ideal tail light
#1
Thread Starter
Full Member

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 325
Likes: 59
From: Spokane Area
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Warbird, (Specially Love my) 2021 Salsa Cutthroat, 2012 Surly LHT, 2015 Surly Cross-Check, 2008 Giant OCR A1, 2005 Leader 735R, 2005 Gary Fisher Montare, 1991 Nishiki Pueblo,
ideal tail light
1. usb rechargeable
2. good clip so it could be attached to a back pack or back of a jercey.
3. good attachment so it could be mounted on the back of helmet.
4.hardware so it could be attached to the rear of a rack
5.good side illumination.
6. charging inlet on the side, top or bottom so i wont have to get it off the bike to charge because the charging is from the back where it attaches to the seat post or rear rack.
does such a thing exist? tell about your favorite tail light.
2. good clip so it could be attached to a back pack or back of a jercey.
3. good attachment so it could be mounted on the back of helmet.
4.hardware so it could be attached to the rear of a rack
5.good side illumination.
6. charging inlet on the side, top or bottom so i wont have to get it off the bike to charge because the charging is from the back where it attaches to the seat post or rear rack.
does such a thing exist? tell about your favorite tail light.
#2
Me duelen las nalgas

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
The Blackburn 2'Fer meets all but #6 . That's my only complaint about the otherwise excellent light. I have to remove it from the supplied rubber band, or my own homebrewed Velcro strap, to access the rear-mounted USB port.
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
Usually something that has a clip for a bag or a jersey will fall off when clipped onto either, from bumps in the road. Fortunately they usually come with a bracket that is secure, mounts to the bike, and is a quick release. Most LED tail lights need to be aimed level and straight back to get good power aimed at the cars. Another reason to not clip to a bag.
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This will do what you want. I have one almost the same, but this one has better beam spread
https://www.cygolite.com/product/hotshot-pro-80-usb/
.
This will do what you want. I have one almost the same, but this one has better beam spread
https://www.cygolite.com/product/hotshot-pro-80-usb/
#4
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Usually something that has a clip for a bag or a jersey will fall off when clipped onto either, from bumps in the road. Fortunately they usually come with a bracket that is secure, mounts to the bike, and is a quick release. Most LED tail lights need to be aimed level and straight back to get good power aimed at the cars. Another reason to not clip to a bag.
.
This will do what you want. I have one almost the same, but this one has better beam spread
https://www.cygolite.com/product/hotshot-pro-80-usb/
.
This will do what you want. I have one almost the same, but this one has better beam spread
https://www.cygolite.com/product/hotshot-pro-80-usb/
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#6
Senior Member




Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21,846
Likes: 5,818
From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
I've been using the light and motion vis 180 rear light for well over a year. It is as bright as the cyrgolite hotshot 80 and has a better run time. But the L&M is 2x as expensive and works well really only on a seatpost; the cygolite is more flexible. As much as I like my L&M vis 180, I'd recommend the cygolite as well at this point.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
1. usb rechargeable
2. good clip so it could be attached to a back pack or back of a jercey.
3. good attachment so it could be mounted on the back of helmet.
4.hardware so it could be attached to the rear of a rack
5.good side illumination.
6. charging inlet on the side, top or bottom so i wont have to get it off the bike to charge because the charging is from the back where it attaches to the seat post or rear rack.
does such a thing exist? tell about your favorite tail light.
2. good clip so it could be attached to a back pack or back of a jercey.
3. good attachment so it could be mounted on the back of helmet.
4.hardware so it could be attached to the rear of a rack
5.good side illumination.
6. charging inlet on the side, top or bottom so i wont have to get it off the bike to charge because the charging is from the back where it attaches to the seat post or rear rack.
does such a thing exist? tell about your favorite tail light.
They include seatpost and seatstay mounts and sell a rack mount. I have no idea about helmet mounting.
The old one is bright for night use at 30 lumens although I'd prefer more during the day.
The new pro 80 should be much better for daylight use.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 02-11-16 at 04:44 PM.
#9
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
USB Rechargable is a Thing many companies offer Now..
Planet Bike and cats eye are 2 of them they should hit all your numbers
red LEDs dont draw Much so a Flashlight battery lasts a Long time* .. so, No faves, I have not Bought any .
AA I can recharge them
or (my Ideal) Wired to the headlight then to the Hub Dynamo types are My preference
Schmidt and Busch And Muller
* 20 year old Vista light is still working (now on my snow/ice Bike...Here it rarely drops below zero..
But if You work in a cubicle at a computer obviously Its easy to recharge ..
Planet Bike and cats eye are 2 of them they should hit all your numbers
red LEDs dont draw Much so a Flashlight battery lasts a Long time* .. so, No faves, I have not Bought any .
AA I can recharge them
or (my Ideal) Wired to the headlight then to the Hub Dynamo types are My preference
Schmidt and Busch And Muller
* 20 year old Vista light is still working (now on my snow/ice Bike...Here it rarely drops below zero..
But if You work in a cubicle at a computer obviously Its easy to recharge ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-11-16 at 07:07 PM.
#10
Banned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
#11
Banned
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
1. usb rechargeable
2. good clip so it could be attached to a back pack or back of a jercey.
3. good attachment so it could be mounted on the back of helmet.
4.hardware so it could be attached to the rear of a rack
5.good side illumination.
6. charging inlet on the side, top or bottom so i wont have to get it off the bike to charge because the charging is from the back where it attaches to the seat post or rear rack.
does such a thing exist? tell about your favorite tail light.
2. good clip so it could be attached to a back pack or back of a jercey.
3. good attachment so it could be mounted on the back of helmet.
4.hardware so it could be attached to the rear of a rack
5.good side illumination.
6. charging inlet on the side, top or bottom so i wont have to get it off the bike to charge because the charging is from the back where it attaches to the seat post or rear rack.
does such a thing exist? tell about your favorite tail light.
7. Modes for using the light in group settings.
8. Can be used for daylight riding.
My current light that I'm liking alot is the Cygolite Hotshot Micro - https://www.cygolite.com/product/hotshot-micro-2w-usb/
This light has everything that you are asking for, except mounting on the helmet. Personally I don't have this desire, so I haven't pursued it. What I really like is that it's bright enough to use in the day light and it has modes for riding in a pack at night. Nothing worst than having to be stuck behind a bright fast flashing rear light at night!
Also there's little tiny hooks that stop the light from accidentally coming off if it is hung on the saddle bag. This was the problem with my previous one, a Planet Bike Superflash. I got tired of being surprised with a lost light when I stop.
Finally from my experience the Micro has alot better side view visibility than the Hotshot.




They sent mine free of charge.

