That time of year is coming again – what's hot in the lighting world?

solarstorm xt40 arrived today, holly smoke it’s bright! Has a good spread it’s very impressive. They seem to have “slowed down” the charger alot it doesn’t seem to get warm at all compared to the x2 I’ve got which is a good thing I guess.

though they do run very warm even on the lowest setting!

@j273, i’ve been using mine as a powerbank as of late to, phone battery is goosed, works a treat 😀

@klunk, I find the XT40 to be warm to touch on medium, and hot on high, but once moving its tepid.

Lots of UK stockists for various SolarStorms on eBay but I’d like to find a genuine light (with batteries) if possible.

There are so many links on here that my head is spinning. Do we have a link to a UK supplier who has the one which has the reputed better build quality?

Don’t want to wait ages so that’s why I’m looking for a UK supplier

Lots of UK stockists for various SolarStorms on eBay but I’d like to find a genuine light (with batteries) if possible.

There are so many links on here that my head is spinning. Do we have a link to a UK supplier who has the one which has the reputed better build quality?

Don’t want to wait ages so that’s why I’m looking for a UK supplier

Ebay link

@womp, now that is a cracking link 😀

No problem, I asked for some spare leads as well and made a Y split cable to run 2 lights of one battery pack, I still get 2hrs run time

Plug 4-cell charger in as usual (3yr old Chinese XMLT6), BANG! , carry on being careful with them!

I had one of those (T6 and batt pack) set on fire a few years ago, I’ll never risk it again, lucky I was in the house

This looks decent from Charlie :

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/tumble–fall-2014-pro-20-light-kit—2000-lumens-6364-p.asp

no experience though.

The 3 xml solarstorm unit I bought recently, which looks genuine, isn’t actually very good – the light is quite blue and the centre LED is a lot brighter than the side ones, so there is no wider ‘footprint’ compared to a clone SSX2.

All of the chinese lights I have bought out of curiosity have a whiter/bluer tinge to the light compared to my gloworms which equates to the light, whilst perhaps seeming as bright, not being as usable – for example I run the gloworms on medium whereas feel the need to run the chinese lights on full to be able to see as much.

By the time you add a dependable battery and charger I think their value starts to look quite suspect compared to a decent light set.

Anyone looking for a solarstorm battery box they are now in stock in the UK at Puresystems@yahoo.co.uk

I got mine of pure systems also, i run 2 XT40’s on the bars and 1xSSX2 on the helmet wich is plenty (overkill really) Ive also had a few SSX2’s from DX but they turned out to be fakes and not that bright (I sold them to my tight ass mate)

Just got solarstorm box today from Sam at Puresystems@yahoo.co.uk looks a nice piece of kit and well made Sam recommended using button top 18650 batteries anyone try flat top and if so do they work.

I use flat tops and they work fine with the SS box.

I’ve ordered a 1000lm from torchy for £40.
Uk charger and he has confirmed the battery pack is protected.
Should arrive soon.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=121485814324

J273 cheers just ordered four Sony ones

every year we get the same old posts. when will everyone learn. yes Chinese and cheap lights are great in the short term. but the quality is shameful and the risk to burning down your shed or at worst house is real. led technology has flatlined which means mainstream purpose built bike lights are starting to come down in price to reasonable levels. simply go buy something that is well made, warrantied and simply works no matter the weather and more importantly doesn’t keep you awake at night worrying.

plenty of suggestions above. steer clear of eBay.

my rule of thumb and it’s just my personal opinion, if u want a self contained light and battery go with exposure. yes u pay the money but it does exactly what it says on the tin. a very good company owned and run by two brothers who are passionate about engineering and bikes.

if u don’t mind separate light unit to battery u cannot go wrong with gloworm. I’ve had an x1 and now an x2 used several times a week and faultless in proper gopping weather.

good hunting

@variflex if you research and buy the right bits (Essentially a good battery, charger, box) and pair it with the cracking XT40, this sort of deal is the whole reason to buy chinese

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solarstorm-XT40-XM-L2-battery-case-holder-charger-NCR18650B-genuine-UK-/161488403513?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item2599757c39

Off the chart trail illumination.

Slight hijack now that I have to charge four 18650 batteries I have a UK Version ce approved charger for sale in the classifieds if anyone wants to avoid a mishap with the cheap Chinese copies

Tonight I took my son a nightride and gave him a set of my old lights..

Put the battery on charge (magicshine battery)…pop and strong burning smell and smoke!

Just as well i was standing near it when it happened and had not left it to charge overnight.

Be careful!

Kaidomain Battery Box arrived this morning, photos below.

Overlooking the long delivery time, ( and to be fair they did keep me informed throughout ), the box looks and feels good, well made and rugged.
No idea whet the blue button and what the three small “lights” / plastic blobs do. Maybe when I put some batteries in and test it this will be apparent.

Connectors are shown in the photos.

Happy with this Chinese unit only and a UK sourced battery/charger.
Trustfire TR-D014