Originally Posted by JohnJ80 (Post 20322868)

Then REI is selling Chinese clones. I'm sure REI deals directly with Cygolite for orders and doesn't get them from distributors (the point were most of the fakes enter the system).

I should be more accurate - I see 4 distinct dots when I look directly at the lens from 50' back. I could be some artifact of the lens or something too. I didn't take it a part.

To be clear, I believe all of these high bright LEDs use multiple LED die in a single package. I don't think it's possible to get a "single LED" Light that bright. But that's just being nitpicky. They mean it has one package with multiple LED die in it.

Either way, putting both side by side, I see only a marginal difference in brightness between the Flare and the Cygolite 150. Part of that is how your eyes see light (logarithmically) but I think the biggest thing is that the lens on the Flare is much better. The Flare does a better job, IMHO, of being seen than the Cygolite 150.


J.

Originally Posted by JohnJ80 (Post 20322868)

Then REI is selling Chinese clones. I'm sure REI deals directly with Cygolite for orders and doesn't get them from distributors (the point were most of the fakes enter the system).

I should be more accurate - I see 4 distinct dots when I look directly at the lens from 50' back. I could be some artifact of the lens or something too. I didn't take it a part.

To be clear, I believe all of these high bright LEDs use multiple LED die in a single package. I don't think it's possible to get a "single LED" Light that bright. But that's just being nitpicky. They mean it has one package with multiple LED die in it..

Originally Posted by prathmann (Post 20324321)

It does seem as if something is funny about your HotShot 150. Mine shows no evidence of having more than a single LED whether viewed from a distance or closeup with a magnifying glass. When set to the steady on mode at minimum intensity it's easy to examine the LED which shows no sign of having multiple dies - those generally have at least visible dark lines between the individual elements. And there's no technical issue with getting 150 lumens out of a single LED, especially since it's only that bright in the flashing modes where heat dissipation is less of an issue.

BTW, the only time I know that I got a counterfeit item it was from a very reputable store. It appears that a previous customer had bought the genuine item and had then put the cheaper substitute into the packaging in a way that made it appear to have been unopened before returning it. When I returned the substitute to the store and pointed out some subtle differences, the store manager and I looked through some of their other stock and it was all genuine.

Originally Posted by 01 CAt Man Do (Post 20324661)

Wow! Who would of thought! REI has a very friendly return policy too. One of the reasons I like shopping there. If you buy something and don't like it you just bring it back, opened or unopened and as long as you have the receipt and return it within a year of purchase you can get a refund. I know I've seen Chinese clones of the Planet Bike Super flash but I've not seen one of the Hotshot 150. Doesn't mean they aren't out there though. Possible someone had a $15 Hotshot clone, did a switcher-roo with a real one bought at REI and walked away with the better lamp.

Originally Posted by jryoung74 (Post 20328254)

I got the Cygolite Uitsgit 160 in the mail yesterday. I tried it in the house and all I can say is Wow, this light is bright and offers a lot of adjustability between the modes and timing. Now I will road test it for function and longevity, but so far so good. Thank you all for the feedback.

Originally Posted by jryoung74 (Post 20328254)

I got the Cygolite Uitsgit 160 in the mail yesterday.

Originally Posted by angerdan (Post 20332167)

I can't find this model name anywhere on the web, is it new? And what are the specs of the taillight?

Originally Posted by Skipjacks (Post 20314794)

I run a Cygolite Hotshot 150 as my primary "SEE ME" light in the daytime. It's more than bright enough to be seen in direct sunlight. Driver WILL NOT miss you. I keep that on a 1 blink per 1.5 seconds flash and it's plenty. (And that that blink rate the battery last just short of forever) The limitation is that the beam can only be seen straight back. It's not alerting anyone to the sides that I'm there. But the driver's directly behind me at teh target audience.

Slightly higher than that I have a Cygolight Hotrod 50. It's still bright enough to see seen in daylight, but not from as far back. I keep that on a faster blink setting. 1 per every half second or so. It's must more eye catching, but not as bright. This light has a much wider viewing angle. So it offers me decent lateral notification as well. (Note, it does not mount horizontally like in the image below natively. I had to get creative)

Basically the 150 grabs a driver's attention from a long way back and the 50 keeps their attention as they are close with the faster blink rate.

For night riding the 150 is uneeded. The Hotrod 50 is more than enough to announce my presence on the road.The 150 is more than overkill in the dark. It's downright blinding.

Get a front light too. Go brighter. I run a Cygolite (I like Cygolite...can you tell?) Dash 460 in the front to make driver's coming the opposite direction see me. Some people go even brighter in the front.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cb4a356fe7.jpg

Originally Posted by KraneXL (Post 20332212)

Too close. You need to back off 50-100 yards (about a block). Motorist need to see you well in advance.

NOTE: I have the USB one.

Also Chinese clone? They're all made in China.

Originally Posted by Skipjacks (Post 20332354)

The Hotshot 150 may be alerting alien worlds to life on Earth....in daylight.

Originally Posted by wingless (Post 20332465)

It will be years before that light may be observed, unless a vessel that can make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs is used.