Front light !!!!!!!

[darth vadar]

I know there are plenty of light debates on here, but my head is starting to hurt reading about them all.

Here's my problem (and yes, I am indecisive!!)

I have a few quid Xmas money currently burning a hole in my pocket.

I want a new 'very bright' front light so I can cycle along unlit roads.

Those Cree lights on Amazon and Ebay look fab and the price is right (circa £24 - £50). However, every time I spot an advert and then read the reviews - there seem to be plenty of positives, but equally plenty of negative responses too - all of which has had a tendancy to put me off.

I really want to buy one of these lights, but the more I read the more twitchy I get.

Can anyone help please ?

Thanks.

 

[MacB]

Help? not really it's one of those taking the plunge, but I can relate what I have:-

Mid to high output - dynamo setup - big bucks but I don't regret it for an instant also run a torch on the bars as backup but don't generally switch it on

Mid range output bought as commuting solution - Fenix L2D torch with various lockblocks and back up LED torches to go in them - the Fenix may seem a bit underpowered now, especially on paper, but it gives a good beam on unlit roads, I just combine it with a near field 'floodier' type torch/light to act as a backup and I like to see close up. I haven't needed it but apparently the Fenix support is great

Eye burningly bright - I bought one of the lights from China via e-bay mine is the one with the head shaped like Mickey Mouse so the two extra little lights on top. Out of the box there was a faulty connection on the battery and I bought some bits and a very kind guy on YACF soldered it up for me. In the meantime they sent me an entirely new battery pack so I now have a spare. So far no problems with the light, the new battery or the repaired original...though they haven't had that much runtime. However they go on charge in the garage in the middle of the floor in a metal tin...I've read those reviews as well. Awesome lights for offroad, fine on road if you are considerate to oncoming road users. But I treat the purchase as disposable there's no return to base option.

When I need to buy more lights then I may well look at using torches, I find the Twofish Lockblocks a great mounting solution and bought some bargain packs of them from Germany(triple sets designed to mount a U-Lock). This means I can pretty well mount any torch I like and there are some outstanding bargains in that respect. A twin or triple torch setup coupled with some decent rechargeables could well be the way forward. The best bit being that you can mix and match and swap out to your hearts content without spending a fortune on a single system. Also very transferable between different bikes.

I enjoy the luxury of the dynamo setup but not sure I'd bother with a dynamo rear light again.

 

[Paulf1566]

I had the same dilemma. Eventuality ordered a set of ay up lights.

http://www.ayup-lights.com/

Come from Australia, and arrived within a week. Very good quality and very bright. I was impressed.

 

[Peteaud]

Ive got 2 from amazon and have not had an issue with either.

Just don't go for the stupidly cheap and make sure it comes with a UK charger.

 

[potsy]

If I didn't already have so many front lights I'd be looking at something like this from Lezyne.
Good prices on lights at Ribble currently too

 

[darth vadar]

Ive got 2 from amazon and have not had an issue with either.

Just don't go for the stupidly cheap and make sure it comes with a UK charger.

Do you have a link for your lights please?

Thanks for all the replies by the way.

 

[Moodyman]

When i ride in the pitch black (not often) I do as per Macb here. I have two 5 watt torches with zoom in/out heads. Use the twofish mounts and have no problem seeing my way. In fact, I only ride with one torch on to save the batteries in the other.

Torch was £11 each from Aldi but similar can be had from Dealextreme. Mounts were £2 each from DX.

 

[Crankarm]

I just got another Exposure Max D to upgrade from my Mk3 light. Mk5 (£200) this time which has a genuine 1600 lumens output. Burn time is 2 hours on high but 5-6 with the triple cell external battery which I have as well. Also an Exposure Red Eye rear light which is rather bright as well. Neither will give a single flash nor dazzle or annoy other road users. It is like riding in daylight.

 

[Peteaud]

Do you have a link for your lights please?

Thanks for all the replies by the way.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XML-...isure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item416ce6afda