Originally Posted by
climbhoser
Would it be the best light if over half my commute was on an unlit MUP? In other words, pitch black? Will the Fenix do the job for that?
Also, my commute is 15 miles each way, so I was thinking a rechargeable with a bright as heck light would be the way to go...
Yes, the darker the path the better the LED works. Sounds weird but true, in partially lit streets it tends to get washed out by streetlights. I am very comfortable cruising at 15-18mph in pitch dark with my 135lumen light. Now it's up to 175, even better.
"Rechargable" lights have their drawbacks: alot of them have special batteries, so when it goes (and it will go!) yer stuck. "Bright as heck" lights are pricey. Keep in mind the the Sol is like 115 lumens, wimpy by current LED standards. The CygoLite Hi-Flux is probably about the same. Flashlight makers are WAY ahead of bike light makers in LED technology - probably because it's easy and fast to intergrate a new LED into a flashlight!
I think the Fenix would be perfect for your 15mile commute, turn the brightness up and down (just twist the body a tad) and you will make it on 1 set of AA's each day, easy. Get home, put the used ones in the charger, and put in fresh ones. Carry 2 Alkaline (or better, Lithium) AA's as backup, and you will NEVER be without light.
cheers