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Headlight Washout
It's dark on my commute both directions so I rely heavily on my headlight this time of year.
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem. Any suggestions? |
You might need a more powerful light(s):
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Originally Posted by davei1980
(Post 20773117)
It's dark on my commute both directions so I rely heavily on my headlight this time of year.
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem. Any suggestions? If not, I would start by reading this: https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html Why would a streetlamp mitigate this problem? A more "powerful" beam is a poor answer for both you and oncoming traffic. |
Originally Posted by acidfast7
(Post 20773134)
Do you have a proper StVZO-approved headlight with proper beam orientation?
If not, I would start by reading this: https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/te.../index_en.html Why would a streetlamp mitigate this problem? A more "powerful" beam is a poor answer for both you and oncoming traffic. OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights. |
Originally Posted by acidfast7
(Post 20773134)
....A more "powerful" beam is a poor answer for both you and oncoming traffic.
Here I made a comparo with a German approved Edelux II with a modern USB rechargreable light. If you only had the Edelux II with it's shaped beam; one might think you're getting a good beam. It's only when you have a side by side comparison that you see the more expensive light that meets European standard is lacking: |
Originally Posted by 1nterceptor
(Post 20773189)
It depends what is being used now. If Op is using older tech/lite(s) using AA powered batteries; current tech might help.
Here I made a comparo with a German approved Edelux II with a modern USB rechargreable light. If you only had the Edelux II with it's shaped beam; one might think you're getting a good beam. It's only when you have a side by side comparison that you see the more expensive light that meets European standard is lacking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUay...6zPoymgKaIoDLA |
Originally Posted by autonomy
(Post 20773183)
OP's in "E Wa" - if I read it correctly, east Washington, the good old US of A where bigger is better and there are no rules. Anything goes on bikes, even blue lights.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights. |
Originally Posted by autonomy
(Post 20773183)
OP's in "E Wa" - if I read it correctly, east Washington, the good old US of A where bigger is better and there are no rules. Anything goes on bikes, even blue lights.
OP, your problem is that your eyes are adjusting for the brightness of oncoming cars. So your light - hopefully with the help of a brighter and more focused beam - should have more luminance on the road than car lights. The OP needs a focused beam (lux) directed where they are heading toward. A shear blinding light is upscaling a light-based war that helps no one. |
Originally Posted by 1nterceptor
(Post 20773189)
It depends what is being used now. If Op is using older tech/lite(s) using AA powered batteries
Mom bought it for me for xmas at Dicks. Pretty cheap to get a USB rechargeable light with 2,400 lumens, like under ~$30... seriously considering.... |
If the lamp doesn't provide a proper measurement in lux than it's a waste of your time given your conditions. That would be the bare minimum I would expect.
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Originally Posted by davei1980
(Post 20773200)
1,500 lumens; uses 3 AA batts.
Mom bought it for me for xmas at Dicks. Pretty cheap to get a USB rechargeable light with 2,400 lumens, like under ~$30... seriously considering.... |
Originally Posted by davei1980
(Post 20773117)
It's dark on my commute both directions so I rely heavily on my headlight this time of year.
Most of my commute is on a dedicated bike lane next to a two-lane road. When it's really dark, the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass. There are very few street lights to mitigate this problem. Any suggestions? |
Originally Posted by acidfast7
(Post 20773210)
If the lamp doesn't provide a proper measurement in lux than it's a waste of your time given your conditions. That would be the bare minimum I would expect.
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Originally Posted by Korina
(Post 20773271)
My morning commute is dark, and I tend to use the headlight wash to check for obstacles ahead. Admittedly, it's from cars going my direction. Good luck finding a solution.
I was in the south part of the county, Garberville, though. |
I’ve found that two Niterider Lumina 1200 lumen lights are enough to overcome car headlights. Toward the end of my commute, the bike lanes I ride on are on the left side of the roadway, so oncoming traffic is literally blinding. Also, it’s way less than 2 x 1200 lumens by the time I’m there and the lights have discharged somewhat. |
You're not getting 1200 lumens from 3AA.
Get a brighter light, focus on where you're going and stop looking into car headlights. |
Originally Posted by davei1980
(Post 20773291)
I wouldn't know where to begin assessing which is an appropriate and which is an inappropriate unit of measure for brightness and am equally as lost knowing what quantity is sufficient.
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Originally Posted by acidfast7
(Post 20773331)
Euro-spec lights are overpriced garbage with non-existent North American support. |
Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
(Post 20773323)
You're not getting 1200 lumens from 3AA.
Get a brighter light, focus on where you're going and stop looking into car headlights. |
Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
(Post 20773333)
Euro-spec lights are overpriced garbage with non-existent North American support. Anyways, I hope that OP takes the time to at least read the information and make an informed decision ... can lead a horse to water ... and all that ... |
No european light company has ever offered to pay shipping. Any problems and an American end user is in the hole at least $60.
Meanwhile niterider/specialized will pay shipping or send replacements free of charge. Euro lights are literally garbage because that's where they end up when people bring them in for service, find there's nothing we or the internet retailer can do and end up buying something better. "Speak some German" :lol: |
Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
(Post 20773369)
No european light company has ever offered to pay shipping. Any problems and an American end user is in the hole at least $60.
Meanwhile niterider/specialized will pay shipping or send replacements free of charge. Euro lights are literally garbage because that's where they end up when people bring them in for service, find there's nothing we or the internet retailer can do and end up buying something better. "Speak some German" :lol: |
Originally Posted by davei1980
(Post 20773117)
the headlights from oncoming traffic wash out my headlight and I can't see anything until they pass
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Cygolites are good too. Although I had a Cygolite mount break and the store wouldn’t replace the mount, but would refund the entire purchase. So that made me a Niterider customer. |
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20773373)
what does this mean exactly?
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