Originally Posted by
kaseri
Dinotte 800L up front and a 140r mounted to the seat rails.
Dinotte makes terrific lights. I believe the 800L as been replaced by the XML-3 (or something like that). It's a great light and Dinotte has great customer service. Another great light available these days is the Lupine Piko 3 -750 lumens, very bright and very tiny. This would be an excellent light for either helmet or bar use.
As for tail lights for commuting - they might be more important than the head light for safety. Any of the AA or AAA blinky lights are inadequate. They look great in your hand, but get even 50' away from them and they are not bright unless you are on the right axis (no spread) and they look like tiny pinpoints of light. You'll get no respect from drivers with that.
Another light that is important for safety is to have some sort of helmet mounted light. The more direct the beam the better. As you approach an intersection and if there is a car there that could cross you, aim the helmet light to light up the driver's side door to help get their attention. I've done this many times and it works very well. Even a very bright light (like the Piko or equivalent) won't blind the driver at the crossing distance, but they will definitely know you are there.
OTOH, if you step up to the Dinotte 140R as a minimum and even better to the 300R, you'll find that cars slow down when the approach you and then will go wide around you. This has been documented by many riders (do a google search). These lights will get you respect because a car is not entirely sure that you aren't something big and important like a police car or hazard.
J.