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I am looking to buy a front light so drivers can see me on gloomy days. I am looking at lights with a flashing mode like Exposure Trace or Lezyne Zecto. Any others to look at? These are quite expensive so maybe there are cheaper options? Any key factors to take into account ( eg side visibility)?
I find the flashing pattern on the trace really good, compared to a standard flashing light. I bought one for commuting a couple of years back. Would recommend it.
My day running lights are Giant TL-200 and HL-200, last 6 hours on 200 lumen flash and weigh 43g each.
I run mine Horizontally along the bars, but can mount either way.
https://road.cc/content/review/268797-giant-recon-hl-200-front-light
I use an Exposure Switch with their Daybright pulse/flash system.
Seems to get me noticed.
Lots of lights now have day running modes which pulse an ultra bright flash every few seconds, a good way to getting attention and conserving battery.
I use a Bikehut 200lm under my Garmin mounts which are on all my bikes; coupled with a helmet mounted 50lm rear light on flash. The helmet mounted one is dead useful, it's always on and is not at all noticeable to me. But it seems to really help other drivers.
Worth noting that it's not just for gloom at this time of year - whenever there's low sun that you might be riding into or out of, lights could save your life.
Lots of lights now have day running modes which pulse an ultra bright flash every few seconds
I don't think slow flashes are useful. Our eyes flit about very quickly and if your light is off for most of the time you could easily get missed. Bikehut 'daylight' mode is a continuous low light with a bright flash about twice a second.
Pulse modes are quite good. Be aware, if the driver doesn't look, nothing works. I got my back broken in daylight with a light on pulse and two Hope Vision 1's on. Still missed me.
Still missed me.
Or rather, didn’t...
It needs a pulse or regular flash of about 1-2/second - strobe, or at least the tactical strobe used on flashlights really isn’t suitable.
Daybright pulse/flash
Sirius for me, with the above. Have had friends locally comment on how visible it when they've driven past.
Impressed with the Bontrager Ion 200 RT
The little knog ones are good. Mine is on 3rd year I think
Also use a daybright mode Sirius
I’ve got exposure trace/r set. Best lights I’ve ever had they just work.
Noticeable how much space people give you when using the as apposed to not
Having said that I got mine for £50 for the set, at the moment they are silly money
strobe, or at least the tactical strobe used on flashlights really isn’t suitable.
Yeah those would be great if you are stranded on a mountainside and MR are scanning the hillside looking for you.
Also a fan of the Bontrager 200RT. It's really small, a bright light and good battery life.
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I use a Dogstar from Planet-X. Can be solid or flashing, cycles through a few modes of brightness / frequency, USB rechargeable and lasts ages
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BNDOGSTARB/jobsworth-dogstar-front-and-rear-light-bundle
A mate has this Fabric Lumiray. Its small mounts under the GPS mount has 180d visibility.
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Fabric/Lumaray-V2-Front-Light/ND38
I got of these after a recommendation on here.
It's quite big but very good build quality. Very bright.
https://www.candb-seen.co.uk/product-front-light.html
Exposure Strada here, plus a joystick/diablo. The pulse is good
But I find a bright top to be more visible in many occasions than a bright light. Particularly from the side. Every little helps though
Thanks all. I plumped for the Exposure Trace. Looking forward to blinding myself testing it out!