The 200lm is 97g
The 500lm is 144g
The 1600lm is 217g
Those are all with the GoPro/out in front light adapter, not the rubber band.
Re the weight issue - some of it comes down to where the holes are on your helmet which may dictate where you can put the light.
Re the weight issue – some of it comes down to where the holes are on your helmet which may dictate where you can put the light.
Agreed, I find it is more the balance than the actual weight.
The 200lm is 97g
The 500lm is 144g
The 1600lm is 217g
Is that just the light unit? sorry, never seen these lights. Mk14 Joystick at 1050 lumens* is 93g for info.
* I tend to not focus on this number, my mk7 Diablo has 1300lumens frinstance, but the joystick is a far better light, has a lovely piercing spot, so I use the Diablo on the bars these days.
Is that just the light unit?
They are all-in-one units.
The good thing about these (besides the price) is that the beam patterns are tailored for the output. Because you only need so much light right infront of you. The 1600 for example has a wide throw with a decent spot in the middle. But the 500 has a similar brightness in the middle but far less spread. I reckon this actually makes it better on road. The 200 is really quite a tight spot which remains quite bright; this means that you can still ride effectively with it despite there being far less light output overall.
Of course the downside is that you cannot mix and match beam patterns and light output - if you put the 1600lm on its 500lm setting then its worse than the 500 on full because the light's spread out a lot. To achieve that in an all-in-one unit you'd need either a focusable lamp or multiple LEDs with different beam patterns and the ability to selectively turn off the flood or spot ones.
SK with a bright enough torch you may not need two, but locally the dense undergrowth means you ride blind in some sections, until it dies back. Experience also tells me, you get a better overall depth perception, and if one unit dies mid ride, your not completely f***ed. If I could get away with one, it would be much easier though.
Oh yeah it's situational I get that, I just meant I was happy enough with the 1600 on it's own.
Fair comment/recommendation SQ, & cheers Molgrips for weighing them.
I thought I had the 1000lm too but I cannot for the life of me find it.. so now I'm wondering if I just thought about buying it instead of actually buying it.. I are confuse..
I've just bought the Bikehut 1600. It feels really solid. I've used a Hope QR mount, and found that a rotor bolt worked perfectly to attach it to the light!
Not used it yet, it's still charging. Think it's going to be great for committing, especially for adding a bit of off-road during the winter months.
I use a Solarstorm on the helmet, either with an extension lead to a battery in my pocket or a pack, or sometimes with a battery ziptied to the rear of the helmet, semi balancing the light unit. I can definitely feel the extra weight of the battery then!
I use a Bastid light on the bars, either with a battery strapped to the frame, or linked into the main battery on my ebike.
I have just bought an eBay 2x18650 integrated light & battery to see what that is like on the bars.
After reading Torchy the Battery Boy's blog I decided I wanted a Fluxient Elite S3, as he recommends. Instead of getting one straight away I thought I'd wait till winter.
It seems he no longer sells them, and I cannot find anywhere else that has them - are they no longer made?
Does anyone know where they can be bought? Or of a similar product? I particularly want something that is StVZO compliant.
First ride last night with my Diablo and Maxx D and came away super impressed and relieved I hadnt wasted lots of money! I was also surprised the small bracket for the Maxx D didnt move once and I did some drops and large doubles.
I've had cheap Cree stuff of eBay for several years and always found mounting battery packs annoying and the weight once both were mounted to the helmet even more annoying. Not to mention having to buy new battery packs every couple of months as theyd just give up holding charge and then have to be wary of them catching fire and burning down my house when charging.
The diablo and Maxx D were really bright, really good spread and depth of light on the Maxx D, both were super easy to fit with the added bonus of having built in batteries so no strapping battery packs to me or my frame. The tap feature on the diablo was super easy to use, thought the reflex on the Maxx D would dim it on the climbs more but I think its always learning so will dim more over time. Cant wait to more night rides now the evenings are drawing in.
Has anyone got any budget helmet light recommendations / is there a cheaper alternative to something like a Joystick?
I've previously been using an old Fenix LD20 torch but it has become increasingly unreliable, overheats and cuts out, and it isn't that bright compared to newer stuff so it's time to replace it. I've also had a cheap Cree torch (Single 18650) but that didn't last long at all.
I'd like it to be self contained with no external battery, as light as possible, as bright as possible and not cost too much (Less that £50?). Quite happy with another Fenix or similar but thought I'd ask to see if there are some better options that fit the bill?
Has anyone got any budget helmet light recommendations / is there a cheaper alternative to something like a Joystick?
I’ve previously been using an old Fenix LD20 torch but it has become increasingly unreliable, overheats and cuts out, and it isn’t that bright compared to newer stuff so it’s time to replace it. I’ve also had a cheap Cree torch (Single 18650) but that didn’t last long at all.
I’d like it to be self contained with no external battery, as light as possible, as bright as possible and not cost too much (Less that £50?). Quite happy with another Fenix or similar but thought I’d ask to see if there are some better options that fit the bill?
I had this exact requirement and ended up treating myself to an Exposure Axis, then shortly after I ordered a Chilli tech bullet cam Ive been getting adds for their lights which look pretty good.
I've no experience of their lights and the Exposure unit is lovely with a great mount and output, but I'd probably have taken punt on the £35 ish helmet light.
(The Exposure light is also over 3 times the output)
Has anyone got any budget helmet light recommendations / is there a cheaper alternative to something like a Joystick?
Bikehut
mr whippy, it might be worth just checking that the contacts on your existing units are not just tarnished if they use separate batteries. this can happen quite readily with the higher powered torches. just use scotchbrite or a kitchen scourer to clean them up if so. unless you just want new shiny. in which case exposure, and go the model up. having light and duration in reserve is a good thing.
Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I'll check out the Chilli & Bikehut ones.
I was thinking I may just be able to get some new batteries for the Fenix so I'll have a look at cleaning the connections whilst I'm at it.
And yes, if all else fails I'll get an Exposure!
I use a Moon Vortex Pro on my helmet for night riding (with a Bikehut 1600
on the bars).
Pretty compact / lighter than the previous 1850 Chinese torch thing I used before / within budget I’d have thought and you can get a cheap go pro mount for it for a fiver.
Been using mine a few years now with no issues.
Just ordered a Solarstorm X2 thanks to this thread. That can go on my helmet then I just need to try to set aside my hatred of Halfords and get the Bikehut 1600Lmn lite you all seem to be using
set aside my hatred of Halfords
Plenty of good basic stuff in there these days. Just don't have any work done.
For STVZO-style lights, these came up on a facebook ad thing..
ANyone used them?
https://www.outboundlighting.com/product/focal-series-road-edition/
Pricey, but looks good.
Not cheap, but very good, though unless you're wanting to ride fast on properly dark nights and twisty roads probably not enough better than the Ixon Core to justify the extra cost.
The Trail Edition is also nice, although I don't find the mounting as stable as Exposure lights.
