How much power do we really need in a tail light?

[Drago]

Thought to be and speculated by many.

No evidence has ever been published to support that nor did the publicly disclosed forensic report summary suggest that.

Blimey. You'd have thought they'd have at least waited until the poor fellow was dead before getting forensics involved!

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Reflective, ankle slap bands or reflective pedals are very effective. Also tyres with reflective tyre walls.

I have a pair of those retro reflective PlanetX (Carnac) toe covers, brilliant for front visibility to oncoming traffic with their lights on.

Got a pair of (DHB?) yellow socks with two small retro reflective bands visible on the shin, great too.

 

[sevenfourate]

Rear light brightness was heavily discussed prior to the Dynamo ride. And the retina burning / flashing variants openly discouraged.

I bought an adjustable Lumen rear just for this ride. And set it to 5 Lumens. For the benefit of everyone in my ‘wake’ 🤣

 

[Dogtrousers]

Thought to be and speculated by many.

That's why I referred to the manufacturers instructions warning not to attach anything to helmets because that's a simple fact.

The reasoning behind it (adhesives damaging the integrity of the helmet, head injury from attached sharp objects and so on) are all personal speculation and "stands to reason dunnit" type stuff which I'd prefer to avoid.

 

[oxoman]

My lazer O2 helmet has a little rear light that mates commented was highly visible when they passed me at night. Another big visual thing I found was to put 4 reflective straws on each wheel, they light the whole wheel up when a cars lights hit them.

 

[figbat]

Blimey. You'd have thought they'd have at least waited until the poor fellow was dead before getting forensics involved!

“Forensic” means related to court proceedings.

 

[Drago]

Blimey, its a different world over there.

 

[Phil4000]

Tried out the cat eye 150 and 300. Just at the bottom of the garden.

Both are very bright at constant really, if anything the 300 is a little easier on the eyes. Perhaps because the total amount of light is spread out more. I'm going with that one, as my main.

Cateyes aren't what they used to be; I had one way back in the 90's, much tougher build quality. These modern ones seem flimsy.

Look good and certainly give out a lot of light. But big drop in build quality, especially the attachments.

 

[MontyVeda]

Not to mention the fact that, if you read the small print leaflet that came with your helmet, it's very probably going to have a section in it that says "do not attach anything to this helmet". Plus the fact that they are extremely antisocial if you happen to forget to switch it off and then talk to someone while facing them.

They're extremely anti-social when riding and the chumps have to point their super bright torch in every face they pass. Ditto for their super bright bar mounted lights. Use a bit of common sense and dip them instead of dazzling everyone.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Lights attached to headgear should be banned.

 

[rogerzilla]

I have an ancient Exide "bullet light" that used to have a tungsten bulb and two huge D cells but now has AA adaptors and a Reflectalite red LED. It is quite unreasonably bright.

 

[fossyant]

Just have a look at some of the newer lights, they have automatic modes, group riding modes, etc. Certainly moved on a lot recently.

I use my two Magicshine rear lights on auto - bright sun, it pops a bright flash, night, it drops the output massively, but has a downlight that paint's the road red - very good indeed.