Originally Posted by
noisebeam
Oh, that is too bad, I thought some folks were using it as a primary light. I did not expect better, but then again while I haven't done much research I thought 'the word' was that high power LED lights have just about obsoleted HIDs. But of course I am not looking to replace the HID, just have a backup (for failed HID or for a daytime rainstorm) and a short use option such as heading out just before sunrise for a century ride where I'd rather not lug the HID/battery around for the rest of the day.
Just to make that I'm clear, I don't want to come across as saying the L2Ds are not good lights (in a relative sense). I typically run two of them on my handlebar and one on my helmet, and I'm happy with them for my uses for the kind of riding I do. One of them would get me home just fine, but it wouldn't be my preferred way of riding every night by any stretch. I really have no experience with good HID lights...but I've always gotten the impression that a good HID light will typically blow a lesser LED out of the water, despite the rapidly advancing LED technology. The gap is closing with the higher-end LED lights (my understanding, anway)...but I don't think something like an L2D would realistically be able to compare to a fairly powerful HID.
There are quite a few folks who use single L2Ds to ride with, but so much of the impression people get from these lights is based on what they're accustomed to. If someone is accustomed to nothing at all or a cheap bike light, the L2D is a huge step upward. But if someone is accustomed to a good HID...the the L2D could perhaps be a disappointment if being compared side by side. And so much depends on the kind of riding each person does, the bike they ride, the speeds they attain, the terrain, etc. Again, I don't have any real experience with good HID lights -- only what I've read. I do strongly feel that the L2D would be a great backup/emergency light for most people, and it will be very versatile in its use, from the bike to everyday use.