Tesco 1W LED flashlight

[Randochap]

My point is supported by the discussion on this thread regarding batteries, how to get them to last, charging, etc.

It seems to me that all this messing around could be better spent riding, not to mention the dangers of insufficient lighting. Ever outrun your lights? Believe me, I've done the research over many years using less-than-stellar lighting ... and not all of it inexpensive.

Some night, when you are stranded cold, cursing in the dark, you'll pledge the money to invest in proper bicycle lights.

I have settled on a quality dynamo lighting system. No more buggering with batteries (except for my auxiliaries).

You might go to my winter cycling page and read the story linked from there, titled "Slipslidin' Again." That was the last time I used a (£60) battery operated (4 AA) LED light.

 

[amaferanga]

My point is supported by the discussion on this thread regarding batteries, how to get them to last, charging, etc.

It seems to me that all this messing around could be better spent riding, not to mention the dangers of insufficient lighting. Ever outrun your lights? Believe me, I've done the research over many years using less-than-stellar lighting ... and not all of it inexpensive.

Some night, when you are stranded cold, cursing in the dark, you'll pledge the money to invest in proper bicycle lights.

I have settled on a quality dynamo lighting system. No more buggering with batteries (except for my auxiliaries).

You might go to my winter cycling page and read the story linked from there, titled "Slipslidin' Again." That was the last time I used a (£60) battery operated (4 AA) LED light.

What if your dynamo fails?

 

[Randochap]

My point is supported by the discussion on this thread regarding batteries, how to get them to last, charging, etc.

It seems to me that all this messing around could be better spent riding, not to mention the dangers of insufficient lighting. Ever outrun your lights? Believe me, I've done the research over many years using less-than-stellar lighting ... and not all of it inexpensive.

Some night, when you are stranded cold, cursing in the dark, you'll pledge the money to invest in proper bicycle lights.

I have settled on a quality dynamo lighting system. No more buggering with batteries (except for my auxiliaries).

You might go to my winter cycling page and read the story linked from there, titled "Slipslidin' Again." That was the last time I used a (£60) battery operated (4 AA) LED light.

What if your dynamo fails?

At the worst, I still have my eyesight.

 

[kfinlay]

At the worst, I still have my eyesight.

Then surely no different to losing power to battery powered lights then

 

[Randochap]

Then surely no different to losing power to battery powered lights then

Ever notice how punchlines lose their impact when they have to be explained?

I guess in some cases it's necessary, especially when it comes to the written word and some people missed reading comprehension 101. Hence my dig about eyesight. Get it?

Any mechanical/electrical device can fail. As I've written and then repeated for your reading pleasure, I back up my generator system with battery lights. I have two: a small LED mounted next to my LED generator headlight and a helmet light.

However, it is extremely rare for a generator system to fail. I know of two in the last several years among all the long-distance riders in my circle, while battery lights can and do run out and fail completely at a much higher rate.

I also know this because I've sold hundreds of battery lights (and many generator systems) working in bicycle retail. How many generator systems have I had warrantee claims on? Zero. Battery lights? Lost count years ago.

What kind of back-up do you carry for your system (battery-powered, I presume?)

 

[amaferanga]

Ever notice how punchlines lose their impact when they have to be explained?

I guess in some cases it's necessary, especially when it comes to the written word and some people missed reading comprehension 101. Hence my dig about eyesight. Get it?

Any mechanical/electrical device can fail. As I've written and then repeated for your reading pleasure, I back up my generator system with battery lights. I have two: a small LED mounted next to my LED generator headlight and a helmet light.

However, it is extremely rare for a generator system to fail. I know of two in the last several years among all the long-distance riders in my circle, while battery lights can and do run out and fail completely at a much higher rate.

I also know this because I've sold hundreds of battery lights (and many generator systems) working in bicycle retail. How many generator systems have I had warrantee claims on? Zero. Battery lights? Lost count years ago.

What kind of back-up do you carry for your system (battery-powered, I presume?)

I still don't see how having dynamo + battery back-up is fundamentally different from having a primary battery light and then a back-up battery light. Very, very unlikely that both would fail at the same time. The important thing is that you have a back-up.

If you've sold hundreds of battery lights, but only many dynamo systems (I assume by many you mean less than hundreds?) then its hardly a meaningful comparison anyway.

And Randochap, I still don't get what you're on about - perhaps because its so very clever or perhaps because the written word can usually be interpreted in a multitude of different ways.

 

[kfinlay]

Ever notice how punchlines lose their impact when they have to be explained?

I guess in some cases it's necessary, especially when it comes to the written word and some people missed reading comprehension 101. Hence my dig about eyesight. Get it?

No coz I'm thick!

 

[Randochap]

I still don't see how having dynamo + battery back-up is fundamentally different from having a primary battery light and then a back-up battery light. Very, very unlikely that both would fail at the same time. The important thing is that you have a back-up.

If you've sold hundreds of battery lights, but only many dynamo systems (I assume by many you mean less than hundreds?) then its hardly a meaningful comparison anyway.

And Randochap, I still don't get what you're on about - perhaps because its so very clever or perhaps because the written word can usually be interpreted in a multitude of different ways.

Yes, the important thing is you have a back up.

I really don't want to continue this pointless debate (I've heard tell there are no prizes for "winning" an internet argument).

Usually these arguments come from those with experience of only one approach and a resistance based only on a refusal to try another.

I also used to share this resistance to the idea of dynamo lighting based on ignorance of the latest developments and prejudgement.

If you like your battery lights, fine. I'm not going to go on like some kind of dynamo zealot; there are some good battery-operated bicycle lights out there (just not the ones that were the original subject of this thread).

Again, dynamo lighting is more reliable (though not infallible) over the long term and the fundamental difference is there's no frigging around with batteries.

 

[Downward]

I have 2 torches.
The batteries last 2.5 hours or about 4 commutes.
I have a 15 minute charger under my desk which I use to charge the batteries every 2nd commuting day. No real bind on my life.
The rears last a lot lot longer - Around 10 hours so far.
I just carry a couple of spare AA and AAA's with me

 

[amaferanga]

Yes, the important thing is you have a back up.

I really don't want to continue this pointless debate (I've heard tell there are no prizes for "winning" an internet argument).

Usually these arguments come from those with experience of only one approach and a resistance based only on a refusal to try another.

I also used to share this resistance to the idea of dynamo lighting based on ignorance of the latest developments and prejudgement.

If you like your battery lights, fine. I'm not going to go on like some kind of dynamo zealot; there are some good battery-operated bicycle lights out there (just not the ones that were the original subject of this thread).

Again, dynamo lighting is more reliable (though not infallible) over the long term and the fundamental difference is there's no frigging around with batteries.

Um you assume a lot. I have had two hub dynamos. Used one for PBP 2007. Now I prefer not to use them. So you'll have to make up some other reason for me not being blown away by dynamo lighting

 

[kfinlay]

Usually these arguments come from those with experience of only one approach and a resistance based only on a refusal to try another.

Hey don't take any internet 'argument' seriously mate, I don't even take myself seriously so can't expect anyone else to I DID get your original point about torches not being as visible for being seen as bike specific lights but that light I got is an absolute bargain - almost identical light (rebadged?) in Cycling+ this month got 9/10 and was £19. Maybe I'll get a chance to experience new dynamo technology but as I tend not to ride in the dark then I can't see it being soon - the little I have heard certainly makes it a good option if you do ride in the dark regularly . Take it easy

 

[Randochap]

Um you assume a lot. I have had two hub dynamos. Used one for PBP 2007. Now I prefer not to use them. So you'll have to make up some other reason for me not being blown away by dynamo lighting

Fair enough. I couldn't have been happier with my generator lighting during PBP '07. Neither could the squads of riders with shitty little battery lights who attached themselves to my wheel on every fast decent through those rainy nights.

I was using twin E-6s. If I could go in 2011, the improvement would be the Edelux I now use, which makes even twin E-6s look like candles by comparison.

 

[Randochap]

Hey don't take any internet 'argument' seriously mate, I don't even take myself seriously so can't expect anyone else to I DID get your original point about torches not being as visible for being seen as bike specific lights but that light I got is an absolute bargain - almost identical light (rebadged?) in Cycling+ this month got 9/10 and was £19. Maybe I'll get a chance to experience new dynamo technology but as I tend not to ride in the dark then I can't see it being soon - the little I have heard certainly makes it a good option if you do ride in the dark regularly . Take it easy

No offense, mate.

My point is rather that small LED lights, though they've come a long way, are more likely to not light your way -- that's the big issue.

A modest light may get you seen -- though obviously a brighter one will make you even more noticeable as well -- but if you want to ride at any speed (especially on unlit roads) you need to be able to see the road clearly.

This is imperative, especially at this time of year when road edges and marked shoulders become clogged with debris, assuming your road crews are no better at maintaining shoulders than here.

It's one thing to get punctures, but hitting a larger object at speed can take you down fast, or worse throw you under the wheels of a vehicle -- and just to give you perspective if you haven't been around CC long enough to know me: I'm a guy who knows in visceral detail what it feels like to be under the wheels of a speeding vehicle.

Though my focus on safety didn't just arise with this summer's catastrophe, they're a lot more out front now.

BTW, not looking for any more condolences or hijack this thread.

Just do this for me: Be safe out there fellow cyclists.

 

[Big John]

Just an update on the original thread for those that are interested and maybe thinking of buying a cheap, effective light for their bike.

Two weeks down the line and still using the same 2 x AA duracel batteries on my daily commute (5 days a week - 20mins duration each night). OK, it's fair to say it's not as bright as when I first started but the light is still kicking out some serious rays!

I've just bought another one for the wife as she cycles to work too. I have to say that the light doesn't appear as bright on hers as it does on mine so maybe the fault with the light is that they lack consistency - maybe no two lights are the same but for under a tenner you they can't be beaten IMO.

 

[RSV_Ecosse]

I would agree with the above as far as the difference in light output/performance goes when it comes to the 1W AA Tesco are currently selling. I was in my local Tesco the other day and the wee AA Cree's were on sale at £8. I chucked one in the basket as although I have two already on the bike, I wanted one for work. I too noticed the fact that the torch is nowhere near as bright as the older ones I have and also the beam pattern seems to be a bit different. The older ones are a more narrow, focused and bright spotlight type beam whereas the newer one had a bit more "floodlight" type beam about it and also appeared to be a "softer" type of light. It's also more yellowish rather than ice blue.

Looking through the lens the reflector/white thingy inside looks different too. Perhaps the way these torches are now put together in the current production run Tesco are purchasing from is different?. Or maybe they are using a less effective LED?. Still good value for money, but my older type ones are staying firmly on the bike and the new one will make do for work.