The best headlights under $50 thread
11-12-09 | 07:03 PM
#276
Wanderer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Denver- Wash Park
Bikes: Soma Rush 2010 LTD- 84 Raleigh Marathon- 05 Surly LHT
As could be predicted- It turned green sometime right before I went to unplug it. 5.5 Hours from DEAD to full isn't that bad I guess.....
11-15-09 | 12:02 PM
#277
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 0
This is a more than reasonable precaution. Yes, cell phones and laptops use Li ions too, but you shouldn't expect the same safety standards from a hole in the wall Chinese company, against whom you have no legal remedy, as from Nokia or Apple. Fires have started from cloned Li Ion phone batteries, RC car powerpacks, etc - don't take chances with this stuff.
11-16-09 | 12:57 AM
#279
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
They were good 18 months ago, and are still okay now, but there are some cheaper and brighter lights on the market now. Do you already have batteries and a charger? If so, which type of batteries do you have and what's your budget?
11-17-09 | 01:52 AM
#281
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
There are several, but they take different types of batteries. Do you want to stick to AA batteries or go for li-ion? Li-ion will be brighter, but the bats are more expensive and have to be ordered over the internet. Sorry for all the questions, but to find the right light for you they need to be asked and answered....
11-19-09 | 04:51 AM
#282
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
There are several, but they take different types of batteries. Do you want to stick to AA batteries or go for li-ion? Li-ion will be brighter, but the bats are more expensive and have to be ordered over the internet. Sorry for all the questions, but to find the right light for you they need to be asked and answered....
11-19-09 | 05:14 AM
#283
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
Check out the Solarforce L2. It's a great light that also takes a standard P60 drop-in, so you can update the 'bulb' extremely easily as new LEDs come out. I use a 18650 in mine.
https://www.sbflashlights.com/cart.php
https://www.sbflashlights.com/cart.php
11-19-09 | 06:10 AM
#284
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
The night ride for me would be something small...around 5 miles. Also, I already have rechargeable batteries and charger. So those items wouldn't factor into the total cost. I think I have decided on the Romisen suggested by Ziemas. Maybe the pics from this review sold me on it.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
11-22-09 | 09:50 PM
#285
Knowen as "Crazy Bike"
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Bikes: Trek 6000
I see lots of good lights here, i just have one problum, i bike at -20 to -40 below zero, so my battories in my current light dies before i get to my destanation, so i was wondering how theses do in cold weather, and how easy it would be to rigg a external battory pac (i am getting a new one, as my current one is dim, and from what i see, i think i can make one with drilling into the body and wireing it, hooking up my battory pac with a hedphone jack)
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
11-23-09 | 01:27 AM
#286
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
I see lots of good lights here, i just have one problum, i bike at -20 to -40 below zero, so my battories in my current light dies before i get to my destanation, so i was wondering how theses do in cold weather, and how easy it would be to rigg a external battory pac (i am getting a new one, as my current one is dim, and from what i see, i think i can make one with drilling into the body and wireing it, hooking up my battory pac with a hedphone jack)
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
11-23-09 | 04:26 AM
#287
Knowen as "Crazy Bike"
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Bikes: Trek 6000
i am using ni-MH, and will swithch over, but also i am running a cateye right now that is dim even at full battories (hopefully i can go throu more the on ride on a charge with a new system lol)
11-23-09 | 09:16 AM
#288
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
I was excited to use this light. It worked great, I used the strobe setting more than anything else (since the mornings have more light after the time change.
Recently I pulled it off the bike to assist with some auto repair with my d-cell maglite died. Quickly I noticed a problem, as the light wouldn't turn on. Changed the battery, and it still wouldn't work. I'd shake it, and sometimes it comes on. I don't know what the problem is, I figured the mechanics of a flashlight aren't too difficult to get right, but sometimes I shake it and it works, other times it won't come on at all. I'm disappointed. I think I'll go with the Romisen next time.
Recently I pulled it off the bike to assist with some auto repair with my d-cell maglite died. Quickly I noticed a problem, as the light wouldn't turn on. Changed the battery, and it still wouldn't work. I'd shake it, and sometimes it comes on. I don't know what the problem is, I figured the mechanics of a flashlight aren't too difficult to get right, but sometimes I shake it and it works, other times it won't come on at all. I'm disappointed. I think I'll go with the Romisen next time.
11-25-09 | 01:22 PM
#289
Numb Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Denver
Bikes: 06 Jamis Quest, 09 Surly LHT, Cannondale mtn. bike
Here's my light setup. A three-LED blinkie I got at REI a few years ago for maybe $25 plus a new Task Force flashlight from Lowe's for $25. The mount is my own creation and it works. The Task Force serves the purpose in urban/suburban night commute with a pretty good shine but eventually I'm going to change it out. It's bulky, it rattles and I discovered that C batteries are not ideal because a set of rechargables plus charger plus delivery (from one of those battery sites) runs $35+. I've put 10-15 hours on the light and the first set of disposable batteries are still holding strong. I only use it for about 1/2 hour a day.
12-01-09 | 12:54 AM
#290
Truck Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
More then a few posts in this thread speak of small malfunctions in flashlight operations. My suggestion for any of these, are to first take the torch apart enough, to get to all the contact points and clean them with rubbing alcohol. lube the O-rings and put it back together.
One of my Ld20s had some weird thing happen after an hour of operation, cleaned the contacts and its worked for quite some time now (~10hrs) with not a problem. I've even dropped it from about 5 feet onto concrete, just a nick but works as it should. I've also opened a few brew bottles in a pinch, well worth the paint on the tail cap.
One of my Ld20s had some weird thing happen after an hour of operation, cleaned the contacts and its worked for quite some time now (~10hrs) with not a problem. I've even dropped it from about 5 feet onto concrete, just a nick but works as it should. I've also opened a few brew bottles in a pinch, well worth the paint on the tail cap.
12-03-09 | 02:56 PM
#291
Daily Rider
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: 89 Bridgestone MB-3, 93 Bridgestone RB-1,93 Bridgestone MB-1, 95 Klein Fervor, 02 BikeE AT, 06 Surly Cross-check, 8? Schwinn Frontier
This is my current setup:
$35.00 -https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19189 - it's a 3-mode P7 SSC light with 900 lumens and 1.5 hour runtime
$6.00 - https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3435 - two batteries
$7.00 - https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936 - charger will charge one or two batteries overnight
$2.00 - https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12000 - mount for under stem
I have used this for the last two months with no problems. I am selling my Dinottes.
$35.00 -https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19189 - it's a 3-mode P7 SSC light with 900 lumens and 1.5 hour runtime
$6.00 - https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3435 - two batteries
$7.00 - https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936 - charger will charge one or two batteries overnight
$2.00 - https://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12000 - mount for under stem
I have used this for the last two months with no problems. I am selling my Dinottes.
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2006SurlyCrosscheck]
1995KleinFervor
1993BstoneRB1
2007IROSSBFGS
1986PanasonicDX4000
2014E-JOE
[FONT="Verdana"][SIZE="1"]
2006SurlyCrosscheck]
1995KleinFervor
1993BstoneRB1
2007IROSSBFGS
1986PanasonicDX4000
2014E-JOE
12-03-09 | 09:03 PM
#292
Since it's snowing out tonight, I figured it would be a good time to test the new setup on the winter beater rigid mtb.
Lowes had Maglite LED 2AA with the Luxeon Rebel on sale for $11 over the weekend. Picked up two.
Twofish mounts came yesterday.
The right light is angled down, the left for throw. Throw could be better, but it sure beats the incandescent Cateye it replaces.
Lowes had Maglite LED 2AA with the Luxeon Rebel on sale for $11 over the weekend. Picked up two.
Twofish mounts came yesterday.
The right light is angled down, the left for throw. Throw could be better, but it sure beats the incandescent Cateye it replaces.
12-10-09 | 11:27 AM
#293
先輩
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: In a desert somewhere
Bikes: A black P0S (piece of steel) =P
the light set up that i got for my bike was a cateye 1 watt led for the front ( can't recall the specific model off hand) from amazon it was 39.00 with free shipping and for the back i have a mars 4.0 from black burn i got for $12 same place. both i think are really bright and are a lot better then the bell lights that i had before.
12-10-09 | 11:58 AM
#294
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro, Strada
If you're on an extremely tight budget, this light -- https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18307 -- is remarkably good for $7.43. Unlike most of DE's dedicated bike lights, this light is actually well put together, and it's pretty bright. Really, my only problem with it is that it takes 4xAAA cells, when I'd prefer 2xAA cells like the Planet Bike Blaze 1w.
It puts out roughly the same amount of light as the PB Blaze 1w, but lacks the exceptional flash mode. (But it has a standard flash mode, so if you're into those things you've still got it.)
Not that it can compare to the P7 lights we all like so much, but you can't beat it for the price.
It puts out roughly the same amount of light as the PB Blaze 1w, but lacks the exceptional flash mode. (But it has a standard flash mode, so if you're into those things you've still got it.)
Not that it can compare to the P7 lights we all like so much, but you can't beat it for the price.
12-19-09 | 11:09 PM
#298
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
good find...haven't used it but looks like a good buy. I'd say very similar to the Terralux. Now that one I've tried and highly recommend it and it fits your budget.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
12-19-09 | 11:31 PM
#299
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
+1 on Terralux. $28 from a US vendor. Get the 2 x AA Lightstar model. Every bit as bright and solidly built as a $55 Fenix. (But it has no strobe feature.) 200 lumens for 1-1.5 hrs. Can't go wrong with this. Dealxtreme still wins on lowest prices for 2 x AA lights, but I'm willing to pay the extra few bucks for the quality and shipping from a US vendor, and the Terralux fits the bill on all accounts. Have been using it for the past 2 years, completely satisfied, and would buy these very same ones again if I lost one (or two). Get one for bars & one for helmet for awesome lighting!
12-20-09 | 01:29 PM
#300
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
Thanks for the recommendation, but I require a strobe, though. And I also have no interest in ordering from DX.
Basically, my requirements are: AA batteries, ~$30, strobe, at least 1.5 hours life, water/shock-proof, no battery pack, small enough to fit into a pocket.
Basically, my requirements are: AA batteries, ~$30, strobe, at least 1.5 hours life, water/shock-proof, no battery pack, small enough to fit into a pocket.