newbie101

I'd like to add a couple of tail light blinkies for side lighting. I've already spent quite a bit more than I had originally intended for accessories, so am looking to minimize costs at this point.

Any recommendations/links for knockoff tail lights for brands such as cygolite, planetbike, etc.?

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I purchased a cree/magicshine knockoff and it works pretty well: very bright, even though the overall design is not that great.

chaadster

It's unfortunate you were not too ashamed to post that question.

thisisbenji

I like my Light & Motion lights, my girlfriend thought I was on my motorcycle once.

itchyjoe

I have a CygoLite Hotshot and really like it. It charges via USB so no AAA batteries to deal with and it comes with a seat post clamp as well as a saddlebag clip. Only about $30 as I remember.
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superslomo

My planetbike blinkies have been pretty reliable, and they really aren't all that much money for one or two of the superflashers for "be seen" coverage. I spent more on a headlight (L&M ARC, worth every penny in its day, though I got it pretty heavily discounted, it's always awesome), but my basic take is: if I'm sitting in the hospital having been hit by a car, am I going to think that the headlight/taillight might have failed me, and am I going to be happy that I save $x.xx dollars? Usually, the answer is no.

For taillights, though, somewhere between $20 and $30 will get you a pretty rockin' bit of arsch-bling that will do a bang-up job of keeping you un-hit by cars.

Bunyanderman

New Waterproof 5 LED Lamp Bike Bicycle Front Head Light Rear Safety Flashlight | eBay

Sheik24

These thing are bright as all hell and cost $7 for the front/back pair. Hard to beat.

Camelion Lights

Slackerprince

I have this: Portland Design Works Red Planet Tail Light

$12.00 shipped on Amazon.
It shoots red ray beams of light out both sides.
It's a great light for cheap.

S

Hiro11

Yeah, this light is great. It's also not too bright for group rides, something that's increasingly common these days.

thrllskr

I have been looking into these lights. They look magnificent and the yellow 180 light are appealing. Have you found that you are more visible with drivers in urban environments? They have the 800 combo pack for $240 and I am thinking of pulling the trigger. I will have to charge the batteries at least two times a week. Have you had to replace the rechargables?

Nachoman

For a basic inexpensive rear light look for a 1 watt output and you'll be happy. Two watts and you'll be ecstatic.

Hypno Toad

Exactly my thinking. I've used a large number of Planet Bike lights on my family's bikes, both front and rear. They low priced and dependable. My primary rear light is a Superflash Turbo - $30: Superflash Turbo

Raiden

I have a viz 180 rear, its a great light, but I despise the mounting method (a single rubber strap).

thisisbenji

I also have the Viz 180, I actually don't mind the mounting system. It works really well on my bike.

Visibility is great on it, that thing is SUPER bright.

As far as charging goes, I have no problems. I have my garage setup so that I don't even take the lights off the bike, I just plug them in while the bike is sitting on it's stand.

bonz50

for a taillight I've been using a Topeak Redlite Mega, it was cheap and works to my satisfaction. considering a Cree headlight unit though on amazon for like $20 or so, seems like a nice deal for what it is and fills the bill I need.

PaulRivers

OP asked about tail light blinkies, and in tail light blinkies I don't think going cheap is worth it. I have a few - they have some issues. With the "waterproof" seal, with batteries jolting out over bumps, one of them would turn itself off and I have no idea how.

Planet Bike rear lights are relatively cheap, and in my experience it's not worth cheaping out over $10 for the light. A Planet Bike Rack Blinky is $15 - you save very little money and take a big hit in quality to buy something cheap. I've seen a lot of bikers on the road with cheap rear lights that don't maintain a constant light output like Planet Bike lights do, and I only see their light when I'm within about 5 feet of them. It's just not worth it, in my opinion.

Team Sarcasm

Look into the radbot tail light. I have it and works great

Amazon.com : Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 1W LED Tail Light : Bike Taillights : Sports & Outdoors

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...DWMAX9TW8BCJKQ

Also look through here

https://www.bikeforums.net/electronic...ight-25-a.html

The 25-50 range tail lights usually have a big improvement in performance compared to the sub 25.

"Alternative lights" may have been better wordage than "knock-off" I think.

newbie101

Sound advice.

As an update, I ordered a couple of ultra-inexpensnsive blinkies from ebay ($2 each).

The first one broke within two days of very light use. The light itself works, but the clip broke off with rather light pressure. I suppose it can now serve permanent duty in the rear mesh pocket of my backpack.

The second light hasn't arrived and will likely take a month or so to arrive. So, lesson learned, on both counts. I hope.

I've decided to go with a pair of spoke lights on each wheel for side lighting. I went on a very short ride, and they seem to be fitted securely, so I'm hoping the spoke lights are a long term solution.

newbie101

I have the portland radbot and it is an excellent light. My only criticism is that I wish it had a standard blinking mode. I just assumed one or two standard blinking modes were a default standard on all rear tail lights, but that's not the case with the radbot. Overall, it's an excellent light however.

Team Sarcasm

the radbot 1000?

Are you wanting a normal on/off/on/off blinky and not the dim/bright/dim/bright that the radbot has...?

newbie101

Yeah, I have the 1000. I do have a couple of other blinkies with the typical on/off fast/slow patterns. I just assumed the radbot would be the same.

btw, I did find a knockoff tail light and may or may not buy it. I'm assuming the knockoff would have a few design/accessory shortcuts, such as skimping on mounts or construction quality, or perhaps by simply not including batteries.

Are bike accessory companies simply not big/rich enough to either establish patents/copyrights or to pursue those who infringe on designs if they have such rights at all?

Raiden

Yeah, I recently bought a 2800 lumen headlight on ebay for $25 new from China- the mount is chintzy, the battery is tiny (look closely at the description, a lot of those ads to not include batteries, or include very small ones), it uses a janky old model power cable, and it's ugly... but the 2800 lumen claim is not a lie, it is insanely bright, at literally 1/10th the price of a equivalent new light with all the modern bells and whistles.

Team Sarcasm

Do not give the world too much credit.

Here is a knock-off Phantom, base model is around 470K

Team Sarcasm

And as far as patents go, as long as the manufacturer makes small changes, they will work around the patent. Such as the factory that builds gopros comes out with their own version with the button on the other side and it being a rubber button instead of plastic.

newbie101

Understood.

I think I'm set for lights for the time being. I've got side lighting with spoke lights, a front and rear light on the bike, and front and rear lights on one helmet.

In addition, I have the clipless blinkie in the backpocket of the backpack, along with a reflective vest.

I have ankle reflectors as well, or should I say just one, at least until I find the second.