Originally Posted by
canklecat
Best way to read the sticky threads is from the end. That's the most current info.
Check REI in Canada. Recently they've been heavily discounting older but still very good head and tail lights from NiteRider and Serfas, including some combo head/tail lights for under $50 US. Right now I see the Serfas E-Lume 450 on sale for $22 at REI in the US. That's very good.
But don't get stuck on any particular brand. I've compared most of the popular brands and models at REI and other shops that have displays for customers to try lights. They're all very similar: Cygolite, NiteRider, Serfas, Light & Motion, a few others.
There are also hundreds of variations of the same three or four types of generic Chinese made lights sold under various names. The main difference described by customer reviews is battery performance. Consistent battery performance may be one of the reasons why the better known brands cost a little more.
I think the trusted brands are worth more serious consideration than the unknown ones. You listed the trusted brands. Any of them should be OK. The off brands have various compromises which reveal themselves later. Sometimes it's the mount. Sometimes it's something else like a second rate battery. They have worked poorly for me, and I bought far too many of them. I have no doubt NiteRider, Serfas, and Light & Motion are very solid. I've had good success with Cygolite.