Lights

[harveymt]

It's coming into the winter months so I'm going to need a light if I want to keep cycling.

What do I need to be looking for? I've seen cheaper lights with battery packs (there's a thread on here about one people like off eBay, I can't find it just at the moment) and more expensive USB charged ones.

Is there much difference between the more expensive ones other than a nice casing?

My daily use is about 5 miles in the morning and 10 coming home via the gym so length of charge isn't a huge issue for me. I do longer runs at the weekend but that'll only be during the day.

Any initial pointers would be great.

 

[mattobrien]

The cree t6 mentioned on here is hard to beat for the money. Very good for seeing with.

 

[VamP]

The cree t6 mentioned on here is hard to beat for the money. Very good for seeing with.

They are phenomenal for the money!

 

[biggs682]

The cree t6 mentioned on here is hard to beat for the money. Very good for seeing with.

must admit keep looking at them but dont like the idea of carrying battery pack and all the cables running along bike , looking at the cateye el530 for myself , to replace or run along side 3w cree torches i have been using for last couple of years .

 

[mattobrien]

must admit keep looking at them but dont like the idea of carrying battery pack and all the cables running along bike , looking at the cateye el530 for myself , to replace or run along side 3w cree torches i have been using for last couple of years .

You will struggle to find anything better for the money. I have two and anyone I cycle with at night buys one.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Every clubmate I've cycled with at night so far this year has a light system with battery pack. To be honest, I often forget my spare battery is on the frame, I've never needed it personally - but the connector is compatible with other systems if they need.

 

[Moda]

What's the benefit in a battery pack over an all in one?

 

[Kies]

One battery pack lasts for 5-6 hours running a cree T6 on 60% output which is more than enough on all but the darkest lanes.
Two battery packs or two lights would mean a lot of night riding

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Capacity - run time - ability to split the power between light units(as mine does) http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/c-and-b-seen-commuter-kit.137640/

My main pack has 6 18650 cells, my spare has 4 of the same. < These are the kind of batteries you'd get in torchythebatteryboy units and some cree xmlt6 torches.

They aren't subtle asthetically, but 3 cable ties along my toptube takes the wiring as good as out of sight. Helps that the ties are black,as is my bike

 

[Easytigers]

I used to use a cateye light and thought it was the business...it was only when I went out with a friend that had a cree that I realised how much difference it makes...night and day...

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Capacity - run time - ability to split the power between light units(as mine does) http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/c-and-b-seen-commuter-kit.137640/

My main pack has 6 18650 cells, my spare has 4 of the same. < These are the kind of batteries you'd get in torchythebatteryboy units and some cree xmlt6 torches.

They aren't subtle asthetically, but 3 cable ties along my top tube takes the wiring as good as out of sight. Helps that the ties are black,as is my bike

So are the cables

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

So are the cables

Indeed

 

[TheDoctor]

must admit keep looking at them but dont like the idea of carrying battery pack and all the cables running along bike ,.

On my one, the battery pack velcros on under the stem.

 

[Moda]

I did look at a battery pack style set of lights but decided they were just too visually challenging to use. I was told that I could use a battery pack with the Exposure Diablo MK5 that I eventually went with. Haven't needed the extra run time yet.

 

[Moda]

I keep hearing 'Cree' have looked and it's an American company producing LED light technology. How and why are they so synonymous with lights. Is everyone else licensing the tech from them???