Now it's getting darker I face the prospect of riding down unlit towpaths in the dark. Will a hope vision 1 provide me with enough light (possibly with a basic cat eye backing it up) to negotiate dark, narrow winding paths without running over any badgers or falling into the river?
Will a Hope Vision 1 be enough?
- Thread starter Jezston
- Start date
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downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
I used one on an unlit road last week no problems. Its not super bright like some car headlights, but it is one of the better mid-priced lights. I get about 2.5 hours with the 2500ma rechargables. Thats on full power.
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
Could always helemt mount it if you wear one, and keep the cateye on the bike.
Better still, Aldi have a 3w cree torch for sale on thursday - tenner. Whack that on your head as a spotlight as a back up!
Better still, Aldi have a 3w cree torch for sale on thursday - tenner. Whack that on your head as a spotlight as a back up!
Broadside
Guru
- Location
- Fleet, Hants
Hope1 plus batteries and decent charger will be about £80. Get a Magichsine 900 lumen (MJ-808) instead for exactly the same money. I just got one and can tell you it has an amazing amount of light, far far outshines a Hope1. Easily good enough for towpaths going at a decent pace.
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
Have just recorded some video of it in an unlit garden if you're interested Jezston. Might be a day before I can compile and upload though.
I've already got a ton of 2500mA rechargables for other non-cycling gear I use, but I'll look into this Magicshine.
This towpath is more Derbyshire countryside than inner city canal, but I might have a word with the local force to enquire as to whether they have many incidents there and if they consider it safe.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
No one will mess with you whilst you're riding your 'ridiculous' bike Jez,they'll think you're bonkers
Blimey, Hope Vision 1 = 240 lumens.
Magicshine = 900 lumens!
Is this a rather generous measurement, or is the Magicshine perhaps worth considering over the Hope?
Is it perhaps a little too good to be true?
Magicshine is a little on the heavy side, but is it more than a Hope with batteries? (can only find weight info when unloaded)
Magicshine = 900 lumens!
Is this a rather generous measurement, or is the Magicshine perhaps worth considering over the Hope?
Is it perhaps a little too good to be true?
Magicshine is a little on the heavy side, but is it more than a Hope with batteries? (can only find weight info when unloaded)
Panter
Just call me Chris...
- Location
- Sittingbourne, Kent
Magicshine is probably a little optomistically rated, but, it will be a lot brighter than the Vision 1.
Mine (Magicshine) will hopefully arrive today so if you can wait a little while, I can do a comparison against the Vision 1's if you want?
FWIW I think a single Hope 1 would be fine for towpaths, it will limit your speed a little but as (I assume) it's all flat, I don't think that will come into it.
The other plus with the Hope is the fantastic customer service and the quality of the light but, it won't be as bright as the Magicshine. Oh, and of course the Hope uses AA's which was another big plus for me.
To put it into perspective, I do a lot of night riding on the MTB and, IMO a single Hope is a little undergunned for that. Two, though, are fine so they are powerful lights considering that we're hooning about in the woods in the pitch dark, hitting at times, 25mph downhill over rough, rooty sections of track.
Origamist
Legendary Member
A Magicshine will not be putting out anywhere near 900 lumens. A more realistic figure (out the front) would be in the 500-600 lumens range. However, it will be noticeably brighter than a Hope, but the workmanship/parts are not up to the same standard. I believe QC has improved with the Magicshine, but I'd want a back-up.
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
Also with Lumens you have to remember that the way the light throws the beam out affects it quite a lot. If it uses a spot in the center this can be sucking the light away from other parts of the beam making the light less effective.
If you could do a compare that would be great.
If two hopes is fine for pitch dark forest rides at 25mph then maybe one will be fine for fairly dark towpath rides at 15mph?
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Could always helemt mount it if you wear one, and keep the cateye on the bike.
Better still, Aldi have a 3w cree torch for sale on thursday - tenner. Whack that on your head as a spotlight as a back up!
Rated at 110 lumens if that helps?
