I've noticed when I went out riding this morning at 5:30am, our days are starting to get shorter.

So I'm shopping for headlights since I will want to continue riding early mornings until snow starts falling this winter. I'm curious on what headlights you all may use. I wonder just how many lumen's are too much when riding in traffic? I don't want to blind oncoming traffic.

Part of my morning rides is on lighted roads, but am more curious on how well a 350ish lumen light will do on part of my rides on unlighted trails. Plus in the future, it's very possible I may end up moving to a not so lighted area of the state.

I'm thinking of getting the Cateye Volt 300. I've been reading that it may only state it has 300 lumens, but reviewers are saying it's more like 345 lumens.

Would this amount be bright enough to help keep on an eye out for deer populations on trails?

Thanks!

Please ignore my posting of this. I've just realized there is a whole section on headlights and peoples recommendations.

But, actually I'm curious on what you all with Hybrids do use?

The Bontrager ION 700 looks sweet!! However, it is pricey! Cateye makes a good solid product.

I use a Knog Arc Blinder 5.5 (good Aussie product ) but should be relevant for any light really.

It's 550 Lumen at high though I can't tell you what the mid and low settings are. The interesting thing is that rather than just blat out the light it uses a shaped beam that has a wider spread and narrower beam so it doesn't point straight out at oncoming traffic.

In city situations with lots of street lights, cars and illuminated signs I'll run it in low ( in conjunction with a lower 80 lumen Knog Blinder blinkie ).

As I get into light urban areas (less cars, illuminated signs ) I'll throw it up to mid and as the lights disappear ( including trails and tracks) I'll bump it up to high.

Note it also has a flashing mode but the first time I used this I noted that cars in front were playing with their mirrors so I've never used this mode again

Don't know if that helps

I use the Cygolite Metro 300 USB Rechargeable. It has a number of settings for all different conditions. I usually have the light on the lowest setting, which lasts at least two weeks before it needs to be recharged.

I have the Fenix BC30. I am very happy with this light and find myself having a need for all of the different brightness levels during my rides. I get many comments from people on how bright and nice the light is and that they need a nice light like that. I have yet to hear any complaints from drivers while using this on the road. I would rather have too much light, and not need it, than have too little and end up hurting myself. I feel much safer riding at night with this light.

Check out the post I made in the electronics section about the cycletorch shark 500. I love it and it was only $30 on Amazon.

Get Two of these...I have four of them.
Amazon.com : RioRand 4 Mode 1200 Lumen CREE XML T6 Bulb LED Bicycle bike HeadLight Lamp Flashlight Light Headlamp : Sports & Outdoors

You need more light when you are in urban areas, 180 lumens is about the minimum output you need and pretty close to European standards for bicycle lighting.

Get away from urban areas where you are fighting ambient light and you can see more with less.

A high powered light with bad optics is also worse than a lower powered light with good optics.

I use the Bontrager Ion 700, but carry one of my Fenix lights on me just in case.

This light should be plenty. I use the cygolight 550 and love the "lightning" setting...It's a medium setting with a steady beam, but about every 2 seconds it sort of
stutters, lol 'blipping' for a moment that draws attention without losiing illumination. I actually can't use the the high steady beam, because I was getting so many complaints from people that it was "blinding" them, that I realized it isn't safe to use on anything but the darkest least traveled roads.

Thanks everyone for the input! I'll most likely buy one at a LBS this afternoon!

Amazon.com: SuperBright Rechargeable Bike Light - Comes With FREE TAIL LIGHT - Tool-Less Installation in Seconds -Cycle Torch Shark 500 - Highest Quality Durable Headlight Set - 4 Easy Bike Light Modes -500 Lumens- Improves Safety and Security

I bought one of these last year:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o04_s01

The light is nice and bright, but the mount is pretty crappy. I made my own, but then the wiring started getting flaky. I works, but I have to twist the connector around to get it to stay on.

Earlier this spring, I bought a Cygolite Streak 310, and love it! Awesome mount, not as bright as the other, but enough to help me dodge potholes at 30+ MPH in the dark. USB rechargeable is nice, too.

Amazon.com: Cygolite Streak 310 USB Light

This +++, and get the $5 focusing/shaping lens