Good afternoon everyone (rainy one here in Upstate ny)

well lighting season is approaching and Ill need lights in the morning and after work too.

The last 3 seasons I rode with a heavy/bulky and very Geeky home brewed 2 light set up.

I have a 10 watt flood and a 20 watt spot (MR16 auto lights) also wired into a small 12 volt strobe and a large geeky switch box (it was as small as I could make). all this junk sits on a second stem under my handlebar bag(strobe is on rear rack) , and lets not forget the bottle battery I made that weighs a ton ...

my commute is 19 miles one way and often on the MUP which is pitch black at times!! I also have to ride in the city .

another reason for a Dynohub is that I often forget to charge my batt so I dont commute . I also skip doing many evening fun rides in the fall cuz I dont want to get stuck without good lighting if Im visiting people ... and get caught after dark. Ive been caught several times , not fun, (I carry backups but tiny ones at best , be seen types , not great for potholes or the MUP... not to mention batteries are often dead after sitting for months unused)

OK the big issue is Go for the schmidt $$$$$ or save $200.00 and use the new shimano???
Im not doing brevets or audax (would love to BUT No time, im lucky if I can commute).

Seems that Most that have the shimano are ok with it But many state "if I could afford the schmidt I would have gotten it instead"

Is the schmidt that much better ? I saw the specs on peter whites site and yes it performs better 1.5 watt (sch) to 2.2 (shimano) in lights off drag 63% (sch) to the shimano 52% efficiency , schmidt has sealed bearings, shimano cone and cup .

the only real plus for the shimano next to it being half the price was the shimano hub produced more voltage at slower speed than the schmidt (great in the city) but all in all the shimano wasnt that far behind.

I can see splitting hairs for serious distance riders just like a roadie would make weight choices but for real world commuters/recreational riders is all of it that big of a deal .

Sorry I know this is an old tune but I have to decide soon.

Many thanks

"John"