Originally Posted by
DScott
Tactical-style flashlights on bikes seem silly to me- they're big and heavy, with bulky attachment systems, and often lack in run-time compared to dedicated bike lights.
I will say, though, that the strobe function is a highly effective way of getting the attention of drivers. Perhaps the strike bezel would be a good "plan B" if the strobe fails to keep them away from you on the road...
Actually, tactical flashlights are amongst the smallest, most inexpensive ways to get lighting on the bike.
Show me a bike-specific light that will put out 200 lumens for 1 hour that costs less than $85 - you'll be lucky if you can get anything <$100 for 200 lumens. You can alternatively buy a Terralux $28 flashlight that will deliver the goods, and mount stably with a $5 lockblock.
I guess the Magicshine is a bike-specific solution, but it doesn't really count since it's not made by a well known bike-specific manufacturer (like Blackburn, NiteRider, etc.)
IMO, these major bike light manufacturers really need to get with the program - they've been WAY behind the lighting curve for years now. It's really sad when a $28 tactical flashlight outperforms nearly 100% of their products that cost 3x as much.