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. 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.
The best solution will inevitably depend on what sort of cycling you're doing.
If you're riding unlit trails after dark you'll need a lot of light, thrown forwards and sideways. You may be better off with two lights so you can use one to light the path ahead a long way and another to throw light out sideways so you can see if, for example, there's an animal near the side of the trail that might move into your path.
If you're riding on roads that have street lights you're probably going to be more interested in being able to see potholes, while also making sure you are seen by other road users.
Depending on just where you want the light you might be better with one light or multiple lights. If you want high visibility then a dozen relatively dim lights will make sure you are seen. If you want to cast light a long way then you will most likely need a small number of powerful lights rather than a large number of weak lights (for comparison think of a single focussed beam from a krypton bulb and compare the results to the output from as many dim bulbs as you can imagine)
My night riding tends to be the latter situation - urban roads and lit MUPs so my lighting solution is a front flashing light and a flashing head torch. If I go through a section that isn't well lit I put the head torch onto its bright/steady mode, then put it back to flashing when I'm back under street light coverage. The beauty of a head torch is it illumates wherever I'm looking.