Anyone used Blackburn Voyager 3.3 Lights?

[angelinaaaaa]

They seem to crop up on many websites for sale, but i dont know about anyone thats used them. also, cant see anything about whether or not they are waterproof.

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/Product/216/EH2011314/ukbs/blackburn-voyager-33--mars-10-light-set.html

cheers

 

[redjedi]

I've never used the front light in that package, but I've just started to use a Mars 3.0, which is very nice and very bright.
I got the Mars 3.0 from Parker International for only £10.50.

What is the front light for? i.e. is it for dark country lanes "to see" with or just town use "to be seen"?

 

[angelinaaaaa]

Its for a bit of both really. I ride in London on busy roads, as well as along a tow path which passes through dark tunnels, so i need to be seen, and to see.

Ive read many many many articles about ayups and tesco 3wcrees etc, but to be honest, i think its all a bit much in terms of brightness. I dont need to have a glaring headlight.

I was considering Catseye 530's or these Blackburn 3.3's becuase they have a great batt life, but the annoying thing is, they dont have comparible stats. Blackburns are 45 lumen, whereas the cateye are 1500 candlepower, and i have no idea which is greater.

I think im going to stick with the Blackburn 1.0 rather then the 3.0 because i like the fact they can mount on my rack, whereas the 3.0 cant.

cheers guys, any tips welcomed. :-)

 

[hackbike 6]

I use one of these (flashing 4 led)
and a Smart one watt steady but do like the look of the light on this thread.

 

[angelinaaaaa]

i was looking at that quad light for a while, but read that its good for being seen, but not so good for lighting the road ahead.

but maybe you can clarify on this first hand? do you cycle along any dark, poorly lit roads? and if so, how does the quad help in lighting your way?

 

[hackbike 6]

Don't really use it for seeing the road as it's not suitable for that.(useful for being seen and I don't have SMIDSY's )(Touch wood)

Don't really cycle anywhere that dark or I'd possibly get a rechargeable halogen.

 

[BentMikey]

i was looking at that quad light for a while, but read that its good for being seen, but not so good for lighting the road ahead.

but maybe you can clarify on this first hand? do you cycle along any dark, poorly lit roads? and if so, how does the quad help in lighting your way?

If you need to see where you're going, I recommend something like the Fenix L2D or P3D. They are a super powerful LED torch that mount and work well on bikes, using a twofish lockblock. 2 of these were so bright they made my lights amongst the very brightest on the dun run. There's a cheaper version from Tescos for about a tenner, I believe though I don't know the exact model. That or a set of Ayups which are also reputed to be very good.

 

[angelinaaaaa]

Ayups are too expensive, and have a really low batt life.

With the fenix, im not sure about that batt, sounds like something obscure i couldnt pick up easily...

lasts 13 hrs at 53 lumens, wheras the blackburn is 45 lumens but 100 hrs, and only uses AAA which is more convienient then the2xVolt CR 123 batts the fenix uses.

 

[BentMikey]

Both the Tescos and the Fenix L2D use AA batteries.

 

[BentMikey]

I'm very doubtful of the 45 lumens and 100 hours claim of the Blackburn - something doesn't add up there.

 

[hackbike 6]

I like the AA batteries but I reckon if I left that on my bike by accident or whatever someone would whip it.

The lights I have seem to deter anybody from nicking them.(Touchwood)

 

[angelinaaaaa]

yea but its £40 and the blackburn is the same spec but cheaper... just want to check in case anyones used them really and can vouch for them

 

[hackbike 6]

They look good I must admit im tempted.

Reckon I may have to tape it on though.

 

[BentMikey]

The Tescos one is however a tenner, and as I said before, the lumens and battery life on the blackburn just don't add up. Further more, I've seen lots of people recommending the Fenixs (and tesco's equivalent), and no-one the blackburn.

 

[gratts]

I made a similar thread, with similar requirements.
Why do you think some have much worse battery life than others? Sure some may give off a bit more heat/be less efficient, but the main reason is you get more bang, so the battery doesn't last as long.
I'm going to need the same, down unlit lanes..I've decided to opt for a 10W halogen. Might only get a couple of hours juice, but at least I can see my way home