A decent commuting light?

[andylaw79]

Well it's going to be my first winter on the bike and I'm after a bit of advice on a decent front light. Most of my commute is on well lit A roads but have a 1 1/2 mile unlit section so need a good all round light.

Had my eye on a set of Ayups for a while (good reviews from a number of people on the forum), but missus anylaw is now expecting our first nipper and cost is an issue - "sorry love can't get that ...... I've just spent £150 on a set of lights" probably won't wash.

Any recommendations at about £50-70 anybody?

 

[MrGrumpy]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...&f_FullProductVersion=1&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=

seems a good buy and IRC my neighbour had this light before he got his Dinottes and it was very bright, enough for what you need !

 

[BentMikey]

A Fenix P3D, L2D, or 2 of the Tescos equivalent. My 2 x P3Ds were amongst the very brightest lights I saw on the Dunwich Dynamo this year. I was quite happy at 30mph with the visibility from those lights. Chris N has a similar setup, and with the both of us riding along together it was as though we were sitting in a car.

 

[Origamist]

I ordered this:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13665

It's super powerful, but long. You'll need a charger, batteries and a mount (Lockblocks or Fenix brand mount - I'm also using a velcro /plastic thingie used by people who like shooting things). Should still come in at less than 60 quid though.

The two settings should be good for country lanes/off road and roads with street lighting.

 

[andylaw79]

A Fenix P3D, L2D, or 2 of the Tescos equivalent. My 2 x P3Ds were amongst the very brightest lights I saw on the Dunwich Dynamo this year. I was quite happy at 30mph with the visibility from those lights. Chris N has a similar setup, and with the both of us riding along together it was as though we were sitting in a car.

Those Fenix look pretty good and use the same Cree LED's as the ayup's. How would you mount them on a bar?

 

[andylaw79]

How do you attach them Mickey - is there a dedicated mount clip or do you DIY something?

Just had a look on the Fenix site https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_38&products_id=388 and you can get this to attach to a bar - quite chunky but looks pretty robust. Is this what you use Mikey?

 

[BentMikey]

That's one possible solution, but I use a Twofish flashlight lockblock. I have three on the 'bent - one for the helmet camera, and two for the Fenix P3D lights.

 

[andylaw79]

Just forget my last two posts just found the Fenix UK website.

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix_p2d_q5.html

Mikey, do you have a photo you could post of the lights in action?

 

[BentMikey]

Nope, but they are BRIGHT, extremely so. I have the P3D, by the way, with 2 x CR123As. That battery is potentially a bit of a disadvantage as it's somewhat expensive and not very environmentally friendly. That's why I suggested the L2D.

 

[andylaw79]

Nope, but they are BRIGHT, extremely so. I have the P3D, by the way, with 2 x CR123As. That battery is potentially a bit of a disadvantage as it's somewhat expensive and not very environmentally friendly. That's why I suggested the L2D.

Thanks Mikey, I think that's my mind made up, just one final thing did you order direct from the Fenix UK website?

 

[fossyant]

Well if you are still looking - Edinburgh Bike Co-op have the Cateye EL510 1 watt LEDs on offer for £14.99 - I've just ordered two to supplement my BLT Halogen lights - after my old cateye self destructed on the tarmac at 30 mph this morning...grrr.....

 

[BentMikey]

Thanks Mikey, I think that's my mind made up, just one final thing did you order direct from the Fenix UK website?

I got one from Fenix, the other from eBay. As I said, apparently Tescos do a version that's similar to the L2D, so runs on AA batteries, and is like a tenner. I've only ever used the P3D though.

I have 2 x Cateye EL530, which are much brighter than the Cateye 510/500s, and yet still there's no comparison to the Fenix lights.

 

[HLaB]

Well if you are still looking - Edinburgh Bike Co-op have the Cateye EL510 1 watt LEDs on offer for £14.99 - I've just ordered two to supplement my BLT Halogen lights - after my old cateye self destructed on the tarmac at 30 mph this morning...grrr.....

I've got a 510 also as a secondary, whilst I think its a good light, it isn't near good enough for a dark country lane.

 

[Piemaster]

I got my P2D from 'Doc' at glowgadgets.
Very pleasant guy to deal with.

ps He does the twofish lockblocks mount as well

 

[BentMikey]

I've got a 510 also as a secondary, whilst I think its a good light, it isn't near good enough for a dark country lane.

Even the EL530 isn't really bright enough for this, and they are a lot brighter than 510s!! The Fenix's (and Ayups apparently) are easily bright enough.