HID lights for city use?
10-02-06, 06:29 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by Blue Order
Thanks 2manybikes!
slvoid did 99% of the work in that thing. He did a great job!
Yahoo changed the access to my own beam comparison photos. Just click on the album
"bike light photos" The easiest thing to do is to click "slideshow".
10-02-06, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by redden
Wow the L&M light sure has an impressive spread. Is the L&M a flood and the NR a spot?
10-02-06, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Alrocket
You guys found any good deals on the L&M ARC Li-ion lights? Looking at 600$ here (for non-Ultra version).
$350?
They also sell a NR one for $299 now.
10-02-06, 09:00 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by Alrocket
You guys found any good deals on the L&M ARC Li-ion lights? Looking at 600$ here (for non-Ultra version).
Use GOTLIGHT to get an additional 10% off until Tues Oct 3.
I ordered the NiMH version.
10-03-06, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by slvoid
I'll take some pics when I get it. Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
10-03-06, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Alrocket
I'll take some pics when I get it. Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
Mid range lights are $500 and up.
High end start about $900
Top end is about $1400.
Not kidding ! Does that thelp?
I hope this was just a typo from that page. 2005 ? Probably is.
Sorry, This Item is currently Out of Stock.
We expect to receive it by 02/15/05
10-03-06, 02:54 PM
#33
Portland Fred
Originally Posted by Alrocket
Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
10-03-06, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Alrocket
Ok you crazy cats, I just dropped $345 on that system (incl 10% off entire order code 6002330 Expires Friday 10/6/2006, and paid for the FedEx Intl shipping vs standard ground).
I'll take some pics when I get it. Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
I'll take some pics when I get it. Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
Good news: You paid $150 less because the lithium ion version is $499.
Bad news: The nimh battery is a few ounces heavier.
Good news: The new lights with the nimh battery come with the universal charger, so for the difference in price, you can buy a lithium ion battery and have 2 batteries.
Bad news: I think they're out of stock on your light.
To give you a preview of what you're in for, here's what the HID looks like compared to some of the lower powered lights.
10-03-06, 08:37 PM
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Right on.
If you use a helmet mount for your HID, you have a lot of control over where you point it.
It can be really useful for getitng that driver's attention who's about to turn right into your path and who is not looking left before turning. You can quickly light up their world and get their attention before they goof off and run ya over.
Also, there are plenty of cars out there on the road with very bright lights and HIDs, and they usually 2 have of them. So one small HID on a bike is no offense, it's just a small step to evening the playing field.
If you use a helmet mount for your HID, you have a lot of control over where you point it.
It can be really useful for getitng that driver's attention who's about to turn right into your path and who is not looking left before turning. You can quickly light up their world and get their attention before they goof off and run ya over.
Also, there are plenty of cars out there on the road with very bright lights and HIDs, and they usually 2 have of them. So one small HID on a bike is no offense, it's just a small step to evening the playing field.
10-03-06, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by rideorglide
Right on.
If you use a helmet mount for your HID, you have a lot of control over where you point it.
It can be really useful for getitng that driver's attention who's about to turn right into your path and who is not looking left before turning. You can quickly light up their world and get their attention before they goof off and run ya over.
If you use a helmet mount for your HID, you have a lot of control over where you point it.
It can be really useful for getitng that driver's attention who's about to turn right into your path and who is not looking left before turning. You can quickly light up their world and get their attention before they goof off and run ya over.
10-04-06, 12:34 AM
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Augggghh this thread is torture.
I am kinda lusting after the ARC but that price tag is just too damn hard to justify until I see for myself that lesser lights won't work for my riding conditions. Slvoid , those comparison pics are quite impressive, no denying that, but I just wonder if all that HID is really necessary for streetlit, urban 20-25mph riding.
I think I will have to buy one locally at REI and try it out alongside the cheaper competition (cygolite dual cross) so I can tell for sure if it's worth the dosh.
I am kinda lusting after the ARC but that price tag is just too damn hard to justify until I see for myself that lesser lights won't work for my riding conditions. Slvoid , those comparison pics are quite impressive, no denying that, but I just wonder if all that HID is really necessary for streetlit, urban 20-25mph riding.
I think I will have to buy one locally at REI and try it out alongside the cheaper competition (cygolite dual cross) so I can tell for sure if it's worth the dosh.
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10-04-06, 07:44 AM
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I received the L&M ARC HID (NiMH) light from Beyondbikes yesterday ($298 delivered). I played around with it at night to get it set up, charged it for about 2 hours, and I used it this morning on my commute.
I thought I would use the handlebar mount, but I went with the helmet mount, and I'm glad I did. Much easier to see what's going on, and as posted above, easy to give the occasional car a heads up that I'm there.
It provides a focussed beam, but I could still easily see around me. I noticed that reflective signs (including license plates) were well lit by the perimeter of the light. I passed a few people walking on back streets, and it seemed like they were wondering what the heck was coming up on them. I was definitely more visible to cars than before, especially in areas where cars crossed the bike path.
I'm happy with the purchase. I'm curious to try it out on night mountain bike rides.
Eric
I thought I would use the handlebar mount, but I went with the helmet mount, and I'm glad I did. Much easier to see what's going on, and as posted above, easy to give the occasional car a heads up that I'm there.
It provides a focussed beam, but I could still easily see around me. I noticed that reflective signs (including license plates) were well lit by the perimeter of the light. I passed a few people walking on back streets, and it seemed like they were wondering what the heck was coming up on them. I was definitely more visible to cars than before, especially in areas where cars crossed the bike path.
I'm happy with the purchase. I'm curious to try it out on night mountain bike rides.
Eric
10-04-06, 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by slvoid
Bad news: I f**ked up. The link I sent you, and the light you subsequently bought, is the nimh version.
Good news: You paid $150 less because the lithium ion version is $499.
Bad news: The nimh battery is a few ounces heavier.
Good news: The new lights with the nimh battery come with the universal charger, so for the difference in price, you can buy a lithium ion battery and have 2 batteries.
Bad news: I think they're out of stock on your light.
Good news: You paid $150 less because the lithium ion version is $499.
Bad news: The nimh battery is a few ounces heavier.
Good news: The new lights with the nimh battery come with the universal charger, so for the difference in price, you can buy a lithium ion battery and have 2 batteries.
Bad news: I think they're out of stock on your light.
10-05-06, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by slvoid
Bad news: I f**ked up. The link I sent you, and the light you subsequently bought, is the nimh version.
Good news: You paid $150 less because the lithium ion version is $499.
Bad news: The nimh battery is a few ounces heavier.
Good news: The new lights with the nimh battery come with the universal charger, so for the difference in price, you can buy a lithium ion battery and have 2 batteries.
Bad news: I think they're out of stock on your light.
To give you a preview of what you're in for, here's what the HID looks like compared to some of the lower powered lights.
Good news: You paid $150 less because the lithium ion version is $499.
Bad news: The nimh battery is a few ounces heavier.
Good news: The new lights with the nimh battery come with the universal charger, so for the difference in price, you can buy a lithium ion battery and have 2 batteries.
Bad news: I think they're out of stock on your light.
To give you a preview of what you're in for, here's what the HID looks like compared to some of the lower powered lights.
Bad news: Yeah NiMH is a fair bit heavier and slightly shorter run time... but
Good news: I was hoping they'd be compatible alright - excellent
Bad news: They are out of stock and Ms Customer Service ain't sure when they're back in
Good news: I just ordered them for $287 at BeyondBikes using coupon "GOTLIGHT" (price excludes shipping - we'll see!)
Bad news: Ah, who needs bad news!
Time to go home!
Cheers,
Al.
Last edited by Alrocket; 10-05-06 at 12:34 PM.
10-05-06, 04:15 PM
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$287? NICE! That's a great deal!
10-05-06, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Alrocket
Ok you crazy cats, I just dropped $345 on that system (incl 10% off entire order code 6002330 Expires Friday 10/6/2006, and paid for the FedEx Intl shipping vs standard ground).
I'll take some pics when I get it. Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
I'll take some pics when I get it. Wondering how insane am I to spend >300$ on a light...
10-05-06, 06:57 PM
#43
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Sure will. I've been lucky with bike orders recently, I get them delivered to my work address, which is a computer company. Stuff marked "Electronics" oftentimes doesn't get noticed.
And of course you know about chainreactioncycles.com in NI, right? Free shipping to Ireland & UK.
And of course you know about chainreactioncycles.com in NI, right? Free shipping to Ireland & UK.
10-05-06, 07:13 PM
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Lets compare price of HID to running two Cateye blinkies on the front:
L&M HID: ~$400, No operating costs for a few years (at least).
Blinkies: Annual replacement @ $30each and new batteries quarterly=$75/year~
If the L&M runs ~5 years your cost is about equal. That's not an un-reasonable proposition, to say nothing of the advantages of having a real light.
L&M HID: ~$400, No operating costs for a few years (at least).
Blinkies: Annual replacement @ $30each and new batteries quarterly=$75/year~
If the L&M runs ~5 years your cost is about equal. That's not an un-reasonable proposition, to say nothing of the advantages of having a real light.
