Compared even to good halogen lights, I suspect the new, extravagantly expensive light reduces my chance of accident caused by either of two things: hard-to-see road hazards and automobiles. That the light would do this was an important fact in my deciding to spend so much. I certainly feel more secure. When I thought about riding twelve miles to Wal-Mart in falling snow in X-mastime traffic I thought that my headlamp was something I simply didn't want to worry about at all. With my old 12W light, I felt reasonably safe, with occasional questions. Now, I don't worry at all.

How much the light reduces my chances of accident I'm not sure, and whether it was worth buying for that amount of contribution to safety is something else, too. (Then there are complications, like the fact that you can always ride a bit slower with other lights, too, at no cost.) Like Raymond, though, when I thought about the cost of a crash I felt reasonable in thinking that strong lighting is a good place to avoid scrimping.

So far I'm very satisfied. I see the pitch black roads and their attendant hazards much more clearly, and so far I get more respect from drivers. I can ride at daytime speeds on pitch black roads. I just got the light, though, so I'll learn more as I use it.

Of course, "reduction in risk" has to be understood prior to my change in riding habits. Now I'll ride more at night, bringing my overall risk closer to what it was. So maybe it's better to say that I've increased my freedom for a given level of risk.

Apart from road safety, I liked the prospect of doing more off-road riding without having to go home and get a helmet light. I liked the turbo charger. I just like powering the light up, too, and seeing the pleasing blue light flood everything in sight. It's cool.

You can get the light I've been discussing for around $350 if you look, but whether $350 or $400 you're talking about a huge wad to blow on a bike light. There's no denying it.

You can also get good lights, lights that are more than minimally adequate, for much less. You might spend less now and see what's available in a couple of years if you feel like upgrading, too. That's not an unreasonable thing to do. I would say, too, that you might find the ARC overkill in well-lit areas. If you can already see the road then the visibility increase from the light is probably not worth the money.

Anyway, if someone else gets this light I'd be very interested to hear the response to it.

Cheers.