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Hello,
I'm looking at buying a decent light for night riding, and am looking for suggestions. I've worked in the bike trade for yonks, and to my shame I know nothing about lights!
I've had one of the £30 shitters off ebay, and it failed after a few rides. The problem was with the battery so they sent me another one, and the same thing happened (this time, in the middle of a [b]very[/b] dark commute home.)
So, I'm after something good quality and would rather spend a bit more if it's going to last.
I've had Exposure lights recommended and I've heard Hope are pretty good too, but I just want to get a feel for what everyone's using.
So, which makes and models is everyone using? Particularly positive/negative reviews?
What sort of power level should I be looking for (lumens)?
Cheers.
Any second now somebody will post up the dozens of threads discussing this topic...
I bought a luminator from mtbbatteries and its ace, helmet or bar mounted. Does what it says on the tin. UK supplied by smudge who posts up on here and has a great customer service record.
There are other eBay sellers selling cheaper sets but they don't sound as good to me for service, too far away if it goes to pot. But some have lasted well.
I'm sure there are others ... Cue posts from others. 🙂
MTBR have just done their annual light shoot out - lots of data including measured lumens and comments on beam pattern, beam shots etc.
http://reviews.mtbr.com/2013-bike-lights-shootout
Just be careful to read too much in to some manufacturers claimed lumen outputs.
As you will see from the measured lumens figures [url= http://reviews.mtbr.com/2013-bike-lights-shootout-mtbr-lumen-tests ]here[/url] , many manufacturers claims (especially from Chinese based light makers) are to be taken with a large pinch of salt.
Claims of 1200-1800 lumens from a single XML emitter or 2000+ from 2 are wishful thinking.
You can generally assume the following -
1 x XML T6 or U2 emitter - 600 to 800 lumens
2 x XML T6 or U2 emitter - 800 to 1400 lumens
4 x XPG emitter - 850 to 950 lumens
There are a few exceptions to this rule from high end manufacturers like Trout on here.
Ay Ups have been great for me. The v4 gives helmet and bar mount
loads of threads and reviews and stuff on here.
After lots of reading and angst decided that the first light I'd get wouldn't be the luminator, which seems excellent value and quality, and would be a bit cheaper - but decided the chinese ones off ebay were slightly too much risk. So just bought the candbseen 1200 light - excellent build quality, bright light, and good value. Got two torches too - one zoomable and one standard, one of which I'll give to someone for Christmas and keep the other one. All good quality, with UK warranty and backup. Seemed a great price/performance/longevity/quality balance point to me.
update: c&b seen bought - excellent bright light, good beam pattern and battery pack. Also bought torch, which is also great. Ideal mix of value for money, performance, and UK warranty.
Yes another vote for c and b seen from me - their 1000 lumen light is great and not expensive
Another for C&BSeen here too asI got 2 x 1200 lumen kits for helmet & bars for Christmas.
Only done one ride with them so far in very difficult conditions (heavy rain & mist in very muddy woods), but my initial impressions are good. Plenty of power, decent spread of light & good battery life. Excellent value for money at around £45 per set!
Only criticism so far would be for the battery pack case which is pretty crude & heavily rubbed my frame (should have put some protective tape on first I guess). I might also look into whether its possible to change the lense for the light on my bars as a broader beam might be better, but I really need to get a few more rides under my belt before I do anything.
I am liking these, and have been using them for a couple of years now.
[IMG] 
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www.four4th.co.uk
C&B Seen + 1
Just taken delivery of a Lumenator from MTB Batteries myself and it's an amazing piece of kit.
So tiny but so much light and a very useable beam pattern.
Can't get over how good it is for the price (£122 delivered)
Personally I love the 20 quid Chinese lights, I've just brought another but my previous have lasted 2 winters abuse now and for the money I think it's well worth the risk! However, for something of better quality then I think the exposure reflex is hard to beat, although is very expensive, I also think the hope lights I have seen some mates use are good! And from the pictures I've seen on here I think the troute lights are great to bit have no first hand experience of them
I use one of the original ones from MTBbatteries. Works well, good support, well-priced, that sort of thing. More than enough light for most things. I run that mounted on my helmet, with a Lezyne Power-Drive on the bars (picked it up whilst cheap on Sportpursuit). Battery on the Power Drive seems to last forever on full beam, and I've had comfortably 6ish hours out of it.
just bought a gloworm X1 from CRGMoto, NENinja on here. its frickin awesome. tiny and kicks out loads of light. perfect to accompany the X2 i bought from him too. Not left wanting for anymore light. and good value IMO, great back up from the manufacturer too