[Closed] That time of year is coming again - what's hot in the lighting world?

im after something powerful enough to shrivel a 29r down to a 650b

With regards to LED's nothing has really moved on from XML's. So most Chinese and high end lights will still be running these.

im after something powerful enough to shrivel a 29r down to a 650b

Over 7000 lumens with an aspheric spot for good throw.

I will be mostly in the market for a Chinese bargain that works well on the roads.

I'll be sticking with the MJ-872s, haven't seen an affordable light that's notably better- we seem to be in an XML spotlighty culdesac of variable beam quality. I think the quality end of the market reached a point where they're genuinely strong performers, not just cheap.

Winter before last I splashed out on a pair of Exposure Diablos. One for me and 'one for the mrs'. Two up they were awesome. A very versatile light. Nice to carry for trail running as well.

Then I somehow lost one while trail running. Or i left it on my bin when unlocking the door and someone pinched it....Either way, cannot afford to replace right now, so looking for a cheapo chines option...

Can't go wrong with these for the money. Uk stock

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-bike-light-hyper-bright-t6-cree-led-bicycle-light-with-headlight-kit-rechargeable-genuine-cree-t6-xm-l-led

[url= http://www.crgmoto.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights-26-c.asp ]Gloworm lights[/url] are having a sale, and are stupidly good (bright and a really well spread beam) without breaking the bank (& are tiny). That said, if there having a sale, it's normally because they've a new better setup coming out 😈
Solarstorm X2 seems to be holding it own (with suspect batteries & chargers a plenty), otherwise ppl are just putting as many XML LED's into one headunit as possible.

Eskay.. really? Try a SSX2 and get with the program 😉

WTF is that steve!

Just picked up a new four4th light today, I live local so I was able to pop in to their base and pick one up. They were incredibly helpful, talking me through the possible options and what I needed the light for. As for its brightness, it will easily melt retinas I reckon 🙂

I got one of their rear lights four4th scorpion for my road bike, and it is the only light I have ever had motorists stopping me and asking for the make so they could get one, it was that bright and well made!

They are not as cheap as the Chinese/ ebay specials, but when it comes to lights I decided to go for quality.

Smudge all the way, real service from a real person...

http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights/

Four4th is where I would spend my cash I was after a beautifully made quality light. Also great event back-up. In the world of scrimp, a SSX2 head unit with a torchy or mtbbatteries battery would be fine.

The C and B Seen lights are probably the best of the Chinese lights.

The quality of the reflectors in the Solarstorm is pretty shoddy and the battery is almost always crap.

For a little bit more the C and B Seen light gives a better beam pattern and the battery seems to be a lot better. The lights themselves are a bit bulkier though.

WTF is that steve!

Are there any cheap Chinese jobbies that are small like the Gloworm X1 or MTB Batteries Lumen800? I can't justify another expensive light but want a helmet light to go with my Lumenator.

Fathomer - I've got a torchy bk500. Small and self contained and works well on the head with an SSX2 on the bars, or by itself on bars on the road. Only 500lumens, but they appear to be good ones and definitely punch well into the SSX2 beam.

I've posted this a couple of times in the last few weeks, but will post it again. Merlin are doing the Moon xp1500 for £100 down from £275.
It's a seriously good light for the money. Bright, well made and with decent mounts. It comes with a bar and helmet mount, as well as an extension lead. I think the head unit is on the limit of weight for helmet mounting, but that's how I used it at the 24/12 and it was fine.

Run time is 2.5hrs on max or 3.5hrs one setting down. Only annoying thing is you have to cycle through off, to get back to the top of the power settings...

I've taken some pics of it and if it doesn't pee it down later, I will take some beam pics and compare it to my several years old spokeshirts light...

Fathomer, this is the solarstorm x2 so a great size for your helmet, the gloworm x2 is smaller & there is the Chinese 'yinding' unit that similar to that
[img] [/img]
edit: sorry you asking about the x1.. Yes there are similar unit available but I haven't seen one in the flesh

Solar storm X2 (xm-l2) here with a homemade battery. 4x Panasonic NCR18650b 3400mah cells, lasts for hours. 2x ultrafire wf501b xm-l2 torches on head with same batteries. A lot of light for not much money. Built two sets of these for me and wife with spare batteries for £116 last year, see no need to upgrade this year (unless batteries have improved again). Lightmalls for the lights, fasttech for the batteries.

snownrock - Member
Solar storm X2 (xm-l2) here with a homemade battery. 4x Panasonic NCR18650b 3400mah cells, lasts for hours. 2x ultrafire wf501b xm-l2 torches on head with same batteries. A lot of light for not much money. Built two sets of these for me and wife with spare batteries for £116 last year, see no need to upgrade this year (unless batteries have improved again). Lightmalls for the lights, fasttech for the batteries.

POSTED 57 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

Where did you get the 18650 from SR?

I'm after some for my solar storm battery box, that are genuine

I've been waiting on a Solarstorm X2 from DX since the start of June, so I'll get one from somewhere else when the paypal dispute runs it's course!

What's a good self contained in it? Like an Exposure but a lot cheaper.
My commute is off road and my first world problem is mounting the battery, then winding the cords around the frame and putting on the head unit.
A clip on and off you go light with lots of power would make my day. If it used rechargeable 18650s it would make my year.

I'll be riding at 4am tomorrow morning with a Solarstorm. £15 from eBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SolarStorm-X2-CREE-U2-LED-Black-Red-Bicycle-Bike-Cycle-Head-Light-Lamp-5000-LM-/251423689585?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&var=&hash=item3a8a050b71

+1 for Smudge

The Lumenator/D800 combo is fantastic.

Really happy with my C&BSeen light. It's been used every week since December for at least a couple of hours (even in summer).

Here's some pics of the Moon XP-1500:

Case:

[URL= http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0926_zpsesmriv6a.jp g" target="_blank">http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0926_zpsesmriv6a.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Bits and pieces:

[URL= http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0927_zpspkwbbpkr.jp g" target="_blank">http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0927_zpspkwbbpkr.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

also comes with extension cord, helmet mount and charger not shown

Head Unit:

[URL= http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0928_zpsx8es0kxx.jp g" target="_blank">http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0928_zpsx8es0kxx.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0929_zpsxuqesqpe.jp g" target="_blank">http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0929_zpsxuqesqpe.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Light output on Full:

[URL= http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/DSCN6364_zps983d0829.jp g" target="_blank">http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/DSCN6364_zps983d0829.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Spokeshirts single XPG for comparison (same as original black/silver 'Bastid' DX light:

[URL= http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/DSCN6365_zps3aa1418b.jp g" target="_blank">http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m215/me96kka/DSCN6365_zps3aa1418b.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Where did you get the 18650 from SR?

I'm after some for my solar storm battery box, that are genuine

I got my batteries from fasttech. Genuine and fast delivery, if you're worried about genuine torchy has them on eBay, lot more expensive though.

TBH the lights are getting silly now.
Having started with a set of Ayups (yes I didn't start with the single candle power ones), now moved on to a Gloworm X1 on the head and an X2 on the bars, it hardly feels like night riding now.
Personally I would buy the same again though, they have massive run time and give more than enough light. Plenty enough for high speed runs on the downhill runs at chicksands in the dark

Can't wait until darkness again

Another endorsement for four4th here... really superb quality, locally made and top bunch of guys to deal with.

I think the light heads are about as good as they're going to get. It's the battery packs which need to improve. The only thing to be wary of is that Royal Mail might bin your Chinese 18650 order.

I'm still using a two torch set-up - an XML-U3 C8 on the bars and an XM-L2 501b on my lid... £22 for the both.

Each year I get tempted to 'upgrade' a light or two - from XPG to XML-T6 an now to XM-L2. At about £9 for a new 501b it's very easy to be tempted. Not sure about this winter, though, as there doesn't appear to be a new 'better' LED on offer... and to be honest I'm pretty happy with what I have. Maybe there'll be a higher bin of XM-L2 out soon?

Is there anything out there that can rival a joystick for packaging and better it on output and battery life? Love my exposures but they are getting a bit long in the tooth now.

[img] [/img]

I_Ache - Member

Is there anything out there that can rival a joystick for packaging and better it on output and battery life? Love my exposures but they are getting a bit long in the tooth now.

If it's an older one then there's a ton of torches that'll outbright and outburn it (and, obviously, have changable batteries). But tend to be a little bulkier and heavier. If you're at all lucky, it'll fit in your joystick mount

Ive got a Four4th holy moses on the bars and a hope r4 as a head torch. Both are similar quality and great light output

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this.

Can someone point me in the direction of a cheap light setup for nightriding? Bar light and helmet light. I have no kit whatsoever and I'm a little unsure if these Chinese lights come with chargers mount etc. links would be great

Don't want to spend loads as I'm not sure I'll even like it

Thanks in advance!

I've two Exposure lights, a Joystick and a Strada and both old. Like many I'm now after an equivalent to Exposure but cheaper (don't earn the cash I use to do).

Is the standard Chinese light and separate battery for £40ish the cheapest/bestest way to go for a new bar light?

And what about a all-in-one for the helmet?

Yes, also looking for a bright, self contained unit. Whether on the bars or my helmet the battery packs+cables are starting to annouy me.

Just a heads up for people on a good Solarstorm X2 setup:

[url= http://www.lightmalls.com/black-color-solarstorm-x2-2-cree-xm-l2-2200-lumen-led-bike-light-without-battery-pack ]SSX2[/url] - only $12.99 For the head unit only, this is the best XM-L2 version also

I find its best to buy the unit without the battery as the ones supplied are generally rubbish. Instead 'build' your own battery, it's easy.

[url= http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Resistant-4-x-18650-Battery-Pack-Case-House-cover-for-Bike-Lamp-/121199742150 ]Battery case[/url] $13.98

And just pop in 4 of these [url= http://www.banggood.com/2PCS-NCR-18650B-3_7V-3400mAh-Protected-Rechargeable-Lithium-Battery-p-90990.html ]Batteries[/url] £12.01 per pair - These are about the best you can buy and will give you a 6800mAh (ACTUAL) battery, not the 3500mAh at best that you get with these lights normally. Buy these protected cells as an extra precaution to prevent over discharge. It helps if you have an individual 18650 charger to charge the cells fully individually first to balance them

A standard Magicshine/Clone charger will work with this case.

Snownrock thanks for that. So two head units, two battery cases, 8 batterys. Do you Also need helmet and bar mount? The battery backs just attach to the frame? (Or camelback for the headtorch?) And sorry what do you mean by standard charger?

Thanks!

Popping this post in so I can find this thread later.

Anyone running a solarstorm on the helmet? Quite a hefty battery pack, so do people just stick it in the jersey back pocket with the wire running down?

I've also been looking for single unit lights. I have a glow worm x2 and it is great. But I rode on the road a fair bit last year in the dark and I didn't need that much power. Also occasionally while commuting I need a bit more power than my cheap AA LEDs offer if the weather is bad. Finally, towards Autumn I don't need full lights as I'm getting back in at dusk but want something small and light to have just incase.

The ones that I have seen so far are the Torchy stuff on Ebay, The Magic shine MJ858 and http://www.dx.com/p/ultrafire-uf-23b-cree-xm-l-u2-700lm-4-mode-white-bicycle-light-black-4-x-18650-255067

leaning towards the torch stuff at the minute.

For the sake of 15quid I might give one of these a go.

[url] http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SolarStorm-X2-CREE-U2-LED-Black-Red-Bicycle-Bike-Cycle-Head-Light-Lamp-5000-LM-/251423689585 [/url]

Will be looking to get my first set of lights for this winter.

Been doing some research and the solarstorm x2 seems to be the one that crops up most. Does anyone have any experience buying these from anywhere? Not sure what sites are legitimate or not.

Would the SSX2 be needed on both bars and helmet? Or is this overkill for the helmet torch?

Another thumbs up for Smudge and mtbbatteries here - good quality kit, excellent after sales and a thoroughly nice bloke.

Before I got properly into night riding I got a cheapo Ultrafire SSC P7 from Scamazon. It is still going strong over two years later and has been whacked on many trees and shed door frames since being used as a helmet light. These are very generic far east jobs and I think can be had for less than £20 these days. To balance it up I got a similar 3xcree one from Amazon which was crap and eventually packed up about three months in.

Mtbbatteries = more expensive initial purchase (than scamazon anyway) but a reasonable 'lifetime' purchase. Compared to more 'mainstream' brands his prices are very competitive.

Scamazon = Buy cheap, buy twice unless you get a good'un.

jonba - the Torchy BK500 is v good imo.

I'm a bit confused this year, there appears to be no new innovation or light manufacturers in 2014. Maybe it's a bit early? Have we reached a point where there it costs a lot more to make more gains? Or is the lighting market a bit poor at the moment? Lumicycle sold up recently, and rebranded didn't they?

Right, I have a Solarstorm already, loads of 18650 batteries and a charger (for my electronic fags), so it looks like I'll be buying one of those cases that snownrock linked to and stick with what I've got.

As an aside - I have an old Hope Vision 4, that's left a bit lacking - does anyone do upgrades to the LED's?

Any UK based people who sell pre assembled 4 x 18650 packs and a charger for use with my Solarstorm lights?

Torchy the Battery Boy was selling Solarstorm-compatible battery packs, I got one to replace an old battery as it's a bit past it and I wanted more capacity, worked really well. I think it's branded Bikeray.

I'm a bit confused this year, there appears to be no new innovation or light manufacturers in 2014.

More like everyones bought one, the price has hit £15 a light, and there isn't a practical need for more than 2000 lumens or so. For the past 2-3 years it's been the same LED's at the same brighness just with ever increacing claims (5000lumens, really, at the same current as the reputible sellers are claiming <2000lumens?). And before that it was the P7 Bastid and before that the p7 torch, even then the P7 was getting a bit long in the tooth.

Bike lights are a niche and weren't the ones driving the development, they just spotted a use for an existing technology and the rate at which thye were addopted has just reached the same curve as the development.

Mtbbatteries = more expensive initial purchase (than scamazon anyway) but a reasonable 'lifetime' purchase. Compared to more 'mainstream' brands his prices are very competitive.

Much as I like a UK company, you can get the same (unless they were copies) lights imported directly through DX for peanuts. And my battery didn't last a year, response was pretty much "they do that (unless kept at exactly 40% charge in a fridge when not in use)".

Snownrock thanks for that. So two head units, two battery cases, 8 batterys. Do you Also need helmet and bar mount? The battery backs just attach to the frame? (Or camelback for the headtorch?) And sorry what do you mean by standard charger?

You could get two sets and have one on the head and one on the bars but I think thats overkill. I use torches on my helmet 2 of these [url= http://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l2-5-modes-led-flashlight-torch-1-18650 ]WF-501b[/url] (same latest led as the SSX2), they use the same batteries i linked to above, so buy another couple of pairs. One medium power you'll get about 3.5 hrs runtime. They offer a bit more versatility too, camping, walking, running etc.

Bar mounts come with the solarstorm (elastic o-rings, it weighs sod all so these are fine). The battery pack comes with a velcro pouch for mounting to the top tube. I use strips of velcro to mount the torches to my helmet, nice and flexible. Regarding the charger, just search ebay for a magicshine compatible charger.

Been doing some research and the solarstorm x2 seems to be the one that crops up most. Does anyone have any experience buying these from anywhere? Not sure what sites are legitimate or not.

See the lightmalls link I posted above, a bargain, can buy a spare one for that price. I've used them for years with no problem, pay with PayPal in case of any issues then you're covered.

For the past 2-3 years it's been the same LED's at the same brighness just with ever increacing claims (5000lumens, really, at the same current as the reputible sellers are claiming <2000lumens?).

I agree, Lumens not going up anymore as there is no real need. Interesting that the LED technology is going the way of efficiency now, same lumens for less wattage, ie XML > XM-L2, same brightness but longer runtimes.

Quality batteries and chargers are where you need to spend the money. The lights themselves are peanuts now so spend the money on decent batteries that have actual (not just printed) capacities. Buy Panasonic, Samsung, (XTAR, Senybor or Xeccon - these are re-branded Panasonic anyway) - My preference is Panasonic NCR18650B as I linked to above.

Please make sure you buy PROTECTED cells also so you are not relying on the torch/charger to prevent over/under discharge.

For an individual 18650 cell charger buy this: [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premium-XTAR-WP2-II-Intelligent-Charger-3-7v-Li-ion-Battery-16340-18650-18700-/351142449590?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item51c1b891b6 ]XTAR[/url]

[quote=zippykona]What's a good self contained unit?

I got a Lezyne Mega Drive when they were cheap on SportPursuit last year.. very happy with it, especially the 'race mode' toggle setting..

For the Solarstorm X2 type lights, can you get replacement lenses that make them ok for road use?

I already have a lens for the older T6 magicshine clone type light, and was wondering if there was anything similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//271465541878

For the X2

Thanks

Fantastic information for a Luddite such as myself . Thanks very much snownrock

Oh and any links to the Velcro straps ? 🙂

Oh and any links to the Velcro straps ?

Ask your friendly neighbourhood server guy - the velcro tie downs from cable management arms are ideal.

I used to use Animal Velcro watchstraps as zip ties, trouser clips etc. might browse eBay...

I have taken the plunge and gone for one of these... [url] http://www.ebay.com/itm/161362759435?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&var=460385684246&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT [/url]

The reason being is the second led/ lens spreads the light beam pattern making it ideal (in my head) for road use. The battery case is allegedly waterproof as well.
Just need to find a nice little self contained unit for the lid and commuting duties.

@neils: that light will not be 5000lumens.. 🙄

@neils: that light will not be 5000lumens..

I am fully aware of that and the 8800mAh battery is a little optimistic as well but if the second lens spreads the beam pattern then its a winner for me. The girlfriend has the solarstorm and it's insanely bright for £15. This one has the same led's in a different housing, a different lens on one side and a waterproof battery pack. I think.!

I'm after some new lights this year after the solar storm's I bought last year packed up. They just about lasted the winter before the lamp cable started breaking away at the connector.
Great light for next to nowt so I'll get another as a spare but I think I'll spend a bit more to get something a bit longer lasting.

Great light for next to nowt so I'll get another as a spare but I think I'll spend a bit more to get something a bit longer lasting.

Why? At £8 each buy a few, they'll still be less than half the price of any branded lights.

I will have a gloworm x1 with four cell battery pack for sale in the next week or so. quality is superb especially the completely waterproof rubberised battery pack. best I have ever seen. will be gong for 85 quid delivered if anyone is interested. makes a perfect head light as an addition to a bar light.

So is there still a market for the £300 plus Exposure, Lumicycle and other premium brands ? What is better about them and is the price tag justifiable ?

If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. It [they] is [are] so choice.

http://www.full-beam.com/

is there still a market for the 300 plus brands

yes I believe there is. if u look at how well made they are and how long they last you can end up paying the same for cheap lights that keep packing up. also lowers the risk of battery packs blowing up and catching fire.

exposure for example are perfect for bar lights without the need for battery packs and cables so in my view worth every penny. I don't mind cables from my helmet into a back pack but cables from my bars to frame is a real pain for me. add in the reliability and support from exposure I think they are well worth it. I know guys that have bought exposure lights through cycle to work scheme which makes it even less painful.

Dynamo all the way. Battery lights are so last year!

I will be running a Schmidt SON 28 front hub (15mm through axle) with a Supernova E3 Triple. No need to worry about running out of charge, bright as you like, beautifully made and eco friendly.

Just about to move to Singapore where the endless hot and humid summer (there is only one season) means nocturnal riding is a regular part of the cycling scene all year round.

My cheap Chinese ebay lights turned up today and very nice they are too. They came in a plain brown box with a UK charger, front light unit, battery pack (4 X 18650), various strap sizes and a rear led light that takes two AAA batteries. The battery pack is in a rubber "waterproof" case, I will reserve judgment on that until it has seen some proper British weather. The head unit has two LED's which have different lenses in to distribute different light patters.

The battery pack...

[img] [/img]

The head unit...

[img] [/img]

Near beam...

[img] [/img]

Spot...

[img] [/img]

Both...

[img] [/img]

The near beam spreads the light well, the spot reaches waaaay ahead and both combined work well together. For twenty five notes they are pretty good but only time will tell on quality. Compared to the solar storm they are worth the extra £10 imo.

try this..... quad 782s and a 920 for the central section + 20/20 difs
95000 lumens
8)

Neil,those look impressive,do they come with helmet mountings?

Nope no helmet mount but I would imagine any old helmet mount that fits Chinese lights would do.

Neilsonwheels, got an eBay link for that light?

Muggo, it's on the previous page

Cheezpleez - Member
Muggo, it's on the previous page

POSTED 6 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

😳 that'll teach me to skip to the last page.

that neilsonwheels one does look pretty good....

wonder how it compares to likes of the C&B Seen ones, which 'should' have a safer charger ?

[url= http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/bikehead-lights/cabs-01---cree-xml-t6-led.html ]these ones[/url]

Just posting so I can save this for later