Lights... What do You use? Why?

[K'Tesh]

I'm surprised that there is no gear review forum here... so let's start one..

What do I use?
Personally I'm currently using 2 NR MiNewt X2's (one bar mounted and one helmet) and a NR TriNewt, as well as an older Cateye EL400 (as a backup should I find my other systems completly drained) for forward illumination.

For tail lights, I've got two Planet Bike Superflash lights (one on my backpack, one on the underseat bag), Planet Bike helmet mounted tail light, the NR Universal Tail Light (running off a 6V NR Evolution Smart battery), and
2 Performance ViewPoint tail lights (on the backpack).

I don't think I'll need any more lights for a while (Unless something breaks, then I'll fall back to my NR Evolution Smart systems).

Why? (sure there's legal requirements, but beyond that)

Me, I ride 24/7/365, I don't own a car, and I commute on Hwy 217 (yes, that's legal). I also do recreational riding year round, sometimes getting home several hours after dark. So, I need very powerful lights w/long run times. That, and I've been bounced off of cars twice this year once in daytime (8/17/7), once at 7pm in a parking lot (10/12/7). I'm not paranoid, they really do seem to be out to get me...

So, What do you use?

Keep on Riding
K'Tesh


http://beam.to/ufobike

[mizake]

I use the Light and Motion solo on my helmet. It has 3 hours run time that's more than enough for my work commute. It illuminates the springwater trail really well in complete darkness. I really like this light, and it's comparatively less expensive than the other light systems (they can get really pricey). In the past I've used the Niterider Road Rat (not bright enough) and the Niterider UltraFazer Max (total piece of crap: not nearly bright enough to illuminate the trail and fell apart in a few weeks). I've also briefly used the NiteHawk dual lighting system which I also found to be sub-par.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for a good tail light. I'd like to use just one. Cost is a factor.

For my rear light I use some piece of crap multi-flash mode light. I don't remember exactly who makes it, but I'll post that info when I have a chance to look at it as I would strongly advise against anyone purchasing it.

[Oldguyonabike]

I use a Blackburn w/ NiCad batt pack that has a nice intense front beam that I feel safe with. I, too, use the rinky-dink $20 back lights.
During the Portland Century this was a guy that had the most intense back light I've ever seen. I asked him about it and he said he got it off the web for ~$100. COmpany starts with a "P" (I think). A lot of money for a back light, but I tell you this light was tiny and amazing. Anyone know what it is?

[mizake]

Originally Posted by Oldguyonabike

I use a Blackburn w/ NiCad batt pack that has a nice intense front beam that I feel safe with. I, too, use the rinky-dink $20 back lights.
During the Portland Century this was a guy that had the most intense back light I've ever seen. I asked him about it and he said he got it off the web for ~$100. COmpany starts with a "P" (I think). A lot of money for a back light, but I tell you this light was tiny and amazing. Anyone know what it is?

I know Dinotte makes a totally badass rear light, but it MSRP is $169 which is too far above my price range: http://store.dinottelighting.com/sha...t=products.asp

[K'Tesh]

Planet Bike's Superflash is a very bright seemingly durable tail light, but I'd be careful w/them after changing the battery... I lost two of em's guts (battery, electronics, and lenses) perhaps from being bumped around on the seat pack. I now think that I have the thing fairly securely mounted (w/rubberbands to prevent loss, should it try to go AWOL. My LBS replaced both as I had them for only a short time. Costs about $22... two settings, flash, and steady... switch is mounted on the bottom (so water drips away).

[Oldguyonabike]

Thanks mizake. That may be it. I remember it being real small and laying horizontally strapped to the underside of his saddle kit. $169 IS steep for a rear light.
Speaking of rear lights I went through 2 Blackburn rear lights. I really liked the brightness. Problem was the plastic hook that secured it to my saddle kit broke on two models. Regular city street riding. Maybe something about one curb bump I slowly go over (no jumping) to cut through Clackamas Town Center and a quick jar from that. But nothing radical that should have broken it. Boooooo on Bike & Hike. I took the first one back I bought from them and they said "tough" because I didn't have the receipt. Who keeps $19 receipts? Yea!! for Rivercity. I walked over there and bought the second light and it, too, broke after a week. Again, no receipt (you would think I would have learned, but I thought it was just a freak break). The nice sales manager gal fixed me up with a new, non-Blackburn light that is screwed onto my rack. Not the best light, but it along with the one on the back of my helmet make me feel seen at least.

[jyl]

I use Nightsun Team in front (dual halogens), some generic blinking tailight in back, also a blinking LED light (a $25 one that clamps to the handlebar) to be better noticed, and a Petzl mountaineering headlamp attached to my helmet (to shine into cars and waggle around, for more noticeability).

Its amazing how many bicyclists you see riding around at night in dark clothes with no lights.

[Pdxrunner]

I may be the person with the Dinotte rear light if that was The Portland Velo Club Century. I love the rear light! Yes, it is expensive, but so is the deductible on my health insurance. I've had many rear lights and even multiple rearlights, but this is a whole different world. I commute from Beaverton to NE 33rd near Killingsworth. 16 to 17 mi each way. I go via Barbur and there are 2 areas where you ride on the road. With other lights the cars would zip right by me. With the Dinotte, they move into the next lane! It is very visable during the day and I use it on all of my bicycles. I will take the last position in a group on busy roads for saftey of all the riders.

In front I have 2 Dinotte 200 lumen lights. One flashing day time or dusk, one on and one flashing at night with city lighting, both on when in full darkness. They are very small, light nd with the "O" ring mounts they are off the bike in 5 seconds. Expensive yes, but dead or broken bones are much more expensive and painfull! Also great Co. replaced a light I pulledthe cord out of free and sent it before I sent the bad one back! They had an upgrade special to their more powerful light! No one else does that!

[toddwaddell]

I've got an MiNewt X2 Dual on the front. I really like being able to mount the beams apart from one another. I do think that having the two headlights helps me be seen and noticed.

The blink function on the MiNewt is very good for daytime riding. Motorists definitely see me and move out of my way!

On the back I've got a Blackburn 3 on a seat pack and a NR 5 LED on my helmet. I'm debating adding one more Blackburn to the back of my rack for a little extra light in low visibility (night-rain) conditions. What do you think?

[mizake]

i got one of the planet bike superflashes for $25 and it is so far working like a charm!