Is there a front version of the PBSF
 

Hi, I'm looking to see if anyone knows of something like the planet bike superflash that just flashes a white light instead of the red. I know there are probably better ways to do what I want, but I just like the little clip on ability of the PBSF and would like to be able to clip one to my front rack (or the trunk bag I put up there) and go. I already have a "normal" headlight style lamp that I can use to do a lot of my lighting, but something small and cheap with that style clip up front would be something I'd like. Who knows, maybe there's even one made by PB and I'm just being an idiot and not seeing it.

http://www.princetontec.com/?q=eos-bike

I use one of these (EOS) for front nighttime flasher. Mine is actually a converted, original EOS headlamp from the early 2000s with a homemade mount to the fork crown fender hole. In my case, the EOS was "re-cycled" from retired backpacking duty after it was obsoleted by a much brighter Petzl headlamp. The current EOS is probably twice as bright as mine.

For daylight I run a Magicshine 900 bike-specific headlamp in flash mode. The EOS (or current EOS2) is inadequate for daylight duty, IMO. It's very hard to compete with full sunlight, and actually get motorists' attention. I've had drivers nearly run me over (they were driving on wrong side) staring down a flashing Magicshine, they hardly even noticed it, or me.

So, don't expect a relatively low output white flasher like an EOS2 to get you noticed during the day, or when riding in brightly-lit, high traffic areas at night. However, they are quite noticeable on rural roads, or other low-light areas.

IMHO, the best light for getting you noticed during the day is the Dinotte daytime running light. The amber color really stands out, even on a sunny day. Expensive, yes. But if you ride in busy areas where there is a high likleyhood of someone pulling a left turn in front of you, or pulling out of a driveway/side street in front of you, very worth the money you spend.

http://store.dinottelighting.com/sha...t=products.asp

You could get a clear version of the PBSF and throw an amber driver in it. Or do the same with a flashlight.

The Planet Bike Blaze 1W or 2W headlights are the ticket, IMO. They're almost equally bright and have a very bright flashing mode that is quite visible in daylight. Shop around and you can find these for $35 and up. There's also a 1/2 W version which is probably more than adequate at night, but I haven't tried it.

I am using this one with a Two-Fish lock block. http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafi...-1-18650-55241
It's about 400 lumen OTF.

I always get confused about this. How do lumens compare to candlepower to watts? My current light claims to put out 800 candlepower.

I'm not sure, but I don't think candlepower is used in scientific measurements of light.

Here's some good explanations of measuring light. (see links below) Personally, I like the "lux" which the Germans use frequently. Lumens and candlepower measure total light output regardless if it's in a useful direction, while lux measures how much light has fallen on a given area, usually the direction you are pointing a concentrated light source. 1 LUX = 1 LUMEN/square meter. Busch and Mueller (B&M) lights use the lux rating to show how much light is focused on the patch of road ahead. Unfortunately, most other manufacturers use lumens, which IMHO is the second best rating.
Watts is probably the most useless of all since it refers to power used rather than light output.

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/di...ml#candlepower

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/dictL.html#lux

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/dictL.html#lumen

I have a couple different lights I use as front blinkies. A Planet Bike Sport Spot and a Cateye LD150. The Sport Spot is brighter, but angles down more than I'd like when just clipped on. The LD150 is bright enough, though, and sits more upright casting a more visable light.

Watts of light = watts for power - watts of heat

Irradiance/intensity = Watts per square meter

WTF?

(Watt, The Flux?)