Headlight Washout
01-31-19 | 01:34 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Very Slow Rider
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 133
From: E Wa
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
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?
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?
01-31-19 | 01:45 PM
#2
LET'S ROLL
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X
You might need a more powerful light(s):
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
01-31-19 | 01:47 PM
#3
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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?
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.
01-31-19 | 02:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Boston Roads
Bikes: 2012 Canondale Synapse 105, 2017 REI Co-Op ADV 3.1
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.
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.
01-31-19 | 02:11 PM
#5
LET'S ROLL
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,789
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From: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X
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:
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
01-31-19 | 02:14 PM
#6
Banned
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From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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
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
01-31-19 | 02:15 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Very Slow Rider
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: E Wa
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
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.
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.
01-31-19 | 02:16 PM
#8
Banned
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From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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.
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.
01-31-19 | 02:16 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Very Slow Rider
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,274
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From: E Wa
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
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....
01-31-19 | 02:51 PM
#11
Keepin it Wheel
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From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
If that's a true 1500 lumens, I'd say that's a plenty bright light and HTFU, learn to look away from oncoming headlights.
01-31-19 | 02:53 PM
#12
Happy banana slug
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
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?
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?
01-31-19 | 03:04 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Very Slow Rider
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 133
From: E Wa
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
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.
01-31-19 | 03:05 PM
#14
Thread Starter
Very Slow Rider
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 133
From: E Wa
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB, 1983 Centurion Japanese CrMo bike
I was in the south part of the county, Garberville, though.
01-31-19 | 03:14 PM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
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From: Washington, DC
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.
01-31-19 | 03:27 PM
#17
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From: England / CPH
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01-31-19 | 03:31 PM
#18
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Euro-spec lights are overpriced garbage with non-existent North American support.
01-31-19 | 03:31 PM
#19
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From: Washington, DC
01-31-19 | 03:44 PM
#20
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From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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 ...
01-31-19 | 03:54 PM
#21
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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"
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"
01-31-19 | 03:56 PM
#22
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
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From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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"
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"
01-31-19 | 04:00 PM
#23
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
01-31-19 | 04:04 PM
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
I know extactly what the OP is referring to, as it happens to me every day. The oncoming lights literally blind you and you cannot see anything ahead of you for a few seconds. If there’s a line of oncoming cars, it can get downright dangerous. This is most pronounced in areas where there are no street lights.