Helmet mount a flashlight?
 

Any thoughts from any of you who have tried it?

I'm pondering lighting upgrades, probably will get a Magicshine, and am thinking about alternatives for mounting.

I'm using a bar-mounted PB Alias and a frame-mounted flashlight right now. To helmet mount it I'd need to get an extension wire for the Alias, and the battery is near end of life.

With all the advocacy for how good the FENIX, etc. flashlights are, I wonder if they're a good option for helmet mounting.
a) does the extra weight of the batteries up on your head, rather than in a jersey pocket, get to you? I'd go for a small one, and their batteries tend to be smaller than bike-specific lights, but it will still be more weight than a lighthead only.
b) is there a handy lockblock-like thing for helmet mounting?

a) no
b) rubber bands or old inertubes can be used here, there are a lot of improvised ways to do this

I have a 105 lumen light I bought at the Evil Empire (aka Wal-Mart),it mounts on my helmet, it it uses 3 AAA batteries. I like it, it is enough to get a inattentive drivers' attention with out blinding them.

I have 220 lumen Terralux flashlight that runs on 2 rechargeable AAs. I get at least an hour of high power beam from one set of batteries. That's two dark commutes worth for me. It is my primary "see where I'm going" light. I also have a PB 1 LED blinkie in my handlebars and a PB Spok on my helmet, both usually set to blink "to be seen". They're a great way to go lighting-wise on a budget.

http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html

I know of people who just use TwoFish lockblocks on their helmet with a flashlight. It can be done. Either the Bikeblock or the flashlight holder depending on how you need to orient the block to the vents, etc., on your helmet. Probably depends some on what helmet you use...

I think some people have used Livestrong bracelets and the like as well.

Found this on YouTube and it works like a charm.

#watch-main-area

I used the twofish lockblock to attach my Fenix O-light to my helmet. Worked fine. I don't even notice the weight.

I just attached a MagicShine mount with two long zip ties, put some rubber underneath the mount. The default mount is weak. I have replaced the cable with longer, thinner one so I run it down my back and the battery is clipped to my clothing somewhere, or in a pocket, depending on what I'm wearing. Makes taking the helmet off a little more complicated, but I don't don't care much. It's only for the winter months.

Twofish lockblock or twofish bikeblock, depending on your helmet configuration.

Can get them at the fenix store, 4sevens, DX, and several other places online.

On recommendations from folks in this forum i just purchased the TerraLux LightStar 220 EX and it is great. I put in some rechargeable batteries and got 2 hours of run time (I turned it off after two hours cause I didn't need it on any longer - although some people have said it will only last an hour?). IMO you won't be disappointed in the performance of this small flashlight. Made of very tough aircraft grade aluminum too.

Ride safe,

Jeff

I have Princton Tec Apex mounted on my helmet. I love that light, very bright, good battery life and 5 different settings.

I must be the only dummy to have a giant flashlight on my helmet. I have a MG X Thrower mounted on my helmet with 2 Twofish blocks because one cannot handle the weight nor the size. The flashlight alone weight 7.65 oz, and with the battery, the flashlight is at least 9oz. I also have a PBSF that uses two AAA battery on the back of my helmet at whatever that tailight weight.

Heavy? Sort of. It's not too bad once you are use to it. It is important to have it balance front to back weight wise so the helmet does not tilt foward or backward. Lucky for me, some area of my job at work requires the wearing of a OSHA approved hardhat. My hardhat is really not that much better than my bicycle helmet with all that gear. So yeah, it can be done.

I use rubber bands, we have surplus at work. A helmet-mounted light can be useful if you ride in traffic:

1) it shows over the tops of parked cars, helping cross-traffic see you before they pull out in front of you

2) if you're not sure you were noticed, you can weave your bars and your head in opposite directions a couple times for the whoa, what was THAT?!. The opposing motion of the lights is good for grabbing attention.

3) because the beam's close to your line of sight, reflective stuff shows up well. If my glasses are fogged or covered with rain, this helps me see parked cars by their reflectors. Also handy for reading street signs.


Shiningbeam has some 1AA Romisen lights. I got one, and it's actually almost as heavy as my Fenix L2D, but hey... it was only $19. They upgraded the emitters right after I bought mine :P If you use 1-cell lights, make sure your charger can handle single cells.

Fenix L2D on my helmet with bands cut from old inner tubes. Also, Night Rider duals on the bars. . . plenty of light and the helmet light works as a great attention getter and spotlight. I don't even notice the minimal weight and it's significantly useful- - -except when it's intensely foggy or drizzly and then it creates a white-out that actually hinders my vision. But in dry conditions it's a great addition.

I just use a large rubber band, doubled up. I find that the weight is virtually unnoticed, but the beam is more stable on the helmet than the bars.

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll venture down this path. I have some pipe insulation staring at me as we speak.

The rubber band or modified inner tube works amazingly well. Rock solid stable. Nothing wrong with it at all.

Just loop a thick rubber band through your helmet and across the ends of the flashlight.

With an inner tube, you can cut holes in a 3" piece at both ends, and slide the flaslight trhough the holes as the tubing loops under the helmet. Works great.

Sounds like a good idea, do you have an pics to share?
I sell a 480 lumen flashlight that I had set up on my helmet for the past few weeks.
I have a video on utube if you want to check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHWH7aCs6i4
I will still like to see the pics of the rubber bands and/or inner tube set up.
Chris

I've got a Fenix L2D that I used on my handlebars for a couple of years and then moved to my helmet when I got a more powerful light system. The Fenix works great as a helmet light and I don't notice the weight at all. I mounted it with the same Two Fish Lockblock that I used on my handlebars. Fenix also makes a light that runs on a single AA battery that would be even lighter, but the run times are shorter and it's not as bright.

BTW, my new handlebar light is a Light & Motion Stella, and it would also make a great helmet light. It is very light and includes a helmet mount with a cable long enough to tuck the battery in your jersey pocket. However, it costs 3 to 4X more than the Fenix.

I use a regular bar mount bracket that comes with whatever light I'm using at the time & shape a base with friction tape. Then, tape the base to the helmet. Basically, I'm rolling the the friction tape into shapes that will make a stable platform for the handlebar mount & that will aim the beam straight where I am looking. Cheaper than anything else & very stable.

Fenix LD20 (older model) fastened to my helmet with bands made from old inner tubes. It's bright but only a secondary light to my Night Rider duals on the bars.

Can anyone show a photo of a rubber band mount, or an innertube scrap mount?

TIA
Zman