Originally Posted by
fizbiz
I think it is worth noting (for those who are not familiar with bike lighting), that if you are commuting only on familiar paths you do not an 800 lumen light source.
I totally agree with your conclusion (i.e. the beauty of a couple of mag lites) but have a slightly different spin on the premise. At play is not whether you are "only on familiar paths." It is a far more complex mash-up of:
- how straight or twisty things are
- how fast you're going (your event horizon)
- how comfortable you are responding to dim outlines vs. requiring things painted by massive candlepower (and how quickly your eyes adjust, etc.)
- what kind of other traffic is on your route
- what do you need to see them (e.g. ninja joggers) and be seen by them (e.g. stand out to and be visible to cars in already light polluted area)
The ambient light level along your route is very important, too. The irony is that, except for twisty or off-road routes which require you to pump up the lumens, I find I need LESS light the darker my route is, because I'm not competing with other lights.