bright light, bright light!

[DrSquirrel]

At least most drivers do dip their lights. I tend to find that most cyclists who have puchased uberlumen specials from Hong Kong are far too ignorant to even think about it.

Do you know most? I don't know you... who are you?

You are aware that there is no dip function?

There is, its called dipping it... physically. I push mine down slightly when a car dips their light (I do it first often to encourage them to do so as well).

 

[Norm]

cheers wesa, that's the second or third time i've heard that particular model mentioned - i will invest i think

Exposure lights are fantastic, but very pricey. I've got a Maxx D on my bars and a Joystick on my helmet and, as I intimated above, I haven't had a single person who hasn't dipped their lights for me, usually before they even round the corner towards me.

 

[Wobblers]

I use a Light and Motion Seca 700. Big, expensive (and not worth now after all the currency fluctuations), bright. I'll normally have it on high - and it's a rare vehicle that doesn't dip long before they get to me! I dip when I see someone approaching, but for those who don't, it goes back onto high - they soon get the hint!

There is, its called dipping it... physically. I push mine down slightly when a car dips their light (I do it first often to encourage them to do so as well).

Having been on the receiving end of a Magicshine on a few occasions, I have to say they are dazzling. The beam pattern is broad, so a lot of light is directed upwards. I don't doubt that you're aware of this: unfortunately many aren't, and don't appreciate just how unpleasant it can be for anyone oncoming. I think a Magicshine with a tighter beam would be just about perfect for road use.

 

[johnr]

For me, the biggest hazard is when I'm going downhill... at speed. I've found that sitting up straighter with hands on hoods cuts out the blinding glare. I've just fitted a little flashing helmet light. Seems to be working so far

 

[coffeejo]

Cars always dip their lights for me - but I've got the dual set up as well. A less powerful light on my handlebars, angled down to pick out the potholes and other hazards, and a helmet light, so I can turn my head away to reduce the glare for them. So far, so good.

 

[pshore]

My father in-law read something in the IEE(E?) magazine that the E.U. were looking at additional rules for manufactured bike lights because they were blinding car drivers.

The funny thing was my reply: "Oh that wouldn't affect me, good bike lights are too pricey so I use a torch instead".

Seriously though, I have two. One is a wide beam P7 and is very anti social so don't use it on the commute. I have another (XPG based) which has a tighter beam and is what people have been buying as helmet lamps for nighttime MTB. It works well as a commute light too especially if you have a clamp you can angle down if necessary.

 

[Holdsworth]

If people are worried about wide angle beams, then maybe a little bit of bodging to make a light shield that restricts unwanted upwards and sideways glare is required. Surely not too much trouble to a lot of the tinkerers out there

 

[gambatte]

Not heard about EU concerns over bike lights.
Have seen this though:
My link

 

[dellzeqq]

I have managed to get drivers to dip their lights by "flashing" my front light at them by momentarily placing my hand in front of the beam. Bear in mind my light is only a cheap "Torch" branded one which takes aaa's, it is more than bright enough to dazzle when pointed in your face and can light up signs from a good hundred yards.

that works for me as well

 

[Amanda P]

Those who don't dip are seriously annoying.

But what's maybe worse is those who do dip, but then when they're almost on top of you, maybe 30 yards short, THEN they turn on the full beams, just when they can do the most damage, and it's too late for you to react.

Why? They've got the right action, but at crucially the wrong time.

And are these the same numpties that drive slowly for miles in the pitch dark because they can't see where they're going on dipped beams...?

 

[tyred]

A baseball cap is my preferred attire for riding at night as I can look down slightly and use the peak of the cap to protect my eyes from being dazzled.

 

[gambatte]

A baseball cap is my preferred attire for riding at night as I can look down slightly and use the peak of the cap to protect my eyes from being dazzled.

Cycle hat with a peak

 

[Night Train]

The new HID headlights on cars are so bright and badly designed IMO that they are set to dazzle even when dipped.

I do dip my lights when on unlit roads if I see a cyclist approaching. Don't always get to see them soon enough though unless they also have bright lights.

I had a Ninja cyclist, many many years ago, shout 'Dip your lights!' at me. I was going slow enough to shout back 'Get some lights!'. He was completely invisible in the shadows on the opposite side of the road and unlit.

 

[fossyant]

HID's are supposed to 'dip' - but it's electronic - so can dazzle very easily (e.g. poor road surface). TBH they ave been around for ages, but seem to be getting more and more powerful.

Don't get me started on daylight running lights - some are very bright - think you are looking at banks of 1w LED's on cars - and not at all 'dipped' - so say 5 of these are equivalent to a good bike LED.

I run my Hope 1's pointing so the main centre of light hits the road about 30 feet in front, and both angled slightly differently. You'll get someone flash you when out on a pitch black lane in the middle of nowhere though.

 

[cyberknight]

HID's are supposed to 'dip' - but it's electronic - so can dazzle very easily (e.g. poor road surface). TBH they ave been around for ages, but seem to be getting more and more powerful.

Don't get me started on daylight running lights - some are very bright - think you are looking at banks of 1w LED's on cars - and not at all 'dipped' - so say 5 of these are equivalent to a good bike LED.

I run my Hope 1's pointing so the main centre of light hits the road about 30 feet in front, and both angled slightly differently. You'll get someone flash you when out on a pitch black lane in the middle of nowhere though.

I run the magicshine so the beam hits the road just in front of the front wheel and it certainly makes other vehicles dip but i hardly get people flashing their lights at me.