Lights, expensive and inexpensive common trait
 

Ive tried using the search on this site and found nothing so here it goes:

Ive been looking at lights, more on the 100$ area. Ive seen lights from 200$ to 15$ that share all the same problems. They all seem to have sub-par mounting systems. A lot of reviews people have problems with either mounting it or having it fall off or crack or something. This seems to be a common trait at almost every light I look at.

I know a light may not fit your particular set up but this seems to be with every light. Theres a few 5 star reviews a few 3 and some 2 and 1 stars. The 3 star reviews seem the most dependable but mostly the 3 stars are 3 because of the mounting system.

So, should I be concerned with just the watts/lumens? I was looking at the Light and motion vis 180. I have no problem duct taping a light to my bike to keep it from flying off after going over some railroad tracks, or making my own. Im more concerned with the quality of the light then the mounting system. So it seems that any light I buy thats affordable has a crap mounting system so I should just factor that out when buying.

So what does everyone think of just dismissing the mounting system that seem to drag down the reviews. BTW everyone who reviewed the L&M vis 180 loved the light but hated the mounting system.

P.S. The person on Amazon who gave the vis 180 a 2 star review loved his cherry bomb and when I went to the link it was exactly like the vis. A bunch of low ratings for the mounting system!

I have parallel lighting systems - a generator light system which is always on, and a battery powered system that I put on the bike when my commute has me riding in the dark more often than not. Strange but I have no issues with the mounting systems of either of the light setups - and they are very different from one another.

The generator headlight is a Supernova E3. The headlight came with a variety of different mounting options, but mine is simply bolted to a braze-on on my fork with an aluminium spacer.
The generator taillight is the Supernova 3 LED affair, which is made to mount to the rear rack, which it does, so long as you have a spacer to allow the wiring to get to where it wants to go.
Both of the supernova lights are mounted via permanent connections where the light is bolted to the bike, and both have been trouble free for over 2 years now.

My battery powered lights are from Dinotte. Both the headlight (200L -LI) and the taillight (140R-LI) mount to the bicycle via O-rings (fancy rubber bands). I was skeptical at first, but years of using this system has made a believer out of me. Simple, robust, versatile.

FWIW, my biggest beef with lights is the lack of availability of generator powered lights which support a flashing mode. There is one on the market which I am aware of, but I am not fond of it.

IMO, these are excellent mounts for barrel shaped lights:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/univers...diameter-31871

Well over a year w/ no issues at all. Easy on/off and cheap as well.

I use this with very good results. Lets me tilt the light up or down, or remove/replace it in the mount - all with one hand while riding if need be. Cheap, too.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/univers...cle-mount-8274

Ah-ha! Perfect! I didnt even know these existed. Thanks for the heads up! I think ill be getting both of the mounts you two have mentioned.

And thanks sauerwald for all the info. As with anything; K.I.S.S.

+1 This is a GREAT bar mount. Most flashlights (1" diameter) will fit snugly into this mount.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/univers...d-lasers-12000 is pretty good for the helmet if your ventilation slots accommodate.

With prices like these and some macgyvering I think theres no mounting issue I wont be able to overcome. Thanks to everyone who posted, this helped me out a lot.

I was looking at the thread "Thinking of replacing my Cherrybomb" and wouldn't you now it there was a reply saying the mounting system wasnt very good. :lol:

If I rode in the dark, I think I'd just velcro a nice little Surefire flashlight to my helmet so it points where my head points.

I was considering that mount to secure some lights to my forks to increase my visibility.

FYI - These are some nice lights that are surprisingly bright and fit the mentioned mounts perfectly:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/9-led-f...cd-2-pack-1255

A pair of those lights mounted to the handlebar is nice because you can position them in such a way that you put a long path of light on the ground.

I've tried a number of lights and I've settled on a strong flashlight in a mount on the handlebars. Goes on and off easily, battery changes are easy. In the winter I ride almost every night in the dark and that is what works best for me.

I like the idea of the said mounts because in a pinch I can use a flashlight. Plus I dont ride at night that much so the option to mount a flashlight is great. Now I wish I had picked up that Fenix flashlight on S&C, those put out some serious lumens. Might get a ticket for being too bright!

The mounting system was something that I really wanted to address with the DesignShine lights. I added a custom part or two, but the functionality of the Cateye mounts being able to lock down the vertical alignment, plus having left/right aiming, PLUS having a quick release made them ideal for my application. You can see how I used them here:

https://sites.google.com/site/design...ing/the_lights

or more likely here:

https://sites.google.com/site/design...ing/image-page

Very adaptable as "aftermarket" mounts.

Some of the o-ring mounted headlights, you do have to "grip" the light every time you want to change the mode, otherwise it will rotate on you, but not really that big of a deal. On the 140R, you have to have an additional "PVC" type bracket also o-ringed to your seat post to really achieve the optimum alignment for the light. Again, not a big deal, but you do have to have some room on the seat post.

WOW, thats one hell of a light. If I had 200$ to drop on a light I would def consider these guys. It dosent look like cateye sells just their mounts which is too bad because they look pretty good.

DX flashllight handlebar clamp that is adjustable & goes on & off quickly
 

A concurrent thread links another DealExtreme light mount which quickly and securely mounts and dismounts both from the handlebars and the flashlight. Also per the other thread, it allows some left/right rotation for turns or to get the light pointed just where you want. This type of over-center adjustable cam clamping has a screw thread allowing you to fine-tune for just the right amount of clamping (both on the light & the handlebar) yet goes on & off conveniently:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...0&d=1315159395
http://www.dealextreme.com/customerp...ac603efa51.jpg

Great pic! I will def make this option a serious contender for my headlight. In a pinch this is great the mount is cheap and I have a few lights laying around. I think ill just get the mount because for 4$ why not!

Actually they do sell all their small parts separately. Inexpensive and very nice quality. Recently lowered shipping rates. Great service from their small parts department. The H-27 spacer and H-32 bracket fit together very tightly with no slop whatsoever. The mold is slightly different with the H-31 and there's just a touch of vertical free-play with the H-27, but depending on where you center the spacer, you may never notice it. Just for what it's worth.
Check out these links:

http://www.shopcateye.com/products.p...ersize-Bracket
http://www.shopcateye.com/products.p...252d32-Bracket
http://www.shopcateye.com/products.p...%252d27-spacer

Thanks Recumbentracer! My lighting situation is getting brighter(pun intended) When im done my frankenstein light system will be a thing a beauty.

Personally, I like them because they're $1.55 or so and yet really good. At that price, I can keep a few spares in my bag, leave several on my bike, not worry about them being stolen, give them to people that need them, etc. And if I need a flashlight rather than a bike light for something -- pop the flashlight out.

Like this guy? (OK, he didn't get a ticket that I know of. But if anybody is trying ... it's him!)

JEBUS CHRIST!!! Talk about light pollution!