Originally Posted by
PharmD
I'm looking for a light for early morning rides. Basically I'll be getting up at 5:30am and need probably 1.5-2 hours of runtime until sunrise. I've seen the magicshine, but do I need this much light? Would I be okay going with just a 220 lumen flashlight mounted on the handlebars? I'm just unsure of where to go at this point. I've looked at the light threads, but there is just too much to look through. I'm looking for cheap at his point. The magicshine looks like a great deal for $85 bucks- it comes with everything needed right? How would two 220 lumen flashlights compare to the magicshine? Too many options...
MS will give you that runtime and plenty of light.
I do not own a Terralux (or any other 220 lumen flashlight). However, I have a DiNotte 200L and two Fenix (180L each) flashlights. I have ridden with one Fenix and the DiNotte, just the DiNotte, and just the Fenix. I used that set-up for around 2 years and always thought they were plenty of light.
That being said, I recently got a MS (Dec 09). Having the MS, the others get very little use as, now I think in hindsight, they were barely enough. If you need a very good biking only light, get the MS. You can run it in the dark for 1.5 to 2 hrs, then run it in flash mode (the SO-SO-SO-SO... pattern) for the rest of your ride time.
If you need a versatile light, that you can use for other applications (camping, searching your big yard for your lost dog at night, etc.) then start with a good flashlight. The flashlight likely won't give you the runtime of a MS, so you'll either need to run it on a lower mode or bring extra batteries. It also won't be nearly as bright, and when you finally do get a MS (or other P7 based light), you'll realize you were just getting by.
Also, be sure to get the best tail light you can possibly afford. Either a DiNotte now (proven but presumably more expensive), or wait until sometime in April when the MS tail light is available (new product, unproven, but hopes are high because the headlight is so good).