Shaped beam headlights
 

I've just installed a Schmidt Edelux headlamp on my Cross-check in parallel with a LightOn! Headlamp. They're both Led lamps. The Edelux is a single emitter that is focused with a shaped mirror to create a tight box beam, the LightOn! has two emitters with small parabolic mirror and lens that make for more of a flood even though they say it's a 5degree beam.

It's so obvious that the shaped beam can light the road 50' ahead and the flood can't that it makes me wonder if any of the battery powered systems have shaped beams with distinct cut-off so you don't blind others but equally important use available power efficiently.

Yes. Phillips makes a battery operated light. Busch and Muller make a few different models.

It depends when you mean by 'shaped beam'. Cutoffs are required in some European countries, and some manufacturers meet the required standards.

But elliptical beams (or diffusers to create them) are also available by some manufacturers simply because they can be more effective for city driving. Action Led markets diffusers in a variety of colors for Magicshine and Gemini lights, but they'll fit a number of other brands too, but certainly not all of them.

These are LEAST effective on a light with a wide beam already, and MOST effective with a spot beam with about a 15 degree spread. The diffuser spreads the beam sidewise but maintains the vertical coverage. That spreads the light over a larger area which drops the lux so also best suited for a light with an output (actual) over 500 lumens.

I have the Action LED lens on a cheap eBay light and I like it a lot. It's not a proper cutoff optic, but for $40 for the light and $6 for the lens it's a heck of a nice thing. I aim it about 25 to 35 feet in front of me and it lights the road from one side to the other in about a 10 foot high primary beam with a little spill. I generally also run a MagicShine which has an orange peel reflector and that gives a nice flood fill to the rest (it's aimed lower to fill the gap).

IIRC the Ixon IQ has the same optics as your Edelux, but is battery powered. It combines the highest grade lighting with the highest grade pricing, alas.

Philips' SafeRide 80 has an upper cut-off. Runs on four AA cells.

Here's my review of the Philips SafeRide 80:

http://www.gravelbike.com/?p=1449

Thanks for the review! First time I've seen anyone actually post a garage door shot of the Philips! The artifacts are cute - even if you can't actually see them while riding!

Yeah, I find it interesting that you don't notice them once you're moving. I really like the beam shape and how the light is distributed. I'm going to replace my current dynamo headlight with the 60 lux SafeRide (generator model).

How many lumens, and how long on low?

"... the twin Luxeon LEDs put out a brilliant white light with an output of 80 lux (1000 lumens)."

Philips claims eight hours on low, but I never tested that particular combo.

-edit-

Low setting is 20 lux.

How many lumens on low? You never tested the run time on low? Your review does not help potential buyers. When something is not published clearly by the manufacturer it's typically because it's not a good selling point. If it was nice and bright on low something would be said about it. Or did I miss something?

Yes, I ran the light on low. No, I never confirmed the 8-hour (low-beam) run time. Why? Because 90% of the time, I ran the light on the high setting. And on the high setting, the charge/run-time was as-claimed. Why did I run the light primarily on the high setting? Because I ride on pitch-black back roads (say that 5x fast) where the speed limit ranges from 40-50mph (and drivers typically exceed the 50mph limit). This is the first light that I haven't out-run on (paved-road) descents.

The photo below (which is included in the review) illustrates how the high and low settings compare:

http://www.gravelbike.com/wp-content...igh-vs-low.jpg

Thanks, that helps a lot.

I can't say it five times.

No problem. Let me know if you have any other questions. I no longer have a dedicated car, so I'm very picky about (my) lights.

are you concerned about the longevity of the mount on the phillips?

I've only used the 'bar mount, and it's very secure/sturdy. From what I've read, the dynamo version's mount is prone to cracking.

thanks, didn't realize there was a difference in the mounts. The lights themselves look very similar

I believe the battery-powered version has a larger casing/body, but I'm not 100% sure.

E6 halogen has a sharp beam cut off, and if you make a 6v battery pack (5 x 1.2v) It will draw what it wants .
and so either 3w or 2.4w bulb will be fine..

As it is a common flange base bulb, a lot more than those 2 can be used ,
higher Voltage, match the Battery V available to Draw on.

Primary secondary pair are wired in Series ..

If you still use halogen, you should consider overvolting it by 20% or so. Make the battery pack 6x1,2V for a nominal 6V bulb. It'll increase the light output (and shorten bulb life, but not excessively).

The reach looks good. Have to say the gap between the near and far lighting areas surprised me though.

When you're actually riding, it's not as distinct. The photo makes it look worse than it is, and it's reduced further when you aim the light slightly higher (which I've been doing lately--with good results).

I agree - digital cameras tend to up the contrast and color saturation by default. But the reach on that light looks pretty good. What was it in those shots and what was it when you angled it up more? My beam is eliptical too and I find a 50 ft reach more than enough under most circumstances. If I need more than that I have more lights anyway.

I neglected to measure the distance, but I'll try to remember to snap a few pics on the ride home this evening.