pulled my lights out the cupboard to get ready for the winter commute, my mk7 joystick still had charge in it and worked perfect (helmet light) but my china light i use for the bars is playing up and fed up going through a couple of them every winter

im looking for a new handlebar light to compliment the joystick, dont want a separate battery pack, would like another exposure but cant justify the money.

looking for something that gives a beam pattern more light a car headlight than a torch if that makes sense

thinking of the fenix bc30r but not sure if its going to be bright enough (most of the commute is on unlit paths)

Save a load of money and get a Cree XML. I just got one off ebay for about £23 and I’m so impressed with it. I’ve only used it for early morning dog walks so far but it’d definitely be good enough for riding.

Save a load of money and get a Cree XML. I just got one off ebay for about £23 and I’m so impressed with it. I’ve only used it for early morning dog walks so far but it’d definitely be good enough for riding.

He said that he is fed up of going through cheap chinese lights…

there is a gemini xera for £80, which might be cheaper elsewhere :

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Gemini-XERA-LED-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Front-Light-1000-Lumens_85996.htm?sku=288085&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=AdwordsProductAds&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=CKPc2O2SuMgCFUeVGwodoJgErw#

think Tredz is lying on that lumen count – think it is 850.

can make it a flood or a spot :

Xera Flashlight 950 Lumens

http://road.cc/content/review/70595-gemini-xera-led-800-lumen-flashlight

tom – does seem cheap at first but im fed up taking them apart to fix the lights and battery packs and replacing them when beyond fixing

turnerguy – looks good but appears you need to remove the battery to charge it, looking for a sealed unit

having seen the quality of lezyne products if I were looking Id consider one of the drives

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-super-drive-1200xl-front-light-y9/

I have just bought a smart 700 lumen light. Looks well made and great for my offroad commute however you may want more lumens if riding technical trails

If you really want something more like a car light, STVZO compliant lights such as the Ixon are the closest. Probably depends on how messy your commute is, and whether you want to use the light for more technical riding as well.

Err, had two Lezyne lights, hope you like re-charging

got one of these earlier this year, not really had to use it much yet (only had it on flash mode). Seems good for the price. Pretty floody beam if that’s what you’re after. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131585214804?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Cateye volt1200 for 109

Bontrager Ion 700? Very neat and well made.

Cateye Volt 700 apparently has a ‘road friendly’ beam from the reviews I have seen. They have just bought out an 800, which I assume would have the same lens.

I’m using one of these for night riding on the road bike http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:470889

Self contained, good battery life, nice beam shape. I could probably do with a helmet light to see round corners but it’s ok on it’s own.

thinking of the fenix bc30r but not sure if its going to be bright enough (most of the commute is on unlit paths)

That Fenix looks pretty good, tempted to buy one myself. It claims 800 lumens on high, or 1600 on burst – that should be enough enough for most paths? Fenix lumen ratings are usually more realistic than the cheap Chinese lights.
And seems its a somewhat shaped beam, which should be better for seeing where you are going, and not dazzling other traffic.
Found it for about £90 on Ebay.

Anyone tried a Moon LX-760?
I need something as well, ideally self contained. This is about £80.
Moon LX760

Smart 700 USB – http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LISMRT700/smart-700-lumen-usb-front-light

35 quid, seems about as bright as my first generation DX light from a few years ago. The battery lasts 2.5 hours on full I think (haven’t ridden my road bike for that long in the dark tho. Seems very well made (largely out of metal).

I bought one for my little sister and was sufficently impressed I got another for me. Bargain.

Richmars – not tried that Moon, but I have one of the older X-Power lights and it’s actually very good. Got it as a free gift when subscribing to Cycling Weekly. If the one you are looking at is better than the one I have then it’ll be a great piece of kit.

I use it on my helmet with a solar storm on my bars.

It’s quite a bit brighter than my UltraFire torch from Dealextreme, although the cells are quite old now.

Just ordered a xeccon from Torchy on ebay. Self contained, USB charged and 500 lumen on max.

Hammerite,
Thanks, I like it as you can replace the batteries, and it has a remote control!

thanks for all the suggestions

3 votes for the smart 700 and its only £30 makes it an easy choice