RavX Beam X vs DIY

[Guest Agteros]

Thinking about participating in some night races (Delta/24hours etc), and with the bike light building thing being contagious, and being a complete electronics N00B I read up a bit, and started with a shopping list. for a semi decent DIY MTB light 

In the end I came up with the following totals for a 3 LED light:

 

Light	R 813.96
Battery	R 261.15
Wiring	R 120.62
Assembly	R 226.86
Tools	R 383.00
Total	R 1,805.59

 

Even discounting things like learning experiences, possible sense of accomplishment, etc  the total stayed a bit steep.

I went to a LBS and enquired about bike lights, and was shown two models. One being the Rav-X Beam-X (http://www.ravx.com/2007_product/pages_products_07/lights_07/front_lights/beam_x.html) which has an external battery pack, as well as a LED and Halogen handlebar mountable lights.

How usable is this product, and what are the characteristics of the beam it throws, eg length/depth, fill to the side, etc for MTB use?

Agteros2008-10-30 06:14:50

[AndreZA]

They don't say what kind of LED are used or how long burn time is. And 5w halogen is not very bright.

 

 

[Guest Agteros]

They don't say what kind of LED are used or how long burn time is. And 5w halogen is not very bright. 

 

Yep, according to the packagin the LEDs will burn for 11.5hrs on full charge.... This all for +- R900

[AndreZA]

They don't say what kind of LED are used or how long burn time is. And 5w halogen is not very bright. 

 

Yep' date=' according to the packagin the LEDs will burn for 11.5hrs on full charge.... This all for +- R900

[/quote']

 

and my 3 LED light burns for 250hrs on 2 AAs. And even if I tape 3 of them together, wow 9 LEDs, at R125 each, will they be bright enough. They do not say or show how bright they are.

 

 

[sampie]

Thats normal LEDS, faaaaaarrrrrr from the high power ones.

[Guest Agteros]

Yep, I'm sure the 8 LEDs can't suck too much juice to burn 11 hours...

 

What other options are there? (except Brighter Lights, those are just way too expensive)

[sampie]

a p7 flashlight from dealextreme, comes to about R570 for light, 2 batteries, charger & barmount.

[Guest Agteros]

How long does shipping from DealExtreme to the good ol' R of SA take?

[sampie]

2-3 weeks with free shipping.

[Guest Agteros]

Thanks sampie

[sampie]

No probs

 

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060

[Flemish Lion]

The BeamX isn't a BAD light - The halogen isn't great - would be better if they would swap the halogen for another LED - more light and better battery life.

 

But then again - my wife got one semi-sponsored and she rides road...

 

The battery pack easily fits in the back pocket and the lights are very secure on the handlebars - the connection between the battery pack and lights isn't that easy to secure - a good velcro is needed...

[droo]

Where are you based? I'm a bit of a lighting nut, about to launch a range of bike lights, but if you're in CT I'm sure I can give you a hand putting something together...

[AndreZA]

Where are you based? I'm a bit of a lighting nut' date=' about to launch a range of bike lights, but if you're in CT I'm sure I can give you a hand putting something together...[/quote']

 

I'm sure if you can come up with something in the R1500-R2000 range with about 200-300 lumens and 5+ hours battery life you will make good money. Brighter-Lights stopped making their smallest one so there is nothing aout there.

[Gert Janse v Rensburg]

Sigma Karma.... R1590.... at Bruces in Pretoria...... that things bombs and is more than sufficiant forall types of terain and darkness....

[droo]

Where are you based? I'm a bit of a lighting nut' date=' about to launch a range of bike lights, but if you're in CT I'm sure I can give you a hand putting something together...[/quote']

 

?

 

I'm sure if you can come up with something in the R1500-R2000 range with about 200-300 lumens and 5+ hours battery life you will make good money. Brighter-Lights stopped making their smallest one so there is nothing aout there.

 

 

 

Currently only have a 3 x cree q5 700+ lumen beast of a thing, but I'm busy working on a housing for a single helmet mount jobbie. The hub will be the first to know when it's ready, will post beamshots of existing one soon, just have to find someone willing to lend me a camera for a nite ride...