Originally Posted by
cyccommute
The original question posted by Aznman was about cheap and bright light systems which, I think, has been adequately answered. I'm not adverse to spending money on bikes and bike equipment but I don't consider $160 to $240 to fall into that category. It's very difficult to compete with bright lights that cost less than $30.
There is also the problem of multiple lights on multiple bikes. Even $160 adds up if you want to use more than one bike for commuting. I have 7, with several different wheel configurations so I would need several dynamo hubs and several light systems compared to the ease of simply moving the light from bike to bike.
Dynamo systems also suffer from some other problems such as a lack of ability to use multiple lamps, especially a helmet mounted lamp. The cord from a helmet light to a Camelbak is hard enough to deal with, I couldn't imagine a cord running down to the bike.
But let's not what drives light innovation and has since the mid90s...off-road use. Commuters reap the benefit of the technology but the technology isn't made for us. Dynamo systems just don't work for off-road use where you might have to stop for a trail object or where you might be traveling at slow (<3 mph) speed or you might have to walk and/or carry your bike some distance. Dynamos just aren't practical there so there is little incentive to work on their development.
Sure, I think those are all valid points. There's no clear and consistent winner between battery and dynamo lights - if we want a clear winner all the time we'd have to compare battery lights to carrying a torch to illuminate your path while night riding.
(Wait...if there's zombies the torch might have the advantage...
)
The OP asked -
"For night commuting, most people would say this: don't just go for good lights, go for great lights...So what is the cheapest great quality lights that will last a long time? Should it use battery, or should it use other energy sources?"
The no-maintenance aspect of a dynamo light, and it's better beam pattern for road and trail riding might be worth the money for the OP, or it might not. But it definitely sounds like it's worth mentioning.