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-   -   Best one piece headlight? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/398846-best-one-piece-headlight.html)

bfuser5893539 03-18-08 02:42 PM

Best one piece headlight?
 
...

jimisnowhere 03-18-08 03:10 PM

I got a Planet Bike 1 watt light. It takes 4 AA.

john bono 03-18-08 03:37 PM

fenix l2d flashlight with 2AA rechargeable for the front and a planetbike superflash for the rear, about $90 total.

K6-III 03-18-08 03:40 PM

The best would have to be a Sigma PowerLED, equipped with the latest 3W Seoul SSC U-bin LED.
http://www.sigmasport.com/us/produkt...punkt=features

ItsJustMe 03-18-08 04:21 PM

For what purpose? We could recommend a $20 LED light or a $250 Planet Bike self-contained HID.

bhchdh 03-18-08 04:27 PM

Is anybody using this. It looks good.
http://cateye.com/en/product_detail/462

K6-III 03-18-08 04:44 PM


Originally Posted by bhchdh (Post 6366594)
Is anybody using this. It looks good.
http://cateye.com/en/product_detail/462

They're still using older Luxeon 1 watt LED's. Compared to the Seoul SSC, at the same wattage, you're looking at 1/2 to 1/3 of the brightness. A 3W Seoul SSC or CREE would blow it out of the water.

BTW, it looks like Planet Bike has a 1 watt Cree light in the works. When that becomes available, it should become the best reasonably priced LED headlight.

E-quality 03-18-08 04:57 PM

I only have experience with the planet bike super spot and the cateye el-520. I got the cateye because the planet bike was damaged for a while and I now use them both. Both together are damn good where they are pretty good single. I chose them because they're good but not expensive. These are decent lights that hold a charge for a good amount of time (12-20 hours) instead of burning out after 3 hours like most of the bright ones. They won't light up everything in front of you but they will light up your path enough for you to see it and will be visible to motorists.

Like others have suggested, your ideal light depends on how you want to use it.

Oh, I use mine for commuting in and around a small city.

Berniebikes 03-19-08 09:06 AM

Here it is. the race turbo by Exposure lights, distributed in the us by USE. Great LED light with more than enough power, quick on and off the bike, rechargable, long run times, virtually indestructible.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../raceturbo.jpg

JanMM 03-19-08 09:20 AM

Just started using a Cateye Single Shot for my suburban/urban commute. Depending on conditions, combined with a Cateye 210 or 135 in flash mode. The 135 is only good for flash. The Single Shot is noticeably brighter than other Cateyes I've used. The flash seems suitable for "dark" days.

E-quality 03-19-08 10:11 AM


Originally Posted by Berniebikes (Post 6370374)
Here it is. the race turbo by Exposure lights, distributed in the us by USE. Great LED light with more than enough power, quick on and off the bike, rechargable, long run times, virtually indestructible.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1.../raceturbo.jpg

Super expensive with super low burn times. I might take it for free so I could sell it.

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.a...ICYCLE%20LIGHT

modernjess 03-19-08 10:18 AM

I like my light and motion Vega a lot. For commuting it's been great.

pinkpowa 03-19-08 10:21 AM


Originally Posted by E-quality (Post 6370690)
Super expensive with super low burn times. I might take it for free so I could sell it.

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.a...ICYCLE%20LIGHT

^^^ditto.

That thing is a piece of garbage for that price. Go to deal Extreme and pick up a cree or whatever the greatest LED setup is for 1/10th that price or less.

-dc

E-quality 03-19-08 10:29 AM


Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse (Post 6370741)
(*looks at price tag*)

AARRGGHH!!

hmmmm... let me rephrase that. Best, one piece headlight for under $100.

$100? They're $430.00 or more.

zoltani 03-19-08 10:42 AM

I like this one. It is bright, install or removes within seconds, and sturdy. Only around $40. And it is completely waterproof too!

http://cateye.com/sites/cateye/uploa...cts/341-og.jpg

ItsJustMe 03-19-08 10:47 AM

Funny, I bought a Planet Bike Superspot, and I used it 2 days. It was ridiculously weak. I bought a $17 Nashbar Brilliant 2 which outperforms it. The irony is, the Super **SPOT** has too wide a beam, and no spot to speak of. If it were actually a spot it might be OK.

Cyclist0383 03-19-08 10:53 AM


Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse (Post 6370741)
(*looks at price tag*)

AARRGGHH!!

hmmmm... let me rephrase that. Best, one piece headlight for under $100.

I was going to use a small flashlight that uses 2x CR123 (3v) batteries with a quick release handlebar mount. I then bought rechargeable batteries and found out that the rechargeable batteries were 3.8v and I smoked the bulb. Since I don't know where to find an appropriate
bulb or a flashlight that will work with this voltage, I am presently SOL. I need something that I can remove quickly when I'm locking my
bike up at the gym or local store, but it has to be real bright with 2hr burn time.

Lofty goals, I know. I'll take suggestions.

CE

Fenix LD2 (uses rechargeable AA batteries) with a Lock Block holder, fits the bill exactly. I'm extremely happy with mine.

Tyrell 03-19-08 10:58 AM


Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse (Post 6370741)
(*looks at price tag*)

AARRGGHH!!

hmmmm... let me rephrase that. Best, one piece headlight for under $100.

I was going to use a small flashlight that uses 2x CR123 (3v) batteries with a quick release handlebar mount. I then bought rechargeable batteries and found out that the rechargeable batteries were 3.8v and I smoked the bulb. Since I don't know where to find an appropriate
bulb or a flashlight that will work with this voltage, I am presently SOL. I need something that I can remove quickly when I'm locking my
bike up at the gym or local store, but it has to be real bright with 2hr burn time.

Lofty goals, I know. I'll take suggestions.

CE

If you've already got CR123's, I think the Fenix P3D Q5 flashlight can handle up to 8.4V. A call to Fenix will get you an answer for sure. www.fenix-store.com I was considering going the CR123 route as well but decided on rechargeable AA's instead for use with a Fenix L2D Q5. An excellent flashlight and a good bike headlight too!

J B Bell 03-19-08 02:49 PM

+1 on the fenix L2D. My only complaint is that the "flash" mode is more "rave/seizure-inducing", and the SOS is too slow for a passing motorist to identify as other than a slow blink. I got two, and that's probably overkill for ordinary commuting.

Cyclist0383 03-19-08 03:15 PM


Originally Posted by CrimsonEclipse (Post 6372374)
Excellent suggestion. I will research this immediately. And I already have 2 lock blocks.

Thanks for all 3 Fenix suggestions!

CE

Make sure you check out the run time using the batteries you have before you invest in a Fenix. You might find for the small cost of AA batteries you get a longer runtime.

tarwheel 03-19-08 06:27 PM

Fenix all the way. You can buy a L2D Premium for about $65. It runs on 2 rechargeable AA batteries, with very good run times. Optional handlebar mounts cost $7-15 depending on model. I also second the recommendation for a PB Superflash for tail light.

Tyrell 03-20-08 12:07 PM

Fenix L2DQ5 headlight and PB Superflash tail light FTW!

E-quality 03-20-08 01:31 PM


Originally Posted by tarwheel (Post 6373411)
Fenix all the way. You can buy a L2D Premium for about $65. It runs on 2 rechargeable AA batteries, with very good run times. Optional handlebar mounts cost $7-15 depending on model. I also second the recommendation for a PB Superflash for tail light.

Where are you guys getting these "fenix" lights? Can you post a link to the handlebar mounts for these? I want to see what all the hype is about.

The superflash lights should be the only rear lights made. I've never seen one nearly as good.

Tyrell 03-20-08 01:52 PM


Originally Posted by E-quality (Post 6374743)
Where are you guys getting these "fenix" lights? Can you post a link to the handlebar mounts for these? I want to see what all the hype is about.

Read my post #19 :rolleyes: You can get everything you need including the mount directly from Fenix.

E-quality 03-20-08 03:24 PM

I stopped reading that post after I realized you were trying to say what batteries could be used with the other persons light...or whatever.

I see the link now and checked the site out. I have a question about their light mounts. I already bought a good flashlight recently and can't afford one of the fenix lights now. I assume that their lights are pretty much the same diameter as mine. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with using their mounts on different lights. Does anyone know if their mounts can be used on other lights?


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