New to helmet mounted light
#1
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.
Edit: My bar lights are not set in stone, a couple lower to medium powered flood lights.
Last edited by Staypuft1652; 10-26-16 at 09:29 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 792
Likes: 20
From: New England
Bikes: Brompton M6R, Specialized Tricross Comp, Ellsworth Isis, Dahon Speed P8
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 69
From: Rural Missouri - mostly central and southeastern
Bikes: 2003 LeMond -various other junk bikes
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.
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.
#4
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,152
Likes: 6,209
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
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.
Edit: My bar lights are not set in stone, a couple lower to medium powered flood lights.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
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.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 890
Likes: 10
From: Minnesnowta
Bikes: 2016 Trek Emonda SL, 2016 Framed Wolftrax
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.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yes its cheap, it is a lot better quality than I expected.
#7
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 435
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
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.
#8
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.
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.
#9
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.
#10
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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