Hope 1 front light

[fossyant]

I think the main point is to buy quality re-chargeables anyway. Certainly say on a long run, then the higher capacity is much better.

I recharge my 2 Hopes once a week, but run three sets of batteries. At recharge time, the spares go in Light 1, light 1's batteries are recharged, then swapped into Light 2, and light 2's batteries are recharged and put into the 'spares' case. With this frequency, I really don't need hybrids, but as the lights stay on the bike all year, it's handy in the summer months when they only get used in poor weather, so the longer stand by has it's advantage.

2100 hybrids last about 3-3.5 hours on max in a Hope 1 (or about 12 hours on medium - level 2) - 2800's should last 4-4.5 hours on max - so handy for some night runs.

 

[fossyant]

Oh, and referring to an earlier post, you can't change the reflector as these units are too well sealed. I wouldn't anyway, as this won't do your warranty any good. Even if one of these lights failed outside warranty, Hope would more than likely repair or replace it anyway as their customer service is second to none.

 

[Davidc]

I'm not talking about mine, I was just going on the usual numbers and obviously the "lowest" numbers came into my head.

btw I do have both types and im not slating them - just for a front light that is being used I don't see the point.

I was only noting that your charge hold time was very pessimistic.

I run be-seen type lights all the time I'm riding, day and night, and they have AAA batteries. I recently replaced 4 with hybrids (the original standard cells moved into cordless phones which overcharge them and kill them in about 18 months). I can't tell the difference, both sorts move around the 2 bikes being recharged every other Friday and just work.

I don't have any problems with rechargeables, but do apply some good practice to them.

All chargers have 1 channel per cell and smart charging
All batteries recharged before they're flat so none get reverse charged (that's a quick way to kill them)
All batteries are 'rotated' in use so none are left discharged. (once they've been unpacked and charged the first time)
No long term trickle charging. (reduces capacity over time)

Doing that they seem to last a very long time.

I agree with magnatom that the hybrids are much better for cameras. I did a few measurements and I think it's partly because they seem to have lower internal resistance which keeps the voltage up when cameras take silly currents, especially for recharging the flash. They also run my DAB portable radio for much longer than either standard NiMH or alkaline batteries, probably for the same reason.

Back to the OP, the Hope 1 light cutting out on low voltage should help avoid reverse charging, especially with 4 cells, so rechargeables should have a good lifetime in it.

 

[iacula]

Thanks for all of this, it's good useful stuff. I'll look out for these hybrids next time I'm looking for batteries.