Commuting lights for urban roads?

[400bhp]

Similar to the other thread (apologies if this has been answered in some way already).

I have 2 of these Halfords Bikehut lights for my hybrid and racer. The brackets aren't great and the lights often flicker and can turn themselves off when jiggled around, so much so that I have stopped using one and want to stop using the other.

I'd like a light to ideally cover the following:

1. My commute is mainly lit urban streets. Sometimes I may take the off canal path/short path across a park however I don't believe I need a light to see (I'm less likely to use the canal path in the dark anyway and there is some light from houses/industry nearby).

2. Value for money perhaps up to £40.

3. Easy to switch between bikes, i.e. takes 20-30s to swap. This could be done by 2 brackets, 1 or 2 lights or a combination - i don't mind if it satisfies #2 above.

4. AA or AAA battery-ideally in multiples of 2 as it makes it easier to charge.

Thanks

 

[jefmcg]

Love my Fenix L2D. As you can see, it's been replaced by a newer model. I bought a lockblock for it, but have recently replaced it with a bit of inner tube, which works brilliantly and takes seconds to put on or remove.

Advantages: bright. Not magicshine bright, but bright enough for a neighbour's child to pretend he'd been lasered. Tough: I don't think it could break, short of a sledge hammer.

Disadvantages: no side light at all, I have to wave my hand in front of it to see if it's on under bright lighting. On full, 2900 nimh last only a little over an hour. Not magic shine bright.

I can take some pics of the light fitting if you want

(the hour burn time is a problem for me, so I'm get a dx MS clone, and will keep this as backup)

 

[jamin100]

I saw a chap this week with 2 of these mounted on his handlebars. They are tiny and looked great. Very bright!

Knog Lights

Going to get some for myself i think

 

[2Loose]

If you just need to be seen, get a couple of Smart polaris(?) lights which should cost less than 30 quid the pair if you shop around.

1 on flash, 1 on steady - the brackets are great and allow for quick swapping with other bikes. Avoid Cat Eye front lights because their brackets can be fairly awkward when you wish to move them.

 

[400bhp]

Thanks

Was having a nosey around the web and the Revolution Vision light gets good reviews, e.g. on Bike Radar

The brackets look very similar to the Halfords brackets I have.

Anybody own/owned such a light?

 

[semislickstick]

If you just need to be seen, get a couple of Smart polaris(?) lights which should cost less than 30 quid the pair if you shop around.

1 on flash, 1 on steady - the brackets are great and allow for quick swapping with other bikes. Avoid Cat Eye front lights because their brackets can be fairly awkward when you wish to move them.

I'm not really sure what the difference is between the Smart Lunar and Smart Polaris, one has a new design for better side on visibility, better for being seen in urban situations I suppose.
The brackets are good and you can get the 35lux one for £22, I had an older, a less bright model, is their 35lux model enough to get you through a short stretch of unlit track...anyone?

 

[fossyant]

Hope Vision 1 ! Of course. Many on here have one - run on low power on the road, and high for dark lanes. Even better if you get two (might empty your bank account a fair bit though).

I have a Knog Toad as a backup - it's OK, fairly bright (to be seen) but it doesn't like the wet too much, and it is a pain in the ass to fit on oversized bars - and don't fit it when wet as it pings off.

 

[400bhp]

Hope Vision 1 ! Of course.

£80?

Too expensive

 

[potsy]

£80?

Too expensive

I think Foss missed the £40 budget.

I'm sure the Smart ones 35Lux would be suitable, I used to use a Cateye before I got my Hopes and that would do what you want, not sure of the model off hand but it was around the £25-30 mark.

 

[400bhp]

I think Foss missed the £40 budget.

Appears so.
Perhaps got excited when he saw "lights" in the thread title.

 

[400bhp]

I am open to other suggestions.

If someone can really convince me I "need" one of these fandango style lights...

 

[cyberknight]

The revolution lights are ok but not that bright , if i was spending £40 i would go for 2 of these sets as you always need a back up light and you can always run 1 of the rears on the seat stay if you do not have room on the seat post for 2 ..

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q...nar-15-lux-front-with-1-2-watt-rear-light-set

 

[Moodyman]

Thanks

Was having a nosey around the web and the Revolution Vision light gets good reviews, e.g. on Bike Radar

The brackets look very similar to the Halfords brackets I have.

Anybody own/owned such a light?

I have them - well the front one and their 8 LED rear one. Both are well made, bright and battery lasts long time.

The front light is available cheaper at Wiggle as their 'Lifeline' light

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-1w-led-front-light/

I also think the Planet X link that Cyberknight posted is attractive

 

[cyberknight]

I should add i am so used to using my "OMFG" bright light for unlit roads that everything tends to look a bit dim in comparison .

 

[400bhp]

I have them - well the front one and their 8 LED rear one. Both are well made, bright and battery lasts long time.

The front light is available cheaper at Wiggle as their 'Lifeline' light

http://www.wiggle.co...ed-front-light/

I also think the Planet X link that Cyberknight posted is attractive

Thank you for this.

I went and bought a set from Edinburgh cycles last night No worries as i now have a spare rear light.

I might buy a Wiggle one as a spare.

Cyber - thanks for the reply. Good price on those.