Head lights

[cadenceblur]

Hi Guys

 

I am looking at doing more night rides. I have a handlebar light, which is quite bright, I would like to get a sense as to the need for a headlight as well.

How many of you use both and what level of illumination should I be considering?

The rides are in Tokai, so some of the sections are quite technical.

Would appreciate your views.

[RocknRolla]

I have not had the need for a headlight. The light i use has good peripheral saturation thus it serves my purpose quite well.

but then again we live in Etoll-i, so some would argue that we dont have proper mtb trails here....

 

I for one can see (pun intended) the need for a headlamp when one rides tight switchbacks where one needs to see beyond where ones handlebar is pointed at while negotiating the corner.

[BogusOne]

Please no matter what you buy just make sure it does NOT flash. No need to look like the sea point light house on your bike.

[cadenceblur]

No risk of that!

[Robrider]

My experience is that light on the head is better than on the bars, because as you look around corners, the light follows where you look, no matter where you look. With the bars, I find sometimes going into a corner fairly blind. On the other hand, for long rides a light on the helmet add weight and fatigue to the neck.

 

I only have one light but before I ride I decide how long and how technical the ride will be, and then decide where to put it.

[Paulst12]

A high lumen light on your bar, and one smaller and lighter one mounted to your helmet is the way to go. Magic Shine / Lezyne / Exposure / Hope Vision & Remo are some of the top quality ones....

[Bike Lore]

I always ride with a helmet mounted light. A good single LED light works great. Single LED lights have both side spill and hot spot. The sharper the hot spot the better. It extends your visible distances. It is better to have a wide beam/flood on your handle bar. It should be between equal or 2x of the headlight not more. If the differences is to big in brightness then your eyes adjust to the brightens of the combined lights but when you turn in the switch back you can't see much because the helmet light is to week. In other words you are blinded by your own lights.

 

I like the Extreme1200 it has 900 Real lumen for 4h and comes with a head band and tail light.

The Extreme1400 is the upgrade of the 1200. It weights about the same and produces 1100 lumen for over 7h.

 

Both comes with head bands that works for both the helmet and the head.

 

The Extreme 1000 is an integrated version of the 1200. The mount works well with helmet also

http://extremelights.gocommerce.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2014/02/Brackenfell-20120816-00073.jpg

Edited February 27, 2014 by Hannes Zietsman

[Rapunzel]

Sorry to resuscitate the old thread. Do any of the smaller and lighter lights work (eg LED Lenser) as a secondary source of light on a helmet? I currently have a bar mounted magic light but need something to "see around corners" on the trail.