Which rear LED light? « Singletrack Forum

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Which rear LED light?

30 posts & 18 voices | Started 4 months ago by cp | Latest reply from topper

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cp - Member

So now another Smart 1/2watt (the older style) has given up the ghost, what do I replace it with??! Are the newer Smarts (Polaris and Lunar) any more waterproof/durable? Or should I jump ship to cateye (LD600 going cheapish in places, though I seem to remember having bracket issues on one of these) or LD610?? Smart would be nice as I have numerous brackets for them.

Anything else to consider?

Needs to:-

Run on AA or AAA batteries
Be nice and bright
If it's expensive (more than £30), then easily (and I mean very easily - tool free) switch between bikes

I could just get a few £5 Smart Polaris 1/2 watt from PX....

Posted 4 months ago #
elzorillo - Member

I've had a few but settled on the Smart Luna and it's very good..

smart luna

Edit: also quite discreet too.

Posted 4 months ago #
ohnohesback - Member

Thread hijack.

I'm looking for help in identifying a rear LED light. I can't tell you anything about it apart from the fact that when I saw it in flashing mode, instead of blinking on and off, it pulsed from a bright light to a still brighter light. Any ideas what it may be?

Posted 4 months ago #
organic355 - Member

Exposure flare, really really bright and really quick to move between bikes, runs on rechargeable batteries, comes with charger.

£35.99 at evans, maybe cheaper elsewhere.

heres mine

Posted 4 months ago #
organic355 - Member

ohnohesback, that also sounds like the flare:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROr2tGJ37WQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UIB4JZGxc8

Posted 4 months ago #
cp - Member

The flare sounds good except... it doesn't run on AA's, and I don't want to have ANOTHER battery standard going on the bike!

Posted 4 months ago #
organic355 - Member

why does it matter what size of batteries?

Posted 4 months ago #
pedalhead - Member

I'm looking for help in identifying a rear LED light. I can't tell you anything about it apart from the fact that when I saw it in flashing mode, instead of blinking on and off, it pulsed from a bright light to a still brighter light. Any ideas what it may be?

Sounds like it could be the one I have, which is essentially the USA version of the Smart Luna linked to above. I got mine from the 'States as I found the flashing version wasn't available over here at the time. It's got 2 bright LEDs and one super bright LED. They flash in such a way that a driver would have to be blind to not see you.

Posted 4 months ago #
nixie - Member

ohnohesback,could also be a dinnote 140R

OP,

If I was buying now it would be a flair, relatively cheap, plenty of power and can easily be moved between bikes. The low high flash is also great as you get better run times and the light is never off.

Posted 4 months ago #
rightplacerighttime - Member

I've got Flare too + whatever the front one is called - very good. You need to get the rechargeable batteries for it though as it runs a bit brighter with them than with the non-rechargeable ones - so quite expensive for the whole setup.

Posted 4 months ago #
rightplacerighttime - Member

Flare does the pulse thing rather than on/off

Posted 4 months ago #
cp - Member

why does it matter what size of batteries?

I have a load of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries, and a rapid charger to suit. I'd rather not have to stock up on yet more batteries - the flare uses rcr123a... it would be another £20 for the charger & batteries...

Posted 4 months ago #
kiwijohn - Member

Knog.
AAA batteries
Straps on for easy interchanging.

Posted 4 months ago #
organic355 - Member

its worth it though , its a great light.

Posted 4 months ago #
cp - Member

which knog are you suggesting there kiwijohn

Posted 4 months ago #
reggiegasket - Member

+1 Flare

All the placky ones die eventually. Flare is bright and not made of cheese.

Posted 4 months ago #
kiwijohn - Member

I'm not real sure which one I have. May be the Gecko? Takes 3 AAA batteries.

Posted 4 months ago #
reggiegasket - Member

I'll be selling a new Flare charger by the end of the week

Posted 4 months ago #
pedalhead - Member

I think this is the one I have...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr5yA1SNE2M

Posted 4 months ago #
rewski - Member

Flare all the way, had a problem with my charger but was replaced, no issues since, 2 year guarantee too.

Had several commuters ask my about them at them at RLs.

Posted 4 months ago #
cp - Member

reggiegasket - I may be interested. Could you send me an email to address in profile with details - i.e. how much you want for it!!!

Posted 4 months ago #
binners - Member

I've got a Smart Luna 25 clipped on my pack and a Knog Bullfrog on the bike. The Smart is crazy bright!

Some great deals on them at On One at the moment

much cheapness

Posted 4 months ago #
docstar - Member

Got a blackburn mars 4 a few weeks ago, good bright light, used to use just a knog frog and it isn't very good compared to the mars. I think the knog was recommended somewhere like bikeradar but I should've went straight for the blackburn.

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

I just run two or three cheapies - one on constant the others on flash. Plenty bright enough and yo can leave them on the bike and not care. don't seem to fail often anyway

Posted 4 months ago #
mustard - Member

ohnohesback - sounds like a NiteRider Cherry Bomb which I would highly recommend with the caveat that you need a mudguard if you want them to last. I though it was just the latest version that was poorly sealed but my older generation one has now let in salty spray and died

The one watt version is ludicrously bright!

EDIT: I'll just add that I will get another, I'm going to put silicone sealant in/on it before use though. I'll just reapply it when I change the batteries.

another edit: I would highly recommened a wee cheapie backup type led on the helmet front and back to help idiotic car drivers notice you and I'm going to try and find some of the battery powered fairy lights to string around my bag.

Posted 4 months ago #
clubber - Member

I have a Smart Lunar R2 and it's great - two very bright LEDs - and excellent value.

If someone doesn't see you with it, they'll not see you with anything IMO.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=56550

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/accessories/lights/back/product/review-smart-lunar-r2-light-11-44431

Posted 4 months ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

Saw a flare the other day, wasn't that impressed.

Fibreflare for me.

AAA batteries.

Posted 4 months ago #
snotrag - Member

Definitely the Smart R2 as posted just up there.

Has 2 of the Power LEDs the Luna, or the Smart superflash has.

Very, very good.

Posted 4 months ago #
cp - Member

Went with a lunar r2 and a Polaris 1/2 watt

Cheers all.

Posted 4 months ago #
topper - Member

From years of communting, and many (probably hundreds of) pounds spent on different light combinations, i find the Flare the best rear ive used. Both for build-quality and easy-swappiness. Non-recharge battery will last about 10 to fifteen useable hours, depending on air temp.

Posted 4 months ago #