Helmet Mounted vs. Handlebar Mounted Lights
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Helmet Mounted vs. Handlebar Mounted Lights
What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?
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Originally Posted by whitehare
What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?
in that case night riding, more light is better
generally handlebar lights are meant to be more of a flood, while helmets are for spot
with the helmet you point the light where you are looking
downside is it may blind people if you look at them
i use (am going to be ) using both
as well as the addition of a front flasher for more attention from cagers
would rather not have a broken arm and cracked ribs thank you
So...
1) NiteRider Classic Plus Handlebar
2) Fenix L2D CE for helmet
3) BLT Flare DX as ultra bright flasher
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Originally Posted by whitehare
What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?
If you have to fix a flat or do a drivetrain repair, a helmet light frees your hands to do the work.
You'll find another advantage if one of them happens to malfunction. You have a back up. If I lose my helmet light, I'll do what I can to get it functioning again over the bar light.
Finally, if some one tries to pull out in front of you at a stop sign, you can sweep the light across their face to get their attention. If they keep coming you look them right in the eye...they'll stop
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Any lights made specifically for helmets?
Originally Posted by Grun
if you are considering lights, likely, they will be for night use, as opposed to looking more like a motor vehicle
in that case night riding, more light is better
generally handlebar lights are meant to be more of a flood, while helmets are for spot
with the helmet you point the light where you are looking
downside is it may blind people if you look at them
i use (am going to be ) using both
as well as the addition of a front flasher for more attention from cagers
would rather not have a broken arm and cracked ribs thank you
So...
1) NiteRider Classic Plus Handlebar
2) Fenix L2D CE for helmet
3) BLT Flare DX as ultra bright flasher
in that case night riding, more light is better
generally handlebar lights are meant to be more of a flood, while helmets are for spot
with the helmet you point the light where you are looking
downside is it may blind people if you look at them
i use (am going to be ) using both
as well as the addition of a front flasher for more attention from cagers
would rather not have a broken arm and cracked ribs thank you
So...
1) NiteRider Classic Plus Handlebar
2) Fenix L2D CE for helmet
3) BLT Flare DX as ultra bright flasher
Are there any lights specifically made for helmets?
The fenix is just a flashlight. Do you attach it with tape?
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Actually the L2d is a little long for a helmet light.. I would opt for an L1d for AA use or preferably the P2d or P3d for max brightness.. You can attach using a zefal doodad plus mount + velcro strap or using a Twofish Bikeblock works great.. I second having both a handlebar mounted light + helmet light..
I use the P2d fenix light + bikeblocks.. https://www.boomerdirect.shoppingcart...53/1152782.htm
The picture below is of the L1d light, the p2d is a little shorter..
I use the P2d fenix light + bikeblocks.. https://www.boomerdirect.shoppingcart...53/1152782.htm
The picture below is of the L1d light, the p2d is a little shorter..
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Originally Posted by whitehare
The fenix is just a flashlight. Do you attach it with tape?
you reading this solcal? lol lol
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I think it is size matters crowd with there 6d maglight, then you blow them away with something that fits in the palm of your hand..
I agree the p3d has the best bang for the buck.. You can run on primaries in high mode for 5.5 hours or 3+ hours if you go with rechargeables.. I am using the p2d on primaries and getting close to 3 hours on high mode..
I agree the p3d has the best bang for the buck.. You can run on primaries in high mode for 5.5 hours or 3+ hours if you go with rechargeables.. I am using the p2d on primaries and getting close to 3 hours on high mode..
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Finally, if some one tries to pull out in front of you at a stop sign, you can sweep the light across their face to get their attention. If they keep coming you look them right in the eye...they'll stop
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Does the P2D have a flash mode (or is that stroke?) and if it does how long will that last on one battery?
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The p2d has 6 modes// low-med-high-sos and then turbo and strobe.. The strobe is an attention grabber.. Here is an index of runtimes.. https://lights.chevrofreak.com/runtimes/Fenix%20P2D/
3 hours of runtime on high mode.. 1 hour in turbo mode using cr123a primary battery..
3 hours of runtime on high mode.. 1 hour in turbo mode using cr123a primary battery..
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For years I used just a vistalite attached to my handlebars. I kept having people pull out in front of me all the time despite the fact that this light is really bright.
One day I pulled up beside a bank that has mirrors all along its sides and realized that NO light was visible from the sides
I have since bought a 1 watt LED light from walmart for $18.00 that is brighter then any other LED headlights I have seen. It has a headband that works great around a helmet.
I have noticed a huge difference with people pulling out in front of me. You can shine this thing right inside their car and light the whole cab up. Its awesome.
So I would recomend both but if you can only afford one I would get the helmet type.
One day I pulled up beside a bank that has mirrors all along its sides and realized that NO light was visible from the sides
I have since bought a 1 watt LED light from walmart for $18.00 that is brighter then any other LED headlights I have seen. It has a headband that works great around a helmet.
I have noticed a huge difference with people pulling out in front of me. You can shine this thing right inside their car and light the whole cab up. Its awesome.
So I would recomend both but if you can only afford one I would get the helmet type.
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+1 helmet mounted.
I have also noticed a huge improvement in terms of people not pulling out in front of me when I turn my helmet to the sides as I approach cross streets. I bought a cheap Duracell brand light for strapping around your head. I made the strap really big, and it fit on my helmet perfectly. It was around $10 at Walmart.
I have also noticed a huge improvement in terms of people not pulling out in front of me when I turn my helmet to the sides as I approach cross streets. I bought a cheap Duracell brand light for strapping around your head. I made the strap really big, and it fit on my helmet perfectly. It was around $10 at Walmart.
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Originally Posted by IronMac
Does the P2D have a flash mode (or is that stroke?) and if it does how long will that last on one battery?
put a solid light p2d on your helmet
i recommend p3d
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Originally Posted by Grun
you would use the p2d on solid only, no sense in using the flash mode because it flickers too fast just as a strobe it could cause accidents
put a solid light p2d on your helmet
i recommend p3d
put a solid light p2d on your helmet
i recommend p3d
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Originally Posted by IronMac
This is an excellent thread! Thanks!
the P3D is not only brighter, but lasts longer than the P2D
the P3D pumps out 160 lumens, and lasts around 70-80% longer than the P2D
it runs at max at around 1h 40 minutes i presume to 1h 50min
if you run out of juice, put in some new batteries
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I use both.
A Cateye 3 LED light on top of my helmet for spotting stuff on the trails.
A Raleigh 5 LED light on the handlebar to spot all in front of me and as a road going headlight.
I would've used the Raleigh on the helmet but it only has a regular handlebar clamp. The Cateye has a rubber band type of mounting which also works well on a bike helmet.
A Cateye 3 LED light on top of my helmet for spotting stuff on the trails.
A Raleigh 5 LED light on the handlebar to spot all in front of me and as a road going headlight.
I would've used the Raleigh on the helmet but it only has a regular handlebar clamp. The Cateye has a rubber band type of mounting which also works well on a bike helmet.
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Originally Posted by Zeuser
I use both.
A Cateye 3 LED light on top of my helmet for spotting stuff on the trails.
A Raleigh 5 LED light on the handlebar to spot all in front of me and as a road going headlight.
I would've used the Raleigh on the helmet but it only has a regular handlebar clamp. The Cateye has a rubber band type of mounting which also works well on a bike helmet.
A Cateye 3 LED light on top of my helmet for spotting stuff on the trails.
A Raleigh 5 LED light on the handlebar to spot all in front of me and as a road going headlight.
I would've used the Raleigh on the helmet but it only has a regular handlebar clamp. The Cateye has a rubber band type of mounting which also works well on a bike helmet.
HOLY----! Look at the bike in Zeuser's sig. Reminds me of a sport bike!
I just had a customer that wanted lights for both bars and helmet. He bought a 420 lumen Wilma for the helmet, and a 830 lumen Wilma for his bars. Sounds like he's pretty happy
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With all the lights I have, sometimes I set them to blink, people really look at me strangely. So I guess it works, the whole point is for motorists to see me... and they do.
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Originally Posted by gretnabikes
HOLY----! Look at the bike in Zeuser's sig. Reminds me of a sport bike!
I just had a customer that wanted lights for both bars and helmet. He bought a 420 lumen Wilma for the helmet, and a 830 lumen Wilma for his bars. Sounds like he's pretty happy
I just had a customer that wanted lights for both bars and helmet. He bought a 420 lumen Wilma for the helmet, and a 830 lumen Wilma for his bars. Sounds like he's pretty happy
for say it, buy 5X P3D and less than half price wilma, and 800lumens for fenix p3d
wilma much price!
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Originally Posted by whitehare
What are the pros & cons of each type. Which do you use?
I also have and still do use a helmet mounted Petzl Tikka LED as my backup/field work/street light illuminator. It has a strap that fits around the inside of my helmet.
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Originally Posted by Elusor
no one is waste money on wilma
for say it, buy 5X P3D and less than half price wilma, and 800lumens for fenix p3d
wilma much price!
for say it, buy 5X P3D and less than half price wilma, and 800lumens for fenix p3d
wilma much price!
those are some mighty big words there buddy... doesn't seem like we are having any problem selling them...
whats with all the hate?
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The wilma is a great light but out of the budget of many people.. It just shows you how much led technology has evolved and is going to be getting better over the next few years. I see led lights like this becoming more popular than hid lights very soon..
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Originally Posted by Elusor
wilma is use 3W led
fenix is use Cree Edition LED
is for newest techn. cree edition
fenix is use Cree Edition LED
is for newest techn. cree edition