RANT: Bicycle light on/off switching
 

I used to participate in a photography forum and there was a "Rants and Raves" section that people ID'd threads as a Rant or Rave. This is a bit of a rant.

I've had all my bicycle lights for quite a few years now and there's no need to replace them yet, but one thing that I've never gotten over is the on/off issue.

I really dislike having to hold a button down for a few seconds to turn it off. I think it'd be much better to have the "on" function take a few seconds so they wouldn't turn on when stored in a bag, etc. while you're locked up.

OK, I'm better now. Until the next time I have to spend 15 seconds of my life turning lights off!

Yes, that's a good point.

A lot of lights now have electronic switches, rather than mechanical ones, which is unfortunate from my point of view. I like to convert battery lights to work with a dynamo, and those electronic switches behave badly when given the dynamo's fluctuating current.

I hate electronic switches, too!

We use a couple of space heaters at home, and I had to look for those with mechanical switches, because I like to plug them into plug-in thermostats.

Why do manufacturers prefer electronic switches? Are they cheaper? I bet they are.

I don't know if solid state relays are cheaper than mechanical, but taking up less space, not needing debouncing and not sensitive to jostling are the advantages I can think of.

I dislike them also.

Another reason to roll with a dynamo light system.

[MENTION=73614]rhm[/MENTION], have you tried a B&M headlight yet? I admire your superior DIY skills, but those lights are hard to beat.

I have. My randonneur bike now has a B&M cygo something premium something something, and it's pretty cool. It has a mechanical switch with three settings: on, off, and automatic. The light it produces is pretty impressive, but annoyingly uneven --a bright rectangle where I'll be riding in a few seconds, an excellent cutoff at the top, and a random scatter around the rest of the field area. SO I have it paired with a cheap battery light of the kind I describe, with an electronic switch. I did something to override the switch (IIRC, I put something on the button so it's constantly being pushed) and plugged that into the dymano as well. So now when i start rolling, the B&M comes on; when I get up to a certain speed, the additional light comes on, and evens out the uneven light from the B&M.

Necessary? No. In fact I'm not sure it gives me more light, since whether there's one light or two, they use the same dynamo and presumably the same amount of power.

Holy cow! A bit picky. While I don't particularly like it, I choose a light for its output, quality and how long it holds a charge. This would not factor in any decision. I mean, you only do it once per ride, right?

Typical case of forcing humans to adapt for the convenience of machines.
If they don't give me a physical switch (i.e. open/closed), I'm just as likely to remove the battery as hold a button down when I want to turn something off... of course, anymore, you can't get to the battery in a second or so. :crash:

+1

Just not enuf bright enuf

One other advantage (for the maker, not necessarily the owner) is that a single switch can do multiple things, like act as a toggle between functions when pushed while being an on/off when held.

If I could change anything on LED tail lights, I'd eliminate the need to turn it off, with a vibration detector that turns it off in inactive for 10 minutes. I'd leave the off switch function for those who wanted it, but my way you don't need to turn it off, and can't forget to either.

BTW - I have the same pet peeve on a cygolite, especially because if you don't hold the off switch down long enough it toggles between modes, then you have to search for your preferred mode when you turn it back on.

Another vote for dyno lights, always on without conscious thought or effort.

you must need a lot of light. i ride at night in the city so the streets are usually fairly well lit. but sometimes on a campground it is my only light. i could see in those situations where you might want more but even then i am fine.

Yes I ride through unlit trails and woods.

That aint bad, especially for us who have some dedicated bike parking. Roll up into the garage and leave it. Not that holding a button or two is the worst thing, but all the small obstacles can add up sometimes.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has a beef with the way electronics gadgets makes you go through a myriad of procedures just to turn it on or select the right setting.

It used to be when the telephone rang, you just pick it up and talk.

Nowadays, depending upon which O/S you are using you may have to input some or more of the following: your password, swipe left or right, click accept/decline,etc. And then there are those where you accidentally sit on a button and you end up dialling 911.

I wish I knew analog electronics better, because it should be simple. My intuition is that a mercury switch with some simple resistor-capacitor circuit triggering a relay would do this. But, details ...

rant +1

my magicshine button used to work better. it's gotten more annoying over the years

[MENTION=158672]FBinNY[/MENTION], I like your idea. Have you considered submitting it to Cygolite? They strike me as more likely to listen to us than other companies. I don't know why I find it annoying to turn off my Cygolite tail light, but I do. I use it along with a dynamo powered headlight and dynamo powered tail light which go on and off automatically.

My, how the world has changed. Nowadays, a microcontroller with an accelerometer built in is cheaper than a relay and a couple of discreet components. And mercury switches are cost and regulatory prohibitive.

The Cateye Reflex comes in an automatic version that turns on when it detects motion. It also has the stupid feature of automatically turning off in daylight, but a piece of tape over the sensor solves that.

Naw, I have a mercury switch that I paid about 80 cents for, and the relay is less than a buck. I'd be spending 20-30 dollars at least to prototype the digital implementation although that would be easier for me, knowing that stuff much better than the discrete electronics.