Bike Lights help

[Rickshaw Phil]

What do they mean "charging socket for optional charger"? Does it mean it can be usb charged as well as battery powered?

Not usb charged as far as I know. It runs on 4 AA size batteries and is also available as a kit with a charger and 4 NiMH cells - the charger plugs into a socket in the underside of the lamp and charges the batteries in-situ.

As I've already got a charger and batteries I went for just the lamp as shown upthread. The set with the charger is here: http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-ixon-iq-premium-led-illumination-set/aid:703616

Incidentallty, when I ordered mine I also ordered an anti-dazzle hood which turned out to be unnecessary as one came with the lamp. It doesn't tell you that in the blurb.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Cat eye volt 300 for me on the front.

Use reflective slap bands on the ankle. Very effective as well.

Plus lots and cateye volt 50 on the rear.

Very excellent lights.

 

[blackcountrytone]

i was searching the web for bike light's came across a web site called magicshine i ended up buying a complete set ie the front and back light with a li-on battery that runs both lights also come's with the charger, very good lights, lot's of choice very bright so you can see and be seen bit pricey though but wot price do you put on safety especially with the numpty driver's of today who cor see you in the day light never mind in the dark.

 

[NickWi]

The Dynohub version has an optional USB charging socket. You're not going to recharge anything heavy duty, but I've used mine to top up my Mio 505 on a long ride. I haven't had the need to try it on my Samsung Galaxy S5 and I doubt it'll put out enough power to charge and I Pad or similar, but as long as you accept you get a good light for the dark and the option to keep your gizmo's charged.

 

[Boon 51]

All these lights that have been mentioned are they good for outside the city limit riding.. like country lanes etc..

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

All these lights that have been mentioned are they good for outside the city limit riding.. like country lanes etc..

Yes for the one I've mentioned.

 

[Boon 51]

Yes for the one I've mentioned.

That looks good at a good price as well

 

[willem]

I have a strong preference for generator lights. Batteries are bad for the environment, and in practice good generator lights are far more reliable. We have quite a few bikes in the family, and it is the battery lights that fail. As for brands, I have been very happy with B&M. They are affordable, good reliable quality, and their optics put the light where you need it. Most lights of far eastern origin are in fact illegal in the Netherlands or Germany, and for a reason. SON generator hubs are great, but even the mid price Shimano hubs are pretty good. If it is for an existing bike, a decent sidewall generator is often good enough as well (of the current crop the B&M is the best).

 

[Shed_head]

I have used a few different lights, lezyne Micro drives were good but I have broken two and one fell off, Currently using a Knog Blinder Arc 5.5 which is great really clever design and at 550 Lumens is good in most conditions. They were selling them on Sportspursuits so came at a bargain price but I think they are all sold out now. On the rear I use a Cateye rapid X2 which again has been very good. Both are USB charging. Not tried generator lights on my road bike so can't comment on that

 

[the bald eagle]

Sorry to piggyback your thread, but I don't want to start a similar one.

I live in the Valleys and riding to and from work means there is not always street lighting and I ride on some unlit trails, what would a good light be for me? I am also looking at doing some night riding so need good bright uns!

The Cree 5000 lumen ones are something that I was looking at, and there any alternatives I could look at and would the ones from China do the job? I really don't care about the adapter etc as that's easy sorted.

 

[Sharky]

Sorry to piggyback your thread, but I don't want to start a similar one.

I live in the Valleys and riding to and from work means there is not always street lighting and I ride on some unlit trails, what would a good light be for me? I am also looking at doing some night riding so need good bright uns!

The Cree 5000 lumen ones are something that I was looking at, and there any alternatives I could look at and would the ones from China do the job? I really don't care about the adapter etc as that's easy sorted.

Have probably said before, but Cateye volt 300 for me. The best one I have ever had. Brackets good and fit other Cateye models.

 

[martint235]

I run two Hope 1 lights (Evans currently have them at £64 each) at the front. Fitted with rechargeable batteries they'll last me a couple of weeks of commuting plus there's the option of if you're ever out for a long time and the batteries run out they'll take standard AAs

Well thought of on the dark lanes of a Friday Night Ride to the Coast.

 

[ianrauk]

I run two Hope 1 lights (Evans currently have them at £64 each) at the front. Fitted with rechargeable batteries they'll last me a couple of weeks of commuting plus there's the option of if you're ever out for a long time and the batteries run out they'll take standard AAs

Same as me. On my commute I run one as flashing, t'other as static.

 

[Saluki]

I use a Moon 360 and it's great. Not wildly expensive and it's got 7 settings on it. 4 steady lights and 3 flashing settings. I can see really well on the top two settings and the other 2 steady settings are great for when I'm riding with streetlights. I can see well and I don't annoy the car drivers.
I have a rear light from Planet X and it's fabulous.

 

[Jenkins]

Also have a look at Wiggles own range lights - a bit bulky but very good performers (I have the 700 Lumen)

500 Lumen version for £30
700 Lumen version for £40