Self contained Front Light?

[HLaB]

I've been doing a bit more night riding of late, in the past I've got by with my Tesco Cree and another couple of (what I'd call be seen lights, rather than to see) but I think I need to upgrade. I like the price/power of the Magic shine units but I'd prefer something self contained (i.e no external battery pack). Any ideas as to what good self contained on the market? The Hope Vision, is there anything else I should consider?

 

[potsy]

Moon 300/500 pretty bright for the size of them, battery life is not the best but spare batteries available in case you are planning to be out a while.

 

[cyberknight]

Plenty of torch based lights that have the same LED as a magicshine/xml and generally have 2 batteries rather than the normal 4 so your trade off is a narrower beam and less run time.

 

[HovR]

This torch is still going strong for me, coming up for a year later after buying it.

The torch is far brighter than a Hope Vision 1, comes on and off the bike in an instant which is useful for commuting. People have complained about the mount, but it's been fine for me on road and light off-road environments.

 

[HLaB]

Thanks folk, I was needing a new set of commuting lights and already have smart brackets so I went for a 35lux(2watt)front/half watt rear for £27. I'm not expecting miracles at that price if its not bright enough it'll become the commuting light and I'll have a look in more detail at the Moons, it looks good in this youtube vid (go to 1min 20 for rural video) and reviews sound good too.

The BBB550 rechargeable looks good too, it seems to have more side light.

 

[Berties]

i have got a moon 500xp it is spot on,you can see every thing,and not just being seen,comes with a helmet holder i do use this as well,the problem is as we live in a area of no road lights,every one uses my light as they know it should always be plugged in the desk top computer,
but the light gets my vote

 

[mcshroom]

I've recently switched to a B&M Ixon IQ . I find the beam pattern far more useful than the surefire torch and Smart Lunar 35 I've used before with a headlamp style cut off so the light is concentrated downwards rather than shining off into the sky. It runs on 4AA batteries and I find the battery life decent enough.

The 10lux setting is actually perfectly adequate for road riding at night, though I do sometimes kick the full beam in for downhills which is a lot brigher.

 

[Nebulous]

I have the Smart 25 set and don't really like it. It simply isn't any use to see by. I've also had the dreaded water ingress in the rear light.
I'm winding myself up to buying a Hope vision 1 - with Merlin being the cheapest I can find at just over £50 for a 2012.

 

[the_mikey]

RSP asteri 3's, 3W led lamps are reasonable on ebay for a cycle specific lamp.

 

[PpPete]

I just had a quick look at Torchy's ebay offerings but he has nothing really outstanding atm.
I had a 1000+lumen torch from him - cost about £20, with 18650 batteries and charger extra, and frankly for the price it knocks spots off the Hope 1.
The Hope is good, well made and reliable, but even the newer uprated version is going to be well dowm the "bang for buck" league table.

 

[albion]

I have the Smart Lux 35 which is a spot light so useful only as a be seen light.

Its what I expected when I bought it.

 

[HLaB]

I have the Smart Lux 35 which is a spot light so useful only as a be seen light.

Its what I expected when I bought it.

Thanks, when it arrives looks like it'll become a commuting light and I'll order a Moon500 or a BBB550.

 

[Milo]

Hope one is good but I found the beam to focussed myself. Lost mine stupidly. Replaced with a cheap xml t6 which is miles better for light output

 

[gaz]

road.cc light test is pretty useful for comparing lights

 

[fossyant]

The BBB strike 500 looks a bargain at about £75 from Ribble. Plus point is the battery can be replaced.

Got the older Hope 1s myself and they are fine on road, and use two on high off road.