Originally Posted by
Jaywalk3r
It's easy enough to find bright lights for $30, but that doesn't make them good bike lights. At that price point, a bike light if far more likely to be junk than not. The CCT is likely to be way too high, and the electronics are unlikely to be potted. At that price point, many lights will have poor thermal management (a very big deal for bright LEDs). Those lights aren't going to provide a beam nearly as good, or as well suited for cycling, as a quality generator light.
That is all undoubtedly true of the light that I currently use. Yet, it continues to work just fine a year after purchase. My MagicShine is still working, 4 years after purchase (though I've replaced one of the cables twice now - which I consider to be totally acceptable). I don't WANT potted electronics - can't fix them if they need it.