Well, it's that time of year again to think about lights. I need something that's bright (and wouldn't cost a lot.) but has a good flash mode. Any ideas?

do you have a battery now? I only ask because I've had the original magicshine for a long time, upgraded the battery at some point, then last fall got a new light head for the battery. I went with the Magicshine® MJ-906 Light Head –Round Plug

the original didn't have any beam cut off so I had to make my own hood for riding in traffic. this one has a square beam pattern. the flash mode is modest so I don't think it would be too bothersome for drivers, etc. I haven't used it in traffic yet, just in the woods at night




a photo while riding ...

The first step is to specify what you need the light for. Is is to SEE, or to BE SEEN? If it is the former and you anticipate biking in pitch black without street lights, it's worth splurging. But if you're like the vast majority of us and commute in the city, the primary objective is to be seen, in which case (IMHO), a lower brightness with flashing will do.

And of course, as always, bike as as if you're invisible to all traffic.

It is 6 A.M. when I leave. So at this point, it both. See and be seen. What is a good light for both?

anything good enough to see by will be good enough to be seen by

Light and Motion Urban 800. Got it on sale several years ago at REI on sale for $65, ran it many hours mainly to see, helmet mounted to maximize my ability to make myself seen by drivers. Great light, ridiculous run time in lowest flashing mode.

UltraFire 502B flashlight ($14), h-bar mount ($8), and a good 3500mAh 18650 battery ($15 or less)

Do you have a picture of this setup? I'm curious to see what it looks like installed.

There are nicer mounts now but this is the first one I purchased.

Looks like it would be a lot brighter than the amazon lights I'm using now. Maybe I'll try this setup out thanks.

It is quite bright. and I like the fact that is higher than my wheel and bag so the flood in the front is nice on the trails with no shadow from anything (like the wheel when I had a skewer mounted light)

Sierra Trading usually has some great deals on lights.

I just bought a Cateye Ampp 800. I am impressed by the modes and the quality feel of the unit.

I have a Cygolite Metro Pro 950 (Cygolite Metro Pro 950) that has a nice selection of light levels (low, medium, high, plus a extra low level for walking) and a bunch of different flashing settings (day lightning, triple flash, and the one I use "Steady Pulse"- slow brightening to slow dimming). Buy a combo on Amazon with a hotshot rear light and you'll see and be seen.

Brand: RioRand
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,064 Reviews

RioRand 4 Mode 1200 Lm Cree , wonderful light rechargeable $19 Amazon

RioRand 4 Mode 1200 Lm Cree , wonderful light rechargeable $19 Amazon

rigged up the helmet light & cam so I could inspect the rain tarps protecting my basement during the worst of the rain last night