Front Flashing Lights

[Mallory]

My main light setup is fine but I like a bright flashing light so that people actually notice me. Trouble is i have no luck with them lasting.

Ive had a blackburn flea die on me and now my lezyne micro drive is gong the same way. They just don't IME hold onto the rated charge.

Went out for a ride this morning and 2 hours into the ride and the red warning is showing when i should be getting 5 hours!!!

Could this be the downfall of USB charging and would AA battery powered ones be more reliable?

 

[Kies]

I always keep one light on the front and back which uses conventional batteries. If the USB lights fail, my battery ones will last (spares carried for 3+ hour night rides)
And there is always somewhere you can buy AA/AAA batteries in an emergency.

 

[RedRider]

Hiya, this may not be the ultimate solution but when I got the lezyne macro front light the bloke in the LBS told me the battery would degrade after so many charges at which point he said i should bring it into the shop and they'd send it to lezyne who'd replace the battery/replace the whole light - I'm not clear which - free of charge. I've not had mine so long and the degradation hasn't been noticeable but I'll try and think on and next time I'm in the shop ask about this.

 

[cyberknight]

carry more than 1 light front and rear and recharge on different cycles so one set always has a decent charge.

I always keep one light on the front and back which uses conventional batteries. If the USB lights fail, my battery ones will last (spares carried for 3+ hour night rides)
And there is always somewhere you can buy AA/AAA batteries in an emergency.

I will be pedantic and say i cannot remember seeing any shops open at 3.30 am saturday morning on the way home from night shift but that would be outside of times most folk tend to ride

 

[Mallory]

I will be pedantic and say i cannot remember seeing any shops open at 3.30 am saturday morning on the way home from night shift but that would be outside of times most folk tend to ride

Where the hell do you live then??

A plethora of 24/7 shops these days not forgetting petrol stations!!!

 

[cyberknight]

Where the hell do you live then??

A plethora of 24/7 shops these days not forgetting petrol stations!!!

Ok if you live and work in town .
My commute....
http://goo.gl/maps/1vPIh

 

[Kies]

Front Flashing Lights
http://www.cyclechat.net/index.php?threads/Front-Flashing-Lights.138165/#post-2616317


You need to carry more batteries than most sir ;-)

 

[ufkacbln]

USB charging can be dependent upon the current in some cases, this can vary from 500 mA to 1000 mA, and many stops in between

 

[Moda]

I'd endorse the Exposure recommendation. Top kit!

 

[Koga]

USB charging has in my opinion two major downsides :
1) potential water ingress
2) on board battery restricts you flexibility, I much prefer to be able to use re charge AA batteries (or any other size) and have the control to replace the them when they fail. This approach will almost certainly increase the life span of you light.
I am currently looking for a 2x AA small front light to use on flash during the day and will be following this forum with interest.

 

[Arjimlad]

I have a Smart Polaris 5 LED front light which is more than 7 years old. It interferes with wireless cycle computers when on flash mode, but setting that aside, it does a very good job and casts a reasonable beam. Batteries seem to last ages and the mount is strong.

 

[DrLex]

USB charging has in my opinion two major downsides :
1) potential water ingress
2) on board battery restricts you flexibility, I much prefer to be able to use re charge AA batteries (or any other size) and have the control to replace the them when they fail. This approach will almost certainly increase the life span of you light.
I am currently looking for a 2x AA small front light to use on flash during the day and will be following this forum with interest.

Can't help you with your quest, but the Philips SafeRide front light is USB-rechargeable with 4 AA batteries and is well-sealed. Also has a proper (car-like) beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

 

[Koga]

Can't help you with your quest, but the Philips SafeRide front light is USB-rechargeable with 4 AA batteries and is well-sealed. Also has a proper (car-like) beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

Yes that is a great light, probably one of the best due its beam you can get, but not what I am looking for at this moment in time.
Thanks

 

[fossyant]

The only issue with built in batteries is that quite often when the batteries are getting knackered, it's time for a new light. Here is where having a seperate battery pack, or indeed AA's (like in the Hope 1) saves you money. I've got a couple of Decathlon backup lights that charge off USB and I've not had any issues. My son uses two as well for his school bike (Decathlon V100 USB). The likes of Exposure/Moon and so on will use much better quality batteries in their USB lights.

 

[Koga]

The only issue with built in batteries is that quite often when the batteries are getting knackered, it's time for a new light. Here is where having a seperate battery pack, or indeed AA's (like in the Hope 1) saves you money. I've got a couple of Decathlon backup lights that charge off USB and I've not had any issues. My son uses two as well for his school bike (Decathlon V100 USB). The likes of Exposure/Moon and so on will use much better quality batteries in their USB lights.

Yes this is the main reason I don't like it, not only will they break and render the light useless long before the actually light part is broken, the batteries will also gradually reduce their output so the say 500x charge life is not accurate and will be (a lot ?) less.