USB powered Front light!

[Zippy]

Topeak Whitelite DX USB Front Light
Ideal for commuting, this incredibly tiny front light plugs into a computer’s mini USB port to recharge.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topeak_Whitelite_DX_USB_Front_Light/5360053070/#more

Does anyone have one of these? Would anyone use/want one as a secondary blinking light?

 

[Theseus]

I am tempted to get one. I have mini usb chargers already for phone and cameras, so already have the home and work fronts covered, no need to remember the cable.

Looks like a good burn time as well.

 

[benb]

Hmm. Might be OK as a secondary/backup, but I don't imagine it will be very bright.

 

[RedBike]

I've got a USB battery charger at work that I used last winter to top up AA / AAA batteries used in my lights.

 

[Zippy]

I run the battery recycling for my colleagues at work and they usually come to me used but not quite burned out (the batteries that is; not my colleagues), so can usually get two or three hours out of AA and AAA batteries before I finally take them for recycling - can get me through the year at no extra cost!

I quite like the idea of being able to plug in my front light at work and never having to use batteries, but can't imagine it is bright enough for anything other than a secondary blinker.

 

[semislickstick]

Electron USB light I thought you meant this one before following the link. THis one is a good bit smaller!

 

[jimboalee]

The initial charging current of a NiMh cell is 1C. That is... a 2000 mA cell ( 2.0A ) will recieve a starting jolt of 2A charging current.
I have a Tesco 'Smart charger' with a thermocouple ( probably a Platinum Resistance Thermometer PRT ) that kicks off at 2.0A and reduces to 0.2A when the cell temperature has reached optimum.

How much current can a miniUSB take? How much current does the USB on the side of a desktop PC pump out? Not enough I expect.

If you really want to trickle charge a NiMh cell, expect an overnight duration.

 

[thomas]

Looks like a good idea. If you get to work, it's easier to carry (or at least find) a USB cable to charge your light up...rather than hvaing to cart a standard battery charger (mine's quite big...much bigger than usb).

 

[hackbike 666]

Dont think it would fit on my handlebars.

Another problem is I don't sit next to a computer all day with USB ports.

 

[semislickstick]

Dont think it would fit on my handlebars.

Another problem is I don't sit next to a computer all day with USB ports.

You get these wall plug USB chargers now - VEHO do one, so handy for the bike cameras too!

For the non IT cycling geek.

 

[DrSquirrel]

You can charge almost anything from USB.

At 500mA. Not all usb ports even supply this (100mA).

Which is a bit pansy.


Better off investing in a wall charger, and some AA + AAA NiMH.

 

[g00se]

Knog are doing one now too.

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

I am using the Blackburn flea 4 usb version, front and back as second lights. Usb charge lasts about 3 days thats about 6 hours commuting before recharge needed. On constant light.