kill.cactus

Hey guys,

What have you found best (or think of as best, I guess):

A TON of cheap but large (as in surface area that gives off light) blinkies/steady flashies that are in like the 5 dollar price range, or one or two blinkies on the level of TL1000 or Superflash?

I know it'd be best to have a combination with both setups running at the same time, but has anyone taken the time to see from 100 yards if a superflash is a lot more visible than, say, four of https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=1511 those?

Hmmm

Zero_Enigma

I'm rather curious why Cateye didn't just make the LD-1000/1100 with the CSPC (err.. I hope I got the right acronym) reflector moulded in, in the spots between the LED's so you've got an all-threats coverage.

BILLB58

Nothing, absolutely nothing can beat the Dinotte Taillight....a couple of fellow workers saw me from over 1/2 mile off, in the dark at 6:45am......

worktheweb

+1 on the Dinotte Taillight -- it is incredible. It is pricey though. My current setup is a Dinotte on my rack trunk, and 2 cheap blinkys (seatpost, and left arkel bug pannier). You could replace the Dinotte with a bright blinky like the superflash or the 1000 and get brightness with redundancy and a wide pattern. But if you can swing the Dinotte, there's nothing else like it.

mactin

The Dinotte Taillight is unbelievable.There's a steal of a deal on the light at geo.man (https://www.geomangear.com). In addition to the cheap price, it was the best customer service and fastest shipping I have ever experienced. For anything. Ever. No affiliation. They simply rock, just like the Dinotte Taillight.

DogBoy

Except the Nova Bull....

noisebeam

I'd get at least one Superflash.

Then either add 'a ton' of cheap blinkies or a 2nd superflash or LD-1000.

Al

me thinkst

...if you only want to spend around $15, then get the planet bike superflash

noisebeam beat me to it...

Phantoj

It might be wise to have a spare blinky, in case #1 dies during a ride.

But a "ton" of lights would be a hassle to turn on and off, and more batteries to replace, and more weight, and uglier.

JanMM

Two Planet Bike lights: A Superflash and a Blinky-3 on the sprint braces of my recumbent. (And a reflector on the back of the rack).

KnoxBreezer

Thanks for the link... I've been eying the Dinotte Taillight for a while now, so this sale made me pull the trigger... only 4 left according to their inventory counter.

I used to think my TL-LD1000 was a bright taillight, but like Zero_Enigma said, it's strange they didn't put some sort of reflector or diffuser molded into the shell, as it's really only super bright when viewed straight on.

I recently mounted a Blackburn Mars 3.0 on my wife's bike, and since I like riding behind her (to watch her... umm, cycling form...) I've been impressed with how much brighter and noticable it is from multiple angles. If I where to buy another "blinkie" type light, it'd be one of these Mars 3.0 lights (the clip setup and release is pretty slick too).

GTcommuter

Don't forget some SEA auto/truck reflectors in addition to powered lights. One for redundency should the batteries fail and two for coverage in between the lights. Reflectors have disadvantages of viewing angles, but when a flat SEA reflector is hit correctly it uses the full power of the car's lights and outshines a battery light.

I've got two Superflashes on my seatstays, a big wide 15 LED Target light on my saddlebag, one round amber reflector & two rectangular red reflectors on the rear fender, and a cheap 3 LED blinky on my helmet.

2manybikes

Actually a very bright light can look bigger and be much brighter than a large light that is much wider with more surface area. Some of the new LED lights are a good example of this. Many of the lights that have been around for years are now outdated.

The Planet bike Superflash is a good one, so is the Cateye TL-LD 1000, both better than the Blackburn Mars.

For the money the Superflash is the best value.

JeffS

Be aware that the Mars has issues with the clip breaking off the back. This is the only reason I couldn't recommend it to a friend.

I'm a Superflash fan, although I've had issues with one of my lights in the rain.

I also own a Dinotte, but have yet to find a good way to mount it. Mounted on the seatpost my leg hits it with every revolution. I guess I'm happy enough with the superflash that I haven't been really motivated to come up with something. I should just sell the thing.

Phantoj

I posted about how the Mars 2.0 was a pretty good blinkie, and heard the same about the clips. No problem, I don't clip mine on, and I generally think clip-on is a bad way to go. I like the Superflash, and will probably get one for my road bike if I find a good sale.

For what its worth, my Mars 2.0 has gone through a wet Seattle winter without a hitch...

noisebeam

Once a week at night I ride with folks some of who use a Mars, TD-1000 and Superflash (and other more lowly blinkies)

I find the Mars to stand out as good if not better than the others. I was very surprised.

This is not a testing situation, but practical riding around at distances from 3'-300' and seeing them side by side.

Al

jrubzer

Is the Dinotte overkill in an urban setting? Tempted to pick one up on sale during spring. Also how durable is that o-ring mount while going over uneven pavement, potholes etc? Thanks.

j_mavros

No such thing, IMO. If anything, you need more visibility in an urban area (where you're competing with lots of other lights for cagers' attention) than in a suburban/rural setting (where you may be the only light around, and thus more noticeable)

DogBoy

I have the headlight, and its worked fine in temps down to -17 F over ice rutted potholed roads. I can't speak to the upper end of the temp range, but since things plasticy usually are more brittle at low temps, I'd say the o-ring mount is durable enough. I've only had it for one year though, so I'm not sure how it lasts over the years.

GTcommuter

Yea, but smaller/skinnier lights don't hold their position well on loose fabric. And the Cateye LD-1000 is the worst for mounting on anything other than a tube or seatpost. The light that I have on my Carradice saddle bag is a big, flatish, 15 LED unit designed to bolt onto trailers, I think. It's mounted with a toe strap so that I can vary the height and direction as the load in the bag changes.

It's not as bright as my Superflash, but it's wide enough that it holds it's shape against the canvas bag. And it's complemented by two Superflashes on the seatstays.

noisebeam

I am not aware of any bright light that is good to mount on rider as the sole light.

For example superflash beam is much to narrow to accomidate normal rider movements. I use one on back of helmet, but I am also aware it is not pointing at drivers a good amount of the time. Thats why I have one on bike as well.

Al

jrubzer

I'm convinced. I just ordered one from https://www.geomangear.com/

2manybikes

I agree that a wider light is better on something like a bag or jacket etc. But they are all very directional, you lose most of the power just by being off the center beam a little. It sounds like your bag may be very stable, but most bag situations let the light move around too much. I avoid attaching to a bag.

The "Realight'" (I think is still available, they had a web site) is about 4"x 6" it has better visiblity from an angle than most others. The problem is it uses four AA's, you need a screwdriver to replace the batteries, and it eats batteries very fast. Also it has no bracket for soft fabric. But you can always make something. It may be just the thing for your canvas bag. I can't remember the price, mine is a few years old. It may have 27 LED's ?

GTcommuter

Mine's a Carradice Super C, really big with a mostly flat panel. The bag and light are very stable and the light's position is adjustable to keep it level.

That sounds like the one that I have. It's there to add to the whole, not function alone.

ken cummings

Friends what is this obsession with blinkies, thread after thread. You see an aircraft at night, miles away. What is it using? Usually a xenon strobe unit, not much bigger then your fist, visible through a full 360 degree angle. I run a $12 strobe from Radio Shack off of my headlight battery. The day I learn how to post video here I'll show you mine . Until then go outside some dark night, look to the skies, and decide do you want a Nashbar blinkie or that thing on the 747 at 30,000 feet 20 miles away.