Constant or flashing front light?

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Hi there,
I know that the dark nights are quickly approaching and more and more posts are about lights so sorry to add to the long list!!!
This will be my first winter commuting. Have managed not to need lights at all this year up to now. Have bought myself a set of Cateye lights that seem pretty good (I guess I'll soon find out!). The front light has a flashing mode and the info says that this makes the light last longer...
I just wondered if people have their lights set to flashing mode or keep them on constant?
What are the pros and cons of each?
Would really appreciate your views and experience.
Many thanks,
Russ
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
Hi there,
I know that the dark nights are quickly approaching and more and more posts are about lights so sorry to add to the long list!!!
This will be my first winter commuting. Have managed not to need lights at all this year up to now. Have bought myself a set of Cateye lights that seem pretty good (I guess I'll soon find out!). The front light has a flashing mode and the info says that this makes the light last longer...
I just wondered if people have their lights set to flashing mode or keep them on constant?
What are the pros and cons of each?
Would really appreciate your views and experience.
Many thanks,
Russ

If you are riding on roads with dedicated lanes (ie not single track country lanes) I would use both lights on steady. The flashing is great for drawing attention to yourself on narrow lanes and a flashing rear light is a great idea and now also legal :smile:
 

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
I had a single light last year, bought a 2nd better light this year so have both on with 1 flashing and 1 constant.

In your case either would be fine i think.....
 

BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
If you have an Exposure light, you can have a single light which is both on constant and flash. ;)

I like the flash mode as it's very good for getting driver attention. The disadvantage is that you look more like a cyclist, so drivers are more likely to pull out on you. I also like the constant modes, less attention getting, but you get treated more like a motorcycle or one-eyed monster (car with failed headlight).

A good test of this is to be tanking around Hyde Park Corner in London, passing the slip road from Piccadilly towards Grosvenor Place. Vehicles seem much more likely to pull out on me if I have the light on flash, so I often leave the light on constant for this bit, and put it on flash when filtering through traffic.
 

Kenny Gray

Active Member
I have my constant light on the bars which is my brightest light and attach a led flashing light to my helmet. Like BentMickey says the flashing light seems to catch the drivers eye, i attached to my helmet so that i can direct it towards cars by a slight movement looking towards junctions and the like.
Cheers Kenny.
 

PK99

Legendary Member
Location
SW19
Hi there,
I know that the dark nights are quickly approaching and more and more posts are about lights so sorry to add to the long list!!!
This will be my first winter commuting. Have managed not to need lights at all this year up to now. Have bought myself a set of Cateye lights that seem pretty good (I guess I'll soon find out!). The front light has a flashing mode and the info says that this makes the light last longer...
I just wondered if people have their lights set to flashing mode or keep them on constant?
What are the pros and cons of each?
Would really appreciate your views and experience.
Many thanks,
Russ

Flashing attracts attention but is difficult to track. (I'm here..... no, I'm here now...... oops, I'm over here now). Remember, drivers scan they do not focus on a single flashing light

Constant = easier to track but also easier to miss or lose.

Solution: Two lights one constant, one flashing
 

calibanzwei

Well-Known Member
Location
Warrington
Constant of the front of the bike, flashing headtorch on the front of my head ;D Mine also has a red flashing rear LED on the battery pack.
 

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
I have no idea how anyone can use a flashing front light. I've tried and it drives me mad.

My first light (the flasher) I have taped over the top of it so I cant see it flashing, I can still see the flashing beam of course if thats what you mean.
 

BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
Flashing attracts attention but is difficult to track. (I'm here..... no, I'm here now...... oops, I'm over here now). Remember, drivers scan they do not focus on a single flashing light

Constant = easier to track but also easier to miss or lose.

Solution: Two lights one constant, one flashing

That's actually an advantage - uncertainty of exactly where and what you are leads to slowing down and taking more time and care. The better you define yourself and your speed, and the better you define yourself as a cyclist, the more confident drivers are to judge things more closely to you.
 

BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
I have my constant light on the bars which is my brightest light and attach a led flashing light to my helmet. Like BentMickey says the flashing light seems to catch the drivers eye, i attached to my helmet so that i can direct it towards cars by a slight movement looking towards junctions and the like.
Cheers Kenny.

One great thing about a helmet light is that it doesn't need to be flashing - your head movement takes care of that for you.
 
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