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I am after a reasonably priced, lightweight, spot beam light to go on my helmet for night riding. I already have a powerful light on the bars but could do with something extra for seeing round corners.
Doesn't have to have a long battery life as I will only need for descents.
A couple of power modes would be useful and a bar mount so I can also use it for short commutes.
any Ideas?
Solar storm cheap and bar mounts or helmet mounts
not quite a spot IMHO as it has more spread but useful
Careful with the charging as the batteries are of dubious quality
+1 for Solar Storm I use an X2, helmet mount and upgraded battery pack. Loads of throw, and spread, rarely need to use main beam even, mostly mid.
Solarstorm xt40 or whatever it's called seems to be the best of the bunch this winter, so good there are already fakes!
After getting bitten for the first time with crap lights from DX* this winter I've resolved to only buy lamps with a good reputation and build my own batteries with 18650 cells from known sources.
*asked for a refund, got offerd $5 or some such pointless ammount, raised a paypal dispute pointing out that I couldn't return it as it was a Li-ion battery and RM won't take it. DX didn't respond so PP refunded. Binned the light, it was OK, but nowhere near the expected brightness, quite heavy, rubbish fittings and obviously the battery is of dubious provenance.
As above, if you want cheap go for solarstorm, if you want to spend a bit more for a better pruduct then have a look at [url= http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/ ]Smudge's lights[/url]. Or a combo of cheap solarstorm head unit and smudge battery
gloworm X1 now they have a decent distributor.
2cell battery + light fits nice and neat on my giro hex. barely know its there and if you knock it back to a low level when climbing it'll do a 2hr ride quite comfortably. On full its enough light to ride at near enough full speed.
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same battery with X2 light, X1 is even smaller & lower profile.
If you want a bit more piece of mind for quality, and a small (lightweight) and powerful unit with choice of battery packs, try the new Magicshine MJ-858.
Bit more expensive than Chinese nasties, but nicely put together with a proper warranty. Great spread of light too.
Solarstorm xt40 or whatever it's called seems to be the best of the bunch this winter, so good there are already fakes!
There no way I'd want anything that big on my helmet! No doubt a great bar light though.
The cheap option for use on the helmet is the Solar Storm X2, though I wouldn't use the original mounts if you have any low branches on your routes. Buy a MTB Batteries or Gloworm unit, if you want to spend more money for a better quality units (beams/batteries/chargers) and proven support (now GW is sorted..)
I'm not after one with an external pack (I already have this for my main light on the bars)
After something simple like an exposure joystick for on me ed
Think you just answered your own question there mate... Joystick is awesome and has a helmet mount, ive got the old 400 lumen one and its been flawless, with the rear red spot its amazing for commuting on low setting to, being able to ping people you just know are about to pull out into you has saved me much roadrash!
I thought I might have - cant seem to find anything else like it?
Wasnt anything close when I was looking to buy mine (wasa couple of years ago though) I'm sure lenzeye and cateye do something similiar now though, but your not gonna get the same level of power/durability/battery life, and if you can score a joystick on sale you'll probably only save 20-30 quid... Look for a discounted older model, ive got the old 400 lumen version and its p bloody bright! Way way overkill for roads on top setting.
Loads of "torches" available, I used to run the [url= http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/mountain_bike_lights_review_led.html ]orignal P7 torch[/url], maybe something like [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-model-Fluxient-U2-Mini-1100-Lumen-rated-Cree-XM-L-U2-led-2-6Ah-battery-/301568299182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4636df10ae ]this from Torchy?[/url] There are lots of cheaper options available, if you look.
I'd look for a twofish lockblock as a 'low' mount
+1 for Magicshine MJ-858
I like my Lezyne MiniDrive XL on the helmet. Stick the extra battery in your pocket/camelback and you've got pretty long time to play in the dark!
I have a Glow worm X1 and can't fault it.
Very light, very bright, good run time.
The remote control button is useful as you can run it on a low setting then with a simple press have it on full power.
You can program the power settings as well.
I'm about to get an X2 for the bars now distribution is sorted.
I had a Solarstorm but wasn't too impressed- excellent for the price but then it cost basically nothing so that's not too challenging.
Personally, I'm not convinced about spotlights any more, modern lights have so much clout I don't think it's required, or desirable... I use an MJ872 on both bars and head which is a flood beam but it's got more than enough reach and the wider beam pattern is much nicer to ride with- no chase-the-dot, better peripherals, less jumps in brightness (your eyes adjust to the brightest spot so a single bright patch makes everything else darker)
YMMV of course. But for £80-ish I'd have another MJ872, or the Fluxient 4xpg model, massively better than the solarstorm for me and came with a quality battery and charger.
Solarstorm X2 on the lid with a lumenator on the bars for me. It's not trail melting bright, but it is still way more than fit for purpose.
I'm receiving the [url= http://www.rutlandcycling.com/280652/products/exposure-axis-mk-1-front-bike-light.aspx?WriteReview=true#review ]Axis Mk1[/url] this weekend for my birthday.
It has a different sort of beam to the joystick apparently but lumen per pound ratio worked out better and comes with head and handlebar mounts, along with USB and standard Exposure Charger!
550 lumens for £80 - seems quite good value for its simplicity!
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-model-Fluxient-U2-Mini-1100-Lumen-rated-Cree-XM-L-U2-led-2-6Ah-battery-/301568299182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4636df10ae ]looks pretty decent value ( I was running similar on my lid and it probably cost similar bought direct from overseas )[/url]
Just ordered the joystick Mk8 from Rutland for £70
The U2 mini is quite floody, I use it as a bar light for commuting
My head torch is a Sunwayman V20c. It has a magnetic ring which means the beam is infinitely variable, handy for adjusting with gloves on