winter lights

Taxuser1

would 600 Lumen be enough for country roads or is more light required for a longer brighter view? at what level are lights blinding motorists?

NeedMoreGears

I've a 500 lumen light which I find very good. It doesn't seem to cause motorists a problem but I do tend to point it down and left - I aim for about 15m ahead of illumination FWIW

ford2600

Taxuser1 wrote: »

would 600 Lumen be enough for country roads or is more light required for a longer brighter view? at what level are lights blinding motorists?

Lumens is a measure of power output of light. Lots of light have no detectable beam pattern with as much light projected upwards as onto the road.

A light which uses 200/300 lumens well is all you would ever need on open roads.

I've used a 1000 lumen mtb light tilted down at 500 lumen output and found it fine in the countryside

Most of the german made lights will do that, B&M, Trelock, Philips(if still made) etc. I'd be inclined to pick something with 80 lux or so. I currently use a dynamo powered 100 lux light and have used a 70 lux battery powerd and they provide plenty light

https://www.rosebikes.com/products/bike-parts/bike-lights/battery-powered/headlights/?page=2&order=aprice&count=16#anchor_products

Riding at night is also very dependant on the environment; if the country roads are empty, which allows the eye to open to max aperture then one would need very little light to illuminate road. If you are dealing with oncoming traffic (especially cnuts that won't dim) it's hard to have enough

ted1

It may be or it may not be. Lumens doesn't measure the quality of light. Lux is a better measure

As above I'd recommend a dynamo hub with a 100 lux lamp

seanin4711

Cree Chinese lights?
Ate these any good or a fire hazard?

Taxuser1

thanks, i've a 400 Lezyne which didn't seem to have enough oomph at speed. wasn't wholly confident. seems to be plenty of options given there. one that was interesting was the edge compatible garmin. has anyone tried it and would they recommend it?

ED E

seanin4711 wrote: »

Cree Chinese lights?
Ate these any good or a fire hazard?

Just fine. Buy a decent 18650 charger and real cells, job done.

Macy0161

seanin4711 wrote: »

Cree Chinese lights?
Ate these any good or a fire hazard?

I got one via a uk importer a few years ago, and still going strong and house still there. It does have a wide beam though, if you have an issue with that.

Tenzor07

Where's that Lumen guy? ...:pac:...

NBar

Don't know if any good but very neat

Look what I found on AliExpress
http://s.aliexpress.com/MZRj2umU

buffalo

I just received a new 700 Lumen light for the winter, going to test it out tomorrow night. Seemed like a decent compromise of brightness and cost.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-700-lumen-front-light/

I'll let you know how I get on.

jon1981

This link will give you all the info you need .. you can select different lights and see how it lights up a dark road.


http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/212914-updated-your-guide-best-front-lights-cycling-beam-comparison-engine

lizzylad84

I'm waiting gnon mr postman to deliver my new lezyne 400 lumen light fir club cx. Will report in due coarse

Carawaystick

LidAldi have german beam pattern front lights with e Li-ion rechargable front light

Works fine in the pitch black, used it on a few audaxen, only 3 hours battery life though
eur 12 with aaaa battery powered back light

Borderfox

I have a cateye volt 700 and nice beam pattern angled downwards, two hours on maximum power

seanin4711

ED E wrote: »

Just fine. Buy a decent 18650 charger and real cells, job done.

love to follow up on this.
which lights did you get and where you get the charger and real cells?
thanks
John

seanin4711

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Te-Rich-Rechargeable-HeadLights-Waterproof-Taillight/dp/B01HI48VKQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505312473&sr=8-4&keywords=cree+bike

ED E

NB: My setup is a little bigger than some non flashlight lights

Chargers:
UM20
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitecore-UM20-Universal-Battery-Charger/dp/B015IW1CD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505316650&sr=8-1&keywords=UM20
OR
UC Charger
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Magnetic-UC-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B01LWWSDFO/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1505316670&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Olight+charger

Batteries:
Free from old laptop batteries
OR
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-INR18650-25R-2500-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B015YXA2EG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1505316804&sr=1-2&keywords=samsung+18650+battery

Light:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoomable-Torch-Waterproof-Flashlight-Torches/dp/B01LCEW3TS/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1505316827&sr=1-10&keywords=Cree+Torch

Add a similar rear if you wish.

Quality of the CREE LEDs can vary a bit but my front illuminates street signs 80m ahead of me. Brighter than the dims of a Honda but less than the full headlights.

buffalo

buffalo wrote: »

I just received a new 700 Lumen light for the winter, going to test it out tomorrow night. Seemed like a decent compromise of brightness and cost.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-700-lumen-front-light/

I'll let you know how I get on.

Great lights at 30kph for the dark of the canal. Bit clunky, and not much swivelling allowed by the mount though. I don't think you'll do much better without doubling the budget.

wanderer 22

This is a pretty cool light comparison thingy (technical term) here - http://lights.road.cc/index-wide.php

ted1

colm18 wrote: »

This is a pretty cool light comparison thingy (technical term) here - http://lights.road.cc/index-wide.php

A dynamo light blows them away, especially as it’s constant and doesn’t require charging

http://blog.joe-bike.com/a-new-champ-among-dynamo-lights-the-busch-mueller-iq-x/

Weepsie

ted1 wrote: »

A dynamo light blows them away, especially as it’s constant and doesn’t require charging

http://blog.joe-bike.com/a-new-champ-among-dynamo-lights-the-busch-mueller-iq-x/

Completely agree. Got one earlier this year and some dynamo hubbed handbuilts and it's the best investment I've had with the exception of the bike(s) themselves.

wanderer 22

It was more the method of comparison I was impressed with. I'm tempted to install a dynamo light on the commuter though

Taxuser1

buffalo wrote: »

I just received a new 700 Lumen light for the winter, going to test it out tomorrow night. Seemed like a decent compromise of brightness and cost.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-700-lumen-front-light/

I'll let you know how I get on.

I neglected to give my update on purchased lights. Went with the Cateye Volt 1200. It is an excellent front light. 4 levels, mainly use the blink strobe which has great coverage and leaves plenty battery life. The top setting I've kept mainly for really unlit back roads and rabbit hunting but it's a very far reaching beam. Has caused a few cars to flash me. Only can get two hours or so at that level so it's used sparingly. Full recharge of battery is about 6 hours or so from 40/50%.