Search
Notices
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets HRM, GPS, MP3, HID. Whether it's got an acronym or not, here's where you'll find discussions on all sorts of tools, toys and gadgets.

Bright Rear Light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-16-24 | 12:48 PM
  #26  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
I suggest an air raid siren. The horn from Loud Bicycle would be a good start.
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 02:11 PM
  #27  
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 131
Likes: 19
From: East Tawas, MI

Bikes: Waterford Sport Tourer, Merlin Extralight, Fuji Suncrest, Why Cycles Big Iron, Seven Monster X

I turned my laptop up and played that horn for my wife. She said no way.
CaptMike is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 02:30 PM
  #28  
Francophile
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 2,101
From: Seattle

Bikes: Lots

I love these lights. But I have found that helmet lights help visibility quite a bit, probably because they are not hidden by other vehicles. Any suggestions for a bright helmet light combination? I currently use a Light and Motion set that has served me well, but i am always looking at other options.
__________________
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Aubergine is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 04:02 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
CaptMike Posted: I turned my laptop up and played that horn for my wife. She said no way.
​​​​​​​I have a Storm Whistle but need to wear ear plugs to use it. I have small ear canals and the whistle causes allot of pain.
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 04:05 PM
  #30  
PromptCritical's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 782
From: San Diego

Bikes: Columbine, Lynskey GR300, Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super (4), Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha (retired), Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes

Originally Posted by Aubergine
I love these lights. But I have found that helmet lights help visibility quite a bit, probably because they are not hidden by other vehicles. Any suggestions for a bright helmet light combination? I currently use a Light and Motion set that has served me well, but i am always looking at other options.
I've tried two front lights. One is a Streamlight flashlight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079D3DDGB...t_details&th=1 pictured below. The is was a small light bar that worked great, but just a little too kludgy looking. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1


Flashlight test mounted on the fork with a headset stem.
PromptCritical is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 04:07 PM
  #31  
PromptCritical's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 782
From: San Diego

Bikes: Columbine, Lynskey GR300, Paramount Track Bike, Colnago Super (4), Santana Tandems (1995 & 2007), Gary Fisher Piranha (retired), Bianchi Track Bike, a couple of Honda mountain bikes

Originally Posted by Rick
I suggest an air raid siren. The horn from Loud Bicycle would be a good start.
Well, most of the threats come from the rear, so now that I have a radar unit, I've been pondering some sort of interface with a device aimed at the windshield of the driver's car. Any suggested devices? Oh, must be legal in California, so that leaves out many of the more interesting ideas.
PromptCritical is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 04:13 PM
  #32  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
Aubergine Posted: I love these lights. But I have found that helmet lights help visibility quite a bit, probably because they are not hidden by other vehicles. Any suggestions for a bright helmet light combination? I currently use a Light and Motion set that has served me well, but i am always looking at other options.
The lights we are posting about are for daylight viability. If you want night time helmet lights Dinotte has a good one also.
​​​​​​​
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 04:19 PM
  #33  
Francophile
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 2,101
From: Seattle

Bikes: Lots

Originally Posted by Rick
The lights we are posting about are for daylight viability.
​​​
Yes, and I use the helmet lights in the daytime because drivers notice them. Thus my question, which is on topic even if not on the bike itself.
__________________
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Aubergine is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 10:00 PM
  #34  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
Aubergine Posted: Yes, and I use the helmet lights in the daytime because drivers notice them. Thus my question, which is on topic even if not on the bike itself.
I use the taillight flasher for daylight, it allows the drivers to notice me ahead of time. I use my voice and maneuvering to avoid drivers starting from a stop and other fun stuff at intersections.
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 05-16-24 | 11:38 PM
  #35  
Full Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 324
Likes: 681
From: SF Bay Area
I agree with rm -rf with all he wrote…he nailed it!

Most often for daytime rides, I use one of my taillights with band mounts on my helmet. then my Varia Radar light mounted on my seatpost set to steady mode/medium. For night rides I add a Cygo 350….I have a DIY seat mount I almost always on use Pulse on Cygo lights

About 10 yrs ago I used a pair of Dinotte headlights with external battery. They are really well made! No experience with their taillight though.

I found a related post I made last year. in my pix you can see the 350 is noticeably brighter than 200, enhanced by the dual light configuration…
/
I recently set up my lights and snapped some photos at night. Don’t have any photos handy showing the lights during the daytime. In my comparison photos the lights are mounted on a rod. But because the mounting types vary they are not all parallel….it was a very quick test, not meant to be scientific in any way. In my photos all lights are in Solid/Steady Mode, which is less than the lumen used in the product name. It is difficult to find the actual lumen output for the steady mode.

Cygolite’s SteadyPulse is the mode I use. it doesn’t bother my coriders that much. but often I get comments that the Hypershot 350 is so bright. I often see the riders lights far ahead of me with Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar/Tail Light with only 65 lumen output on flash and it is noticeable. I am surprised how bright that is, but I am a slow moving biker not a car driving 70mph.

My road bike photo shows the Cygolite Hypershot 350 mounted on a custom mount, attached under the seat and the Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar is mounted on the seatpost. This is my default set up, day or night. The comparison stack photos are taken from about 40ft away. Also, I recently added the Lezyne Zecto Drive 200+ on the rear of my helmet at night, using the rubber strap through the vents.






Top of pole
Lezyne Zecto Drive 200+ Tail Light (2023)
LUMEN OUTPUT: Flash Max: 200, Solid: 50

Garmin Varia RTL515 Radar/Tail Light
LUMEN OUTPUT: Flash Max: 65, Solid: 20

Cygolite Hotshot Pro – 200 Lumen Bike Tail Light
LUMEN OUTPUT: Flash Max: 200, Solid: 120

Cygolite Hypershot – 350 Lumen Bike Tail LightLUMEN OUTPUT: Flash Max: 350, Solid: 210 estimated (used the 60% of max listed for the Cygolite200)
Bottom of pole

All are USB rechargeable.
/
letrebici is offline  
Reply
Old 05-24-24 | 04:18 AM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 503
Likes: 4
From: Foothills of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, NY
I have the The Cygolite Hypershot 350 and it works great for daytime riding. Super bright and worth the money.
lenny866 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-24-24 | 12:36 PM
  #37  
noglider's Avatar
aka Tom Reingold
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,160
Likes: 6,381
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Originally Posted by lenny866
I have the The Cygolite Hypershot 350 and it works great for daytime riding. Super bright and worth the money.
Yeah, it's not much more than a regular taillight, but it's so much brighter. I should have gotten it sooner. Cygolite products have proven to be quite durable.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Reply
Old 05-24-24 | 10:50 PM
  #38  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
Prompt Critical Posted: Well, most of the threats come from the rear, so now that I have a radar unit, I've been pondering some sort of interface with a device aimed at the windshield of the driver's car. Any suggested devices? Oh, must be legal in California, so that leaves out many of the more interesting ideas.
I read a study from some years ago and the study said that 89% of car bicycle collisions happened at intersections. Although the study was done decades ago, Intersections are still a major danger even with considering modern electronic distraction. Noise, bright lights and quick movement attract the attention of others. In heavy traffic a very loud whistle, horn and a flashing amber daylight visible light would help. I have always just yelled with very good results, most of the time.
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 05-24-24 | 11:02 PM
  #39  
A member to remember
 
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 244
Likes: 135
From: Ventura County, CA

Bikes: Tallboy, Domane, old 90s MTB beater/grocery-getter, and a couple of franken-gravel experiments based on the Sirrus x 5.0.

For those interested, the Cygolite Hypershot 350 is currently on sale at Amazon for $36 shipped.
wayold is offline  
Reply
Old 05-25-24 | 11:58 AM
  #40  
BCDrums's Avatar
Recreational Road Cyclist
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 305
From: MetroWest, Mass.

Bikes: 1990 Peter Mooney road bike, 1996 Gary Fisher X-Caliber mountain bike

Originally Posted by noglider
Yeah, it's not much more than a regular taillight, but it's so much brighter. I should have gotten it sooner. Cygolite products have proven to be quite durable.
Tom,

I agree about the brightness of the Cygolite Hotspots. For me, durability was mixed. One of two copies wouldn’t hold a charge after a year (just out of warranty).
BCDrums is offline  
Reply
Old 05-25-24 | 01:53 PM
  #41  
noglider's Avatar
aka Tom Reingold
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,160
Likes: 6,381
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

[MENTION=354412]BCDrums[/MENTION], I had one replaced, and I think it was after the warranty had expired. You could ask and see what they say, which is what I did. They sent me a brand new unit with a new bracket.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Reply
Old 05-25-24 | 02:18 PM
  #42  
BCDrums's Avatar
Recreational Road Cyclist
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 305
From: MetroWest, Mass.

Bikes: 1990 Peter Mooney road bike, 1996 Gary Fisher X-Caliber mountain bike

Originally Posted by noglider
[MENTION=354412]BCDrums[/MENTION], I had one replaced, and I think it was after the warranty had expired. You could ask and see what they say, which is what I did. They sent me a brand new unit with a new bracket.
I did ask, $11 plus my cost to ship for a repair/replacement if I sent in the defective light. Not a bad deal, but I didn't do it. Instead I bought a Dinotte, somewhat more than $11.

I just realized you and I have already had this conversation: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthrea...4#post22903554

All best!
BCDrums is offline  
Reply
Old 05-25-24 | 03:53 PM
  #43  
noglider's Avatar
aka Tom Reingold
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,160
Likes: 6,381
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Haha, funny. I had forgotten. I'm glad you're happy with yours.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Reply
Old 05-25-24 | 04:03 PM
  #44  
10 Wheels's Avatar
Galveston County Texas
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

I like The Dinotte Day Time RED.

__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Reply
Old 05-27-24 | 05:49 AM
  #45  
Full Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 288
Likes: 174
Originally Posted by wayold
For those interested, the Cygolite Hypershot 350 is currently on sale at Amazon for $36 shipped.
Thanks for the tip! I had read some good things about those over the years, but had never tried one. The sale price nudged me over the edge.

My first impressions of it are favorable. This might displace the Magicshine Seemee 200 that I have been using, which does have its own charms.
John Valuk is offline  
Reply
Old 05-27-24 | 12:02 PM
  #46  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
10 Wheels: I have had my daytime red since 2016 and have found nothing else like it. The new 2023 version is substantially brighter. I am tempted to give my old one to my son and purchase the new model for me.
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 05-27-24 | 02:28 PM
  #47  
10 Wheels's Avatar
Galveston County Texas
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind

Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum

Originally Posted by Rick
10 Wheels: I have had my daytime red since 2016 and have found nothing else like it. The new 2023 version is substantially brighter. I am tempted to give my old one to my son and purchase the new model for me.
Go for it.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"

10 Wheels is offline  
Reply
Old 06-06-24 | 11:00 AM
  #48  
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Amazing idea @PromptCritical. The best!
Can you please suggest where to read/learn about the wiring?
E.g. I have a DeWalt Battery that I would like to connect with one of these 'strobe' lights of yours (I would buy after learning how to connect the cables etc).

Thank you!!

Last edited by Nikolatetios; 06-06-24 at 11:02 AM. Reason: I added the name of the user
Nikolatetios is offline  
Reply
Old 06-06-24 | 03:17 PM
  #49  
Newbie
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 8
From: Wine Country, Oregon
I don’t ride at night. Probably never will.

Would like to have more visibility to cars I am approaching, for example cars on side streets or driveways.

Opinions on putting one of the really bright taillights facing forward?
Ralphinca is offline  
Reply
Old 06-06-24 | 10:49 PM
  #50  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
Ralphinca: Here is my favorite daylight lights.
Rick is offline  
Reply


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

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.