Originally Posted by Rowan
The hub dynamo is great. No doubts about the battery charge. It's there ready to roll at any time. I love my SON.
As to the lights, the optical design of the lens and reflector are what work, not the power of the globe. I ride lots at night on randonnees with people who have spent small fortunes on battery lights. They still don't measure up to the Lumotech Ovalplus, and now the B&M E6.
For urban riding, go with the Ovalplus with the LED that remains lit from energy stored in a capacitor for around 5 minutes. Helps you get seen at junctions when the main globe goes out on stopping.
For best use of light output, the E6 reigns supreme, but is not available (I don't think) with the LED.
I have one Ovalplus as a primary light and an E6 as a secondary for my randonnee bike which serves more often that not as a commuter.
The commuter I plan on building will have a the latest Shimano hub dynamo with a single Ovalplus.
I have been pondering this question for a long time and hopefully one of you guys can set me straight. I have a 1 mile descent in my morning commute where I typically reach speeds of 25+mph. 9 months of the year I'm riding before sunrise and this road is pitch black and I'm in Oregon, so the roads are often wet. I am using a Light and Motion Solo 13 watt halogen lamp. I am satisfied with this light and its illumination at these speeds in these conditions. When this light/battery fail, I am really interested in replacing it with a generator setup. Will a generator hub with one of the available lamps (most seem to be 3 watt) give comperable light and intensity and make me equally as satisfied as my Light and Motion? Does a 3 watt bulb on a generator system somehow give off as much light as a 13 watt bulb on my NiMH system?
Thanks
nate