 20 hours on a charge? Where the **** do you bike? Alaska?

Miele Man

I know you said no to generator lights but if you're looking for 20 hours at a time that's the way to go.

There's not much out there that'll run 20 hours at a time and light up the road too especially for less than 80 bucks.

I have a CygoLite Rover II that'll run 10 houirs on low beam. That's a 250 lumen maxinum light. To get 20 hours i'd have to carry a second battery pack. It's NuMh and i can get long amp hours run time batteries at the local radio control hobby shop.

Btw, be very careful of any Chinese lights advertised with very high lumen counts. The lumens are vastly lower than the ads state and the run times are drastically shorter too.

Cheers

CompleteStreets

The reason I want 20+ hours on a charge is that I find it very inconvenient to have to charge lights often. I know it doesn't phase most people, but to date I've only used generator lights or AAA blinkies that easily last 40-80 hours on a charge. Needless to say, I've formed a habit of not charging lights. And I really appreciate the convenience of not having to charge lights and then remembering to unplug them and rehook them up. Maybe this makes me weird. Fine.

Are there any AA or AAA lights for seeing the road? I don't bike faster than about 15 mph, so maybe I can settle for a light a little more dim than most would recommend.

tedder

How many lumens do you want? Given your duration, this will be the deciding factor.

DCwom

Check out the Electronics forum, more light discussions than you'd care to read.

Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets

BTW I use a Planet Bike 2 watt light for a front daylight flasher and on a couple of short rides as a headlight (4th of July fireworks). I supplemented the Planet Bike light on the last night ride with a strap-on headlight for a wider field of light, for the short ride on familiar roads with streetlights to/from home it was ok. Remember that its not just lumens but how wide the field of light is. We CC tour and don't tour at night, so I don't need an expensive light, the Plant Bike light would work in a pinch if we got caught after dark.

rm -rf

You posted the same question a few days ago in Electronics:
Longest battery life for "to see" headlight

I don't think you'll find any new answers here.

mtnbud

Be sure to read rm-rf's link above.

I've been really happy with Coast products. You're not going to get any bicycle specific products, but you could take something like the HL7 focusing headlamp and rig it to your helmet. You'd be able to use it in camp and for other uses. I use mine for backcountry skiing.

I have some bicycle specific headlamps, but to get that type of battery life, you're going to be looking at less lumens or a large rechargeable battery pack. I bought this low quality light on sale and have been using it to commute to work. Mine has been fine, but reviews indicate some have got a lemon.

fietsbob

Amp-hour battery capacity numbers matters for run time... and 1/2 watt draw will have twice the battery life of 1 w draw.

you cant carry spare batteries for a with a built in USB charged battery ..

Tourist in MSN

If you think a 1 watt LED headlight would be enough light, there are some good low cost ones out there. If you are riding in communities with street lights, that might be enough for you since you probably don't need too much more light.

Do a google search or see what the ones in a local store look like. I am pretty happy with an old (now discontinued) one by Serfas. Took 3 AAA batteries. My only complaint was that if you store it for months with the batteries in it, it would slowly drain the batteries due to the electronics in the switch mechanism. If you need twice as much light, buy two.

tarwheel 

I think your best option could be a headlight or flashlight that uses rechargeable 18650 batteries, which will last longer than AA or AAAs. You could buy a light, several batteries and a charger for $80 or less if you shop around. The light should be able to run several hours per charge, and you could carry spare batteries if you need to go longer. If you shop around on-line, you can buy 18650-compatible LED lights for very reasonable prices. If you get a flashlight, you will need something like a Two-Fish mount to attach it to your handlebar.

BTW, Lezyne cycling lights use 18650 batteries. They are more expensive than many flashlights but are high quality lights designed for cycling with mounts for handlebars and helmets.

CompleteStreets

Thanks. I might try out that "low quality" light. 300 lumens and runs on AAA. Even if the lumens are exaggerated, I suspect it will suit my needs.

Buffalo Buff

Gonna copy and paste the reply I posted on your original thread that offered you exactly what you are asking for for under 100$ that you didn't respond to.


I've used this setup on a few tours now, it works great. I still don't see the big deal with keeping a few mini-USB cables and an adapter in the garage next to my bike, but to each their own.

tedder

Agree. Or removing the lights and bringing them in to a charger. My bikes live in the dining room but I remove the lights anyhow.