Lighting for dark rides?

[Dirkitech]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far =) some of the lights are really interesting.

 

I stumbled upon this site and was wondering if anyone has experience with this particular light unit?

http://www.bradlights.co.za/lights/8-1-series.html

[Dirkitech]

wow, that light is eerily similar to this light in another topic I noticed at the bottom fo the page.

 

http://www.extremelights.co.za/shop/extreme-1200-mkii-cree-bicycle-light/

 

dupes?

[kolaval]

I see a "speedmaster" 1000 lumen is on special @ buycycle.co.za for R549

 

Is it any good for mtb?

[Dirkitech]

I see a "speedmaster" 1000 lumen is on special @ buycycle.co.za for R549

 

Is it any good for mtb?

at claimed 1000 lumen, i'd likely go for this instead:

http://www.extremelights.co.za/shop/extreme-1000-headlamp/

[kolaval]

Nice, it should work for running as well.

Will it not interfere with a helmet?

[Dirkitech]

So I've been following the links that have been posted, comparing the prices against the different lights. The following light really stands out and it is "on sale" for R2000 ("normally" R3000). It claims to have a 3000 lumen output on high. http://www.extremeli...7-x-cree-xm-l2/

 

So here is where I am sceptical as quack. My research into lights started no where else than amazon, because of the large variety of lights. On amazon and ebay I saw many lights saying OMFG 5000 Lumen or 1000 lumen etc. etc. etc. but when reading the reviews, customers who bought the lights said that the actual output was nowhere near the advertised lumen.

 

So my question is, to those who currently own lights with say, an advertised lumen of 700 and up, do your lights really provide that much lighting or is it a case of 700 lumen light gives 300, 1000 gives 400 and 2000 gives 600?

 

edit: Wanted to mention that although the extremelights 3k light has a battery pack and bike mount, it may be possible to use as a plain torch. has anyone experience using bicycle lights (with or without fixed mounts) as normal torches? Do you tape the battery pack to the light and carry it around like a big apple?

[Dirkitech]

Nice, it should work for running as well.

Will it not interfere with a helmet?

 

I had a close look at the http://www.extremelights.co.za/shop/extreme-1000-headlamp/#reviews unit and it seems as though the actual light mount where it is scewed onto the headstrap (the screw/pin thing functioning as a hinge), can be unscrewed (at own risk) and mounted to a bracket fixed onto a helmet.

 

I have absolutely no proof of what I just said, but that is the possibility i see. If it was me buying the unit and that was something important the unit should be able to do, I'd confirm with the manufacturer first before buying. Hope that helps.

[kolaval]

I did ask them, here is the reply:

The headlamp can work with a helmet yes the only problem is you would have to secure the straps with cable ties . Also keep in mind that some helmets are more oval shape than others and the straps can only stretch a certain amount.

 

I would just cable tie the whole thing onto the helmet

[Cois]

One thing I hate from these bike lights are that o-ring system. Got one from China with a mount you can screw on. Works much better than the other ideas out there.

I think I have the Extremlight 1400 unit. Works great on commutes.

Still have to try it off road, but the mount is the only reason I did not try that yet. I hate it when the light bounces all over the place.

[scotty]

I have quite an assortment, the 1200 from extreme lights, good light but battery pack holder was useless and straps broke 1st time and the cable to the battery got damaged when it got snared in the crank, I replaced it with a magic shine 4 cell battery. I was given a Fluid light which is advertised as 900 lumens, not as good as the extreme lights one but more than good enough for early morning road cycling, both fit with rubber O rings. i also have Top Peak white light which looks like a torch and fits with a bike clamp,its a few years old so battery life is not great.

[extremelights]

Hi fellow hubbers.... have you seen our end of season sale ??