rear light recomendations
10-15-10, 07:26 PM
#1
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rear light recomendations
my last tailight broke off its bracket and is lost in the gutters of the road. i need a new one. looking at the pb super flash. blackburn mars 4. and the portland design radbot 1000. let me know your experiences.
10-15-10, 07:58 PM
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A lot of people will chime in and complain that they've lost their PBSF over bumps and rough roads, but I've been using them for 5 years and never had a problem.
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10-15-10, 08:05 PM
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Picked up a Radbot 500 a couple of months ago and am very pleased with it- super bright, long battery life and multiple mounting options. Couldn't be happier. Originally looked at the 1000 as I wanted something very bright but was worried it might be too bright. The 500 seems perfect.
10-15-10, 08:13 PM
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I've had that happen to me a couple of times, but a couple of times out of hundreds of rides ain't too shabby, methinks. It was my fault for taking a bumpy section too quickly.
10-15-10, 08:16 PM
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I have lost 4 tail lights.
This one is brighter then a PBSF and has three modes.
I have one.
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/193...fety-Light.htm
This one is brighter then a PBSF and has three modes.
I have one.
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/193...fety-Light.htm
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10-15-10, 08:35 PM
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In my opinion the PBSF is just not bright enough. It is just bright enough to get a drunk looking at it. Guess where a drunk steers his car? I want something that is too bright to stare at so I use a Dinotte light (I don't remember what its name/number is). I find I get more space from carcissists at night than during daylight hours.
10-15-10, 08:43 PM
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I've got 3 rear lights. One is a Blackburn Flea USB, a PBSF and a SMV 4x6" LED light from Lowes.
I love the SMV. It runs off 4 AA batteries. It was tricky to mount, but I figured something out for the rack.
I love the SMV. It runs off 4 AA batteries. It was tricky to mount, but I figured something out for the rack.
10-15-10, 10:10 PM
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I run both a PB Superflash and the PDW Radbot 1000. The Radbot is noticeably brighter. I did come home one night to find the Radbot was off; I'm not sure if it was due to my u-lock knocking on it whilst traversing bumps. In any case, I relocated my lock. No issues since.
BTW for those of us lucky enough to be living in Canada either light can be found at MEC for a paltry $17.50:
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302692895
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302692895
It's nice to get a bike-related break North of the Border for a change!
BTW for those of us lucky enough to be living in Canada either light can be found at MEC for a paltry $17.50:
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302692895
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302692895
It's nice to get a bike-related break North of the Border for a change!
Last edited by irclean; 10-15-10 at 10:23 PM. Reason: Added shopping info
10-16-10, 06:11 AM
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I recently got the magicshine tailight and it is much brighter than my pbsf. It does have a battery pack you have to lug around though.
10-16-10, 06:26 AM
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Tried 'em all and wasted a lot of $. Then I got the Dinotte 400R and couldn't be more pleased with it. Sure it cost a lot but I'll never have to buy another light and there are none better or brighter. If I had saved all the money that I had wasted on the 10 other rear lights it would have more than paid for the Dinotte. Next I will purchase a Dinotte head light or the Magic Shine head light.
Ride safe,
Jeff
Ride safe,
Jeff
10-16-10, 08:51 AM
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In the < $50 range, I'd say either Radbot 1000 or Cateye 1100. Unless you have a Magicshine headlight, in which case absolutely the way to go is the $29 Magicshine taillight + y adaptor from GeoMan.
I actually went from a Dinotte 140R to the MagicShine. I think the brightness is about the same and the dispersal is actually better - it's visible farther to the side. The real win was using one battery pack.
I actually went from a Dinotte 140R to the MagicShine. I think the brightness is about the same and the dispersal is actually better - it's visible farther to the side. The real win was using one battery pack.
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10-16-10, 08:52 AM
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https://www.hauntedfrog.com/gallery2/...008taillights/
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10-16-10, 02:52 PM
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Magic shine blows any of the ones listed away except maybe the dinotte. I like the PBSF and haven't had it fall off for the last two years of rough roads that have knocked off my rack trunk and panniers. I thought the SF was really bright until I got the MS. Now I use both. SF on flash MS on solid.
10-16-10, 03:23 PM
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Looking at the lights you mentioned you want something for less than $30? If so The Radbot has been getting a lot of press recently. It will probably be my next purchase. I do have the PB Superflash. Never had a problem with it coming off.
I also have a Nightrider Cherrybomb, Mars 3.0, PB Rack blinky 5, and Ultrafire 501b red. All of them cost about the same if memory serves me correctly. I usually keep one on flash pattern and another one on steady.
I also have a Nightrider Cherrybomb, Mars 3.0, PB Rack blinky 5, and Ultrafire 501b red. All of them cost about the same if memory serves me correctly. I usually keep one on flash pattern and another one on steady.
10-16-10, 03:30 PM
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im sticking with the ~30 msrp range. i work in a shop so i have access to qbp and other distributors. i am also avoiding the bigger lights like the dinotte for the external battery packs.
10-16-10, 03:44 PM
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In the < $50 range, I'd say either Radbot 1000 or Cateye 1100. Unless you have a Magicshine headlight, in which case absolutely the way to go is the $29 Magicshine taillight + y adaptor from GeoMan.
I actually went from a Dinotte 140R to the MagicShine. I think the brightness is about the same and the dispersal is actually better - it's visible farther to the side. The real win was using one battery pack.
I actually went from a Dinotte 140R to the MagicShine. I think the brightness is about the same and the dispersal is actually better - it's visible farther to the side. The real win was using one battery pack.
10-16-10, 03:46 PM
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Then stick w/t PBSF or the Rabot. After mounting the light try a small cable-tie around the light and mount. When it comes time to change the batteries simply clip the cable-tie change the batteries and put another small cable-tie back on. There're cheap and effective. Have been using this rig on all my blinkies for about 10 years and have never lost a single light.
10-16-10, 03:59 PM
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Then stick w/t PBSF or the Rabot. After mounting the light try a small cable-tie around the light and mount. When it comes time to change the batteries simply clip the cable-tie change the batteries and put another small cable-tie back on. There're cheap and effective. Have been using this rig on all my blinkies for about 10 years and have never lost a single light.
10-16-10, 05:23 PM
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Then stick w/t PBSF or the Rabot. After mounting the light try a small cable-tie around the light and mount. When it comes time to change the batteries simply clip the cable-tie change the batteries and put another small cable-tie back on. There're cheap and effective. Have been using this rig on all my blinkies for about 10 years and have never lost a single light.
10-16-10, 05:27 PM
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I run both a PB Superflash and the PDW Radbot 1000. The Radbot is noticeably brighter. I did come home one night to find the Radbot was off; I'm not sure if it was due to my u-lock knocking on it whilst traversing bumps. In any case, I relocated my lock. No issues since.
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10-16-10, 05:40 PM
#23
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Have a Cat eye , screws onto reflector bracket, no plastic bracket to break,
though they supplied one , to fit on a seatpost tube, I didn't use it.
Best taillight Busch& Muller Toplight 4 D, on a Tubus Rack,
they are compatible mount 2 holes 50mm apart. a steady bright light.
https://www.bumm.de/index-e.html
though they supplied one , to fit on a seatpost tube, I didn't use it.
Best taillight Busch& Muller Toplight 4 D, on a Tubus Rack,
they are compatible mount 2 holes 50mm apart. a steady bright light.
https://www.bumm.de/index-e.html
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-16-10 at 07:25 PM.
10-16-10, 07:07 PM
#24
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Just picked up the magic shine (already had the headlight) and it is insanely bright!!!
10-16-10, 07:13 PM
#25
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I use 2 PBSFs mounted on my rack. I have received comments from fellow bike commuters that the double flashing PBSFs are very visible. I use 2 for redunduncy. The batteries last a long time and run down slowly so you have a plenty of warning when they need replacing. Never lost one from bumps or had one shut off midride.