Originally Posted by
davidad
This is a good choice. Put o-rings or duct-tape around the first battery so it doesn't rattle (if the battery rattles, the light can flicker).
You might get about 1.5-2h of run-time from it.
Buy one (of whatever you choose) and see how you like it.
Having a helmet-mounted light might help you (maybe as a second light).
Originally Posted by
no1mad
What kind of mounting system would you advise?
I like the two-fish lock-blocks ($15 with free shipping from
http://www.4sevens.com/). You can also use an old innertube (see other posts in this subforum).
Originally Posted by
no1mad
-I'll only ride at night if it's an emergency during the summer- like I get stuck at work, make it back to the bus station but miss the last connecting.
How long a ride is this? Is there enough ambient light (eg, street lights) to be able to see and ride safely? I'm not suggesting that you do this but it might give some idea of how your vision is.
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Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
And I can't tell you how much light you'd need exactly, as I don't have bad night vision. Neither probably do most of the people making suggestions for flashlights. Has the Coleman LED actually worked out well for you for biking at night other than biking on the MUP?
This is an important point.
Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
in which case having 2 lights is going to be just as much of a pain as 1 light and a battery pack. I don't know how secure some of those bike flashlight holders are either.
Lots of people use LED flashlights with "those flashlight holders". It is no pain at all dealing with two of them on a handle bar. It's also possible that he would be better served by mounting one light on his helmet.
Ignoring his poor night vision issues, he's only interested in a light for rare emergencies. It should not be a problem if he has to ride a bit slower. A flash-light approach doesn't seem unreasonable.