Hi all,
Looking for a bit of advice. I've done a bit of research, but to be honest have very little knowledge on the matter, so any help would be much appreciated.
So to remind everyone, but the evenings are quickly drawing in, and it won't be long until I'll be needing a light to go out riding in the evening.
Looking for something with decent power, and a not-too-spotlighty pattern (not a ridiculously bright central spot, and contrasting dull halos).
Ideally both helmet and bar mount, and rechargeable too, with a reasonable battery life
Looking to spend around £60 or lower if possible, but will spend a little more if such a light doesn't exist at this price.
Many thanks
Lumenator.
EDIT : Just seen the chinese cheapo light thread 🙄 doh!
Still would be interested to see what people uncover though.
Lumenator.
Looks fantastic, but £115 ! 😯
Worth every penny.
Worth every penny.
I'm sure, but it's quite hard to swallow spending that amount on a torch!
Cheap and cheerful, yep the chinese lights are the way to go.
for something a bit more solid and well built but expensive try www.troutie.com. I bought a lumenator last year for the Inners day/night enduro and it is like the lamp of a thousand suns in full mode. Low and medium are absolutely plenty.
Also the cheap chinese lights have no real back up if things go wrong along with an inferior build quality so it may be a false economy buying cheap. Yes the Luminators are a bit pricey but if you will be using it a lot then it really is worth the cash.
You can get single cree lights on EBay from UK sellers for £15.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=200855315142
I got one as a spare light a fortnight ago, took a week to arrive. Battery wasn't very well water proofed but I've wrapped it in self amalgamating tape. Only used it once so far but seems OK, wouldn't want to rely on it as my only light though.
Got a Hope R4 as my main light.
In two minds now.
Has anyone had an experience with one of these:
Seems a little stupid spending £115 on a torch when I could get 7 of those things and still be under £115.
Or something a little more robust looking, anybody used one of these bad boys :
^EBay one is same as the one I bought.
Or a Lumenator looky likey from Hong Kong for £34, but you won't get the same support as you would from MTB batteries/Smudge.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281126901995
^EBay one is same as the one I bought.
@Simon - how do you rate it?
EDIT: Battery life, power, charge time etc.
I've just received one of these cheeky monkeys.
[img] ybqBR1PwSHQoQ~~60_58.JPG)
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Looks well made and it's absolutely tiny! Will post a review once Ive used it in anger.
I've just received one of these cheeky monkeys.
Link pls.
Bregante, that looks like a good bit of kit for the price, very Lumenator-esqe in the design. If its as good in the light department as quoted a decent battery might be a good upgrade for about 30 quid.
That looks like it could be perfect!
Could you give me an idea of how powerful it is?
Go for the Singapore make lamps every time, used various lumens from 900 to 6000 over the last few years and never had one fail yet and if they do, chuck em and buy another...you know it makes sense. P.s. got a 6000 lumen lamp and battery for sale if interested...?
P.s. got a 6000 lumen lamp and battery for sale if interested...?
Not right now, still gonna do a little bit more research. Have you got a link for it, or photos?
Are the batteries universal for most of these lights? (assuming they are the same voltage of course)
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Batteries are 18650's joined together in either groups of 4, 6 or 8's for longer burn times. check out lightmalls.com
Depends on how much you will use them. I got am XML derivative which was way better than the fenix torches for output but sadly proved unreliable with lots of use. Now I ride at full pelt until 11pm every tuesdaynight I wanted something awesome with no cables massive runtime and warranty. I like buying uk made stuff so bought a coke can light from Exposure. It's ace even if it cost a princely sum!
Depends on how much you will use them. I got am XML derivative which was way better than the fenix torches for output but sadly proved unreliable with lots of use. Now I ride at full pelt until 11pm every tuesdaynight I wanted something awesome with no cables massive runtime and warranty. I like buying uk made stuff so bought a coke can light from Exposure. It's ace even if it cost a princely sum!
Cheers, yeah it would be nice to go for something quality and British, but I don't have the money. Think I'll end up going for the Red thing Bregante linked.
that x2 does look very lumenator in all but the shape of the body.....
and switches....and back plate......not really the same then...
looking forward to the user review on here.
I've got one of those X2s on order. There's a thread on mtbr about them where almost everyone seems impressed (with the lamp if not the battery).
Big thank you to tcairns
Just ordered a 6000 lumin 7 LED job from lightmalls. 55 quid delivered.
Cheers
Sorry for the delay but due to holidays and work commitments I have only just got round to using the lights I linked above. I've just been reminded by email that I promised a review - of sorts...
I'm not going to do any beam shots or owt but I ran it bar mounted last night on the Monday night pub ride and have to say that I was really, really impressed. Before I used it for the first time I fully charged it and left it switched on at full power next to my existing magicshine helmet light in my garage and was pleasantly surprised to see that 4 hours later it was still going strong where my lid lamp was on its last legs. It was a bit hot but that can only be expected in those circumstances.
On last nights ride it seemed to have loads of power on low and medium and a couple of other riders remarked how bright it was. There's a large "hot spot" on the low setting and in the middle although this didn't seem as noticeable when it was on full power and it just seems like an awful lot of light for the money.
The Velcro bag for attaching the battery was a bit crap with a. Stupidly long Velcro strap so I converted an old water bottle which should also address any waterproofing issues through the winter.
In summary - a bloody bargain!
that's interesting Russ; my gf is after a good light for offroad duties and can't/doesn't want to spend much. i might point her in that direction now!
I went to bright bike lights.com and love mine. Thinking of going to ebay for spare batteries, maybe a second lamp for my lid- cant go far wrong with the price!
I was gonna say just get the £15 XML lights but that X2 looks nice. Maybe get one of them for the bars and a cheapo XML light for your helmet.
Grum, that's the combo I've got and I couldn't really want more! Two thirds of last nights ride I only used the lights on low and medium settings because I was casting shadows on the riders in front!
Cheers Bregante, I've been looking at lights for ages and I've just ordered your link.
Now to find a torch for the lid.
Before I used it for the first time I fully charged it and left it switched on at full power next to my existing magicshine helmet light in my garage and was pleasantly surprised to see that 4 hours later it was still going strong
I bought the same light, but it sounds like you have a much better battery than me, as mine died after 1hr 15mins on full power.
The indicator dropped from 3 lights to the light switching off within 15ins!
Shame as the light output is great.
Mine drops to 2 lights the second you switch the bloody thing on.
Seems ok apart from that though - not tried a full run time yet though
Rich - I was worried about the batteries too but figured I could always buy uk sourced replacements from smudge or similar if they don't perform but so far so good and as you say the output is great so it would still be worth doing IMO.
Yes I plan to buy a better battery for it.
Should still be good value all in.
🙂
Though, if the head unit lives up to its potential then it might be worth adding a better battery.
Since you specifically said not spotlighty, I'm going to say just avoid the old-style single XML lights, they are bright but very focussed- too focused IMO.
I have the x2,
It arrived last week after taking two weeks to arrive.
The light it gives off is excellent but due to being injured have only ran it for twenty minutes on full while trying it out. and all three indicator lights stayed lit.
If I have got this right,
If all three of the indicator lights are lit the battery power level is between 100% and 80%.
If two are lit, level is between 80% and 50%, And one lit below 50%.
I don't see how much better a £150 light could be and why you would need anymore light than the x2 could provide.
Providing it lasts at least a year trouble free it will be well worth the money.
That sounds about right for the battery chip, just be aware that you may have a fairly rubbish battery.
Mine stayed at 3 lights for an hour, then within another 15 minutes had died completely.
Don't get caught out and carry a spare light/battery.
hi I'm the one who was asking about the Chinese lights, after a bit of feedback and having brought the single lights off eBay before, me and a few riders from the area are clubbing together to buy a few of the twin light(about 10 at the moment :lol:)to get a bit of discount off an already cheap light!
I've only had one issue with a battery was dead on delivery but they sent another one out without question,
I have had my other single cree for about a year and half, still running great but need a wider spread beam.
Get one you will NOT be disappointed for the money!
Just by way of an update I switched mine back on at 1130 this morning and left it running in the garage and in that time it's gone from2lights down to one on the battery strength indicator but in my opinion it would still be quite useable to get you around off road. I would guess it has now dimmed somewhat but there's is still a discernible difference between the low mid and high settings.
I used it for around 1.5 to 2 hrs last night - mostly at low and mid strength so all told it is easily doing 3 hrs
Cheers for the headsup on that one Bregante
For £30 I`ve ordered one too(Fully expecting to buy a decent battery from smudge for it as well if the head is good)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/big_f_d_d/m.html?item=300958158756&pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&hash=item4612810fa4&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
anyone used this guys stuff,heard some good reviews and he's local into the bargain so if anything goes wrong i can nip in and get it sorted..
this is okay for 50 quid
http://www.lightmalls.com/powerful-sky-ray-7-t6-bicycle-light-set-8-18650-battery-pack-3-modes-6000lm
For a fiver you can get a lens to convert the spotlighty ones to a spread beam. I haven't used it off road yet with that lens but on road it is great and I see no reason why it would not be fine for off road, especially in conjunction with a lamp on hthe head. Several folk on the road run were dashing off to get a similar light after following me.
Hainman that's [url= http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/ ]Torchy the battery boy[/url] , as per the link he reviews and sells lights (batteries and bit & pieces). He obviously has a reasonable Ebay rep, and his site is often quoted as a source of light reviews.
I find it hard to believe that he's not slightly biased towards his own product, but from what I've seen it would only be 'slightly'.
EDIT: It might not seem obvious from my post, but I would be happy buying from him. Those [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3000-Lumen-Fluxient-3x-XM-L-U2-with-solid-swivel-mount-brightest-on-the-market-/300951753844?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item46121f5474 ]3x XML fluxient lights[/url] look like one the best value and reliable high powered lights currently on sale
pS: I'm awaiting delivery of one of those unts like Bregante's, to compliment/replace my other lights.
Aye it does look pretty bright,i know a couple of guys who run his lights,just wondered if anyone here had bought his stuff,would have went done the chinese route but these lights look pretty bright and more than enough for my riding,or lack of,never done the night riding but think its time i wet my whistle
@Warpcow @Begante - Do you have a linky to the thread over on MTBR for the solarstorm X2
Thanks for the link bregante - £28 bargain. Ive currently got a genuine Magicshine MJ872 not sure how much better the solarstorm would be though???? worth a punt at £28.
Wouldn't mind reading the thread first on MTBR.
J273 - MemberThanks for the link bregante - £28 bargain. Ive currently got a genuine Magicshine MJ872 not sure how much better the solarstorm would be though????
Probably not any better tbh, on paper they should perform pretty similiarly, though a wee bit tighter beamed from the looks of it.
Thanks for the ups and mentions guys.... I'm finding it harder year by year to compete against the imports, and can see why if im honest. why spend £100+ for a light when you can spend £20.. i'd be the same if i'm honest. firstly, above all, make sure you wrap the battery in a plastic bag they're not the bestest weatherproofed, so give it a chance.
But thanks again for the support, the lights are a small part of the business now and I guess you can see why, but still got a new light coming out, so not giving up that easy 🙂
I'm just reading about trail lights as well since nights have started drawing in a bit and I want to do some night riding this year.
After reading a few threads here and there, is it right to conclude that if I buy a Chinese import then quality wont necessarily be great and I'm probably going to be replacing batteries and resoldering LEDs every now and again?
With this in mind should I just buy the cheapest I can find which has a reasonable case and just be ready to replace bits when the time comes?
Should I just get a decent one instead?
chambord - MemberAfter reading a few threads here and there, is it right to conclude that if I buy a Chinese import then quality wont necessarily be great and I'm probably going to be replacing batteries and resoldering LEDs every now and again?
Right on the first, not on the second. If you choose a good one, then it's as likely to give you a troublefree life as any other good light (more likely than if you buy a Hope 😉 ). Chinese lights come in all flavours from cheap and rubbish, to cheap and effective, to fairly expensive and unimpressive, to really very good. But people keep judging them based on the cheapest options.
Rich - Member
Yes I plan to buy a better battery for it.
Should still be good value all in.
So is there any links to better battery for that light that bregante has reviewed?
Grum, that's the combo I've got and I couldn't really want more! Two thirds of last nights ride I only used the lights on low and medium settings because I was casting shadows on the riders in front!
Cool - I've decided to take a punt on this one with no battery pack - $26 including delivery:
http://www.lightmalls.com/solarstorm-x2-2u2-2000lm-led-bike-light-head-red-head-lamp-only
I'd like a link to a decent battery pack/charger as well It looks like from that thread that I should be able to use the existing battery packs off my cheapo single P7/XML lights for now.
This looks a bit better quality than the standard ones that you normally get:
http://www.lightmalls.com/black-color-8-4v-4-18650-battery-pack-for-bicycle-light
No idea how good the actual batteries are though.
Having had two C&B Seen Chinese lights get me through last winter my input would be that they are pretty good when they work but perhaps not lights to get you through 3 or 4 years of constant use. The connectors are starting to come off and one overheats very quickly so switches to s lower power output to keep cool. Given the price though of the imports you can afford to replace them.
For an alternative "mid" price option look at the Gloworm lights. I have just ordered and X2 v3 after lots of balancing of brightness/ lack of hot spots/ spread/ light weight/ run time/ attachment/ warranty quality/ flexibility on programming light options/ flexibility of changing flood, spot and super spot lenses/ cost and value. I will keep the working Chinese light until it dies then look to upgrade that too...
Does anyone know if the Solarstorm X2 uses the same battery connectors as Magicshine or Fluxient lights?
It suggests it does in that thread on mtbr.
I've got a C & B seen 1200 (ahem!) lumen light. Its pretty good but its a bit bulky to use as a helmet light. Its a bit spotty as well but a diffuser sorts this out
Any alternatives that are a bit smaller?
Received my Luminator today from Smudge @ mtb batteries and had a ride tonight to give it a go and it really is very impressive, a few pics -
Fitted using a Hope universal mount kit:
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zps7ee36b60.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zps7ee36b60.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsfcc6130e.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsfcc6130e.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsdc4f63d4.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsdc4f63d4.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Setting 1:
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zps914bd40c.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zps914bd40c.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Setting 2:
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsfe845d55.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsfe845d55.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Setting 3:
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zps4f61aef0.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zps4f61aef0.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Setting 4:
[URL= http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f229/PSi3/null_zpsa7dc47b0.jp g" target="_blank">
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Going to secure the battery and cables better and probably get a KCNC bar adaptor to raise the light a bit over the cables.
As has been said many times before it appears an excellent product with UK backup (if required).
My Solastorm light turned up today, looks pretty good for the money.
Anyone got a link for a US plug to UK socket adaptor that will work with this ?
Cheers
Dom
Do you not have a 240v shaver point cr500dom?
TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTRDo you not have a 240v shaver point cr500dom?
I don't think I do, ill check when I get home
My solar storm was dispatched today so I reckon 3 weeks and I'll have it.
Yeah I'll need an adapter too.
Mine took around 5 days to arrive
Ah ok, mines coming from Bregantes eBay link and says 20 days on the tracking.
5 days would be great mind.
Mosey, mine said 20 days too but was here in around a week. Cr500dom I bought a travel adaptor plug from asda for about £2 for mine.
Incidentally the battery is still doing fine. Ran the light on medium power for two hours on Monday night and then left it one while we were in the pub after and in that time the battery level indicator went down from 3 to 2. I reckon I could easily have run it for another hour or so.
Brilliant, cheers for the link by the way mate.
I'll grab an adapter from the shops this weekend.
Now I've got no excuse to miss evening rides.
Mine took a week to arrive 😀
Shame I cant try it out as I re-broke my Coccyx at the weekend so I have a couple of weeks off the bike 😥
Thanks again for the Heads up Bregante, really looking forward to trying it out, all the blokes in the office who ride are after one now as well.
I just wanted to try it for that money, I still use an Airbike P7 from On-one as my main light (Although I really want a Spidereyes from Troutie having tried out the 1/2 spidereyes Prototype)
and I have some LUU / Nukeproof lights too but never really use them.
Should sell them really
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130941337921?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648
/p>
Cheers for the link Bregante, just got mine today, very impressed with the power of it. Awesome piece of kit for the money, certainly don,t need to spend any more. Much brighter than my cheapo P7 light which was £30 2 winters ago and still going strong. It'll go on my helmet now 😀
I've just ordered a Cree XML U2. I want to try it as a helmet torch, can anyone tell me where I can get a helmet mount and 1 meter extension cable so I can put the battery in my camelbak.
Ta.
same one but dispatched from the uk ?
it says 5000 lms in title but 1800 in description ?
and only 3 modes , high , low and flashing .
Are folk still using those P7 torches that everyone was raving about a course of years ago?
My X2 solarstorm arrived today, from the link Bregante posted - 5 working days since I ordered and curiously it has a uk postal label on the packaging.
It's pretty bright - the lowest of the 3 settings is as bright as my Joysick (400lm) but a fair bit less spot-like.
£25.99 for the Solarstorm.
I've just been out for a ride with the Solarstorm x2 on the bars and Joystick Mk7 on my helmet.
With mine the lowest setting on the Solarstorm is nowhere near as bright as the Joystick. In fact the Joystick is almost as bright as the Solarstorm on high where it is brightest, it just doesn't have the spread of light the Solarstorm provides.
Tbh I expected the SS to be brighter, but it does have a good spread of light, and is really good when complimented with a head-light.
I'm doing run tests to see how long the battery lasts on the different settings.
On the highest setting the battery died after 1hr 15mins.
On the medium setting I have ran it for 1hr 30mins so far and all 3 indicators are still on. I'll use it again next time without charging and see how long it lasts.
Probably a boring post but just a bit of info for someone considering one of these lights.
On the highest setting the battery died after 1hr 15mins.
That's sad, I saw on another forum, someone managed to get there's to last 4 hours with stock batteries on "high".
I bought one of these in the end
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-Bicycle-bike-Head-Light-Headlamp-Rechargeable-Head-Light-/330958001861?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item4d0ea256c5
I had one as my only light mounted on the handlebars, I was really impressed! Haven't done a battery test, but it was on high for well over an hour and it was fine. Brightness wise, I was impressed, although the spread wasn't amazing. On the twistier trails, a little bit of guess work was required, as I couldn't illuminate directly in front of me, and 10m down the trail, which made things interesting at speed.
For £18, a superb light.
I think having one of the above on my helmet, and ordering an Solarstorm X2 for the handlebars should be the perfect combination though!
Can't really see how some of the European branded lights can possibly be seen as good value with these about.
I saw on another forum, someone managed to get there's to last 4 hours with stock batteries on "high".
I struggle to believe it could ever last that long with the standard sized battery.
One thing I did notice though is if you leave the light on high with no airflow, then after around 5 minutes the light will step down to the lowest setting until it has cooled down.
This would obviously last longer and could trick people into thinking it has lasted that long at the highest setting.
I don't know, just an idea. 🙂
I struggle to believe it could ever last that long with the standard sized battery.One thing I did notice though is if you leave the light on high with no airflow, then after around 5 minutes the light will step down to the lowest setting until it has cooled down.
This would obviously last longer and could trick people into thinking it has lasted that long at the highest setting.
I don't know, just an idea.
Maybe explains it 😉
From what I've heard, high isn't exactly needed, as medium is bright enough for general use.
I don't see how much better a £150 light could be and why you would need anymore light than the x2 could provide.
Providing it lasts at least a year trouble free it will be well worth the money.
1. Step Regulation
2. Better thermal conductivity
3. Better quality control
4. Better quality cells
5. No visible PWM in lower output modes
You get the idea...
My impression of the Chinese units is as follows:
Purchased a cbseen unit and proceeded to ride a red route at a local trail centre in the pitch black.
Without warning the light immediately switches off during a descent. Not good.
It gets returned under warranty and the battery pack now has issues. Never again.
Luckily at the time I had a helmet mounted torch on which Is a Zebralight SC600. It is by no means cheap but I can ride trails with that light alone & can trust it.
Personally I would say that for towpaths / roads / urban then Chinese is fine. For riding at warp speed in the pitch black on a gnarly trail I wouldn't entertain them.