Bang on. +1 Here. I like the PB SuperFlashes. They are really sweet. I use two to three of them. Still extremely noticeable, and much cheaper than the Dinotte.

One more time; my issue was with posters here wishing to blind drivers in order for them to 'back off'. There is a segment of the bike commuting community that is both paranoid and plain rude to others under the guise of their personal safety. They seem to think that cars are the enemy and are out to get them, so it's war, and their super bright lights shining in the eyes of drivers are their weapons. Simply nuts.

Here's an example.

Cool shots, 10 Wheels.

I think I see Highway 3 in one of the signs, so you must be riding somewhere near where we live... ;)

That first shot looks like you're heading west on FM 517 in Dickinson and approaching the intersection of FM 517 and Hwy 3. If so, that's about six or seven miles from where I live.

When I was having problems with my TL1000, I was just using plain alkalines of one brand or another, but that was a couple of years ago. Maybe I'll give it another try. I've lately switched over to the low-self-discharge NiMH cells (e.g. Sanyo eneloop, Rayovac Hybrid, Kodak Pre-charged), and these seem to be a tighter fit in the devices on which I use them (mainly my GPS). So maybe they will work better in the TL1000/1100 battery compartment.

On the topic of the TL-1100: The light is nice and bright, if somewhat sensitive to aim. However, if you primarily use the belt clip I would look for something else. It is very secure when it slides into the seat post mount, but the belt clip system (to clip to my trunk bag) has come apart a couple times when going over rough terrain. The clip itself stays attached to the bag very well, but the light separates form the clip too easily.

I highly recommend seat post mounting if possible anyway. Being heavier than most lights, it tends to pull down on canvas more so that it aims slightly down, instead of straight back, losing much of it's intensity. Still brighter than many lights, even aimed down a bit, just FYI.

I put glad press'n'seal over one row of LEDs. Significant improvement to the beam, see here.
And yeah, mine had fallen off using the belt clip.

the thing to do would be to get a flashlight with a RED LED

white LED flashlights do not have much red in the light, so when you put a red tape over the lens it will be EXTREMELY dim

this has probably been mentioned already in the thread, havent read the whole thing yet

I tries the Red tape on a $3 DX light. It is very Dim.

Ah, thanks for the tip. Just tried it and it does indeed add a noticeabley wider beam. Still plenty bright in the center too.

Geez, what a cantankerous thread. It's like a discussion between Michigan and Ohio State football fans, but not as cordial.

This issue isn't that hard. The Dinotte is the best and brightest commercially available taillight, and it's also the most expensive. If (like me) you're concerned enough about getting rear-ended and can afford the Dinotte without much sacrifice, then get it. They last forever and your peace of mind will last far longer than the sticker shock. If you're not concerned about getting rear-ended then you won't be able to justify the cost of the Dinotte whatever your financial situation, so buy a Cateye or Superflash and be happy with it. They're not as bright as the Dinotte but I used a Cateye TL-1100 for a year before I bought a Dinotte and lived to tell about it. It's a trade-off---money versus security---and everyone will come down differently on it. I love the Dinotte and any trepidation I had about spending that much money on a taillight went away the first time I used it---but I've always been a bit paranoid about getting rammed from behind, so I value security more than money in this case.

As far as the "blinding" issue: When I ride downtown in traffic day or night, my Dinotte is on high steady because there's a lot of competition for a driver's attention. When I ride dark rural roads it's on low steady or low slow blink because there's no competition for the light, and only a dead driver won't see it WAY ahead of passing me. In that situation a Cateye or Superflash (or a lesser blinky, for that matter) would work just as well as a Dinotte, and do it much less expensively. I also point my Dinotte down a little to cast a wide red glow on the pavement behind me. On a dark rural road the downward angle reduces the potential for blinding, and the wide red swath behind me is quite visible to traffic behind me. In downtown daytime traffic, the downward angle may lessen the light's effectiveness a bit, but that doesn't bother me because I don't think I really need a taillight anyway, and use it only because I've got plenty of juice left from my morning ride.

So the answer to "which taillight" depends on the person and the situation, and no single answer fits all situations. Life's full of trade-offs, and this is one of them.

Thanks. As a Michigan fan, I meant cantankerous is a good way. It was fun to read, and I learned a little about Latvia.

The folks who say "there is no evidence that only a DiNotte light will get the attention of drivers. My Cateye seems to do the job just fine" won't want to spend the money on a Dinotte. That's okay with me. I'm less nervous with the Dinotte on an early morning commute or a late night fun ride, and the additional cost of the Dinotte is worth the additional peace of mind. When I first got the Dinotte I put it on one bike and my Cateye TL-1100 on another, set them side-by-side in my driveway at night with both on, and forgot right away about the higher cost of the Dinotte. It blew the Cateye away, so for me, the extra cost is money well spent.

Someone said earlier that if the Dinotte prevents just one collision---just one!---compared to a lesser light over the course of the light's life, then it's worth every penny. I think it just might do that, although I'll probably never be able to prove it. Those who think otherwise are free to spend less money on less light, and I promise I won't think less of them because of that.

You seem to infer that anyone not using a DiNotte light is in imminent danger of being rear ended. That is totally disingenuous. By your logic most of us who have been commuting for many years should be dead. The fact that we aren't speaks a lot more than your paranoia about needing the brightest light possible.

-1

Wow, that was insightful. :rolleyes:

+1 :thumb: This is exactly my sentiment. Actually, the main reason I got Dinotte as the rear light is that it's the only one that mimics the emergency service vehicles. And we know very well that there are lots of drivers there that instead of paying attention to the road are actually "multitasking" & only start to "behave" in the presence of law enforcement. I mean, it's pleasure to see (in my rear mirror) the disappointment on their faces when they realize that it's "only"a bicycle. Better them to be disappointed than for me to be hurt. On the other hand, lots of people do not need such a light. People who ride a bike path or in slow moving traffic can use a good blinky like SuperFlash or TD-1100 to the same effect :)

Way to go! Pointless personal attacks against someone who disagrees with you always make for a better forum! :beer:

Next are you going to wish for me to get hit by a car like BarracksSi did because I disagree with him about taillights?

EDIT: I wrote the above before I read the below. Nice! Wishing for the death of those of disagree with you is always a sign of a rational and well adjusted person.....

Jeez guys, I thought maybe it would be given a rest. Unsubscribed.

Why would you even mention my death? Why would it even enter your mind?

Where do you come up with this utter BS? It totally offensive. Keep your racist prejudices to yourself, and certainly don't try and project them onto me.

Look at most of your posts, they mention how one could be rear-ended and only a DiNotte could prevent this. You are the only who came up with horror stories of being rear ended, even posting a totally irrelevant news article to back up your assertions.

You know damn well how it is racist. Talk about trolling. I have no doubt that you aren't sorry for it; you just wish to aufzuluchis.

Trying to brand me as someone who thinks all Russians are evil isn't racist? It sure is.

(BTW, there is no other term in English that fits besides racist, so don't try and split hairs on the definition of racist.)

You have clearly showed how someone can try and smear another with allegations of racism. You just simply assumed that I was a Latvian who hates Russians. In fact I don't know many Latvians who hate Russians, but you can keep on believing that tired old Soviet stereotype if you wish.

I'm a native English speaker; racist fits perfectly.

Wow, more personal attacks. Way to go! Thanks for bringing the forums down even further with your senseless hate.

Sorry, your name seems more Ukrainian Jewish, my bad.

Once again if you want to discuss politics (without the personal attacks) then lets head on over to the P&R section. Keep it about bikes here, okay?

You guys need to get out for a ride.
:crash: + :commute: = :)

No, there is nothing hateful in the above. Nothing at all. :rolleyes: