Originally Posted by roguehippie
get a dynamo wheel (Shimano hub type) and light set-up for roughly $200 and feel all cool about generating my own power, not having to use batteries, etc.
Does anyone have experience with dynamo hubs and their impacts on your ride? Do the 3, 6W halogen lights that work with them produce a lot of light, or are they simply like CatEye lights without the need for batteries?
IMO, this is the way to go. Brightness shouldn't be an issue; the beam pattern of the lamp you choose is probably the most important consideration. Old Union lamps, B&M lamps and some other brands produce a good focused beam.
Best US source I've found on the web is Peter White Cycles:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm
Search these forums and you will find several older threads addressing the questions you are asking.