Originally Posted by
Unknown Cyclist
I'm not sure what you are on about ?
Every P7 torch I've seen uses a similar traditional reflector and there are lots and lots and lots of people successfully and happily using those as cycle lights.
I guarantee you for every rider that is very happy with his uncollimated P7 torch there are several more who become very unhappy whenever they encounter him on the cycle path. You are approaching automotive headlamp levels of light output here. DOT regulations limit the upward extent of headlamp beams for a reason.
Originally Posted by
Unknown Cyclist
That includes me - and as for having to point it 30 degrees down that's just an old wives tale spread by people who have bought very expensive cycle lights and are trying to make themselves feel better.
Not expensive. Say you have a couple of torches with 35mm reflectors. Just get one of these for the near field:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1919
and one of these for the far field:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4544
and you will be shocked how much better the road is lit up (and how much less cursing you hear!)
Originally Posted by
Unknown Cyclist
All I've had to do is point the torch (or several torches) at the road in front of me - exactly as I would with any cycle light in existence (and I've tried a lot of them) - and - this is the clever part - the light leaves the torch and lights up the road - how about that ?
Yeah, it lights up the road and oncoming rider's retinas. I make sure my lights just light up the road. Funny enough they happen to light up the road brighter when they aren't spilling half their output into space.