That's a good point I hadn't thought of. I like the focus on the one you linked too, bike lights don't have that. I wonder how wide it can spray. The 2-head Ravemen that I linked above has a high beam and a low beam.

The BT40S I was looking at is a stand alone light head and would also need charger, battery box and cable. All standard stuff but not included... however that light appears to have been re-stocked in yellow not white light.

I have that light, and I am able to set the zoom to a size I find ideal, plus tons of room on either end to zoom way wider or way tighter. The tightest is kind of like a fat laser pointer, it would paint a 1ft rectangle on a wall about 100ft away. The widest would be (I'm guesstimating) a 30-40deg cone.

I have a couple magicshine clones, and I don't like those beams, even with the diffuser lens. I find them way too narrow. Like 2ft circular spot at 8 foot distance, or with the diffuser a 2x5ft bar at 8ft distance (again just spitballing).

Ah yes, this is the time of year that people with battery-powered lights start thinking about re-attaching them to their bikes.

I have nothing but good words for the Fenix BC30. I prefer removable batteries, and this one used 18650 batteries. I always have an extra pair along, a charger at home, a charger at work and I'm set.

https://www.fenixlighting.com/produc...gaAtKtEALw_wcB

Mine lives on the bars year-round. In a month or two I might think about pushing the button to turn it on.

I'd start by considering a couple of questions:

1. How much light output do you need?
2. How long do you need it?

The first depends mostly on your commute route. If it's on reasonably well-lit city streets, the I'd suggest 300 lumen is a good minimal brightness. Unlit country roads and you might want to step up to 600 lumens or so. Adjust based on various conditions (e.g. if your route has lots of potholes and you haven't memorized their location yet, go up in brightness.)

The second is really just how long is your ride. Consider, also, the worst-case scenario of having to change a tire on the way. Make sure the battery life (at the brightness you'll use; see above) is at least that long.

Once you've answered those, just stick with reputable brands (really, any reputable brand) and find one that fits your price range, esthetics, etc.) REI is a good place to look as all the brands that they carry are fine.

Edited to add:

FWIW, after trying lots of lights over the decades, I've settled for now on the Fabric Lumabeam. Relatively modest light output and battery life, but for me the big selling points are (1) very small and light weight, (2) easy to use controls to change modes (rotate the dial, no messing with multiple button presses etc.)

Shopgoodwill.com has 6 units at $10 for the lot + postage.

I've had very good experience with Light and Motion Vis 360 USB charged helmet-mounted lights. Pricey, but my original set has lasted over 3 years riding year around, (still working but the switch is a little wonky) and I just purchased the latest model for $65. When it's on, the switch glows to report the charging status, very helpful.

OP never came back. Nevertheless, I'll answer. I like my CatEye Volt 800. Lots of brightness when needed and replaceable rechargeable batteries for those long rides at full brightness. HyperConstant light mode (constant 200 lumen with a 800 lumen strobe) is a day time attention grabber without being unobtrusive to others.

I got about 10 years use out of mine.

I'm still using my eight, almost nine year old Lupine Piko 3. Even pricier than the Light and Motion 360, but it has a detachable, replaceable battery. I am still using the original, but it is nice to know I can get spares, or replace it. If I had to buy another light, I would but another Lupine. Well worth the money.

Mine never comes off either, I live above 45th parallel and I am out of the house about 4:15 AM everyday, Maybe 2 months around summer solstice time is when there would be some daylight by the time I arrive at my destination by 5AM. So I use my headlights year round.

no wonder your avatar looks so sleepy/grumpy

I like it, I think my avatar is cool ugly face looking, .... :-)

I use my lights year round, I want to be seen all year round.

I've been letting my dynamo-powered lights (on the bike so-equipped) stay on but not turning on my battery-powered lights unless it was night. I've recently changed. I run my lights no matter what now. Maybe they won't help, but they certainly won't hurt.

I have a couple of cheap Everyday brand headlights and tail lights that I use and I love them. From the saddle, the headlights are really bright and do a great job of lighting up the road in front of you. For oncoming traffic, Unless you know where to look, you cant even see them.

I'm not surprised that you managed 10 years out of the L&M 360. The lights and battery on my 3 year old set are still chugging along in great shape, but the switch sometimes needs to be tinkered with more than I have patience for; I'll still use this set as a backup for the replacement.

Anyone use the Brighteyes branded units from Amazon? Have a ton of reviews on there but looking for some firsthand feedback from someone who has used one pretty extensively.

I'm into year 5 with my MagicShine 1600 triple head unit. I have a spare battery pack, and I only charge once per week during seasonal use. The battery rides inside a modified water bottle in my downtube cage. The head mounts on a DIY horizontal tube above my front fender. Plenty of light, sort of like the Close Encounters footage above. I like that the MagicShine allows me to choose from main beam, side beams, or all at once. Plus it has a dimmer feature that saves on battery life when you don't need to stun others with the brightness. It's been great.

I remove the battery pack during summer to save weight. I keep the head and switch units mounted year round.

On my helmet, I use a NiteRider 650 or 350. On handlebars with my race bikes, I just use the 650, with the 350 on the helmet. I'll re-introduce the helmet light in a couple of months.

I stayed later at work on Thursday and notice my lights illuminating the road by the time I got home, definitely past time to start shopping if you haven't done so yet. Especially with the trade wars and economy getting worse.

This is how I feel about it, ditto regards wearing the helmet. So lights are on all the time and so is the helmet, no matter how short the ride.
I myself use a Cygolites. I have a 650 now for 5 years, and last year got 800 which will go on as a second head light in the next couple months for night riding.

I have a couple of them, they work great. They do not charge via USB, but typically come with their own charger. In any case, they are bright, and I was pulled over by a police officer and asked to turn off the flashing for the headlight.

Your local bike shop might be able to help, being able to see what the lighs do is always nice

I got a compliment about my lights riding home Tuesday, and only had 1 of the 3 headlights on.