Originally Posted by froze
What do you spend on a setup?
My entire lighting setup cost $100 and both the light and taillight are way brighter then either the OptiCube or the Viewpoint taillight. My front lighting system actually contains 2 sets of lights, the first one is a twin beam 13 watts total Cygolite Metro that runs off of 6 D bats that only cost $49 (or you can get the rechargeable Cygolite Rover for $69 or just buy rechargeable D's; I like the D's because if-this has not happened in 2 years-the bats go dead on a ride I can just go to a store and buy more and it doesn't take up a bottle holder); then because car drivers eyes do not see or recognize the smaller light heads used on bicycles you need to grab their eyes attention so I bought a (taillight that came with a amber lense I use on the front instead of the rear) Xenon flasher from Vistalite for $14.
For the rear I have the Cateye TLLD600 that cost $18 that is so bright is blinding (but Cateye TLLD1000 came out with even a brighter one that is readly seen in daylight but it cost $35); also for the rear I have a set of handlebar end plug lights that cost about $12. Total cost of my light system just a tad under $100; but add to that leg band reflectors at $6 and your at just a hair over $100.
This lighting system of mine has gotten me numerous remarks from drivers saying how highly visible I was too them compared with other bike riders at night they've encountered. I do believe from my own experience when encountering a cyclist in a car that most cyclist are not very visible at all. Think about the times you encountered a cyclist and how readly visible they were to you from the front or rear. Most cyclist are especially seriously lacking in the front, they may have a expensive headlight but the light itself is only 1 to 1-1/2 inch round and when approaching a car the driver doesn't recognize this small light especially off angle even just a little; the driver is expecting to see the much larger headlight found on cars and motorcycles not a pen light! So a flasher does and will attract their attention to you.
The problem with the lights that use D batteries are 1) alkaline batteries don't work when it gets close to freezing. 2) If you ride at night often it's too expensive compared to the rechargeables. If you were to buy rechargeable Nimh or Nicad D's and a charger it will work in the cold but it cost's more than a rechargeable light.
The expensive headlights that are only 1 to 1 1/2 " diameter have a wide pattern and are more visible from an angle or even the side than the current led white flashers on the market. I have one that is more powerful than a car headlight. I agree that it does not always register to the driver because it so different but it is much more visible from the front or an angle that a car headlight. This is due mainly to the wide beam. I have one that is not as powerful as a car headlight, but still easier to see from the front due to the beam shape.
I agree that flashing is much better for getting attention too. The 15 watt halogen that I have that has three flashing modes puts everything else behind it for visibility. Don't misunderstand me, I have, and use, and like, many of the white flashing LED front lights. But for being seen from the front and all angles close to the front the powerful halogen and HID lights are better. This does not mean the LED's are bad, they are not, many of them are pretty good. I always have one with me after dark. If my main light ever quits I'm riding with a white led light in the front.