Hello all,

I just ran across this light hack that I thought you guys would be interested in. You could make this a dual setup on your bike easily for less than $50. I'll just post the link to the video as I don't think you can embed video on here.

$10 Police Flashlight Hack!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/581888...ashlight_hack/

Take a look at this Vetta tail light. I bought one for $35.00 three weeks ago and that was a bargain when most retailers were at $75.00.

The Vetta websight now shows it at $24.50

I just got back from a trip to my son's house to borrow his camera. If it quits raining, I'll get some video of the Vetta in action.

Vetta on left: PlanetBike SuperFlash on right.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm...8&hprice=19.98

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...SFDistance.jpg

Cloudy Light rain

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h.../VettaPBSF.jpg

Best head lights:
 

You seem to know what you're talking about. What is a two fish holder? I don't understand how these mount. Could you briefly explain or have pic?

Thanks, Larry

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_...roducts_id=273
or
http://www.batteryjunction.com/twofish-lockblocks.html

What kind of handlebar mount do you use for the flashlights? Can anybody tell me what a two fish holder is? Colemann has a nice flashlight for $28.98.

Please click on the link above your post; it answers your question.

I just tried out the Romisen with the Two fish and am impressed with the liight on two AA's. I think you will be happy with it.

I want to thank you senior veterans for schooling me on how useless bike lights are compared to a good cree light/s or flashlights. I don't know, but I would think two 100 lumen lights would be adequate. I have done some research and I think a good balance between burn time and flood, spot coverage would be best. If I'm wrong let me know. I do know that you have saved me a lot of money!!!

Hey guys I got the Romisen couple of months back and now I'm having problems with it's connectivity. I ride for awhile and it shuts off. It's not the batteries...I shake it or twist it some and back on it goes. Frustrating. Any ideas how to fix it, or am I back in the market for a real light?

I just purchased 2 romisen RC-N3 Q5 for $50. including shipping and I got a 3 pack of lock blocks mounts for $18.00 including shipping for a total of $68. and change. If you're into looking cool, this is the way to go. Puts bicycle lights to shame.

Senior Members ride on, you saved me a lot of money and kept me from buying junk.

If it's one of their `900 lumen' (really more like 400 lumen) ~ $40 lights, mine failed too after a really bumpy section of concrete. Turns out the LED module had vibrated loose -- it's screwed in. I screwed it back in, and it's jammed in there pretty good now, and so far so good. It also hasn't had any problems with switching modes when I hit bumps since then. (I also put a piece of paper in it around the battery as a `shim' so it can't vibrate in there at all.

As for DE, I had a R/C helicopter blade pack with one blade breaking during shipping, and they gave me half credit for it -- which was acceptable, as it was half broken, but usable like that (get another pack, and now I have a spare.) Getting that required a little negotiating, however.

Either way, whatever light I use at night, I never ride at night without a spare light ready to go. The DE lights do seem less reliable than good quality dedicated bike lights, but even the good ones fail from time to time, and I really dread riding at night without lights.

I am seeking a little guidance with my headlight setup. I was considering the usual planetbike or cateye headlight, but I have been digging through this forum and see you all are really onto something -- but I am a bit lost to all the different options.

I am looking to purchase 2 flashlights, rechargeable batteries, mounts, and a charger -- they will be used on my bicycle and my girlfriend's bike. Ideally, I'd like to keep the cost to less than $100.

I ride in a dense urban environment where there are always streetlights and ambient lighting and it's never dark, but I often ride at night and would like to "be seen" by motorists as well as see the road ahead of me (many crater-like potholes and broken glass). I currently have a cateye el520 which simply is not adequate.

I figure I do not need the brightest light due to the streetlights and I would like to balance power vs. run-time. I typically ride about 2 hours per night and probably wont always remember to bring battery back-ups.

Anyone have a recommendation for such a setup?

So far, I am considering:

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...CREE-Q5/Detail
http://www.batteryjunction.com/4parc390reli.html
http://www.batteryjunction.com/twofish-cycloblocks.html

How is the run-time with this? How decent of a light is the RC-N3? Any suggestions as what else I should look at?

thanks!

Although I live in a small town of 15K, my needs are similar to yours. I am a utility cyclist and wanted to extend my time of riding to 24hours/day. I wanted to do it safely and this is what I use. Your suggested setup may be fine, I just know mine works well for me. You cannot fail to see me day or night.

I bought the set up offered by n4zou in this thread, post 2: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=493600

I purchased three mounts for various bikes I have. The screw used to tighten the light to the mount is small and not easy to tighten. I would now consider the Two Fish mount.

I also would purchase four of the batteries rather than two. I am pleased with run time, but they take a long time to charge.

Be aware of the mode issue. I have a 3 mode and therefore need only to cycle through two modes to get to the strobe I use night and day. I run with lights during the daytime just like automobiles do.

I use this Vetta tail light and it can be seen in the daytime as well: http://www.vetta.com/product_show.asp?ptype=whole&id=60

This light is on sale for $25.00 and I have seen them for around $70.00 on-line.

I also use a Vetta helmet light: http://www.vetta.com/product_show.asp?ptype=whole&id=64

Along with the helmet light, for side visability I use two spoke lit's on each wheel, two green up front and two blue in the back: http://www.niteize.com/productdetail...product_id=163

I call this setup my second generation of lights because I have an assortment of blinkies and bicycle headlights that no longer meet my standards.

I am very comfortable riding at night. In my conditions I believe there is greater danger to me of being hit by an unlit bike rider than an auto. Cars are almost afraid to approach me. Mind you, I travel on my cities residential streets and bike trails, not busy arterial connectors.

As I move to the third generation, I will add this red light currently under discussion here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=519548&page=4

You probably have to go back to page 3 or 4 to catch up on what people are discussing. It is a, "Ultrafire WF-501B Philips Luxeon K2 Red LED Flashlight" found here: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20333

It uses the same batteries as my flashlight above.

Good luck.

Looks like a good set up to me. He claims that the P7 is too bright on high, I call bullshlt. :)

Some cop apparently told him that. :rolleyes:

Okay Mr. Laforge, this is your Captain speaking.
Stay straight on course. You are going in the wrong direction and here's why.
I commute 24 miles at Night in the wonderful Urban center called NYC.
You state you Want to be seen, the Romisen which I own is not the right light.
It is a good, flashlight WITHOUT a blinking mode. The blinking/flashing is what gets attention of pedestrians and cars (hopefully).
I suggest a Fenix (Premium) for flashing/blinding mode and its HI/LO steady mode.
Too much money?
Then at least get planet bike beamer 3 or 5 always about $20.00 on Amazon with Free shipping. Use that on flashmode on your helmet or handlebar.

The obvious problem is that at $100 for 2 set-ups and batteries you are a bit limited.

In anycase, I use the Romisen and Fenix with AA because they are easily available if you need them, less expensive and you can keep extras in your bag.

I'll confuse you even more. The best flashlight for the buck is on sale at Dinotte
for $100.

Good Luck

Your spring connectors are loose. Give it a tug, I bet it will come off. It needs to be resoldered.

Rob

I have the Romisen and think it's a good light so far. I tested the run time on a pair of Sanyo 2700 batteries and got almost 4 hours.
I was with a group on tour in Goliad, Texas and after supper in town we rode back to camp in the dark without street lights and I felt comfortable with this light.
I am still amazed at the amount of light it puts out.
Two is a good idea. One up close and one pointed a little farther down the road and as a spare.

thanks all.
any experience with the ITP C8R Q5?

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...Cree-Q5/Detail
+
this battery combo: http://www.batteryjunction.com/ges-mqn04u-27.html

The light has a narrow spot, so that's something to consider. Personally I prefer a light with a medium spot for a bit more spill.

Try this charger and battery combo: http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/-...h5iifmrj7sldt3

Hi,

I am looking for a cheap head light with a flash mode. I plan on getting one of the ultrafire torches as a main headlight but want something so that cars know I am a bike. I have a fenix torch and find the strobe mode too fast - i.e. not safe for the road. Is there a flashlight with a slower flash time, or is it better to look at bike lights like this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=22866

Thanks

Daven

ok, but ALL these light are battery powered! :(
how about suggesting some nice, inexpensive, bright, hub dynamo-powered LEDs?