Originally Posted by
divecon2k4
Ok, the last thing on my list so I can start commuting on my bike is headlight. I'm looking to spend around $125 maybe $150. I have a 11 mile ride and will be leaving home around 400 to 415AM the route for the most part is lit by street lamps but the part that's not is almost pitch black. The LBS has a NR USB, not sure if that is the model name or not, light with 115 lumes for $120 but was dead when I stoped in so I couldn't really see how bright that is. So I'm looking for some opinions on this light or other lighting options.
Cheapest and brightest you can get are the P7 MTE lights from
DealExtreme. Get the 2 mode since the 5 and 7 mode have weak drivers and tend to switch modes due to road impacts...at least mine does. You'll need an 18650 battery and charger and some kind of mount.
Look here for details on what I did and other ideas.
The draw back for the P7 is that they won't last long...about an hour...on high with the 18650 battery. Get multiple batteries or go with
Turboferret's external system.
Two lamps (one on the bars and one on the helmet), batteries (at least 4), and mounts will cost you about the $120 that the Niterider system costs. You have to add a little sweat equity but you'll still end up with a much better system for that money.