when did biking headlamps get so affordable?

[vash]

i'm thinking about the Nite-Fighter BT40S light for my needs. less than $70!!! am i reading that right?!

i didnt meet my commitment of riding five days in a row..why? it was 104 deg at 6:00 pm today. i whimpered and sipped ice tea from my couch. no way.

got me thinking..why not ride trails at night? might be the way to turn a boring trail into a new exciting ride!!

how serious are they with those "park closes at sunset" rules anyways.?

night cyclist; any ideas? tips? inputs? i think a simple bright red flashy thing for my camelback for the road portion of the trip will work.no? facing behind me..

[look 171]

Not sure if the simple red light is enough? I almost never ride at night. I always seem to notice those reflective strips on vest of construction workcrew on the side of the road. You wan to be seen with folks who are answering their all important text. Tape em' to your camel back. I like the separate light and battery packs. They seem to last longer and are brighter. Bring an extra set of small handle bar mount light stuffed in your CAmelback just in case if you kill your battery. it sucks riding in a single trail in pitch darkness. Ask me how I know. This was a time when I did little mtb but the lights were just in their infant stage. Fun, cacti kick my ass.

[aigel]

I have often not made it out in time on after work rides, especially now that the days are getting shorter. My input is to stay off single tracks if you run out of light - even with awesome lighting, it will be very dangerous. A fire road is okay, but even then, go slow down hill!

G

[VincentVega]

Anywhere near traffic? If so, something like this with your flashing red tail light

be safe

[Hydrocket]

A co-worker has Monkey Lights. Incredible to see....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIsHkolHj_U

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

A co-worker has Monkey Lights. Incredible to see....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIsHkolHj_U

Vash, don't you put those thing on. If you do, I'll come and shoot your ass myself ( I will have to go buy a gun first)

[aigel]

Regarding these lights getting cheaper. LED performance is going up continuously while their prices is coming down hard. Just like integrated circuits. The cost of the LED in that lamp is probably 10% of what it was 10 years ago when those first LED high performance flashlights came out. The LEDs are also more efficient, meaning more lumens per watt, so less battery power needed for the same amount of light and less cooling as well, so cheaper to build / package the assembly. Of course it is also made in China - all set $70!

G

[jyl]

Check Amazon for "Cree T6 XML" and you should find plenty of Chinese headlamps with rechargeable batteries for $25 or so. They are poweful and last anywhere from one to four years, depending on your luck with the battery.

[herr_oberst]

When did bike lights get cheaper?

About a week after I paid 300 bucks for mine, ha ha!

[berettafan]

Vash when the technology was marketed to consumer groups who aren't as willing to drop stupid sums of money for a flashlight it became difficult for the granola co's to claim they had something so special it just HAD to cost that much.

[VincentVega]

When did bike lights get cheaper?

About a week after I paid 300 bucks for mine, ha ha!

Isnt that the truth. My old Niteriders were $$$ and worked great, until the battery died. I still use them once in a while but the new stuff is so much better. Lighter, brighter, cheaper...

[gtc]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

A co-worker has Monkey Lights. Incredible to see....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIsHkolHj_U

Sweet little newborn baby jesus, $995.... PER WHEEL!?!?!?!!?

[intakexhaust]

I've had blinkies direct from Taiwan for less than $3 INCLUDING shipping! Oh yes, that includes batteries. They come in a sealed silver baggy, fly thru duties and its fast delivery! How can they do that???? Nutz, can't send a small package in the US, much less produce a new item like that!

Anyways, of the various type, I mount them on helmet, hydration pack and bike.

For headlamp, I made my own set-up. Light in weight, efficient, waterproof. Went to Wallymart for the deep discount / clearance stock. A very lightweight and brite tactical flashlight - CREE USB rechargeable / 600 lumen on high, 300 low. $35 Name brand is Ozark Trail.

Its mounted to an old brake caliper arm. The caliper arm mounts to an axle skewer so its a clean, on or off mounting, all metal and solid. Love it.

Performance has been great! Solid high beam for 5 hours. I don't know what the longevity or charging cycles will be but I did get the Walmart extended war. for a couple extra bucks. Its been in some downpour rains.... ZERO issues! Far better than any of my older bike specific high performance light systems.

I still have a dual (20 watt x 2) halogen set that uses a larger 6 volt chargeable battery pack. Haven't bothered to replace the old battery but think I'll modify to use in a water bottle power pack. The separate dual beams are really ideal for off-road. You can widen the field by rotating each one or use one as a pencil, and one wide. I have a small stock of spare bulbs, but once depleted I'll probably toss the system away. Thinking of installing them on vintage Stumpjumper.

BTW: Off-road trail riding at night is a hoot. A complete different experience. I swear been brushed by bats.

[will944]

I use 2 of these. One on the helmet, one on the handlebar. Works great!!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by gtc

Sweet little newborn baby jesus, $995.... PER WHEEL!?!?!?!!?

For 1/2,000th the cost if ya don't mind a little jerry rigging:Metrix 9-LED Flashlight - For Life Out Here $0.49.

Add Tractor Supply LED Emergency Light « ModernSurvivalOnline.com bright 20 leds $4.99

[creaturecat]

25 cdn pesos
delivered to my front door.
from China.
the same exact unit was 90 at my local store.