Exposure Diablo - Too distracting for drivers for commuting?

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

I recently changed jobs which makes commuting a possibility, and wanting to get out more and knowing I will be back passed dusk I bit the bullet and got an Exposure Strada on the bars, and a Diablo on the helmet (Looking to get an mtb and do dusk/ late rides which is why I stumped up for the diablo)

My commute would takie in Cannock chase at 5am, hence wanting good lights of this caliber.

After my first little local test it seems the Strada is fine for roads, good spread of light and visable. But when I had the diablo on (and in commuting - flashing mode) as well I noticed...

A- People REALLY noticed me
B- Some were holding there hands up to block its light

In the interest of not blinding people should the diablo be left off untill I get to an unlight bit, or put on its lowst constant setting, or get a handlbar mount for it?

 

[snorri]

Left off when on road.

 

[gaz]

I would strongly advise not using a flashing light on the helmet, even if it's Exposures pulse mode which is actually always on.

Why? Helmet lights are used for two reasons, to point light in a place you are looking and to gain attention of other road users. The flash mode is pointless for seeing where you are going, it's just annoying. The flash doesn't add anything for drivers but an annoyance, shining a flashing light in their eyes will always distract them rather than make them think. You can get their attention with a solid light by rolling it over their face, which with a light on your helmet is easy to do.

I have the strada on my bars which I put on flash and a joystick on my helmet which I always run on constant.

 

[beanzontoast]

Obviously it's important to see and be seen. That said, I've certainly seen cyclists with lights that are so bright you have to avert your eyes rather than look at them. I'm reminded of the old public information film that said "Don't dazzle - dip your headlights". Ok, this was about motor vehicles, but some cycle lights with modern technology the way it is are truly dazzling and to my thinking anything that dazzles another road user is not good.

 

[ianrauk]

Definitely not flashing. Keep it on constant.
As wot Ga said. It is so very annoying for other road users. Motorists and other cyclists.
I see a cyclists every now and again who must have the same light attached to his helmet. It really is annoying and as far as I am concerned dangerous.

 

[Crankarm]

Great choice of lights. Very bright, but you don't need them on flashing either helmet or on the handlebars. Period. I'm not that keen on helmet lights either as they can seriously dazzle and especially so in your case as they are very bright lights. If you dazzled me or had them on flashing when I was approaching you, you would get both my Max Ds aimed straight at you on full beam. So make sure when anyone is approaching you they are aimed low in a dipped configuration. It is best not to tighten the Exposure mounting clamp too tight so you can move the light beam around, but not too loose that the light won't stay in the position that you desire. Like the Max D I think the Diablo light has several levels of power of light? I generally have mine on lowest setting (High, Med, Low) when other road users are around or approaching, angled down as if dipped. When no one is around in rural areas I have both on full beam which is awesome. It is like riding in daylight. I don't have a helmet light. HTH.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Thanks for your input, just what I thought it would be.

I will twist the diablo slightly to the nearside and probably run without it on in lit areas, and on low for most others, with the strada on low too.

Cannock chase may get both of them on full!! Spooky riding thogh there at night, I did it with some "see me" lights lasy year.

 

[ufkacbln]

Taxi drivers in Portsmouth cannot see it on full power!