Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

What's the best head light for $20?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

What's the best head light for $20?

Old 06-17-13, 06:15 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Amherst, MA
Posts: 205
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What's the best head light for $20?

I'm just looking for the best inexpensive headlight/mount to light my night paths at least 10-20 feet so I don't hit a pothole & die. Something that looks sleek and doesn't weigh more than a pound would be ideal (especially considering I still need to put fenders on the bike). Thanks!

*Just a little clarification: when I say headlight, I mean the one put on the handlebars, not one that straps to my face x:

Last edited by Distinguished; 06-17-13 at 06:24 PM.
Distinguished is offline  
Old 06-17-13, 06:32 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OH IO
Posts: 188
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Best you can do for close to $20 is a cree t6 bulb lamp from amazon/ebay. Something like this https://www.amazon.com/CREE-Bicycle-H...cree+headlight
mattgmann is offline  
Old 06-17-13, 06:37 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Amherst, MA
Posts: 205
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mattgmann
Best you can do for close to $20 is a cree t6 bulb lamp from amazon/ebay. Something like this https://www.amazon.com/CREE-Bicycle-H...cree+headlight
Sorry about that, I meant a headlight to strap to the bike's handlebars.
Distinguished is offline  
Old 06-17-13, 06:39 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oxnard, CA
Posts: 4,571

Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Distinguished
Sorry about that, I meant a headlight to strap to the bike's handlebars.
That's what he linked. It comes with a head strap but is equally at home on the bars.
CACycling is offline  
Old 06-17-13, 06:48 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Amherst, MA
Posts: 205
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Oh, I can't seem to find the gear to strap it on to the bars in the description or pictures, that's incredibly practical though.

Very nice brightness for the money too, only thing is, I think I'd prefer a battery powered light, since I can just replace with spares when needed as opposed to charging over & over until the light works for less and less time. l:

Last edited by Distinguished; 06-17-13 at 06:54 PM.
Distinguished is offline  
Old 06-17-13, 08:24 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OH IO
Posts: 188
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There aren't really any decent headlights I know of for more than blinking that use AA or AAA batteries. Looking at the bottom end of the pricing bracket, the options for lights that will actually illuminate a path are very limited.

Here's another version of the same light. It has better pictures of all the kit that's included.
https://www.amazon.com/Lumen-Bicycle-...ree+bike+light

I'll add that the advertised 1200 lumens is bogus. This is more comparable to 200-300 lumen lights. That is still quite a bit of output however.
mattgmann is offline  
Old 06-18-13, 10:41 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oxnard, CA
Posts: 4,571

Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Distinguished
Oh, I can't seem to find the gear to strap it on to the bars in the description or pictures, that's incredibly practical though.

Very nice brightness for the money too, only thing is, I think I'd prefer a battery powered light, since I can just replace with spares when needed as opposed to charging over & over until the light works for less and less time. l:
Mounting to the handlebars is the same as mounting to the headband. That is what the O-rings are for.

If you want to go with AA or AAA, keep cost low and light level fairly high, your best bet is a LED flashlight and Two Fish type mount. I use the AAA lights from Costco (three pack for around $20) and order the mounts from eBay or Deal Extreme (like this: https://dx.com/p/universal-adjustable...t=1&s=&u=31871 ). I use this set up on my non-commuting bikes. I go with rechargeable batteries and carry disposables for backups.
CACycling is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AceFahrenheit
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
78
05-26-17 07:27 PM
greg3rd48
Commuting
24
01-24-15 08:01 AM
loimpact
Bicycle Mechanics
11
02-20-14 09:22 AM
pavement_nyc
Commuting
31
05-27-11 03:23 AM
custermustache
Commuting
88
11-11-10 07:58 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.