Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
The Smart light my SO brought over from England and the NiteRider Classic I bought from Performance Bike are "better" lights. For less, lots less than half the cost my MagicShine spanks them both. Soundly. There is no guarantee that spending more money will get you a better light. It might, but it is not an automatic truism. The LED version of the NiteRider costs $562 and is not quite as bright as a MS. You guys are nutz if you think I can spend more money for a headlight than the bike it is throwing photons for! Spending $20 is one thing, spending $100 is quite another.
I see. So...in your opinion, the ability to see where you're going - not worth more than $20. Yes?
I mean personally, being able to see in front of my is worth more. But you know, I don't like breaking arms and collarbones, and don't like crashing into things. Some people are into that sort of stuff.
Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
How many lumens do you get out of a car headlight? Need I say more?
Yes, you probably should say more, as that makes no sense at all.
P.S. Well, the truth is that if you're only biking on well lits streets you don't really need a light, so a $20 light that lets others see you is fine. It's when the streets aren't very well lit, where you're trying to fill in the gaps between lights while your eyes have adjusted to oncoming car headlights or even just streetlights that it's a problem. Lighting is very strange - intermittent lighting is what's the worst. Complete lighting or no lighting at all requires a less powerful light.