Originally Posted by
Totaled108
As a commercial truck driver in Portland and bike commuter, I completely agree with Patrick. Flashing blinkies are more difficult to place on the roadways. Much better then nothing, but slow pulsing or random flash with steady between flashes works best. Since switching years ago to a Hot Shot from Superflash and switching to a slow pulsing setting, I get much more room from passing vehicles.
It's also much better driving/riding behind none flashing lights.
Flashing lights cause me to look away from the light source, not what you want drivers to do.
Very helpful perspectives from a cyclist and driver, thanks.
How's the actual run time per charge? The specs show up to 4-1/2 hours (presumably steady/bright) and 500 hours (not sure which mode).
I'm using a combination of a Blackburn 2'Fer on my helmet in flashing mode, and a no-name red LED in rapid flashing mode on the rear rack. In my videos it seems pretty much any combination of two rear lights helps give the viewer some sense of perspective and distance. As the distance increases/decreases the relative gap between the lights helps judge distance. Mostly I run both in flashing mode to extend battery life.
Regarding apparent brightness, I was a little concerned at first based on looking at the lights indoors. But outdoors in my video tests the lights didn't seem too bright, confusing or likely to cause a driver to avert his/her eyes - the LEDs are nowhere near as bright as typical emergency vehicle lights, street construction flashing lights or traffic lights. Perception seems to be relative to ambient light, iris dark-adaptation, etc.