Originally Posted by
loimpact
That is quite possibly the best solution I've seen so far.
1.) Bright! (I consider 700 lumens plenty, though I am reading that that "highest" mode is a little hidden.....aka "overdrive"). Nonetheless not bad. I wish the 700lm time was more than 1:30min and that the 2nd highest (500lm) was longer than 1:40min but with swappable battery....any issues solved!
2.) No worries with 18650. (smart)
3.) Side cutouts too. (Not that it's as good as Light & Motion's Urban series side-light but still an effort)
Just gotta be careful ordering. I was wondering where you found for $80 but there's apparently an older version (500lm max) for $65 and then there's the older kit & newer kit (500lm & 700lm) which are both over $100 on amazon. I'd do just the light itself w/ handlebar mount.
I thought maybe you had to order the spare 18650's from them because they were "sleeved" but that looks like just a storage sleeve. So i cud just pick up some quality panasonics off the web.
This is the Amazon link for $78.77.
Amazon.com : Lezyne 1-LED-6-V304 Super Drive XL Headlight : Sports & Outdoors
I just tested it last night with several other 18650 cells and all work fine.
I did a run down test last night on the medium setting and it ran for 3:08 on an Ultrafire cell rated for 3600 mAH. Same test on the Lezyne battery (rated for 2400 mAH) ran about 20 minutes longer. I ran both tests until light went out; it switched to a dimmer setting on its own some time after 2 hours. The medium setting seems plenty bright for night riding.
I really wanted the Lights & Motion because it is US made but it is about twice the price and does not have a removable cell. No removable cell was the main deal breaker. Who the heck wants to be stuck in the dark when the battery is dead? Ability to carry spare cells and charge them in a real and fast charger is a pretty compelling reason to go with the Lezyne. I cannot see why anyone who rides much at night would want a light that has to be removed and recharged without a replaceable cell. I do see why manufacturers like them though; they make you buy a whole second light as a backup instead of just a cheap generic cell.