Daytime Tail Light
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
I've got a Planet Bike Superflash but I don't think that it's really up to daylight operation. The gold standard is Dionette, easily visible for 1/2 mile or more in bright daylight, but they're expensive.
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

I want something that will jog a motorist's attention just a little....similar to a motorcycle with their headlights on. Wouldnt mind that extra little bit of "hey, I'm here" factor when riding the highways.
#6
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
A lower Planet Bike model. Not Superflash. I'm OK with it.
#7
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Yes, I will use one of the following anytime it is overcast;
Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 1W LED Tail Light
Planet Bike Superflash.
Both will work in overcast conditions. The Radbot is very powerful.
Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 1W LED Tail Light
Planet Bike Superflash.
Both will work in overcast conditions. The Radbot is very powerful.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#8
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Yes. If my bike is in motion, I have headlights and taillights running. If it works for 18-wheelers, and daytime-running lights are standard on cars, and required on motorcycles, then it's also good enough for me.
DiNotte and MagicShine are really the only ones that are clearly visible and attention-getting from a distance in full daylight. Others are kinda sorta if you're looking specifically for them from only a couple of hundred feet or less. At 60MPH, 88 FPS, 200 feet is just under 2½ seconds. How long does it take to send a text? I want at least 15 seconds, or a quarter-mile to be seen at 60MPH. The DiNottes give me over twice that--a good half-mile, or 30 seconds, during the day.
I own DiNotte 300R and 140R lights. Either one is fine, the 300R is easier to mount and move from bike-to-bike. I also own the MagicShine, but it works best as part of a package with MagicShine headlight, and it's a bit of a pain to mount and aim on a seatpost. But it's cheap.
I've had motorists at a stoplight roll down their windows and thank me for using such a nice, bright taillight during the day. I've also had cyclists ask where to get one. In six years of daily riding, I've never had a complaint that it's too bright. I do turn it off in group rides though.
DiNotte and MagicShine are really the only ones that are clearly visible and attention-getting from a distance in full daylight. Others are kinda sorta if you're looking specifically for them from only a couple of hundred feet or less. At 60MPH, 88 FPS, 200 feet is just under 2½ seconds. How long does it take to send a text? I want at least 15 seconds, or a quarter-mile to be seen at 60MPH. The DiNottes give me over twice that--a good half-mile, or 30 seconds, during the day.
I own DiNotte 300R and 140R lights. Either one is fine, the 300R is easier to mount and move from bike-to-bike. I also own the MagicShine, but it works best as part of a package with MagicShine headlight, and it's a bit of a pain to mount and aim on a seatpost. But it's cheap.
I've had motorists at a stoplight roll down their windows and thank me for using such a nice, bright taillight during the day. I've also had cyclists ask where to get one. In six years of daily riding, I've never had a complaint that it's too bright. I do turn it off in group rides though.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,940
Likes: 363
Planet Bike but I have it off the bicycle right now so my son can use it, he is an inexperienced bicyclist. I'll buy a new set so I'll follow this thread for recommendations Planet Bike base model worked well for us.
Bill
Bill
#10
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
A Cateye Rapid 3 has become my tailight of choice. Not sure that it is up to bright sunny daylight use, but for cloudy or overcast conditions, seems eye-catching.
https://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD630/
https://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD630/
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#11
There are a few bicycle parts or accessories where I might consider price before quality, taillights are not one of them. I will pretty much spend whatever it takes to get the attention of a motorist creeping up on me while talking on thier cell phone.
#13
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 97
From: South Hutchinson Island
Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.
More and more cars use daytime running lights. It helps me to see them. I definitely want them to see me.
As I am a bent rider and cannot, by law, get too nerdy, I light the thing up.
As you can see in my well-kept basement (we're scheduled to appear on Hoarders in about a month) I put a Bontrager light on the Brainbag, and two Topeak lights on the seat struts:

I installed a One Armed Bandit on the front, and I use a Mininewt 350 on the lowest setting, about 50 lumens. It lasts all day:

I feel a bit more secure out there.
As I am a bent rider and cannot, by law, get too nerdy, I light the thing up.
As you can see in my well-kept basement (we're scheduled to appear on Hoarders in about a month) I put a Bontrager light on the Brainbag, and two Topeak lights on the seat struts:

I installed a One Armed Bandit on the front, and I use a Mininewt 350 on the lowest setting, about 50 lumens. It lasts all day:

I feel a bit more secure out there.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#14
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Dinotte is the Only One that works for Day Safety.
I have had one for 4 years.
https://store.dinottelighting.com/din...-mount-p5.aspx
I have had one for 4 years.
https://store.dinottelighting.com/din...-mount-p5.aspx
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#15
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 97
From: South Hutchinson Island
Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.
The light on the front is actually a high power laser with which I burn holes in zombies's skulls, but only in self defense.
Maybe this zombie talk is making folks anxious. Probably should give it a rest.
Maybe this zombie talk is making folks anxious. Probably should give it a rest.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#17
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,957
Likes: 3
From: Hollister, CA
Bikes: Volagi, daVinci Joint Venture
Yes. If my bike is in motion, I have headlights and taillights running. If it works for 18-wheelers, and daytime-running lights are standard on cars, and required on motorcycles, then it's also good enough for me.
DiNotte and MagicShine are really the only ones that are clearly visible and attention-getting from a distance in full daylight. Others are kinda sorta if you're looking specifically for them from only a couple of hundred feet or less. At 60MPH, 88 FPS, 200 feet is just under 2½ seconds. How long does it take to send a text? I want at least 15 seconds, or a quarter-mile to be seen at 60MPH. The DiNottes give me over twice that--a good half-mile, or 30 seconds, during the day.
I own DiNotte 300R and 140R lights. Either one is fine, the 300R is easier to mount and move from bike-to-bike. I also own the MagicShine, but it works best as part of a package with MagicShine headlight, and it's a bit of a pain to mount and aim on a seatpost. But it's cheap.
I've had motorists at a stoplight roll down their windows and thank me for using such a nice, bright taillight during the day. I've also had cyclists ask where to get one. In six years of daily riding, I've never had a complaint that it's too bright. I do turn it off in group rides though.
DiNotte and MagicShine are really the only ones that are clearly visible and attention-getting from a distance in full daylight. Others are kinda sorta if you're looking specifically for them from only a couple of hundred feet or less. At 60MPH, 88 FPS, 200 feet is just under 2½ seconds. How long does it take to send a text? I want at least 15 seconds, or a quarter-mile to be seen at 60MPH. The DiNottes give me over twice that--a good half-mile, or 30 seconds, during the day.
I own DiNotte 300R and 140R lights. Either one is fine, the 300R is easier to mount and move from bike-to-bike. I also own the MagicShine, but it works best as part of a package with MagicShine headlight, and it's a bit of a pain to mount and aim on a seatpost. But it's cheap.
I've had motorists at a stoplight roll down their windows and thank me for using such a nice, bright taillight during the day. I've also had cyclists ask where to get one. In six years of daily riding, I've never had a complaint that it's too bright. I do turn it off in group rides though.
#19
I'm currently using 2 Cateye TL-LD610's which claim to have 80,000 candlepower each. My drives are in 20, 30 and 50km/h zones so they're definately good enough. The second is really only for redundancy in case one decides to die or the batteries go south. Chances are it won't happen to both at the same time and I want at least one working. The units are reasonably water resistant and I added some Vasaline to the battery access door to help out. Run time is good enough that I can just recharge the AAA batteries once a week while using them every day.
#20
Cateye TL-LD1100 works well for me. Don't have to recharge and 2 AA batteries last a long time.
https://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD1100/
https://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD1100/
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Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 10
From: Watching all of you on O.B.I.T.
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1. Nicely restored
Last fall, I started running the Planet Bike superflash "Turbo". It is the same casing as the superflash, but it considerably brighter. Like, wicked bright. It uses two AAA batteries. Battery life seems to be about the same, perhaps slightly less than the standard superflash. The flash pattern is more randomized, sort of like a flashing emergency beacon.
This is way visible at night, and visible on overcast days. One of out local LEOs asked me, somewhat cynically, if I had a Sears Die Hard somewhere on the bike.
This is way visible at night, and visible on overcast days. One of out local LEOs asked me, somewhat cynically, if I had a Sears Die Hard somewhere on the bike.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 12
From: Eugene, Oregon
I don't always run them, but when the situation calls for rear lights I use a Dinotte 160R and/or a Cygolite Hotshot 2W. The Cygolite is like a Superflash, only twice as bright but with a slightly narrower beam. REI sells them for around $35.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,055
Likes: 8
From: Central Louisiana
A friend of mine runs the Dinotte 400R. We passed each other in opposite directions last summer and stopped to talk a while. After our conversation, he continued in his direction, and I stayed put to observe his tail light in broad daylight. At 0.5 miles distance, his tail light was still very obvious. I run either two or three Super Flashes, but I don't run them during the day unless it's really gray/overcast. They're plenty at night.




