blackburn flea
 

Anyone use these? I need an inexpensive headlight, because my old one broke. bought some cheap performance brand light that does not give me enough illumination......I work 1p-1am and need fairly descent light, but it is a short 2 mile commute

I don't own a Flea, but i compared one of these little gems to other taillights at my lbs, and it's a little bit brighter than the $10 Planet Bike Blinky 3 that i settled on, but twice the $$$...it's tiny (the size of a quarter),the charging method is convenient, and full charge should last you alot longer than your two-mile commute, if so inclined ;)

Own the set - nice that it is detachable as fits in my backpack.

Headlight charge lasts fairly long on first setting - seems twice drain for second setting.

Tailight seems more efficent, but was probably just fully charged (I was in a rush to use).

Recharger is nice idea - I am curious how long it will last though.

Overall pretty happy.


noticed they offer usb and solar chargers for 2010.

I use a front Flea for my commute but it's really about being seen, not seeing. I don't think the light is strong enough for that in true darkness. The charger works well, though I don't get anywhere near the claimed 6 hours on flashing Blackburn rates the light - maybe half that. I like the light for its minimal nature, its ease of attachment. I certainly recommend it.

I have the set, it was on the clearance rack at the LL Bean outlet down the street from work.

I actually like the blinky, I do get at least six hours out of a charge. The headlight is a joke and I wouldn't rely on it as my primary option.

The first setting on the headlight isn't bright enough to see anything. The second setting will drain the charge within a couple of hours. After a few uses, it only charges if the contacts on the charger are touching the contacts on the light at exactly the right angle.

I just tried to charge the light the other night and after three hours on the charger, it was still dead within 20 minutes.

Also, the light mounts so low on the handlebars that the beam actually gets obscured by cable housings, at least on one bike that I tried to mount it on. On both bikes I've mounted the head light on the beam is diffused by the fact that the bulbs are sitting right on the handle bar, notice how other head lights extend the bulbs AWAY from the bar? There is a reason for that.

And I just noticed that the velcro strap that holds the headlight onto the handlebar has already begun to fray on the edges.

Spare yourself the aggravation don't get the headlight.

Bump- with twist.

Anyone have experience with the USB rear blinky? The LBS has this in stock, but no PBSF :( to compare to. Can't justify the expen$e of a Dinotte at the moment, but need to get something a bit more than just the reflectors that are on the bike.

I have the USB front light. The rear seemed a bit "nothing special" on the display, but perhaps the battery was dying. I have seen worse rear blinkies tho.

I use the front light as a backup to my NiteRider. Often I finish my commute through City Park areas that are country-dark. I don't want to look like a freakin' locomotive rolling through the park, so I use the dim setting on the front flea. It also has a little piece of plastic above the diodes that keeps me from seeing the danged lit bulbs. Most other headlights seem to purposely spill light upward making it HARDER to see anything as I am partially blinded by my own light. I picked the Flea over other similar lights because of this feature.

During winter, if I take off late on my road bike for a long joy ride and suspect I could be home after nightfall, I feel confident that the Flea will get me home in one piece - with due care. If fits in my under-seat bag no problem. There if I need it, forgotten if I do not. It's a good light for it's size and I am not throwing away truckloads of those lithium watch batteries.

Finally, if I am riding through the Hood after dark, I can point the light downward and run on dim setting so as not to advertise my approach to those who would do me harm.

My only qualm is that it cuts out without warning, carry a back up as always... Also it is useless to try and see anything more than 2-metres ahead with it but it is a good enough to be seen light and since it is usb rechargeable will save you some money on batteries.

I have the headlight, but not the tail light. Like others have said, if you're moving quickly, it's not bright enough to see by. I really like having it strapped to my helmet, though. It's bright enough to get a driver's attention. I have an 18 mile each-way commute, and as a blinky, it has at least enough charge to get me there and back - and I'm not fast by any means.