Could you explain why I'd want 4 of those lights compared to one of the other ones? Even if I kill my batteries more quickly with my short commute, I'm not seeing why that solution is better. And are those lights much different? I guess the viewpoint is for a focused beam and the cateye is for a wide cone of light?

The link I put in was for the Fenix L2D RB100 btw. Is there any place I can compare the light spreads of these lights? I've been to the site that has the high-end lights, but I haven't found anything that shows the stuff I'm interested in.

Yes it could probably be improved with reflector improvements but LEDs are in their infancy right now. Most of the lamps I've seen bury the light source too far back in the reflector to take advantage of the optics. The light needs to be at the focal point of the reflector, which is where the lamp of a halogen and an HID is. Even then, LEDs aren't as omnidirectional as a filament light. They tend to be very bright from one direction and dim from other angles.

You misunderstood. You should always have 2 lamps of any brand in case something goes wrong with one. Preferably one should go on your bars and one on your head. The one on your head is the most useful of the two. I suggested the two that I did because they are a little more economical then the Fenix...but not by much. Any of them would be good for your application.

As for batteries, you can leave alkaline for months or years sitting in a drawer and still get power out of them. Rechargeables can be left for only a few days to a few weeks before they self-discharge. They need regular charging to keep them going. For a short application like yours (maybe 30 minutes per day?), there's no need to mess with recharging. Alkalines will probably last you the whole season.

The market for lights is changing so rapidly that no one can keep up in making lamp comparisons. There are a few outdated sites out there like this one

I think the big decision for a bike lite under $100 is whether you want to go with a flashlight or a bike-specific light.

The flashlights have the advantage of light weight, simplicity, flexibility, easy to get batteries, etc. The true bike lights have the advantage of runtime, maybe more bright.

Decide which type of system you like & go from there. I've used both and each have theri ups and downs..
Cheers

What do you use to charge it?

Ok, so I have questions on this, too. I was looking at the Cygolite Hi-Flux 200, the Niterider Sol (a little more expensive) or a $40 shipped Niterirder Digital Night-Owl II. I'm tempted to do the cheaper route because it's lots of money I can save, but I have a 30 mile RT commute, and at least half of it will be in the dark soon. What is my best option?

seriously, get yerself a 2xAA Fenix (https://www.fenix-store.com/index.ph...612515feb75eca), use NIMH rechargeables, and carry a backup set of batteries.

Good light power, easy to adjust light power up and down to increase runtime, runs on 2 friggin AA's!! Well built and responsive company as well.

cheers

Would it be the best light if over half my commute was on an unlit MUP? In other words, pitch black? Will the Fenix do the job for that?

Also, my commute is 15 miles each way, so I was thinking a rechargeable with a bright as heck light would be the way to go...

Couple of things. First, I stopped at REI the other day, and they had CygoLite Niterovers on sale for $43, including the NiMH battery. That is a very cheap price for a great light system.

Second, I recently ordered a Fenix 2xAA flashlight, and I cannot believe how bright it is. Although I haven't had a chance to ride with the light yet, I compared it side-by-side with my old CygoLite NiCAD system, and the Fenix is much brighter -- even running in the non-turbo mode. I cannot believe how small and light the Fenix is, and two lights would probably be overkill for my purposes. You could easily carry a couple of extra AA batteries for backup, and it still would be much lighter than most light systems.

Yes, the darker the path the better the LED works. Sounds weird but true, in partially lit streets it tends to get washed out by streetlights. I am very comfortable cruising at 15-18mph in pitch dark with my 135lumen light. Now it's up to 175, even better.

"Rechargable" lights have their drawbacks: alot of them have special batteries, so when it goes (and it will go!) yer stuck. "Bright as heck" lights are pricey. Keep in mind the the Sol is like 115 lumens, wimpy by current LED standards. The CygoLite Hi-Flux is probably about the same. Flashlight makers are WAY ahead of bike light makers in LED technology - probably because it's easy and fast to intergrate a new LED into a flashlight!

I think the Fenix would be perfect for your 15mile commute, turn the brightness up and down (just twist the body a tad) and you will make it on 1 set of AA's each day, easy. Get home, put the used ones in the charger, and put in fresh ones. Carry 2 Alkaline (or better, Lithium) AA's as backup, and you will NEVER be without light.

cheers