[Closed] Which sub £100 trail lights?

Deal Exteme have a UK warehouse now:

http://club.dealextreme.com/forums/Forums.dx/threadid.954315

eg this is the MJ-808 DX light that lots of us have (and I'd recommend) from a UK warehouse

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-808-ha-iii-ssc-p7-c-sxo-3-mode-900-lumen-led-bike-light-set-904444459

Oh, though I notice it's currently out of stock 🙁

Magicshine.

Been using my MJ-808 for nearly a year and have been very impressed. Works fine on its own and i've been very impressed by Magicshine's service & delivery times.

http://www.magicshineuk.co.uk/

How about a light from smudge, who frequents this site & does batteries, lights etc....?

http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/4.html

If I had £100 to spend, I would get this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magicshine-MJ-872-Front-Cycle-Light-Huge-1600-Lumens-/130579422135?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item1e6723dbb7

There's a review here:
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/another-dx-light-option-a-mini-review-and-beamshots

I had the Terra 2 was very good 🙂

As per AlexSimon, if I didn't already have light's, I'd be split between Smudge's (MTB Batteries) XM-L unit or the 1600lumen 4x Cree LED units (MJ872/MJ856's) on ebay.
Friend has one on order, so will test/compare them soon (I have a Smudge XML)

I've just bought a set from DE but if I can't source a suitable head torch and I like the DE light then I may buy Smudge's version rather than wait a few weeks. Emailed him for advice the other day and he was very helpful and also has a very good reputation on here.

What's the consensus for the best cheapish headtorch?

stumpy01 - Member
How about a light from smudge, who frequents this site & does batteries, lights etc....?

http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/4.html
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I have just got one of these and it is very well made and bright and smudges service couldn't be better.

can the MJ-808 DX light be completely helmet mounted (battery and light)? is 900 lumens considered enough? I don't need to light a footy pitch, but do need to see the trail 🙂

sorry for my noobie questions

The MJ808 is plenty bright enough - it's at least twice as bright as what was considered useable about 5 years ago...

thanks. it looks similar to the 'headtorch' light - has anyone actually lid mounted that?

The basic P7 light with battery bag sold for £40 across ebay works well and manages 2h40m on full power, although that hasn't stopped me now spending far too much on an another Exposure light to match up with my helmet mounted Joystick...

not far eastern and not a torch, but I am a big fan of niterider stuff. My Halogen light lasted 12 yrs and only died as I neglected the battery. Got a 150 lumen Minewt USB which is plenty bright enough to get around SITS with no issues, and CRC are doing it in brighter variants for comfortably less than a ton

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54535

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=70834

quick charge, long life, well made. Ive no idea why people need 1000 lumens, I happily rode with a 15W halogen helmet mount on all sorts of trails (and my night laps were quicker than my day laps at MM/SITS).

MJ-872 here. Very impressed.

£90 off ebay from magicshineuk

Iv'e just bought a jetbeam pa40 from flashaholics. Its 468 lumens. Use it on my helmet and have been very pleased. It cost £70 and uses 4 AA's so quite versitile. I didn't know about the ebay light though, so may have gone for that.

Just did my first ride with a new Magicshine XML light... very spotlighty, but the power of the beam is ridiculous, makes my older P7s seem dull. The pattern's not ideal- the main beam is very bright then there's a less bright (but still well lit) halo, but because of the sheer power of the centre spot and the hard cutouff it still seems dull. I'm pretty sure that the overall useful spread and fill is better than my P7s, but it doesn't feel like it when riding.

Still, it's a fantastic head light. Wouldn't put it on the bars.

Still, it's a fantastic head light. Wouldn't put it on the bars

Not what I'm wanting to hear!!

Sorry dude! You might find your results vary, I've not got great night vision so the high contrasts might give me more trouble than normal people.

Did I mention it's a fantastic head light? It really is... Weighs very little too.

IIRC there were some issues with the batteries not being very well sealed on some earlier models. How do the new ones compare? Some of the newer variants have a battery with a display on them, are these any good?

I'd b looking a5 psiring one of these with my DIY hammond box light on either bars or lid depending.

I wrote up the 4*xpg mj-872 review mentioned up above.

I can only add that I'm a fan of cheap lights and tend to buy one each year (which makes them not so cheap!) I've owned an original P7 bastid, a mickey mouse and and XML before I got the mj-872.

I dont quiet know how to put this - but similar to Northwind - the XML's hotspot overwhelms my eye (or minds eye) : if that makes sense.

When in the woods at night the XML has a small fantastically lit and well defined hot spot. On the other hand it is very difficult to tell where the centre of the mj-872's beam is. It's that "wide" in use. But it is a lot more expensive.

stayhigh - the later batteries are much much better sealed. The one with the display is so sealed could probably be used outside a submarine. But as someone pointed out - they are heavier than the recent non-display ones.

I use Terra 2s for unlit b roads and canals. Got them because I prefer the charging system to aa bats. They have been fine in wet conditions and the charge lasts well.

See another thread where I got a reflector out of a p7 and put it in the XML in order to make the beam a flood. The reflectors cost around £9 if you don't have a spare already.
AFAIK Smudge's light already includes a orange peel reflector, but I don't know how this compares.

It's a shame the XML manufacturers didn't just do a little more research before producing. If it had been floodier then it would have been a perfect budget light.
I'll be keeping my eye open to see if the specs on DX change.

Ging back to batteries it would seem that only the more expensive lights on DX have the new style LED battery. I'll have atrawl over flea bay and see what that turns up.

If nothing useful then I may go for the Smudge light on the premise that he knows more about these things then me lol

That and it will get here sooner rather then the DX lottery post 😉

See another thread where I got a reflector out of a p7 and put it in the XML in order to make the beam a flood. The reflectors cost around £9 if you don't have a spare already.

So that's all it takes to change it to a flood then?! Have you got a before and after beam shot on that other thread?

Sorry Taff, no - I should do one I suppose!

Anyone know where the best price can be had for the MJ-872.

Looks like the best value for money performance light out there.

Looking to have my first off road rides this winter. 😀

nick5

that jetbeam one (xm-l but using AA's looks exactly what I'm after). Run times look ok and I'm keen to use my stock of rechargeable AAs and good charger rather than invest in a whole new set up of 18650's.

How do you mount it (I have a lockblock for my current fenix)?

Is it light enough to wear on the helmet though in your experience? Or are you quickly developing the neck muscles of an F1 driver?

Note just weighed 4 x AA = 100g so plus torch is 285g....not sure what people think of that on the

Stevewhyte: no experience of the seller but off-hand [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGICSHINE-MJ-872-LED-LIGHT-1600-LUMEN-BIKE-LIGHT-TORCH-/270822550692?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item3f0e482ca4 ]these[/url] are seemingly the cheapest

I’m chuffed to bits this topic had popped up. Been racking my brain for what light to get Mrs S’eater that didn’t cost the earth. Didn’t realise there was so much choice.

Where can one obtain a floody reflector for the latest XML lights for £9? I've just bought one and it does seem a bit spotlighty.

[b]failedengineer [/b] I saw them here, but this isn't the route I went down so can't guarantee it's the same (although it should be).
http://www.magicshinebikelights.co.uk/magicshine-mj-808-silver-reflector-cup.php?it=56&ca=12&p=1&so=0#

I think I might have seen them on ebay too, but can't be sure.

Thanks Alex.

Just want to put in a quick +1 for smudge at mtbbatteries.co.uk

Got a light off him this week, and so far seems good - though I need to test it in anger still. I will say his customer service is *fantastic* though. Good comms before buying, he posted promptly so it would arrive when it suited me, and there was a problem with my head unit but he had a new one in the post as soon as I told him - couldn't be happier with the service. And he even threw in a rear light for my trouble.

I'll do a full write up of the light once I've had a change to test it properly. I'm pretty sure I made the right choice though. Comes with a decent bar and helmet mount, though it'd be a battery in the back pocket job.

Wow thanks for all the replies that's a lot of info to consider!

So what is the difference between the Magicshine MJ-808 ([url= http://www.magicshineuk.co.uk/products/Magicshine-bike-light-set-MJ-808LSET ]Link[/url]) and the light from mtbbatteries.co.uk ([url= http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/4.html ]Link[/url])? Is one better than the other?

Thanks

Smudge/MTBbatteries will actually back up his product unlike MagicshineUK? 😉
They look to be very very similar, the MS even has the orange peel reflector as has Smudges, unlike most of the DX ones.
Though as Smudge has posted before, his are not MS units, to the point they have different connections.

No personal experience MS-UK, as I thought them extremely over-priced, compared to DX when they 1st started up, but some posts suggest their warrenty support isn't the greatest.

Thanks for that z1ppy.

Also, what would be the equivalent light from DealExtreme?

May or may not be biased, but http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/magicshine.html puts me off magicshine a bit - then again the guy that runs that site still sells MS lights on ebay..so...*shrug*

I went with MTBB for the uk service/backup, and I'm glad I did. Obviously I don't have an MJ808 here to look at, but I do have a MTBB one, so if you've any questions about it/accessories I can try answer them/take some pics. I was going to do some beam shots at some point, but dunno if i'll get out this weekend at night, then i'm away for work next week.

IA - How long have you had the light? Bar or helmet mount? Are you happy with it off-road?

Thanks

I've just taken the plunge via MTBBatteries site and will report back on due course

Just had it 2 days! So not tried it in anger yet.

I have been off-roading at night since 2003 though, and I can tell you already it's far brighter than anything I've used previously (and that includes for 24hr races etc). I can't see me being unhappy with it.

I'll probably go with helmet mount at first, though with a light on the bars too, as I find just a lid-light "flattens" the trail as it doesn't cast shadows you can see on bumps etc. So as it's brighter than anything else I have, for this reason it may end up on the bars.

Though where you put most of your light depends where you ride. I mostly night ride in open hills (pentlands) at the moment, where a bar light is no issue. But when it was twisty-woody singletrack (Ashton Court) then a head light makes a lot more sense.

z1ppy - Member
Stevewhyte: no experience of the seller but off-hand these are seemingly the cheapest

Cheers, will report back on how i get on.

I'm close to ordering from mtbbatteries for a bar mount light and might go for torch like this to mount on helmet [url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-wf-501b-ssc-p7-csxo-3-mode-900-lumen-memory-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-18650-1-17670-904436356 ]WF-501B[/url]

Anyone else using this set up? Is there a way to attach a torch to a helmet?

Ta

I just use cable ties - I ride with a Hex helmet and the vents are positioned well enough to make a secure fix. Cheap and cheerful.

but I have a bar mount (cheap) for another 'torch' and that works fine for me.....

the site below has bar and helmet fixing and is where I got my lights from previously.

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/lockblock.html

Ncfenwick, I used a similar one for several years, as per GDRS link, I used a 2fish lockblock, suplimented with zip-ties to provide extra support & stability. The are available from loads (DealExtreme/Decathlon) of place either inline or crossed, so will fit most helmets one way or another. The 'problem' with these torches is that they aren't exactly heavy but you can definitely feel them on your head, and will tend to wobble a bit. As a cheap helmet light solution they are brilliant though.
Can I suggest you look at the 5 mode units too, as the high can be too high for bibbling and the low tend to be next to useless IME - once you learn the button cycle it easy to by-pass the strobe modes. Also you have the option of buy the more powerful XM-L LED in the same package if you wanted, for not a lot more money & I believe will be better suited as a helmet light due to their inherent hot spot.

[url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-wf-501b-mc-e-bin-m-5-mode-800-lumen-led-flashlight-1-18650-904439359 ]One[/url] of several 5 mode [url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/aurora-ak-p7-5-ha-iii-ssc-p7-c-5-mode-900-lumen-led-flashlight-with-assault-crown-1-18650-904416091 ]P7 torches[/url] available from the UK warehouse. [url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-th-t60-ha-ii-xm-lt60-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-with-strap-1-x-18650-904457007 ]Here[/url] are a [url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-kh-t60-ha-ii-xm-lt60-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-1-x-18650-904457006 ]couple[/url] of XM-L options.

Cheers z1ppy sounds ideal do you know where I can get an 'inline' lockblock from a uk seller? Like this [url= http://www.dealextreme.com/p/universal-nylon-mount-for-flashlights-and-lasers-12000 ]universal nylon mount[/url]?

TBH I bought mine 2nd hand, and have ordered others from DealExtreme since, as I wasn't in a rush. I know I've seen them in Decathlon once, but haven't searched for them since, so can't help you much with other UK suppliers. I did do a quick search of the DX Uk warehouse and seemingly they don't stock em.

Off-hand try a WTD post, as lots of ppl have moved onto the magicshine bike light with remote battery packs, so there should be a glut of spares available.

You can get 1300 lumen Cree torches for £19.99 (including batteries and charger) delivered off ebay. A couple of my mates have them and for the money they are awesome!

I think they come with mounts as well.

Z1ppy - agree about the weight.....but as a low tech solution / anyone intrested in a taster of night riding in the woods I think it's fine.

The other thing I think it's worth saying if people are looking at mounting options for torch style lights, is that if you have any switchbacks / tight corners to negotitate at night a head mount is great as you can look 'around' the corners (I find bar mount only set ups are a bit limiting in the tight and twisty).

I have just got my 1600 claimed lumen MJ 872's today, going for a trial tonight, but so far, they look like a great wee light, very floody rather than spotty.. 🙂

Decided to go for one of the following but not sure which one! Can anyone advise for/against either of them? Has anyone any experience of the lumenjunkies light?

http://www.lumenjunkies.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=111

http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/4.html
/p>

http://www.magicshineuk.co.uk/products/Magicshine-bike-light-set-MJ-808LSET

Cheers

The magicshine is the old P7 led so Smudges XMLT6 or the LJ one is much better. I can't advise on which is the better battery pack but they seem the same with the exception that LJ's has a higher voltage which may last less time [am I right in saying that] in comparison with Smudges but then that's also quite a saving over the latter too

I think I'm going for one of Smudge's.... anyone else got one and rate it highly? Is there any other lights that I should contemplate before diving in?

I have one and do like it but then I use it in conjunction with another torch (one on bars and one on helmet), so any issues there are with the central hotspot is bypassed.

Now I have one, I think they only other light I'd consider as an alternative is one of [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGICSHINE-MJ-872-LED-LIGHT-1600-LUMEN-BIKE-LIGHT-TORCH-/270822550692?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item3f0e482ca4 ]these[/url] though I've yet to see one in action (m8 has one on order). That and it wasn't available so cheaply & in the UK when I ordered my XM-L, though it's still £30 more than Smudges unit.

Another vote of support for the smudge light at mtbbatteries.co.uk

Used mine for the 1st time last night on a 2.5hr ride on a mixture of trails from green lanes, woodland singletrack, tracks etc. Worked brilliantly on my helmet in conjunction with a floody light in the bars.

It has a very bright hot spot but also lots of spill to light up nearer. I found it's hot spot perfect as it throws so well you can look really far up the trail. I ran it on medium or low for much of the ride it's so effective.

It's hugely brighter than my previous P7 light with lots more spill and throw. Because you can run it on lower settings for a similar result the battery life is much improved too.

I bought a light from MTBBatteries too, I've found the centre hot spot too bright to use as a bar mounted light, so it's going on my lid and I've bought a MJ-872 for the bars. Carpark testing last night showed the 872 to have a much broader beam spread. Both are excellent lights, way exceeding my old L&M ARC.

I was looking at the Exposure Six-Pack yesterday at the show but can't justify £400+ on a light.

Does anyone know of anything close to the spec of this but for less £££'s?

Another +1 for Smudge. Bought an XML for Erlestoke earlier this year, it was fantastic - and an absolute bargain. Smudge was a pleasure to deal with too.

Tried my new MJ-872 for the first time last night,it's bloody bright alright !As others have already stated,the beam is a flood rather than spot beam,so would be best used as a bar mount with a spot on your lid.Didn't use it on the highest setting very much & kept it on the 50 or 75% setting(500-900 lumens)most the time,which were fine.It wasn't too bright on the highest setting,I just didn't need it that bright & it increases the burn time quite a bit too.For the price it is very good value for money & would recommend it to anybody.My helmet light is a Stella 300 which is only 300 lumens but it has a nice beam to it & decent burn times...

Wisepranker, depend what you actually want tbh, if you really want that much light in a single enclosed package then your mainly limited to the larger manufacturers and there pricing (actually is it just exposure who do this type? I stopped looking at the main light manufacturers kit a few years back).

Trout was playing with making one IIRC, and Luminous seemingly flogs one only slightly less powerful.
Luminous's looks rather lovely actually, though it isn't chinese torch cheap - though it never will be when it a one man band creating quality products (click on piccy to get to his site):
[url= http://www.luminouslights.co.uk/images/S1_front_image.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.luminouslights.co.uk/images/S1_front_image.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

If you want cheaper then you going to need to use a light with an external battery pack, from china ... lots and lots of advice above

Sorry just to add quickly, I've no idea if Exposures or Luminous figures are actual measured output, or theoretical outputs (as per the DX/Magicshine stuff).
I suspect Luminous's figures will be real, but can't say that for the exposure ones...

Oh and a quick glance at the What MTB light review suggest only Exposure make high output all-in-one jobbies (though there may be others), lots of other ppl doing smaller ones 500 or less lumens (that DX did so well 3 years ago with the p7 torches)

Those Luminous lights look nicely made - if the internals are as well specified as the connector they've used then the prices are very good value.

Just ordered a MJ-872 off flee bay.

£89, which seems pretty decent price for a quality light.

Cant wait to do my first forest night ride.

just ordered a NiteRider MiNewt 600 Cordless Front Light from merlin for 98 quid. should be perfect for the commute as I shouldnt need to run it on full power.

10% VIP discount (errr thats just for having an account) + 10% off with niterider10 promo code.

MJ-872 look really good. I am planning to get one, do others use a head light with them if so which one?

regards

Tell you what the MJ-872 is a great bit of kit.

Not been on the bke with it but am amazed at the intensity and spread of light.

The quality seems to be spot on both the light unit and battery.

I consider it pretty good value for money, altho it is still not cheap at £90

Have you got a link to it for £90 Steve? Cheers

quite a few different variants from [url= http://www.cyclomonster.com/cart/lighting.html ]here[/url]

I used these guys

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGICSHINE-MJ-872-LED-LIGHT-1600-LUMEN-BIKE-LIGHT-TORCH-/270822550692?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item3f0e482ca4

I just got the MJ 872 light from Ebay, £89 🙂

wee write up here; [url= http://http://coastkid.blogspot.com/2011/10/magicshine-mj-872-1600-lumens-light.html ]http://coastkid.blogspot.com/2011/10/magicshine-mj-872-1600-lumens-light.html[/url]

Thanks

Any advance on those suggestions? Sold out. Best I've found so far is £100 without helmet mount.

Try again,just ordered some but not getting delivered till end of month,keep trying as i did,too good to miss, good luck Brycey !
Still £89 🙂

Cheers. They just emailed me to say they were going live again.

I've got a Hope Vision 2 LED for sale. £45 posted if you're interested.

[img]<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6223714778_e694436ce9.jpg" width="500" height="392" alt="P1010174">[/img]

<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6223714778_e694436ce9.jpg" width="500" height="392" alt="P1010174">
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6223714778_e694436ce9.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6223714778_e694436ce9.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/33251520@N07/6223714778/ ]P1010174[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/33251520@N07/ ]eddkh[/url], on Flickr

<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6223714778_e694436ce9.jpg" width="500" height="392" alt="P1010174">

edd

I'll have that Hope vision 2 for £45 posted,cheers

Reign_Man - YGM

Edd
If Reign_Man doesn't take the Hope I'm interested in it too.