Is it really that goddamned difficult to maintain reasonably fresh wiper blades and a supply of washer fluid? Is it, for some stupid reason, impossible to wipe down the inside of the windshield every once in a while?

Hell, I usually can't even SEE the glass of my car's windshield most of the time.

Bright Dinotte on a pitch black MUP = blinding;

Bright Dinotte on Pennsylvania Ave. = visible.

Duh.

Why all the anger? Gezz, we're talking about bike lights.

For those of us that are less than pedantic, yes sometimes our windshields get dirty. Sometimes they are even full of bugs if one has been in the countryside.

I don't see how a light shined in ones eyes would be any different on an MUP or a street. That just doesn't wash.

It's been mentioned already, but I guess that you've been too blinded by a taillight to be able to read anymore. Read mechBgon's post again, just a couple posts back.

When someone's on a dark MUP, they're pretty much completely reliant on their night vision. Of course, a bright red light will actually disturb someone's vision less than somewhat-bright white light, but it's still awfully bright.

On the streets around here, there isn't much left of anyone's night vision. Better to be at least equal to the stoplights, headlights, brake lights, storefront signs, ESPNZone marquee, flashing bus lights, flashing cop lights......

FFS, a 140l light directly pointed in someones eyes will blind them in broad daylight. Remember, we are talking about intentionally pointing the light directly into drivers eyes.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I don't see why you're still posting here. You're not making any contributions to the thread.

You obviously hate lighting so much, you should do the "bike ninja mode" instead, unbolting all reflectors and dressing in black. You'll be so much safer.

Have your parents/spouse/dog come back and post when you're dead. :thumb:

Wow, wishing for my death, you've hit a new low in being a total prick. First you insult me for living in Latvia, now you wish me dead. Nice. You sure are a winner. Thanks for showing your true selfish and nasty nature. We're talking about bike lights, WTF?

I don't hate lighting, I use lights day and night. What I don't like is the selfish and irresponsible use of lighting, something that you clearly can't get your head around as you seem to think that it doesn't matter if your lights cause a problem for others.

And here in America, the land of big trucks and SUVs, those headlights are often aimed directly at the windshields of other cars...

It's blinding isn't it when someone has improperly adjusted headlights. You can be ticketed for it too.

What you can't seem to get your head around is that we actually have lights here.

Wow, we have lots of lights here in Riga, too. Sunlight also. What does that have to do with pointing your lights in people's eyes and blinding them? Absolutely nothing.

[QUOTE=rfomenko;6970955]WTF are you talking about? I think you have somehow confused the Soviet Union with democratic Latvia. Of course when people have no other arguments they attack where I choose to live. Weak, really weak.

EDIT: Judging by your name (Roman Fomenko) I'm going to guess that you are a anti-Latvian Russian nationalist. I'll be happy to take the Russia/Latvia arument to P&R if you want.....

[QUOTE=rfomenko;6971050]As I mentioned earlier, if you'd like to debate the Russian occupation of Latvia I'd be more than happy to over in P&R. Let's keep the conversation to bikes in the biking forums, okay?

As for the light, is the best way to use it to point it in drivers eyes?

[QUOTE=rfomenko;6971144]There is no need to be condescending.

blinding nonsense
 

And by the way, this "blinding" issue is a solution waiting for a problem. I mean, if it was such a problem, then the helmet lights, some of which are quite powerful, would've been banned long ago, at least on public roads. G-d forbid you look the wrong way & blind some driver into a crash. Somehow I've not heard about such a crash, ever. Instead, I've been getting multiple compliments from the drives on my Fenix & not a single complaint. I've been using it on Turbo Flash mode day or night. When the common cycling lights start to approach the the intensity of ones on motorbikes we will have an issue. Just a thought.

+1 Exactly. Never have gotten a complaint myself, either.

I've actually been told be a friend that my helmet mounted Fenix blinded him. I adjusted it downward after that. They are great lights, aren't they? The difference is that with a helmet light the position isn't static like a taillight, and drivers aren't directly in front of and facing a headlight.

[QUOTE=rfomenko;6971212]Don't worry about it. :)

I'm loving this thread
:popcorn
:deadhorse2:
:trainwreck:

Stop the madness! You know, when I originally posted this question a month ago I thought I was worried that the discussion of bike lights would inevitably become a discussion of Russia's occupation of Latvia.

As an update: I bought the PB SuperFlash after reading the replies here, and I am more than satisfied with it. I could fit up to three if I really wanted to on the back, but for my needs one is almost more than enough. I guess I would get the Dinotte if it were the same cost, just for the fun of it.

I've never seen a Dinotte tail light other than my own, so I can't speak for those, but I have absolutely experienced personal danger when on my bike because of some clown who shone his light straight into my eyes. Whether or not you believe I was blinded, I certainly couldn't see the kerb of the on-pavement cycle path any more, and was at risk of dropping off it into a 50mph multiple lane road, and probably falling as I did (it's a high kerb, specially if you don't know it's coming). That's not safe.

^^^Agree

Sounds like Dinotte might not be appropriate for a dark trail, but is appropriate if you bike down an unlit highway (for distance), or for commuting through NYC-style traffic and lights, or for daytime. Also appropriate if you are biking solo.

Of course if I bought it I wouldn't feel the need to justify it to anyone, even the irritated bikers who are riding behind me. Just like if I were "blinded" by a Dinotte while biking, I would either pass the guy or take a new route- but I wouldn't blame him for trying to be safe.

You've got a point there. The key word is the "clown". It's not possible to create products that are completley "foolproof" (i.e. a good light will always be blinding if misused).The only recourse we have is to constantly scan our surroundings for any signs of such people :)

I quite agree. There are people right here on this very forum however who feel that aiming their lights into people's eyes is best for them. Those people should not be allowed bright lights. Or sharp objects. Or hot drinks.

I posted the very story above on BF, and got more than one person saying "I'm staying safe. I'll point my lights in people's eyes if that's what it takes. It's not my problem if that's dangerous to you". Those people, rather than the general mass of sensible sentient individuals, are who my post was aimed at.

:beer:

A little late to the thread but I just did this test last night. Across the street at night (which is even less than 20m), it is most certainly NOT blinding. It is extremely bright and I wouldn't stare at it for hours. Of course if your windshield is dirty, you'll also get some glare. Probably time to wipe them dontcha think? Before something comes along and really does blind you...like an oncoming semi. In this way, the Dinotte might actually save countless lives serving as a gentle reminder to drivers to keep windshields clean, glasses unfogged and intentions pure ;)

BTW, I think a lot of the anti argument here is propogated by people who don't actually own a Dinotte or have never used it much. It's mostly envy isn't it? They can't or won't buy one, but are secretly envious; thus they manufacture arguments against it to make themselves feel better about not having one. For instance this ridiculous notion about the danger of "too much light." Really. From 140 lumens? Get real. Go out, beg borrow or steal one. Some of you may need to take out a bank loan because it's SO expensive. But really, get one, use it for a few weeks, and then see if your opinion changes any. Until then, no one will take you seriously anyway (but may find you amusing).