http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9678/94586955bl0.jpg

Yes, I do. Lumens is brightness and candlepower is distance. 180 lumens is nice but if on AA
battery power it is unable to provide much candlepower.

Unless the battery tech improves a whole bunch it's pretty much impossible to make a small
light that can "throw" a beam of light to match a 12v multi-amp system. The power just
ain't there.

I,too, wish it were otherwise.

there's good 1W LED systems in the 50 dollar range.

Niterider Ultraphaser MAX, Planet Bike Blaze 1W, Serfas has one...

My Surefire A2 says you're wrong.

Er, what? Lumens are flux. candelas are intensity. Lumens are the amount of light emitted by a light source. Candelas (what you're calling candlepower) are a measure of how that light is focused. With suitable optics, a N lumen source can have whatever candela rating you'd like. (Though, of course, the smaller N is, the narrower cone your lamp will provide.)

Middle range bicycle lights are 600 lumens.

I've got a pair of DiNotte lights, the 200L is the standard narrow beam and the older Ultra 5 is the wide. The combo works really well.

I highly recommend using Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries and a good charger from Maha or LaCrosse.

fenix l2d

Heh, that's a really wimpy tail light, and AAAs don't give you much juice to work with between charges. But if it works for ya, there ya go.

If you want to stick to AA batteries, get something that's efficient, not necessarily the brightest. Then get two, so you always have a backup.

According to the bicycle light industry I guess but for practical purposes, my 2 Fenix do just fine, thank you.

I'm thinking of ordering the new Fenix E20. It's cheap (relatively @ $40, 2/3 the cost of an L2D), 2AA, flat 2 hours 40 minutes runtime on eneloops, and adjustable focus! Just waiting for some reviews now.

Only down side is there's only one mode of output, no strobe.

Cateye El-530 is availabe for less then $50.00 at times on sale. Currently $60.00 at Nashbar. ( you can get 10% off With NOGAS code )
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...Front%20Lights
http://www.cateye.com/en/product_detail/345

It just depends on what you do.

Like most drivers, most riders ride faster than they can really see to avoid things using the lights they have. Things may never come up and they believe that's fine. In the rain with car lights aiming at you and lots of other ambient lights, that's not much light. If there is no hole or object there for that short time your beam is washed out, or you don't scan the ground all the time anyway, you may never know there is a potential problem. But there might be something there. You could see it too late. 2 L2D Q5's are also not good for some fast downhills, and heavy car traffic, it depends on the lights around you at the time. They are excellent for riding in a dark area with not much other ambient light. I was gong to use one as a back up light, but since the L2D is big and heavy for what it is I'll use something brighter and smaller. I don't mean it's a lousy product, it's a great product. It's not for some bike needs, it's good for some. It certainly is a good value. It is very handy. It seems rugged. It's easy to carry in a pocket if you need to take your lights off every time. Even better than just about anything to fit into a pocket.

On a night time century, or other long ride, much, much, brighter lights keep your eyes from getting tired. Brighter side spill is easier and safer. The L2D side spill is pretty good for that kind of light though.

In rain, and heavy traffic, 600 lumens is nothing to be thrilled about either. At times neither are car headlights.

You are exactly right of course. I ride basically in pitch black surroundings. I guess that makes me lucky by not having to spend hundreds on lighting.

:thumb:

I think redundancy in a bike light is great too, (front or back). Especially if both lights are already mounted in case of one failing on the move. And you have two great flashlights. I don't think you can possibly do better for the $$$.
I just recommended one to a friend. She never takes care of rechargeable batteries. She used a brand new Nightrider NimH bottle battery light three times and killed the battery! She night rides little, but rides every day, and does not recharge or maintain a quality rechargeable battery. Now it does not matter much. She's using the L2D now at her cabin in the woods as a flashlight.