Originally Posted by
cyclist5
Is having 2 medium intensity lights similar enough to having a really bright single beam? For example, two 250 lumen lights comparing to one 400-500 lumen light. I ask this question because of the cost of lights such as the Cygolite Miticross 400. It's $250 but for $120/250lumen light I can get a "combined" 500 lumens for $240.
A Magic Shine is $100 for a 900 lumen light. LED flash lights with the same emitter (but less battery life) are even cheaper. Save your money and get more light.
Spending more doesn't even guarantee better life - I was going through a $150+ Nite Rider every few years before I gave up.
Or am I just being ignorant? I also think having 2 lights is better because one can be run at the full 250 lumens to see while the 2nd can be run at the normal lower setting as a "see me" light, thus ensuring you'll rarely, if ever, deplete both batteries on the same ride at the same time.
Most decent (so you can see) lights have a battery gauge of some sort and aren't going to run out unexpectedly.
You still want two because lights break.