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I've just upgraded my 1.5W dynamo to a 3W one and would quite like a new light to go with it.
Domestically, I've provisionally been given the green light to enter the French Divide next year. Therefore I would quite like a lighting system capable of living on the commuting bike during the winter, but adequate for light off road too.
So, what's good these days? Extra points given for a light capable of charging Garmin / phone as well.
Ta
For use on the road I would really recommend a German light with the cut-off beam pattern to avoid dazzling everyone (not just drivers, cyclists too)
But this may not be best for off road use, depends on what light off road means though I guess.
I have a Schmidt Edelux 2 and it is very good indeed, though I think most of the novelty is just that it is dynamo powered.
I've a B&M dynamo light - fine on roads and canal towpaths. It's linked to a Schmidt SON dynamo.
Usually to charge an electronic device you connect a buffer battery in parallel to the light but I think there's one light that has a USB port that lets you charge.
I was looking at the Busch & Muller ones [url= https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/lighting/busch-muller-lumotec-iq2-luxos-u-senso-headlight-for-hub-dynamos/ ]SJS[/url]
I have supernova e3 dynamo light. Love it. Had it for a few years now, and its been faultless.
I understand the comments of focused beams. Mine is a round beam, but I have the centre of it it pointed about 5m in front of the bike ... the beam then gives a nice bright spot to see the bumps of the road by, and the outer cast shows a wide area around. I think by the time that the beam goes up above the horizontal, its faded considerably and not that bad. I certainly don't point the beam straight out, as its wasted that way ... however, mine is mounted on the stem and can easily be adjusted upwards when needs be for a better view beyond the spot ahead of me.
I would happily get another supernova product.
I also have a Supernova E3, with a matching rear light. I've had it for maybe 5 years now, and I can't really fault it. It's bright, sturdy, adaptable to different ways of mounting, and looks good.
Mine is the version that projects all the light down onto the road, so may not be ideal for off roading, but I appreciate that I don't feel like I'm shining lights into other people's eyes.
Another vote for the edelux 2 from me. Great beam pattern- lights with a cutoff are so much better than torch beam (round) lights, simply because a symmetrical beam will put too much light close to the bike- blinding you and making it harder to see off into the (comparatively) dimly lit distance.
I believe there is one model of B&M light that has the same reflector as the edelux2 and hence the same output.. just in a different case.
Had a exapoure revo since they came out , bar mounted so pointed down for road and a bit further ahead off road.
Long off road climbs and anything that's slow for a while and you still need a helmet light as well
I have a revo and ab+m iqx.
The b+m due to beam shape is much better than the revo for road riding.
The revo is better if you are pushing your bike in the dark as the standlights brighter.
I have a set of B&M lights and a USB Werk on our tandem coupled to a son deluxe. We're able to keep two phones and a powerpack fully charged on tour and the lights are awesome for road riding.
The standlight function is great and the senso rear light with brakelight function is really neat.
On sale here: https://www.rosebikes.com/article/trelock-ls-820-duo-flat-signal-rear-brake-light/aid:642284
I made my own. Standlight and main light that is brighter than any others I've seen. Custom made PCB and used the body of a Chinese light. New genuine CREE XML LEDs and Ledil optics. No cut off lenses unfortunately.
The time I put into it though...
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Nice work!
Did your existing head unit run off a 6v battery / was it an easy conversation to dynamo?
I have a couple of old solar storm x2 sitting about I could use off road but I think by default they run off 8.4v...
Thanks!
The existing light was gutted and I fitted new LEDs. They must be in series to work as two LEDs turn on until 14mph, then the third one lights up over 14mph.
Is the solar storm a twin LED set up? I'd get a cheap magicshine like the one I have as the triple Ledil optics fit. Or any triple Chinese style light will work.
Don't worry about the voltage, you'll be using completely different electronics.
I have loads of the PCBs left over. If you're handy with a soldering iron I can send you some.