Originally Posted by
adamrice
I also have a Hypershot, and have also had a fellow cyclist exclaim that it was too bright.
When it is in steady-on mode, you can adjust the output level so that it's not blinding. The controls are not at all obvious—something I dislike about the light.
There are taillights out there that paint a "lane" on the ground, which may improve your conspicuity (Lezyne has
this, I'm pretty sure I've seen others). There are also
illuminated cuffs you could use if you're into that sort of thing
The laser "lane marking" was just marketing, with the lines barely visible from a distance. A bright tail light on steady, with a slight downward aim will make a bright pool of red light behind the cyclist. That's way more visible.
I don't ride at night very much anymore, but when I did group rides, I switched my Cygolite 150 from flashing to steady, and dialed the intensity down. With a group, this was good for following riders, and still obvious to cars overtaking.
Reflective ankle straps are very helpful. The group riders that had them were immediately obvious as cyclists even a few hundred yards ahead. That motion really catches my eye.
Yes, the
Hypershot 350 is too bright for closely following cyclists, even with sunglasses in the daytime. It does help if it's aimed a bit downward.
My 150 in single flash mode is very visible in bright sunlight and the short, sharp flash has a long battery life. It's eyecatching a quarter mile up the road in bright sunlight. I always have it on when riding.,