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I'm looking at this model (cos its cheap frankly),
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/p7-water-resistant-ssc-p7-3-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-bike-light-with-battery-pack-set-82734
Has anyone got one, and is it any good?
Cheers
Jono.
Yes, got one for the Mrs but I keep stealing it.
Great light for the bars, decent flood coverage. Very good performance, especially for the money. Go for the smooth reflector if you want more of a spot.
Runtime is OK, seemed to improve after a few rides, not much warning of it cutting out but OK for a couple of hours on high.
I took it apart to check, the heatsink was a bit loose, I tightened it up and added some thermal paste to keep it cool. So far so good.
Thats the older P7 led, which everyone bought last year, not a bad bit of kit, but it definitely does not put out 900-1200 lumen's, more like 550 lumen. The more powerful XML versions which came out this year (approximately 900 lumen's), can be had for the same money. It's said that the (cheaper) XML's can be very spotty, a very bright central spot that doesn't illuminate a very large area but this can be resolved by a cheap lens off eBay.
Also check eBay, as similar lights are available from UK supplier for not far off the same money, so you won't have the wait you will from dealextreme
I use one of those on my helmet. Awesome light. Only niggle I have is the screw that holds the bar mount to the light is tiny and pulled out after a couple of rides. No great shakes as I run it on a cateye helmet mount and I could always re-tap a new screw in.
Thanks for the replies,
z1ppy do you have any links for the XML versions either thru Ebay or Deal extreme?
Get [url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t6-waterproof-xml-t6-3-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-bike-light-with-battery-pack-set-904482510 ]THIS[/url] one instead, it should arrive in 3 days (from their UK warehouse), unlike the 3 weeks+ from Hong Kong warehouse. Due to the beam pattern its best as a head torch, cut-off the straps & zip tie the mount to your helmet.
The 5-mode P7 torches are perfect for flood use, strapped to the bars. I've got a pair, but you only need one on the bars if you've the helmet light above. Looks like they are all out of stock in the UK though. Need a couple of cells & a charger though, as one cell lasts just over an hour on full power.
I have that one, run it on the bars with a joystick on my lid. Seems fine but definately n overexaggerated lumen count...
Arent you supposed to be working Jono?
the one takisawa2 linked to has a very small spot size with not much spread. Fine for road or helmet use, but not good for mtb bar mounting IMO.
Try and find one with an orange peel reflector like this:-
I had one from a different seller on ebay, for £33, so keep an eye out...
I ordered one last year as an addition to the similar model which was about 3-4 years old. No complaints at all. I use it on an helmet or on the bars.
As per you request ywt:
[url= http://s.dealextreme.com/search/bike+xml ]Deal Extreme[/url] Admittedly I have no experience of any of these, as I purchased mine from [url= http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/4.html ]Smudge[/url] for a bit more money & a lot more support 😀 (but have used DX many time in the past when no UK supplier were available). Those from dealextreme will all be basically the same, no matter what the lumens claims are. The Lens I mentioned are from [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280752532003?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648#ht_2864wt_1185 ]here[/url]
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=bike+xml&_sacat=See-All-Categories ]eBay links here[/url]
I tend to go with a helmet mount, so the one posted by Takisawa2 looks like it could be a winner, but I'll check all the others first, thanks again all!
Very busy Andy, you ain't seen me, right............
Of the cheap DX lights, that P7 was the best IMO... I had an XML DX light and it was pretty poor IMO- too much power, focused too tight. Sure, it had massive range, but that just led to lots of chasing the dot, but also because your eyes adjust to the brightest area, any floodlight became less effective. The P7 makes less light but has a pretty nice beam pattern.
If you can, spend a bit more... The MJ-872's a superb light, sure it's more than twice as much but it's a lot more than twice as good. Better charger, better battery pack (better cabling than some cheaper ones but not all). Works very well as a solo light so it's not that much more expensive than 2 lesser lights. Gets the Northwind seal of approval...
(fluxient 4xXPG seems very similiar too)
Stupid question, but where are you all shoving the batteries when its mounted to your helmet? As i have a Magicshine for my bars but fancy a light for my Helmet.
I used to attach the battery pack to the back of my helmet, then I put it in my camelback, finally I now put it in my zipped pocket of my jacket as the cable is long enough.
I pop the battery pack in my pack. The cable is long enough. It is a tight beam pattern, but its 3.5hrs of light for £33. I'd love one of smudges lights but limited cash.
Got the light I ordered from Deal Extreme today, does the light change from Green to Red when the charger has finished charging the battery? At the minute there seems to be only 2-3v on the battery terminals, if it is still charging on green how long does it typically take?
As a sort of semi hijack, I have a headunit like taka linked to. It popped off the bars at the weekend in a spill. It doesn't seem to fire up now 🙁
If any one wants the head unit for tinkering drop me a line and I'll stick it in the post.
Got the light I ordered from Deal Extreme today, does the light change from Green to Red when the charger has finished charging the battery? At the minute there seems to be only 2-3v on the battery terminals, if it is still charging on green how long does it typically take?
Mine always came already charged... so it goes from red to green when it's done. Are you sure it needs charged?
As stated 2.35volts on the battery terminal, I was hoping it charged green and was red when finished, is this not the case ?
I've got one of the T6 lights.
When charging the led on the charger is not lit. It then goes green when fully charged.
Other fancy lights I have show red when charging, green when done.
But it was cheap, and as long as it charges I'm not bothered.
I did have to replace the plug on the battery lead though, as it had intermittent connection when it was wobbled.