I use a Fenix as well. BC30. I like that it uses 18650 rechargeable batteries. Bright. Multiple modes. Waterproof.

Looked up the Fenix PD35, I have a no-name light similar to that, and I like it very much. I see some of the PD35s on amazon are shown with 18650's, and some with CR123A. I've never seen those before. Are two stacked CR123A equivalent to an 18650? (like apparently 3 bundled AAAs are)?

I vaguelly recall reading somewhere that they could use two cr123a's or a single 18650 though I've only ever run them with 18650 samsung batteries so don't quote me on that!

Looks like they might sometimes be interchangeable but not always

Can a 18650 battery be used in place of 2x CR123 batteries? | BudgetLightForum.com

Well, I ordered one of the cheapies myself, along with some cheap red blinky's. I'm fed up with expensive blinky's because they break, especially during the winter. All in good fun.

Or they fall off lol. (I didn't want that planet bike blinker anyway!) Lately I've been using a Lezyne strip drive 150 with good results!

I know, that's how I got my cygolite hotshot, and it's so good, if it ever falls of my bike and I lose it, I will pay for another

I've had more bad experiences with the cheap stuff than with the expensive bike-specific lights, so I prefer the latter, but others have different experiences.

How is that holding up? I didn't order one earlier because I didn't need one then, but since then the generic Chinese copy of the Magicshine battery pack failed and my Vis 360 may be failing too, and that's all I need to order another light.

I hardly use it, but I carry it with me as a spare. So far, so good. I have a second, too. I'm pretty impressed, and I've been disappointed with all other cheap lights.

The Fenix BC30 can use either 18650 or CR123A. Makes it a good deep winter light, as rechargeable batteries are not as good at cold temperature as primaries. For anything above 0F or so I use 18650, and when the temp drops below 0 I switch to CR123A lithium.

I think I remember I used to own a camera that took a CR123A (back in the days of film)

I got one of these, but haven't been able to ride with it yet. I'm surprised at how sturdy looking it is, and like the beam pattern. Some of the features will take some experimentation to see how well they work, but it looks like a decent replacement for the Magicshine with the wide angle lens for close up illumination.

I'd like to see if I can figure out changing the silicone mount for a cygolite-style mount which is all rigid plastic and easy-to-turn steel bolt.

KNOG blinder:


used them for 5 years so far!

The mount is the part I like the least, it doesn't look very sturdy at all.

It's been many years since I was a daily bike commuter. (San Rafael <=> San Francisco.) Obviously, technology is MUCH better today.

However, I came to realize that it was a necessity for me to have two headlights at night, one on my handlebars and one on my helmet. When I left the well-lit urban areas, I was on curvy unlit roads. When I went into a corner, the road went one way and my handlebars (and the light on them) went the other way. It's a bit sphincter-tightening to be descending in a corner and not being able to see the road at all.

With another headlight on my helmet, I could look into the turn and see where I was going.

I also realized another benefit from this. When going straight even in well-lit areas, when I would look at drivers approaching on side streets, I could instantly tell that they saw me when my light lit up their faces.

I use the Knog Blinder MOB Mr Chips V since 2015, the year in which it has been released.

Yeah, I use previous variants of the same idea.

Two words: Cateye Volt. I would suggest the 800 due to full time night riding you want light. I no longer use the 800 as my primary light but it is still mounted to my helmet.

the cheap one. Nice idea, but it doesn't look very sturdy

i use a cygolite explilion 850 (850 luments on high) with an Orphos FLare pro (980 on high) on the front. I would not mind adding a light to my helmet but i switch back and forth depending on the temps.