Old 12-15-12 | 02:04 PM
  #10  
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CliftonGK1
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From: Columbus, OH

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Originally Posted by wphamilton
It seems to me that given the very bright flashlights now available, there should be a market for universal reflector/lenses that would focus and shape the beams like traditional headlights. I'd buy one.
The difficulty in that, is there's no "universal" standard for lights, and when using a multi-LED light head it's very tough to make a cutoff type lamp. Take a look at the SON Edelux or any of the B&M IQ series of lamps and how they're constructed...
They use a single, rear-facing LED with a focused reflector to keep the light on the road. Once you point a light source forward, you're getting top-spill. When you start getting into the higher power ( >/= 800L ) lights, you're using multiple LEDs in there and they all face forward with their own individual reflectors. Focusing that sort of light to just the roadway would take some mighty unique lensing. Even if each reflector cup had a miniature top shield to it, there would still be significant top spill of light.

All that said, now that my commute puts me on 15 miles with no MUP travel, I haven't noticed any issues with fellow commuters who use insanely bright lights. There are some people using at least 600L on both bars and helmet, and when they're in the opposing lane of traffic there's not a problem. Just as a comparison test to see if there would be issues (honking or flashing of high beams being my indicator) between a cutoff light and a high power symmetrical light, I used my DiNotte XML-3 coming home from work the other night. 1000 lumens, no cutoffs, handlebar mounted and pointed about 30 feet out for the center spot. Not a single complaint (to my knowledge) versus my usual B&M IQ Cyo mounted just below my front rack. In seeing the spread pattern on the XML-3 light, the outer rim of the spot covered 3/4 of a traffic lane when I was sitting on the passenger tire track; so I don't think it's really a wide enough bright spot to irritate oncoming drivers unless I pointed it straight forward like a photon torpedo.
I think the bigger issue with the superpower lights is with people who use them on 8 foot wide multi-use-paths, because in that situation there's no chance that oncoming traffic is escaping the retina-searing power of the lamp's main spot.
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