New lights

[Pompey Princess]

Just looking to invest in some decent lights now it's well dark after 4.30pm. The ones I've got are OK but would like some better ones.

Not looking to spend fortunes though...Up to £40-50 max...I've seen mentioned before, people using a tesco torch for £3.99 but not sure how I'd fix it to my bike.

Any suggestions would be most welcome

Nicky

 

[Bigsharn]

The answer my friend is Duck tape

 

[rusky]

Twofish lockblock

Or 2 jubilee clamps

 

[mr_cellophane]

Plenty of choice of mounts on dealextreme also lots of good lights. The Tesco ones are not the same as they were 2 years ago.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.31871

I have these

 

[PpPete]

These knock spots off the Tesco torch and usually arrive within 7 - 10 days from HK.

Not convinced by the rear light, but you could buy two of these torches, a set of rechargeable AAA from same seller, and still have change for a pair the universally popular and eye-searingly bright Smart 1/2 watt rear.

 

[l4dva]

PpPete how long do the bateries generally last on those lights?? and how big is that front light?

 

[steveindenmark]

Mr Cellophane,

Do you have a link for those bottom clamps .

Steve

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Bottom clamps?

 

[mr_cellophane]

Mr Cellophane,

Do you have a link for those bottom clamps .

Steve

Look up "flashlight clamp" on ebay, they are 99p + postage which varies between sellers.  They used to sell them on dealextreme, but I can't find them now.

 

[PpPete]

PpPete how long do the bateries generally last on those lights?? and how big is that front light?

They take 3 x AAA in the barrel, so diameter is a little bigger than Tesco torch.
As for longevity.... Lee over on YACF, he says 2 hours using 850 mAHr batteries, I've not tested myself.

If I get time later I want to compare the brightness & beam with my Hope, and will post photos if so.

 

[Pompey Princess]

So, would a mini maglite do the job with those velcro clamp things from deal extreme??

(That's if I can't find a decent tesco torch)

 

[Scoosh]

To quote from a similar thread:

For a cheap set, it's really hard to beat this one from Saik. It is probably the bargain of the year. Surprisingly bright - but the rear one is 'not very good' (it's c**p actually but for £5.60 .... )

I plan on going out tonight to do a 'proper' night-time test but results thus far are impressive.


At the more expensive end (£30 - 60 ), have a look at this guy's blog and his eBay stuff - click on the See Other Items under the Seller info on the right.

... and, from yet another forum

....

[quote author=Scoosh link=topic=38096.msg723267#msg723267 date=1284723332]
I reckon this is one of the best bargains around at the mo'. I've yet to use it 'for real' on the road but am impressed with it thus far.

The rear light is pretty tatty though. More of a Christmas decoration than a practical rear light, IMHO. Its bracket is a strange size - too small to go on a seatpost; too big to go on a seatstay; too big to go on the back of a rack.

All said, it's well worth £5.60 for the front light alone - and the front bracket is pretty solid too.
[/quote]

Later ....

Had a wee ride in the dark this evening and reckon that the little Saik is excellent for being seen under any street lights or none. Flashing mode is an added bonus for being seen.

While riding in the dark, with a little ambient light, the light is good out to about 10 metres in front and fine for speeds up to 30 kph. Admittedly, this was on a route I know quite well; I would be happy to ride up to 20 kph on unknown roads - which is a bit slow but still 'safe home' capable.

Riding along in the dark is rather pleasant too

.

I did leave it switched on to see how long the rechargeable batteries would last. Over 12hrs later, there was still a usable flash but no fixed beam.

Then I remembered they were not rechargeables ....

HTH.

 

[PpPete]

I did check brightness on the Saik... but no time for photos, I'd say it's on a par with the Hope Vision 1 on LOW setting.

Those Velcro clamps (twofish lockblock) will work fine with most sizes of Maglite. Longer torches will tend not to hold their angle of inclination IME.

 

[heliphil]

I use as similar Deal Extreme torch that's supposed to use 3 x aaa batteries. I've replaced those with a single 18650 Lion battery ( did need to mod the torch a bit) - joined up with a guy the other night on the way home who wanted to impress me with his expensive light set up.... went quiet when I switched mine on full!!!!!

 

[rusky]

I have a dealextreme torch that's powered by an 18650 battery. It's supposed to be 900lm but that's just the output of the emitter. It's about the same brightness as a Hope Vision 1 on full.

My current setup is a Hope Vision 1 along with a Trailtech HID on the front. Smart 1/2W on the rear & 3m of EL wire wrapped around the frame.