Helmets with lights?
 

I have a new (to me) bike that has almost no accessories on it and I'd like to keep it that way. That means I don't want to add lights, but I think lights can be important. Instead of adding them on the bike itself, I was wondering what you would recommend relating to helmet lights. Are there helmets that are designed with lights? Are these lights bright? Do you have links or name brands? Thanks.

Personally I would recommend both for a couple reasons. First, a light on the helmet will attract attention from others on the road as it will move around with your head. Second, if as you are riding you need to direct your attention to something of concern outside the beam of a handlebar light, you can by pointing your head in the direction. But if you are set on not having a light on the bike, certainly a helmet light is better than no light and will have real benefit. As for brightness, it depends on the kind of riding you do and where. Riding on well lit streets will require less brightness than riding a dark trail.

Hi, Practical. I use helmet lights on every ride, because they typically can be seen over the tops of parked cars, which otherwise would block a light on the handlebars. It made a big difference to my visibility. I like Light and Motion VIS 360; these include the front and rear lights and can be strapped to a helmet's ribs. They use rechargeable batteries.

Recently mounted a red light to helmet using Ty-wraps, looped thru rear vents. I have may bikes so it seems easier to adapt one or two bike helmets with lighting than many mounts on bikes.

Helmets with lights affixed to them, at the factory. Are not good. Because, Suppose you damage/break the light, while taking the helmet off, or however else. Are you going to still get rid of the helmet, on account of the light being irrepairable.

If you still choose to have a light on your helmet. Attach the light on your own. Because then, you are allowed to make the judgment call on the quality of the helmet, and the quality of the light.

You get one to wear when you go down into the Mines .

The only mines I know of in your area, fietsbob, are the geoduck mines out on the sand.

the Demonic acid levels in the shell fish, has tested low enough to open Dungeness Crab and Razor Clam season..

Low, Clam Tide, at night? , I'll pass ..

I have three bikes. I have front and rear 180-degree flashers on each bike, and a Niterider 500 that clamps onto the handlebars of whatever I'm riding. A couple of years ago I added an amber flasher to the rear of my helmet, and a 7-LED flashlight to the front. I added the helmet lights to help me be seen above hoods, trunks and lower cars. And to be able to aim a light at cars coming from the sides. When I was researching what to get and if I wanted my main light on my helmet, one poster mentioned that having a super bright light on his helmet made it difficult to read his gagues when it was dark because it was too bright.

I use a couple of lightweight USB rechargeable lights on my Bell Solar helmet. The helmet is lightweight and feels no different with the lights attached. Helmet mounted lights have also been useful for off-bike bridge and underpass spelunking, since one of my hobbies is photographing graffiti and tags. I've used the helmet lights several times to selectively illuminate stuff I'm photographing - very handy to supplement or replace my iPhone flash.

For a headlight I use a Vivo-Bike Illuminati, which performs exactly as the vendor describes, so no exaggerations or disappointments in brightness or lighting time per charge. The beam is shaped with fairly definite cutoffs to minimize spill. It's bright enough on high to see the road and decent trails with dark adapted eyes at night, at my usual loafing pace of around 10 mph. In city traffic and approaching intersections or driveways I switch to flasher mode, which seems to be an effective attention getter. It's visible from the sides as well. I've positioned the beam to light only the road ahead, but by lifting my head and looking toward drivers I can see that they see me.

Pros:

• -On high, bright enough for riding around 10-12 mph at night on decent roads with dark adapted eyes.
• -Dim setting adequate to be-seen, and to see gear shift indicators, maps, maintenance or repairs at night (patching tubes), etc.
• -Reasonably well shaped beam, little spill where not wanted or needed.
• -Visible from sides due to lens design.
• -I can leave it strapped to the helmet while recharging.
• -Includes a decent rear red LED with steady, fast/slow flashers. Gets good mileage from a pair of commonly available button cell batteries.
• -Works better up high than down low. Gets a better beam pattern mounted high on my helmet or handlebar mirror, rather than lower on the head tube or fork.
• -Lasts as long per charge as vendor claims in published specs.

Cons:

• -For the price, no serious weaknesses.
• -Some unevenness in beam pattern visible on blank walls, but not really noticeable in actual use on the road.
• -Not bright enough for fast cyclists or quickly navigating rough unpaved trails. Adequate for around 10-12 mph on dark roads.
• -No warning indicator for discharged battery. When discharged it just shuts off.

For a rear helmet light I use a Blackburn 2'Fer, usually in red flashing mode to extend battery life per charge and to get attention in traffic. It's an excellent be-seen light. However due to the diffuse, non-directional light it's not as useful as the Illuminati as a headlight. I have ridden home at night with it several times, but only slowly and carefully. It's more effective at lighting up reflective signs than as a headlight.

Pros:

• -Bright white steady and strobe; bright red steady and strobe. But not bright enough to blind drivers.
• -Visible from sides due to lens design.
• -Indicators for remaining charge.
• -Lasts as long per charge as Blackburn claims in published specs.

Cons:

• -Must be unclipped from provided flexible band for recharging. USB port difficult to reach unless unclipped from strap.
• -Not bright enough for a nighttime headlight unless riding slowly (under 10 mph) and in areas with some streetlights.
• -When discharged it just shuts off. No step-down from bright to dim or flasher.

I'm riding at night more often than I'd anticipated when I resumed cycling a few months ago, so I'll be adding a brighter headlight to the bike itself. A few nights ago I had a close encounter with a skunk, missing it by only a couple of feet. Fortunately the critter didn't spray. A brighter headlight might have helped give me time to adjust my course before getting that close.

But I'm satisfied enough with the Illuminati headlight and 2'Fer rear light to keep 'em on my helmet.

Been using this light....InnoGear® 5000 Lumen Bright Headlight Headlamp Flashlight Torch 3 CREE XM-L XML T6 LED with Rechargeable Batteries and Wall Charger for Christmas Gifts Hiking Camping Riding Night Fishing Running - - Amazon.com.....with great results.

The 5,000 lumen ability really lights up everything.

Just remember that if you happen to crash and hit where the light is that the localized impact of the light will in most cases lead to point loading that the helmet was never designed for and the helmet will break where the light is.

The lower the light is mounted the longer the beam pattern and the more likely it is to show potholes etcetera. A helmet mounted light is good for when you need to see what's around you when the bicycle mounted light would be shining in the wrong area.

Cheers

Helmet ??? Pffft
Batteries??? Pffft

At night I use a helmet and handlebar rechargeable light of same mount. I rotate the freshly recharged light to the helmet as it is my primary. Since it is on the handlebars I can see when the older charged light is finished. I point the helmet light at door level of drivers that might pull out in front of me. I flash them on a ~3 second period. On the rear of my helmet I have a Serfas TL60 red LED which I run in flashing mode at night and when I take the lane during daylight.

I can't imagine riding at night without a handlebar light and helmet light. The handlebar light is big and throws the light I need for safety. The helmet lets me look at my computer, whose internal light is insufficient for my old eyes and it lets me work on something when I'm off the bike. Last night I needed my helmet light as I took off one layer and stuffed it in my rear bag and worked the snaps and such. My helmet light is a Petzl RXP (if I have the letters right) and I attach it with zip ties. Very effective.

I have ridden at night. I have been wondering about a helmet light for night time. To add to my 600-lumen headlight, and 60-lumens taillight.

Quite frankly, Petzl - Tikka RXP Headlamp, can't hold a candle or lumen to my http://www.amazon.com/InnoGear%C2%AE...iglink20253-20 light. I also have a 650 NiteRider on the bars.

The light is not that heavy on the helmet. 2 hour short night rides are not a problem.

I am looking to get a helmet with built-in rear light. This would be extra to my 2 handlebar lights and a rear saddle-mounted light too. Does anyone have any experience of helmets with a built-in rear light? I'm looking at the Endura Luminite in particular.
Any advice appreciated!
Thanks

Funny you should ask...

I was at the local Home Depot store, when I saw a "Headlight", with the claim "300 Lumens" .

I was in the market for a new Headlight for my Helmet, the old one was getting worn, needed tape to hold the batt compartment shut...

So I got it at a good price, oh, wait, here it is:

Coast HL50 LED Headlamp-21234 - The Home Depot

I used the Velcro™ strap from the old (Princeton Tec) helmet light...

But, because of the beefier hinge, or something, I had to move it forward from the second row of vents, to the front, so it is now directly over the helmet visor...

Has three brightness settings...

I recommend this product. But you will need to get a Velcro strap fro another source, it was NOT included (disclaimer).

The headlamp from Amazon is intriguing.:thumb:

My wife uses a Torch brand helmet with integrated rechargeable lights.
https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-medi...2g5t7pksac.jpg

It's pretty fantastic. I'd totally recommend it for being seen. But if you need to light up the road to see it, as well, then you definitely need a light affixed to the bike, not you. We use dynamo hubs with Busch & Müller lights.