Magnic Light claims new form of no-contact bicycle dynamo lighting

[Riverman]

Despite the continuous advances being made in lithium-ion battery technology, many cyclists still prefer to use dynamo-powered lights on their bikes - there's no having to remember to recharge the batteries, no subsequent forgetting to put the light back on the bike, and no worrying about the batteries unexpectedly giving out mid-ride. Dynamos, however, have their own drawbacks. Friction-powered sidewall units slow the bike down and wear out the tire, while dynamo hubs must be built into the wheel, and add to the bike's revolving weight. Now, however, German inventor Dirk Strothmann has created what he claims is a better alternative - a small, no-contact, self-contained dynamo bike light.​

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http://www.gizmag.com/magnic-light-contactless-dynamo/21494/

Also there's a cool little video on the page demonstrating the device. Here's hoping they manage to release it eventually.

 

[Matthew_T]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dynamodirk/magnic-light-get-new-energy?ref=category

Just read the pledges. I am amazed what some people will pay for the initial product in a long line of new technology without seeing exactly what the pros and cons of it are. For example, exactly how long will the product last? How will you change the LEDs if they break or wear out?

I think the majority of the pledges are from people in the US. Says it all.

 

[MrJamie]

I thought id seen it on CC before, but not sure if im just thinking of something similar. IIRC the cool part was that because it mounts on the brake, when you brake the light moves closer to the rim and gets brighter, a sort of brake light effect.

 

[Theseus]

Also available since 2003 from Reelight

 

[Recycler]

I thought id seen it on CC before, but not sure if im just thinking of something similar. IIRC the cool part was that because it mounts on the brake, when you brake the light moves closer to the rim and gets brighter, a sort of brake light effect.

But as the brakes slow you down it gets dimmer! Seems a bit self defeating.

 

[coffeejo]

I think the majority of the pledges are from people in the US. Says it all.

 

[albion]

From science class that's Faraday's homopolar generator.

Maybe I am being a bit dim but there is not mention of watts.

 

[TheDoctor]

It's just a repackaged Reelight as far as I can make out.
Magnets and coils, moving past each other, induced current lights up an LED. Imagine designing a dynamo with a dirty great gap between the rotor and stator, and there you have it.

 

[gaz]

I saw this on kick-starter a few months back and was tempted..

 

[HovR]

It's just a repackaged Reelight as far as I can make out.
.

Anyone have any experience with these Reelights? They seem like a neat solution for anyone who doesn't want to fit a dynamo hub, or have bottle dynamo wires all over the place.

 

[TheDoctor]

They don't give a steady light - it's a flash as the magnet (on the wheel) passes the coil (on the forks).
They're a substitute for a flashing LED light, not for a dynamo IMHO.

 

[MrJamie]

But as the brakes slow you down it gets dimmer! Seems a bit self defeating.

Hmm, I hadnt thought of that. It did seem to work in their undoubtedly bias promo video though

 

[srw]

Anyone have any experience with these Reelights? They seem like a neat solution for anyone who doesn't want to fit a dynamo hub, or have bottle dynamo wires all over the place.

They're adequate for being legal in well-lit streets (where you don't really need lights other than to be legal), but I wouldn't want to use them in any other way. I see them regularly on my commute.

The new lights seem to be different in that the bike wheel acts as the "magnet" and there's no need to fit another one.

 

[Arch]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dynamodirk/magnic-light-get-new-energy?ref=category

Just read the pledges. I am amazed what some people will pay for the initial product in a long line of new technology without seeing exactly what the pros and cons of it are. For example, exactly how long will the product last? How will you change the LEDs if they break or wear out?

I think the majority of the pledges are from people in the US. Says it all.

Have you any idea how long it takes an LED to 'wear out'? Clue, it's thousands, or tens of thousands, of hours.

Do you have LED battery lights? How did you plan to change the LEDs in that?

Says it all....

 

[downfader]

Have you any idea how long it takes an LED to 'wear out'? Clue, it's thousands, or tens of thousands, of hours.

Do you have LED battery lights? How did you plan to change the LEDs in that?

Says it all....

LED and US comment aside.. Mathew is right in one respect... investing in a product you've not seen a great deal of isnt great business sense.

I digress... Reelights are good enough for urban areas imo. I've seen them and they are pretty good for the money/set up.