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So now another Smart 1/2watt (the older style) has given up the ghost, what do I replace it with??! Are the newer Smarts (Polaris and Lunar) any more waterproof/durable? Or should I jump ship to cateye (LD600 going cheapish in places, though I seem to remember having bracket issues on one of these) or LD610?? Smart would be nice as I have numerous brackets for them.
Anything else to consider?
Needs to:-
Run on AA or AAA batteries
Be nice and bright
If it's expensive (more than £30), then easily (and I mean very easily - tool free) switch between bikes
I could just get a few £5 Smart Polaris 1/2 watt from PX....
I've had a few but settled on the Smart Luna and it's very good..
[url= https://twelve50bikes.com/shop/Smart-Lunar-R1-Rear-Light-1-Watt-2012/238 ]smart luna[/url]
Edit: also quite discreet too.
Thread hijack.
I'm looking for help in identifying a rear LED light. I can't tell you anything about it apart from the fact that when I saw it in flashing mode, instead of blinking on and off, it pulsed from a bright light to a still brighter light. Any ideas what it may be?
Exposure flare, really really bright and really quick to move between bikes, runs on rechargeable batteries, comes with charger.
£35.99 at evans, maybe cheaper elsewhere.
heres mine
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ohnohesback, that also sounds like the flare:
The flare sounds good except... it doesn't run on AA's, and I don't want to have ANOTHER battery standard going on the bike!
why does it matter what size of batteries?
I'm looking for help in identifying a rear LED light. I can't tell you anything about it apart from the fact that when I saw it in flashing mode, instead of blinking on and off, it pulsed from a bright light to a still brighter light. Any ideas what it may be?
Sounds like it could be the one I have, which is essentially the USA version of the Smart Luna linked to above. I got mine from the 'States as I found the flashing version wasn't available over here at the time. It's got 2 bright LEDs and one super bright LED. They flash in such a way that a driver would have to be blind to not see you.
ohnohesback,could also be a dinnote 140R
OP,
If I was buying now it would be a flair, relatively cheap, plenty of power and can easily be moved between bikes. The low high flash is also great as you get better run times and the light is never off.
I've got Flare too + whatever the front one is called - very good. You need to get the rechargeable batteries for it though as it runs a bit brighter with them than with the non-rechargeable ones - so quite expensive for the whole setup.
Flare does the pulse thing rather than on/off
why does it matter what size of batteries?
I have a load of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries, and a rapid charger to suit. I'd rather not have to stock up on yet more batteries - the flare uses rcr123a... it would be another £20 for the charger & batteries... 🙁
Knog.
AAA batteries
Straps on for easy interchanging.
its worth it though , its a great light.
which knog are you suggesting there kiwijohn
+1 Flare
All the placky ones die eventually. Flare is bright and not made of cheese.
I'm not real sure which one I have. May be the Gecko? Takes 3 AAA batteries.
I'll be selling a new Flare charger by the end of the week 🙂
I think this is the one I have...
Flare all the way, had a problem with my charger but was replaced, no issues since, 2 year guarantee too.
Had several commuters ask my about them at them at RLs.
reggiegasket - I may be interested. Could you send me an email to address in profile with details - i.e. how much you want for it!!!
I've got a Smart Luna 25 clipped on my pack and a Knog Bullfrog on the bike. The Smart is crazy bright!
Some great deals on them at On One at the moment
[url= http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/bike_lights ]much cheapness[/url]
Got a blackburn mars 4 a few weeks ago, good bright light, used to use just a knog frog and it isn't very good compared to the mars. I think the knog was recommended somewhere like bikeradar but I should've went straight for the blackburn.
I just run two or three cheapies - one on constant the others on flash. Plenty bright enough and yo can leave them on the bike and not care. don't seem to fail often anyway
ohnohesback - sounds like a [url= http://www.thebikechain.co.uk/Niterider-Cherry-Bomb-8888888020196/ ]NiteRider Cherry Bomb[/url] which I would highly recommend with the caveat that you need a mudguard if you want them to last. I though it was just the latest version that was poorly sealed but my older generation one has now let in salty spray and died 🙁
The one watt version is ludicrously bright!
EDIT: I'll just add that I will get another, I'm going to put silicone sealant in/on it before use though. I'll just reapply it when I change the batteries.
another edit: I would highly recommened a wee cheapie backup type led on the helmet front and back to help idiotic car drivers notice you and I'm going to try and find some of the battery powered fairy lights to string around my bag.
I have a Smart Lunar R2 and it's great - two very bright LEDs - and excellent value.
If someone doesn't see you with it, they'll not see you with anything IMO.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=56550
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Saw a flare the other day, wasn't that impressed.
Fibreflare for me.
AAA batteries.
Definitely the Smart R2 as posted just up there.
Has 2 of the Power LEDs the Luna, or the Smart superflash has.
Very, very good.
Went with a lunar r2 and a Polaris 1/2 watt 🙂
Cheers all.
From years of communting, and many (probably hundreds of) pounds spent on different light combinations, i find the Flare the best rear ive used. Both for build-quality and easy-swappiness. Non-recharge battery will last about 10 to fifteen useable hours, depending on air temp.