Lights: how bright is too bright?

[HJ]

I use DiNotte 400l Road rider lights and so far no one has complained, never had anyone flash at me or anything like that. The First time I used them, I did have an oncoming car driver dip their lights, before seeing me, just saw the loom for the light around a blind corner...

Lupine do suggest their lights for commuting, now if I had the money I would happily use a Betty 14 for commuting. Provided you use the lights sensibly, don't aim them at other people faces, dim them to the appropriate light level for the situation, there shouldn't be a problem. It is just a case of behaving in a responsible manner...

 

[yashicamat]

I use a 480 lumen Hope Vision 2. Around town, I have it on level 2 (there is quite a big jump between levels 1 and 2) which allows me to see things in the shadows under trees and makes me sufficiently visible to other vehicles. When I hit the unlit lanes, it goes to level 3 or sometimes level 4 if the road is wet. I tend drop it back to level 2 though for oncoming cars (they dip their lights so it seems like courtesy for me to do likewise . . .) then back up again once they're past.

 

[Norm]

I'll stick these pix in the "show us your lights" thread too, but I did some comparatives this evening.

All shots taken at 1/30" at F5 and an ISO equivalent of 3200. In case anyone else is as anal as me. The lights were about 20' from the garage door.

Firstly, base reading, Cateye HL-EL135 3LED light, available from any bike retailer and a "to be seen" light. I used it because I reckon many here should be familiar with it, so you can visualise how it compares.


Second shot, the same Cateye on the left but, on the right, an Exposure Joystick Maxx 2 on its lowest setting. Unfortunately, I've just realised that the sensor light came on but it's brighter with a much broader spread of light.


Third shot, same two lights but this time the Joystick is on full power. The light from the Cateye is almost completely swallowed up, you can just see the faint blue tinge where the Cateye is shining.


Shot number 4 and the big guns are coming out. An Exposure Enduro Maxx on low power. It's not as bright as the Joystick on full power but it is still enough to overwhelm the Cateye.


Last one, the Cateye is still in there, completely swallowed up by the Enduro Maxx on full beam. Ouch.

 

[2Loose]

I ride on mostly lit semi urban roads...was considering getting a hope vision 1, but some of the lights discussed sound as though they would be almost anti-social in such an environment! I don't want to annoy people, just get noticed and spot the new pot holes in advance. Is the Hope 1 enough for this situation?

Just seen your post Norm, nice comparison. You read my thoughts almost.

 

[Norm]

2Loose, the Hope Vision 1 is a superb light, I have a friend with one, well made and a good price for a decent light.

If you want a light to get noticed, though, I'd recommend a head-mounted light as it puts the light source somewhere different.

Something from Petzl, for instance, should work in an urban environment, although I will always rave about the Joystick. Especially if you are regularly in unlit areas, having something switchable which is that powerful makes off-road and country lanes an inviting place to ride at night.

 

[fossyant]

So good, I bought 2, and so did Potsy and Marinyork.....

The AA battery's sold it to me.

 

[BentMikey]

I'm a bit doubtful of the effectiveness of pointing a Maxx Daddy downwards a little - the spread of light is so wide that the light reaching drivers will only be reduced a little.

I'm not much of a believer in this whole LED intensity thing. As bright as the Maxx-D is, on a dark country lane a car behind manages to wash out the light completely with reasonably ordinary car headlights.

I'd say yes..they make the dozy buggers take notice........

Mine is a fast, but constant traffic commute, there isn't too much 'filtering' like in London, say.

+1. Even more so when doing a lot of filtering.

 

[Davidc]

If you want a light to get noticed, though, I'd recommend a head-mounted light as it puts the light source somewhere different.

Disagree. They are totally ineffective.

When driving the car I find head-mounted lights almost invisible. Cyclists wearing them and using no other front light have been the cause of the two closest near misses I've ever had with bikes. (In both cases no other lights at the front, dark clothing, and every other step taken to ensure invisibility as well)

The ones I see soonest are bright flashing lights at handlebar height.

By all means wear one but make sure there's a light on the bike where car drivers will see it as well.

 

[BentMikey]

Disagree. They are totally ineffective.

Your experience is in complete contrast to everyone else I've read. Helmet mounted lights are *extremely* effective, especially in freezing drivers at sideroads who might be on the verge of pulling out. Perhaps you've never seen someone with a joystick class head lamp?

 

[Armegatron]

Your experience is in complete contrast to everyone else I've read. Helmet mounted lights are *extremely* effective, especially in freezing drivers at sideroads who might be on the verge of pulling out. Perhaps you've never seen someone with a joystick class head lamp?

+1

 

[Origamist]

Handlebar and helmet mount lights complement one another. Issues of legality aside, if I had to choose one, I'd go for a handlebar mount.

 

[BentMikey]

I'd find it hard to imagine anyone having only a helmet light and not bike mounted lights as well.

 

[Origamist]

I'd find it hard to imagine anyone having only a helmet light and not bike mounted lights as well.

I saw 2 last night!

 

[Origamist]

I think everyone needs to make their own assessment of their own lights by sitting in a car and getting someone else to ride the bike towards you, preferably on an unlit road.

+1.

Experiment with different positions and angles. For me, the problem is that my light has a very concentrated hot spot and this has to be aimed down. The spill light is still bright, but not dazzlingly so.

 

[tyred]

Is it just my imagination or is a good halogen light superior to any LED light?

I have several LED lights, including a pretty expensive Topeak (forget what model off-hand) and although they are all very bright, they give a very poorly focused light IMO. To get a decent range, they need to be set high enough to annoy drivers. On my other bike, I fitted a relatively inexpensive Basta bottle dynamo system with a halogen light which although it doesn't seem as bright at first glance, it is easier to pick out pot holes and the like. Drag is barely noticeable but the noise is. I modified it to fit to the forks rather than the handlebars and I think this is even better at lighting up the road surface and I can happily ride at 20+ mph on unlit roads with this. I mounted an LED lamp on the bars so I would have a light if I stop and also it is removeable so can be used as a torch in the event of a problem.