2manybikes

I know exactly what you mean. I run into that all the time. There are many small and not powerful LED lights that do not show up well. Also the angle is important, they must be kept horizontal, or you can't see them. A lot of people seem to miss that point. Many, many of these lights are not helpful, or are used wrong. Also the batteries need attention sometimes. They can fail, it's rare, but a reflector is a good back up too.

However a few of the new design LED lights are so bright that the red taillight Stands out from all the red car taillights in traffic 1/2 mile away! It is much brighter than any car or truck taillight but the lens is about the size of the end of D battery. You can blind yourself by looking into it. You can't ride behind it and see. Did you see the comparison photos I posted in another thread? The problem is, some are SO good, and some are SO poor. It's hard to get the word out. I don't mean to diminish the value of a reflective vest by any of this. I just hope that anyone that rides in the dark is as safe as possible. So I like to bring up the benefits of the bright LED lights as additional visibility. The white front light I recommended to him is the equal of the red one in my comparison photos. Until you see one it's hard to believe, I didn't. it's blinding...It actually hurts if you are close..


https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=Cat+eye+light

Posting number 30 is the one.

2manybikes

[QUOTE
Thanks. I might order one... do you think they are far superior to the Cateye EL400? I do like the Cateye, though PMSL at the "50m water resistant" claim! I do a lot of UK deep wreck diving... this light will NOT be coming with me![/QUOTE]

That's a good decision.. Let me know if see the fish in the ad with the light strapped onto him.

The S-sun is brighter and more noticeable from the side, and also very waterproof. Even though I have observed them side by side, it's hard to say how much better in words.

Maybe this will help:

The cateye is a little smaller and takes up less room on the handlebars. It fits onto anything, it will rotate over 90 degrees in either direction. It will work on the head tube or a stem of any angle. Also your helmet. I did break the tab on one of the Cateyes that takes up the slack of the strap, it still works, but the end of the mounting strap points out in the way a little.

The S-Sun is a touch more difficult to mount, but you can leave the bracket on and slide the light out in an instant to take along. And once mounted it is more secure, the Cateye may move a little. And In the rare case you do get stuck in complete darkness the more focused beam of the S-sun is more useful if you need to point it at the ground to help you see the surface. I have ridden a little in complete darkness using the S-sun on my MTB with huge bulletproof tires, just to see what it would be like.

I guess I would say, if you are pressed for room on the bars, get the Cateye. If you have room on the bars and don't mind leaving a bracket behind, the S-Sun is little more rugged. Only a little.
In the USA, the Cateye is 30% more costly than the other light.

I prefer the S-sun by a small margin. To me personally the maximum brightness is more important than having other mounting options. That's just how I look at it. The equivalent S-sun red tailight is probalby the brightest one on the market now. It's even brighter than the new Cateye TL LD 1000, which is an excellent light.

Old Gammy Leg

wow, thanks 2manybikes, I couldn't ask for a more detailed answer. Great work on the lighting footprints on the other thread too...

I think I will order the pair of lights from SJC, based on your recommendation. They are twice as expensive here as in the US.. about 80 USD for the pair... rip-off Britain as usual.

I will let you know what I think of them in a couple of weeks... thanks again.

2manybikes

Glad to help. I knew most things were more expensive in the U.K. I had no idea it was that much!

Citadel Rider

Hi all,
Just found this forum and this topic caugh my eye right away. This is my first posting here. I'm over 55 and got a bicycle this summer (gotta lose a few pounds and keep in shape). I ride mostly in the evening when the sun isn't so strong (I sun-burn easily). I live in a city 200,000 (urban subdivision), so I made a point of researching bicycle lights.

My short list came down to either CATSEYE or BLT (both sold here in Ontario Canada). I wanted more than one light on both the front and rear of my bicycle in case of light/battery failure. I chose BLT and I have five lights on my bicycle:
---- Front --
> Super Doppler (1) on the handlebar - 3 LEDs, all on/flash/off - used as "tight focused high beam" on ground 30-50 ft in front.
> Flare DX (1) on the (handlebar) pivot post - 7 LEDs, 1,3,7 on / 7 flashing / off - used as traffic attention getter (level - not down at ground) -- mostly 7 flashing while riding on road, and for medium wide area light (low branches) when trail riding - 3,7 on.
> Uber Doppler (1) on the new BLT Low-Down mount on the front brake assembly - 7 LEDs 1,3,7 on / 7 flashing / off - used as close-in (10-30 ft) medium wide light.
-- Rear -- two Flare DX's mounted on the end of my trunk rack supports - one on either side - 1,3,7 on/ 7 flashing / off.

NOTE -- the Flare Dx (white and red) lights come with mounting brackets for handlebars/posts, helmut -- and head-band for white Flare DX.

I have found these to be very bright and by having three in front provides depth perseption for those looking at you. I can be seen at least one block in traffic for two reasons -- 1) the LED white/blue is different from other vehicle lights and the LEDs have a sharp brightness to them within 45 degrees either side of centre and with one flashing in front... they see me. -- 2) by having two in back, bepth perseption is better again and redundancy in case of light/battery failure. By having them (quick) flashing and they at slightly different rates so they can't be mistaken for a turn signal.

While this did cost me roughly $130. -- a similar price for a 2-5 watt Halgen rechargeable unit -- and I also have good rear lights for the same price.

Many people have commented on the effectiveness of these lights (combinations). When riding on the subdivision side streets, I only use two front lights and only with 3 LEDs on (saves the batteries). I always have both rear lights on -- 3 LEDS on side streets and all 7 flashing when riding on main streets.

This use of lights (15 AAA batteries for 5 light units) for only one summer of evening/night riding 2-3 hours each night from mid July through to the end of October (roughly $12 in batteries).

I hope this helps other riders decide what they feel they need for safety.

Citadel Rider

Sorry -- this was a duplicate -- I removed it.

carless

An easy answer is go buy the most expensive/best lights you can. I was fortunate to be able to afford mine and use my bike as recreation, transportation, and entertainment. I'm often mistaken for a motorcycle, drivers squint in the daylight and I can light a small group ride.
Taillight
https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_22215.shtml
Light
https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_79036.shtml
Hope this helps

turtle77

The BLT Super Doppler is cool, but I broke the mounting bracket twice (there's a little tab at the back to click the light in that is super flimsy). I am a little annoyed...

sbhikes

We're more visibile than you think. As a driver I will even notice those disembodied half-broken, grungy reflectors on those beater bikes riding wrong way on the side walk. I'll notice those even more than some super bright head light on a bike in fact.

Sometimes those really bright ones are confusing. What is that? A bicycle? A motorcycle? The blinking LEDs on the front (if legal for you) or back make it very obvious you are a bicycle. The reflective stuff really helps, too. Basic reflectors, reflective sidewalls, reflective strips on your clothing etc. Some of those rear blinkies are brighter than some car tail lights.

Those bright head lights (halogen or otherwise) are best if you need to see where you are going. I need to see where I'm going because I ride in some fairly dark places. Those rechargable halogen headlights are a pain in the butt because I can only make 2.75 trips before the battery goes. I find I have to carry back-up lights because I sometimes I forget to recharge in time.

I'm looking forward to the day when they make super-bright LEDs that barely use any battery energy, are light and inexpensive.

sbhikes

P.S. For those weight weenies: A heavy light might weigh a pound or so. YOU might be a pound or so too heavy yourself. So lose that pound of fat first, then you can complain about the weight of the light.

NextLevelMentor

Check out www.lumicycle.com (Real Lights for Real Bikes and Trikes) (Even though mine is aimed about 25 ft in front of my Trike I get cars flashing their hi-beams at me because the light is so bright!

SamHouston

If folk are flashing you on a regular basis you may want to check your angle. Flicker of the headlights is a standard signal that you're blinding oncoming traffic or otherwise detracting from their ability to see in the direction they are traveling.

It's good to be seen by oncoming traffic but that advantage is diminished significantly if oncoming traffic must shield their eyes upon encountering you.

mac

Neither compared to HID. I bought a pair of these - one in spot, one in flood - with a 4.8A Li-Ion battery. They are only $266 each, including the bike mount.

2manybikes

Old gammy leg made his decision in mid Febuary of 2005.