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Had a cracking ride in the rain and darkness last night - three of us all really pushing each other. But I was woefully underlit and that limited my speed to about 20ish on the trails to avoid hitting something. Not handy. Currently have a Hope 1 - 240 lumens. It's been fine for most duties but this ride really did need proper lighting.
I know this question comes along time and time again but my criteria might be a bit different.
Prefer helmet mounted - mines' bar mounted and so tight corners were tricky. NOT interested in a DX Magicshine torch - must be a "proper" bike light.
Preferably 1000 lumens or more and able to mount on a Spesh 2D helmet without breaking it!
Contenders seem to be Four4th lights (I think), a not top end Lupine (top end are just too pricey IMO) and errrmm - that's it!
NOT interested in a DX Magicshine torch - must be a "proper" bike light.
No such thing as a Magic Shine Torch. The Magic Shine light however is a proper light.....and is also available helmet mounted.
Anyways....as you are looking for something reassuringly expensive then talk to [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/profile/trout ]Trout[/url].
First ride with a Troutelight mini last night and very happy,bar or helmet mount available too.
Four4th are ace on the helmet. Definately a contender and the all in price represents good value. The mounting system is robust and neat and the light itself is really very small but oh so bright.
No problems with mine and i have been running one for 12 months now using it once or twice a week!
personally I'd split the difference and get some lights on the bars and your helmet.
If you have cash to spend then perhaps an exposure maxx D on the bars and a diablo on your head? Just under 1700 lumens in total and 'proper'kit to boot.
EDIT: plus of course NO CABLES, which for me is paramount
Is the one light on the bars one on the helmet approach the generally accepted "best" way to kit up for night riding?
But I was woefully underlit and that [b]limited my speed to about 20ish [/b]on the trails to avoid hitting something.
That's pretty slow for you...I assume this was climbs?
How about a Hope 4 on the bars and helmet mount the Hope 1? I've got a 4 on the bars and an Exposure Joystick on the lid, works well.
I use Hope 4 Vision on the bars plus an Eagletac P100 C2 LED torch on the helmet using a Joystick mount,awesome combination!
The other thing to remember about helmet lights is they're very handy when you have a mechanical and need to do trail side repairs in the dark.TRy it with bar mounted lights,it's a nightmare.
Four4th are ace on the helmet. Definately a contender and the all in price represents good value. The mounting system is robust and neat and the light itself is really very small but oh so bright.
Are half the Trolls on commission from Four4th? Other lights are available you know! 😐
😉
Jamie - not wanting "reassuringly expensive" or I'd go for a £600 Lupine!
One mate had helmet and bike mounted Ayups, the other had a single helmet mounted (but old) Lupine and it was like having an aircraft searchlight! Amazing!
If that Four4th light can get near that, I'd be happy.
Shortcut - sounds veeery interesting! How does it compare to other stuff?
Thanks for that highly relevant post Yoss...
hey, it [b]is[/b] on topic! 😉
anyways, as far as light go, you're in a win win situation as there's lots of decent manufacturers out there. As I said earlier a cable free system is a major plus in my opinion and I can highly recommned the build quality and backup from exposure.
Go for the helmet mount version of the Magicshine bike Lamp
I've run mine for over a year now with no probs!
Preferably 1000 lumens or more and able to mount on a Spesh 2D helmet without breaking it!
gonna be difficult. Very very few of the commercial lights will get close to that. troutlight or similar leading edge tech required.
a real 600 lumen is loads and gives you a lot more choice. Your hope ! will be well under 200 real lumens I bet.
Jamie - not wanting "reassuringly expensive" or I'd go for a £600 Lupine!
youd be highly dissapointed if you did that -
Look at the exposure range - you dont need a maxx D i maintain if i bought again id have the enduro
i have maxx d and joystick and only use the middle setting on the maxxd
Depending what set up you go for you should also look at what the beam does - if you keep your Hope 1 as a helmet mount look for something that gives a decent amount of flood for the bar mount.
you dont need a maxx D i maintain if i bought again id have the enduro
yep I agree. I use the maxx d for my commutes through the woods throughout the winter and its 960 lumens are overkill.
awesome light
Four4th claim 1200 lumens - is that a bit optimistic?
Surf-Mat - MemberFour4th claim 1200 lumens - is that a bit optimistic?
I would think so - most manufacturers quote theoretical max - real light output is around 3/4 of that depending how good the optics and heatsinking is.
The lead time manufacturers have means they are always behind the cutting edge of the tech as LEDs are developing so quickly. xpe leds ( last years wizzo led) in the four4th light, xpgs ( this years) in teh trouties as he is a bit more nimble 🙂
its not necessarily optimistic, its just how that output is delivered in terms of beam spread/flood.
your best bet is to trawl the net and look for some pics/vids of each light in operation
I reckon in the real world the Four4th and my Maxx D dish out about the same amount of light. Possibly they are slightly brighter but not 100% sure.
PP - no - not on commission. Just impressed by the light and pleased to be a customer. Yes - there are other lights but these are pretty good and a really neat unit on the helmet. I haven't seen another helmet light I would swap it for if I am honest. And the cable to the battery is long enough to put the battery in a jersey pocket (so my backpack and helmet are not linked).
I've helmet mounted my Hope 1 and used a light with a broader beam on the bars before - it works quite well but the Hope is a little too heavy to be entirely comfortable imo. Definately an option though.
Check out LEDgend lights @ [url= http://www.ledgendlights.co.uk ]www.ledgendlights.co.uk[/url]
How about one of these?
[url= http://www.bikelightingsystem.com/seca1400.html ]Seca1400[/url]
Note the bit in the blurb about the claimed output v the measured output of the Hopes.
I love the wirelessness of my exposure light and found bodging a torch on the helmet with a 2fish useful but not that stable and hard to direct. A joystick on the lid would be more than bright enough combined with a P7 powered light on the bars.
Hope 4 on the bars and either Joystick (mixed light and dark rides) or Ayups (proper dark ride) on the lid. Plenty light for me
I am happy with my Joystick, they do a "add" on light for the joystick and doubles the output....I am thinking of getting one...
I do have poor eyesight but found the Joystick stuck to the Helmet to be ok for slow technical rides but ....just not good enough for riding fast. I was using it in conjunction with an older Lupine Edison (which is great) and will probably punt the joystick and put something more powerful on the helmet this season.
my ayups are waay brighter on the helmet than my Joystick, plus a lot lighter as I run the battery on my camelbak strap. In fact I don't notice the weight on them at all, whereas i can feel the added weight of the Joystick on bouncy trails
You can tell its getting a bit darker at night can't you !!
Lights:
DX (helmet or bar) for a cheap and cheerful option, there is no better bang for your buck if you accept the average build quality and put the battery in a better holder and lash a bit of mastic around the light lens.
Exposure: If you don't want cables, but have a few bob to spare.
Trout: My fave because he is a top bloke, uses the latest LED's, designs a superb product and well because he is a great bloke
Lupine: Because you have more money than sense.
Four4th: I went to buy one last year and they did not get back to me after 4 email reminders, it might be a good product but if no one gets back to you then I guess it speaks for itself.
Here's a radical idea. Slow down a bit. It's dark, accept the fact you may not actually be able to ride at the same speed as broad daylight?
All this stuff about lights with thousands!! Of lumins sort of misses the whole point of night riding, no?
Nickr, the question is why do you ride at night, is it because it is the only chance and you are aiming to get race fit.
Or do you ride at night to ride at night. The first demands good lights and th second ever-readies
I also think recreating daylight is kind of taking the magic out of night riding, but I guess people like to brag about the length of their, i mean the number of lumens, and so on, rather than actually riding their bikes.
On that note I've got some light queries but aimed at the cheap end of the market, so might start another light thread :op
Mrmo, so that's accounted for 3 people on this site... The rest presumably need to chill out a bit. Output war is becoming a point in itself...