Smart rechargeables

Anybody have any experience of these ? On paper (? ) they look OK, any off road I do is gentle stuff so I won't be bouncing them about all over the place. Just thinking now I've moved up here might be better off with a "see" light than a "be seen" light.

 

I have a pair of these (7 or 8 yrs old). I used them quite a lot and they were a very good pair of lights. They sat in a wardrobe for a couple of years and now the battery is dead (I think). IMO they should do a very good job for you.
I'm going to try to resurrect mine with a new battery if it's possible.

 

There's a thead on the old ACF forum in which people seem pretty happy with them.

These Knightlite 2200 Twin lights look quite similar, but they've got one 5W and one 10W bulb, so you can stick with a lower power / greater run time when you've got streetlighting. I'm quite tempted, at £20 including packaging they look like a very good deal.

Having said that though.. The reviews off that page seem a bit mixed.

 

I have the Cateye 10W/10W version, similar in many ways.
I find then perfectly good for 1 or 2 hour rides on one lamp only. Rarely ever needed to burn both lamps together, and much of my riding is on unlit country B roads...darker than a dark thingy

Keep the battery charged, dont overcharge it (assuming its a lead acid battery), they are ok for the money.

 

That might explain how I broke my battery.

 

I have some of these, in the 10w/2.5w incarnation. I have ridden for hours on the 2.5w lamp, only putting on the 10w when needed. I mean hours and hours, about 7 or 8!!!!! They are so good I bought my wife some for christmas 3 years ago (Among other things naturally!!)

I got mine from SJSC, and they were half the price of other retailers for the same system. A very good system for not much money. I rdie with a guy who bought a Lupine (I think). His lights cost more than my bike by about £95

 

I think the Maplin 6v 2.5ah SLA is equivalent to the Smart one, £6.99. To avoid overcharging I use a plug-in 24hr timer, about £3.

 

Would that be darker than a dark thingy that's really dark ?

 

In county dark,near the dark city?

 

By the way, I just noticed that as well as auctioning those lights, SJS have some on 'buy it now' for £19.99 + £7.50 P&P, which will probably work out cheaper than bidding on them.

I've just ordered a set.

 

thanks alfablue, I will look into that.
The 24hr timer is a good idea, I used to use one for that purpose (then forgot ).

 

You're welcome.

I suppose a 7 day timer might be even better if you don't use it every day, then there is no chance of it charging a second time if you forget to disconnect it within a day.

 

Oh, I think I said it wrong, its the 6v 4.5ah battery (not 2.5)