It wouldn't matter where I pointed my MagicShine. I could aim it at my feet, there is no way I could do with it what you are able to do with your trashlight. 400 lumens really isn't much light. For one thing ALL lights, even the "reputable" ones are generously over-rated by their manufacturers. I don't think I am too far off if I speculate that your light is actually only around 200 lumens. But lumens is just a number, the bottom line is: being anywhere on the business end of my light will result in vision loss. That's bright, that's what you want when you are tootling about in the dark.

I have just made a change in lighting as a result of some Christmas presents from my Sweets who apparently wants me to keep coming home alive after my night rides. I'm probably going to make an original thread about it but since we are on the subject: the single, most useful thing you could do with your headlight (besides buying a much brighter one) is to helmet mount it. I've completely ditched the 4AAA back-up light I used to run in flash mode and put two (2) second generation MagicShine's with the Cree emitters (1000 lumens) on the bars. I only run them both when I am between cities in the boonies. The old first generation Magic'Shine (900 lumens) I've moved to the helmet mount that was ordered with the new lights. Having a light that goes wherever you LOOK is amazing. It should be required, the way helmets themselves are, to have mountings for headlights built into them. I actually use the increased control I have over the beam to keep the light OUT of drivers' eyes! But if you want to get their attention, just passing the beam quickly over a drivers face will do more to alert him or her to your presence than any attempts you might make with reflective clothing. Not that I don't wear reflective clothing. I do. But I don't make any attempt to illuminate it.

H