Cheap headlight alternatives.

[HovR]

So after realizing that my Cateye HL-LD130 front flasher light was woefully inadequate, I started looking at alternatives. I soon realized that the more powerful headlights are extremely expensive, so after looking around I found a much better alternative for the HL-LD130, and other general front "Flashers".


The photo below is my current Cateye front "Flasher" light. The batteries aren't fully charged, but the light doesn't get a whole lot brighter.

And the photo below is my alternative. This setup generally costs under £15, not including batteries! The same amount, if not less than the Cateye shown above.

Front on view:

The above setup is a 9 LED flashlight/torch powered by 3AAA batteries (Shown Below). These can be acquired for around £5 to £10 on eBay, depending on the seller.

This torch can be mounted on a flashlight handlebar bracket/mount (Shown below), which you can also get off eBay for around £5. (Although in this photo it is just attached to the quill stem using tie wraps.

)

Whilst this may not be the best option for someone who regularly commutes long distances in the dark, I believe it is much better than a cheap front flasher, especially for the same price. (Or even better when used in conjunction with a flashing front light?)

The only real downside I can see at the moment is decreased battery life, however this can be solved with a set of rechargeable's.

Just thought I'd share that idea I had, as I hadn't seen it suggested before. Thoughts? And if anyone has tried this before, it'd be great to hear what sort of results you got.

-HovR

 

[HLaB]

A while ago Tesco were doing an excellent 3 watt tesco cree torch and similarly I used a two fish lock block to attach it to my bars and vfm it seems great but I do wonder about the robustness (waterproofing) of the unit :?: Other than that I can't see a problem with it. Some say it eats batteries but I haven't had a problem there and I use rechargeables.

 

[HovR]

Most of these types of torches claim to be waterproof, and I would be inclined to believe they are at least water resistant from looking at the components and build quality. I guess only time will tell.

 

[Night Train]

I do the same thing but I got my lights from Aldi as a three pack for £4.99 with batteries.

On each bike I have two lights cable tied to the bars as front lights and I have turned the third into a rear light as shown on this thread.

They are so cheap as to be worth leaving on the bike.

I have just added a set to my Brompton yesterday.

 

[bristol-dave]

wish i had known about that tesco 3w torch before, just rang them , they have nothing like it now .... bugger

 

[Hacienda71]

Get yourself one of These cheap but much brighter than the multiple led lights.

 

[HovR]

£4.98 for torch mount, torch and rear flasher? Sold! Worth it, if not only for the mount.

Thanks for the link. Heck, might as well get two..

 

[sheddy]

BTW is there a AAA charger that will take just 3 cells (or does one just charge x4 and use 3) ?

 

[HovR]

BTW is there a AAA charger that will take just 3 cells (or does one just charge x4 and use 3) ?

I've never seen one that will take a maximum of 3, only 2 and 4 - I think you'd be better getting one which takes 4, after all, it's not like they're expensive. Try eBay.

 

[david1701]

I've never seen one that will take a maximum of 3, only 2 and 4 - I think you'd be better getting one which takes 4, after all, it's not like they're expensive. Try eBay.

hit up 7day shop for their 8 bay charger, its great and will do a discharge cycle too for battery maintenance. Also they sell aa and aaa batteries that don't lose charge over time (see ready to go batteries) I use the aa ones in my camera flashes (in addition to lasting unused they have a lower impedance so recycle faster)

 

[HovR]

Sorry, bad wording on my part! What I meant was the closest I had seen to a 3 bay charger was 2 and 4. Thanks for the supplier of batteries and chargers though.

I have a 6 bay charger lying around somewhere, now just to get some batteries to put in it for my new lights..

 

[HovR]

Get yourself one of These cheap but much brighter than the multiple led lights.

Mine arrived Saturday - Extremely quick delivery!

For a budget light, I am pleasantly surprised. After testing out both the 9 LED light, and the one linked above, I have come to the conclusion that they are fairly even in terms of brightness.

However, when riding on unlit roads, the 9 LED torch proves to be fairly useless if you want to actually see where you are going, as it is so unfocused (although cars will still see you, as it is very bright). On the other hand, the 1 LED torch Hacienda linked is well focused, and projects a nice beam more-or-less where you need it.

Obviously it's not going to outshine a Hope Vision or Magicshine light, but it is much better than any of the light sets you can pay £20-30 for at Halfords. (And it's only £5 for a whole set!)

 

[albion]

How long does the batteries last?If it was indeed 5W it would be little over 30 minutes.

 

[Hacienda71]

I have one as a backup for my magicshine. I used it as a main light for a couple of months and I reckon you would get a couple of hours use from it with decent mh rated rechargeable batteries. The 5w claim is just the led rating. Plus side is they are cheap easy to mount and bright for the money.

 

[HovR]

I don't believe it is 5W, and never expected it to be in honesty, it is off eBay after all.

Not sure on the battery life yet, but I've gotten an hour and a half out of it so far on standard Duracell Plus AAA's.