mrbubbles

Again, not mine. See the link in post #51.

ultramagnetic

It looks to be a black/red case Superflash just under a different brand. Are the innards not the same?

Cyclist0383

Jaa, that's the same as the Planet Bike SuperFlash. In Europe they are marketed under the 'Smart' name, but the model name is still 'SuperFlash'.

Ngchen

FYI, the light's brightness is quoted in lux, which is a measure of how intense the light is (weighted by human perception). 85 lux is around the illumination level of a hallway/toilet per Wikipedia. The original Light and Motion Vega is 85 lumens, which is the total amount of light (also weighted by human perception) it put out. 85 lux=85 lumens/m^2. Since the light is not 1 m^2 in surface area, the total amount of light it put out is probably less.

RepWI

I am a light junky in waiting and have lurked in this forum long enough.



In 1974 I was struck from behind at around 11:00PM. The car drove right under me and I landed on the pavement. I had a bruise on each of six vertebra on my back. I was a lucky young man.

I was also lit up like a Polish Catholic church on Christmas eve. At the time, leading technology offered a flashlight that you would strap to your ankles. (Pre velcro days, you did have to strap.) The flashlight had a white lens and a red one. Was pretty good actually. I had one on each ankle.

Returning to cycling a year ago I soon began to add lights to my fleet. I do not leave the garage without a headlight and taillight flashing, even in daylight. I am always looking to upgrade.

I appreciate all the research many of you have done here. I am not tech oriented and only seek what works easily and well.

The Vetta TSL-C struck my attention and I have read all the comments on it.

My payback/thanks to you.

I went to order this ten minutes ago here: https://www.vetta.com/main.asp

I found Vetta itself sells it for $34.99. A great price as it is often found for $74.99.

BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE. Upon checkout I found an automatic 30% discount. I just bought this for $24.99 or, $35.24 shipped to my door

Light up folks and TY.

dclaryjr

[QUOTE=RepWI;8348179]BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE. Upon checkout I found an automatic 30% discount. I just bought this for $24.99 or, $35.24 shipped to my door

QUOTE]

Good deal!

My first was a little cheaper because the shipping from Amazon was less, but my second one cost me a little more. In my setting (darkness, normal street lighting, fairly low traffic), the lower setting works fine, and I'm good with that as long as I'm using primary cells. But I may eventually go to rechargeables at which point I'll put those suckers on high!

seeker333

Just got a TSLC. Thanks for the tip guys.

$31.99, shipped to me in 3 days, by ordering from vetta.com.

It's kind of a PITA to fit on the bike neatly/securely. Goes on numerous ways, none of them as easy as fitting most any other tail light. I ended up straping mine to the top of fender at stays.

RepWI

Got mine this week as well. Thanks for the tips on this, great light.

dclaryjr

It looks like the battery case would fit perfectly on a Cannondale 3.0 top tube! The strap provided is a little oversized for most tubes. I've got mine strapped to a 3/4" piece of pvc with little section of innertube--it's pretty secure. I use the separate mount mount for the light rather than attach the light to the battery pack. I know that isn't going to move even if the battery pack shifts a little.

seeker333

I don't have enough seatpost showing to mount whole thing there.

The seat tube is to too short to mount in front without obstructing water bottle. In rear I have cable stop/cable run obstructing mount.

I don't like mounting things so that they might cut my legs, however unlikely it might be. The side tabs on the battery pack really stick out. So, I ruled out sides of seat tube, and beneath top tube.

Finally stuck it on fender - it will actually mount in space occupied by traditional fender reflector, but I moved it higher so it would be less likely to move around or rattle (also more visible).

I'll probably move it again...

noisebeam

I received the TSL-C ordered from Vetta for $25+$8 shipping.

Despite comments here about the slower blink mode I was still desiring to use it as a daytime (when overcast, and early/late in day) blink rear light. My thinking is that while I don't like blink in the dark, it makes sense to grab more attention during the lighter hours, even if a slower blink.

Anyway, the blink is not that slow really - totally fine. BUT there is one serious fault of the TSL-C blink mode - it flashes the low mode intensity, not high mode. That is a great disappointment as high mode flash would have been ideal for daytime blink usage.

I wonder if this is modable to make the blink use high intensity, even if this hypotheicial mod would eliminate the steady low mode.

Al

dclaryjr

The price on the Vetta seems to be a moving target. Now it's back to $35 on the Vetta site.

noisebeam

It was listed as that when I ordered it, but when I placed it in my shopping cart it gave an automatic 30% off to $25.

edit: I just put on in shopping cart again and the 30% is still there

dclaryjr

Cool! Still the "bang-for-the buck" tail light leader IMO!!

sknhgy 

Don't know if anyone's mentioned this, but why not put a red filter over a P-7?

Cyclist0383

Because it would be a total PITA to mount, would have terrible runtime, and would lose a lot of lumens due to the filtre.

Unknown Cyclist

You'd be filtering out about 80% of the light you produce.

A filter does exactly that it filters, it doesn't convert light to a different frequency.

However replacing an LED in a torch with an LED which has the same performance or better than the ones dinotte uses is easy and inexpensive.

Mounting is very easy as there are lots of different mounts available.

Buy a torch kit from DX, a suitable red LED and a driver - depending on whether you want it to flash or not.



Torch Kit

Red LED

Wide Angle Optics

The driver will depend on whether you want it to flash or not

Fenix Mount with this mount you should be able to mount the torch to the seatpost, unless you have an oversize seatpost.

sknhgy 

Hey, now we're talkin'! I have been wanting another rear blinky, and I've come to believe you cannot be too bright.

Couple questions: That Wide Angle Optic will fit this flashlight body?
Which drivers are available? I would like mine to flash. Don't you get a real long runtime in flash mode? I want the brightest red emitter I can get.

Heck, mounting is no problem.
Thanks again. This seems to be the answer to the $50 super bright blinky.

I do have a blinky I made using Mr. Bubble's plans. This just seems easier. Soldering on those little circuit boards is like milking a mouse.

Unknown Cyclist

I believe that optic will fit - unfortunately it is OOS - I've been waiting for them to come in stock so I can try it. However there is a 44mm Optic which I think can be trimmed down to fit, only available in 5 packs though .

I chose that torch body for 2 reasons - I already have 18650 batteries and chargers and I have three ultrafire torches and am very happy with the quality of them. You might want to consider an AA powered torch ?

I don't know of a brighter red LED that LED is by Seoul Optodevices and is a PR180A.

The forward current - 0.4A
Typical Voltage - 2.5V

It's actually not A PG180A because the G = green - it's a PR180A.

It would probably be best to run it via a 350mA driver or if direct driving it make sure the voltage/current can't get too high, perhaps run it on 2 x AA and take some measurements.



I'll order the parts and put one together as soon as my 'to do' list is a little shorter.

I'm not sure which driver would be best as I don't require mine to flash.

If I find one suitable I'll let you know.



Who is Mr.Bubbles ?

sknhgy 

What part number is the driver you use? Mine doesn't have to flash, but it would be nice.
I already use 18650 batteries and chargers and would like to stick with them.
Mr. Bubbles makes DIY lights. He posts here.
Thanks for your help.

Unknown Cyclist

Mine is still at the planning stage which is why it isn't on my signature yet....

This driver would work 350mA driver

These drivers are available in 4 sizes 350mA, 700ma, 1050mA and 1400mA - I'm sure you notice a pattern there.

These have 1, 2, 3 or 4 transistors on them (I think they are transistors) but are otherwise the same item.

On one of the customer reviews (I think on the 1050 board) the guy has bought some and removed chips to convert 1050mA boards to 700mA and 350mA.

I've got some 1050mA boards and am going to try that.

I have to finish some of my other projects first though, I will order the parts soon and should have more info about how viable & achievable this project is.

Seeing as it is a basic torch build from a kit designed to be asembled at home, just with a different colour LED and a lens swap, it really should be simple.

Dinotte levels of light output for a fraction of the cost.

Cyclist0383

How would you keep from hitting the light with your leg? This was a problem with the first Dinotte lights.

Unknown Cyclist

Mount it lower down the seatpost ?

Or just somewhere else.

It shouldn't be a big deal tbh.

JeffS

"Somewhere else" is easier said than done sometimes -- and is the reason my dinotte sat on the shelf unused for six months or more.

Unknown Cyclist

Sometimes it's easier done than put off.

A custom bracket shouldn't be a deal breaker.