Inexpensive Front LED that flashes 2X per second?
 

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive (lower wattage) white LED front light that flashes twice a second? This would be paired with a ~500 lumen light to see the road. While driving around in my car the bike lights that flash slow-and-deliberate, to my eye, stand out the best at night time. My Planet Bike Blaze 2W has the spastic flash mode that seems to confuse cars at night time.

Blackburn Flea?

That one flashes pretty quickly, like 6-8X per second.

Most of the of the front lights that have a flash mode that I've come across on youtube have a higher rate. I'll keep digging (I've got nothing better to do), but in the mean time, how about a Lightman strobe?

I can't be sure that it is quite 2x per second flash seems just a tiny bit slower to me (maybe 1.75x second?) but the front white blinker in this front/rear blinker set has worked great for me as a front "to be seen" blinker, and it is a full 0.5watt LED which is brighter then most of the cheap blinky lights (although not as bright as some of the $50+ high end external battery bike blinkers):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YEOE7O

I think the Blackburn Voyager 2.0 might fit the bill. I really want to be able to see a video of the light before I buy it.

Edit, won't work with 31.8mm bars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f4CbLZsTbk

My Trustfire has a strobe like that, as well as S.O.S.- I run it on S.O.S. during the day. I want a blink rate that is noticeable, but doesn't induce seizures or migraines...

How do you have it mounted? More than about 50 or 100 ft away, my front blinker isn't even visible due to the 500 Lumen light nearby it.

I'll just mention that signaling distress when not in distress is usually frowned upon and often illegal. Of course it's pretty unlikely anybody would recognize or take signalling SOS with a blinking light seriously anyway.

I have a couple of those and they're excellent as a 'be seen' light, will light up reflective surfaces a couple blocks away, but aren't really bright enough to drive with in complete darkness.

Not sure what you meant by "won't work with 31.8mm bars." The clamp has rubber spacers and will handle that size by removing them. The light isn't fully waterproof, but the venting is on the bottom and they've handled heavy rain fine so far.

One of the customer reviews I read said it won't work with 31.8mm bars. How easy is it to put on and take off? Looks like I might be able to buy it locally at Sports Chalet.

OK So just to confirm it wasn't my imagination running away with me, I measured the stem /handlebar interface area on a Giant and confirmed it to be 31.8 before installing the clamp there. It required the removal of all the rubber spacers, and was just a 30 sec operation using just a Phillips screwdriver.

Lets be clear that the rest of the handlebar isn't that same diameter - it eventually tapers down to 22.2mm where the controls are mounted, and the light can so be mounted anywhere there by adding rubber spacers.

The light itself clips onto the mount with a quick release so its easily removed. These sell here for between $19 and $25 and have a lifetime warranty. So far (2 years) no issues. I use rechargable batteries.

The 2 lights I have that are supposed to do this signal SO over and over, not SOS.

Mine do that also. I keep looking for someone signaling distress so I can signal my reply of indifference.

:roflmao2:

when using a flashing led - this is what I used.. 1 watt luxeon about 60-70 lumens.. The flashing is 90 pulses per minute.. It is cheap and coupled with a velcro strap = easily attaches to your helmet.. If you put flashing light next to a bright light - 500 lumens + it will be washed out by the brighter light..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230776756513...84.m1439.l2649

Can you recommend a velcro strap that works with this light? I hadn't thought about the washing out part. I plan to get a 500 lumen Lezyne Power Drive XL once a vendor gets them back in stock.

The dimmer flashing light gets people attention, while the brighter light illuminates your way without annoying people too much.

I like the rei ones - the velcro is super tacky.. 12 or 18 inch will work - depending on how you route it through your helmet.. If you mount the flasher on your helmet - it does not get washed out..

http://www.rei.com/product/794899/re...p-package-of-2

I ordered one of those ebay lights. I think I'll try the dollar store for a velcro strap first. Do you think the light would be washed out by a bar mounted 500 lumen light if I strap it in the middle of the head tube (facing fwd obviously)?

For velcro mounting I buy the 2" wide rolls of Industrial HeavyDuty Velcro sold at sewing stores and put my own choice of glue on the back of it (a very thin lightly applied film of Gorilla Glue works like a charm).

I use a Cateye Opticube hl-el 130/135.
Uses 2 aa batts, easy on and off mount. Snaps on and off the mount. Can be used as a flashlight on steady mode and blinks 3 times a sec??.
This unit is small and fits in the palm of your hand.
Unit has 3 leds clear white
I have been using it for 3-4 years. Alkaline batts last a long time.