Headlamp

[RedBike]

I want to get a headlamp to light the ground up immediately infront of the bike, aid with corners and so that I can see the gps at night. I'm thinking of about 3watts/200lumens and about 4hours run time.

It's not going to get much use, espeshially now the clocks have gone back so as cheap as possible please.

Is there anything?

This sort of thing (but brighter and cheaper if possible)..

 

[montage]

LED over bulb maybe?

Most camping shops should have a variety of these stocked... I have one with 4 LEDs which is brilliant for general use, but not tried it for cycling.
Sure you can get decent ones for under £25

 

[RedBike]

You would of thought so. But i'm struggling to find one.
What do you think of this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360141917267
Or would I be better off mounting one of these to my helmet.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350182451812

 

[just4fun]

because im on the work computer i cant access the image but here are my recommendations. they are not over 200 lumens but they are bright

http://www.thetorchsite.co.uk/LED_Lenser_P14_torch.html

also a usefull review of the p7 http://thegadgeteer.com/2008/06/24/led_lenser_p7_led_flashlight_8407_/

edit: i have the p7 its useless on the low setting but the high setting is good. i dont think the range is as much as stated thou. it wont be good for heavy off road though as its a lengthen shorten for beam adjustment.

its not as godo as a full size maglite

 

[RedBike]

I've just read some of the review for the cateye EL400. Forget that one. It sounds like a load of rubbish.

 

[RedBike]

The Lenser Led torches look great. Sadly they're neither cheap nore are they mountable on the helmet / head.

 

[montage]

Is this to replace a front light or to go with it?
Finding a headlight powerful enough to light up some distance infront of you could be an issue, unless it is a pretty direct/focused beam. I will go attempt to find my one between now and tomorrow night and tell you how suitable it is ....best I can do advise wise I am afraid I am no expert in the ways of lights.

 

[HJ]

Lets start with a reality check, Very bright LEDs are relativity new, this is still cutting edge technology, in five years they will be in the main stream and you will be using them to light you homes with. When that happens and only when that happens will seriously bright LED lights be cheap, until then if you want a 200lumen light with a four hour plus run time, you are going to have to pay a lot more then £25. If you want a serious headlamp check this review, increasingly standard bike lights are come with helmet mounts and/or headbands.

I have a DiNotte 400L, which came with both handle bar and helmet mount and headband. It is an excellent bit of kit, it wasn't cheap, but it is well worth the money. At the end of the day you get what you pay for...

 

[just4fun]

The Lenser Led torches look great. Sadly they're neither cheap nore are they mountable on the helmet / head.

my bad i didnt realise you wanted a helmet or head mounted torch, i'll get looking (cave + potholing might turn something up)

edit: the title was a give away

there are 5 here ranging from £14 to £85 i dont knwo how good they are but tis a step in the right direction : night orienteering
http://www.ultrasport.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_37

 

[RedBike]

Thankyou MisterPaul,
unless I can find something better within the next 2/3 days I will be ordering that one. .

 

[Llama]

+1 for alpkit - or this

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_8&products_id=100007
£15

 

[RedBike]

I'm lucky enough to have just purchasd a very bright new light.
http://niteflux.com/Products_photonMaxExtreme.aspx

Unfortunately, the beam on this light is very narrow so it doesn't seem to light up the trail/road immediately infront of the bike or anything off to the sides. (Which makes riding off-road difficult.)

I want something just to light up the ground immediately around the bike and allow me to see where i'm going when the trail becomes twisty. Also something that will allow me to read the gray screen on the GPS unit at night.

 

[RedBike]

I think I've found one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-Watt-w-CREE...14&_trkparms=72:1688|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[philr]

the couple of relatively cheap headlamps i have used, seem to be only a good source of secondary lighting, ie, great to see into dark junctions or looking left/right into hedges, but not enough to illuminate the road ahead, besides i find that if even a small amount of dampness in the air, the head lamp reflects the damp air causing a bright curtain of light at about eye level, fog and rain, forget using a head lamp. like trying to use full beam on a car in fog, cannot see anything ahead but a wall of light. mind you 6 miles of my journey are unlit country roads with no street light polution for miles and miles.

 

[Randochap]

I use a Petzle 4-LED. It's bright enough to illuminate street signs, read map/route sheet, etc. Keep on helmet w/ zipties. Used as an adjunct to on-bike lighting, of course.

See Lighting Page on VeloWeb