Light Me Up.........
 

Last year when I started riding I purchased a small headlight and a small blinky and got through the year but as dark approaches this year I would like something better, but still relatively cheap. I am looking for a led headlight and rear light and wanted to know what people here use. I hope to get out for around $50 for both.

Any favorites?

One thing you do need if you are night riding--Is 2 lights front and rear. Lights fail and batteries run out.

Now for a front light- You cannot go wrong with two Cateye models. The EL300 and the EL500. The 300 is a 5 led Flood light and the 500 is a slightly more powerful spot. Both of these on their own are suitable for road riding and if you use these lights they are bright enough that you will be seen. For Non light areas- Or on Mups- they are just about adequate. Now if you are offroad then you have to talk 10w halogen lamps as a minimum and if you are talking halogens- you also have to think about rechargable lamps.

Then the price goes up to way above your figure for lamps that will give you enough light.


On the rear lamps- once again the cateyes are good. Some are stronger than others but cateye do make plenty of models to suit wahat you want and the price range.

Lights have recently been covered in a 50+ thread as below but the commuting forum regularly post on lamps.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=232451

+ 1 on Commuting Thread

Posters there have done all kinds of experiments regarding lights, longevity - one guy even has lights he's adapted from motor home & truck suppliers. Do a search and see more than you ever wanted to know...

Light Me Up.................
 

Thanks folks. Part of the problem is that there are sooooooo many choices. The one I bought last year had 5 led's, but the beam pattern was terrible so I was just looking for favorites.

I do think I will buy the TD-LD1000 as a rear light. Thanks again.

Stapfam is the regional authority on lights...so what he said.

This Cygolite works reasonably well for on road, low traffic. I can turn one beam on and off as a car approaches to be sure they see me. I do wish I had two batteries though, as the battery will run both beams for 1.5 hours or single beam for 3 hours. Its only slightly above your price range.