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New to helmet mounted light

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Old 10-26-16 | 09:23 AM
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New to helmet mounted light

As the title says, I am new to helmet lighting, actually, just got a helmet. At the moment, I have one of those generic cree light type headband mounts zip tied to my helmet, which I understand is not ideal. I currently have two different self contained lights that I would think appropriate for helmet usage, a Niterider lumina 750 boost, and a serfas usl-305. My riding is mostly commuting, mup, and some mild off road. Short of trial and error, and the fact the NR is on the heavy side, can anyone give any recommendations for me to get a dedicated helmet mount for either of those?

Edit: My bar lights are not set in stone, a couple lower to medium powered flood lights.

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Old 10-26-16 | 10:12 AM
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Might try a Twofish mount...

TwoFish Lockblocks, Bikeblocks, and Bicycle Helmets
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Old 10-27-16 | 07:52 AM
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My own experience suggests that a very important aspect of a helmet mounted light for bicycling is "spotlight" and "throw" performance. But this perspective about helmet lighting assumes you already have adequate bicycle mounted road lighting.

In other words, if you use only a helmet light - it needs to be a great "all around" bicycle light . But if you already have a good bike-mounted light, then you can benefit even more by having helmet light that has great "spot" and "throw".

My experience is that a spotlight on your head helps you search out dangers along the road and offers a additional visibility/recognition when aimed at inattentive motorists. But again, this is only a good idea if you already have a good "flood" light on your bike.
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Old 10-27-16 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Staypuft1652
As the title says, I am new to helmet lighting, actually, just got a helmet. At the moment, I have one of those generic cree light type headband mounts zip tied to my helmet, which I understand is not ideal. I currently have two different self contained lights that I would think appropriate for helmet usage, a Niterider lumina 750 boost, and a serfas usl-305. My riding is mostly commuting, mup, and some mild off road. Short of trial and error, and the fact the NR is on the heavy side, can anyone give any recommendations for me to get a dedicated helmet mount for either of those?

Edit: My bar lights are not set in stone, a couple lower to medium powered flood lights.
Both the Niterider and the Serfas lights have helmet mounts available. The Niterider one is $14 from Niterider while the Serfas one is $15 MSRP from you local dealer or on-line.
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Old 10-27-16 | 09:03 AM
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To deal with the weight, you might consider mounting the light toward the rear of the helmet. I can barely tolerate a Flea on the front, although it's great there for reading cue sheets or other stuff on my bars. Put something like your lights I'd mount over the crown of my head and aim it out. My neck can stand it, but it's difficult to read a speedometer.
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Old 10-27-16 | 10:11 AM
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I bought a pair of these and it will do the trick on my helmet. I run a Magicshine knockoff on my handlebars too. This one I strapped to my helmet and it seem to be bight enough for me for single track night rides.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yes its cheap, it is a lot better quality than I expected.
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Old 10-27-16 | 10:55 AM
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I use a bikeblock to mount a big 18650 powered light on my helmet and also have a viz360 mounted there as well. After riding motorcycles for years the weight doesn't bother me, but some people don't like it. I like aiming the brighter light so it's aimed a little too high, that way I can look up to keep the light out of peoples eyes and the light is aimed better when I'm going faster. I wouldn't want to ride without it after having gotten used to it either.
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Old 10-27-16 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard Cranium
My own experience suggests that a very important aspect of a helmet mounted light for bicycling is "spotlight" and "throw" performance. But this perspective about helmet lighting assumes you already have adequate bicycle mounted road lighting.

In other words, if you use only a helmet light - it needs to be a great "all around" bicycle light . But if you already have a good bike-mounted light, then you can benefit even more by having helmet light that has great "spot" and "throw".

My experience is that a spotlight on your head helps you search out dangers along the road and offers a additional visibility/recognition when aimed at inattentive motorists. But again, this is only a good idea if you already have a good "flood" light on your bike.
Yes, I have my bike lights covered, flood lights, also one with some throw. From the reading I have done, I had gathered that a helmet light should ideally have a narrow beam with some throw. For now I have only tried the 305 serfas but I was quite pleased with it on helmet, it has a good amount of throw. Thank-you!
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Old 10-27-16 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by pdlamb
To deal with the weight, you might consider mounting the light toward the rear of the helmet. I can barely tolerate a Flea on the front, although it's great there for reading cue sheets or other stuff on my bars. Put something like your lights I'd mount over the crown of my head and aim it out. My neck can stand it, but it's difficult to read a speedometer.
Thanks! Currently my mount is rigged up on top, which it bulky and will probably get caught on alot of things, but for the moment it seems well enough balanced. I ordered a tiny 700 lumen light head off amazon that looks to be passable. Am planning on mounting it up with a makeshift gopro mount nearer the front, with a 4 cell battery carried elsewhere, will experiment.
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Old 10-27-16 | 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by no motor?
I use a bikeblock to mount a big 18650 powered light on my helmet and also have a viz360 mounted there as well. After riding motorcycles for years the weight doesn't bother me, but some people don't like it. I like aiming the brighter light so it's aimed a little too high, that way I can look up to keep the light out of peoples eyes and the light is aimed better when I'm going faster. I wouldn't want to ride without it after having gotten used to it either.
Thanks, thats sortof the new plan I am trying, but with a small light head with the cord extended to a camelbak or similar with 4 cell battery, with a rigged up gopro adhesive mount just to try it.
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