Which best rechargable bike light(s)

[flake99please]

I believe that because we are part of the EU we can accept similar European standards, provided that their standard is at least equivalent to our BS standard.

 

[NorthernDave]

Won't a German light be set up for left hand drive..?

 

[flake99please]

T

My reading of this is that unless your light is blinky only, it must be approved to be legal.

'Since most flashing lights do also have a steady mode, they're legal'

If the light is flashing, its legal from what I have read (as long as it meets the flashing criteria). Whether the light has a steady mode or not wouldnt affect its legality, as long as long as the light is being used in a flashing mode.

As long as the OP has flashing lights which meets the regulations (no need for BS compliance, as it doesnt cover flashing lamps) they should be able to run with pretty much any steady mode lamp (in addition to the 'flasher') & remain legal.

 

[flake99please]

I would be interested to hear of anyone involved in a night time RTA with non BS compliant lights, and whether they have had any issues with them from the police/solicitors/courts etc.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Question why is there not a plethora of lights similar to the German standard if its equivalent to the BS not sold in the UK ? If it was a legal requirement etc etc . I did look at similar but also noticed one manufacturer had now stopped making them. Think it might have been Philips ? The issue for me is that I need a fair bit of brightness on the road ahead but that is due to my speed. if you are slow then you will get buy with a less bright lamp. Not tried my new light out in anger yet but looking at it , it is not too dissimilar to my existing torch just better sealed and designed for the purpose. Pay a bit more and you get the lens options on these LEDs and the spread is better.

 

[LonesomeWanderer]

I've got the Moon X Power front and Shield back, the latter is very bright so you have to be careful which angle it's mounted at.. I've pointed my one down a bit so it reflects off the bike and creates a big pool of red light...

 

[mythste]

I would be interested to hear of anyone involved in a night time RTA with non BS compliant lights, and whether they have had any issues with them from the police/solicitors/courts etc.

Likewise.

I'm happy to chance my arm and use something that I know I can see and be seen with in the hope that it prevents such any sort of RTA. With a dash of common sense thrown in as well, of course.

 

[annirak]

A genuine question - is the German light actual legal here? It may be conforming to a stricter standard than the BS, but seeing as it is not marked as BS then surely it is not legal?

"Or equivalent EC standard"

 

[annirak]

Because DfT very much prefer things to be evaluated against a proper technical standard wherever possible: any flashing lamp that is also capable of emitting a steady light is approved only if it conforms with BS6102/3 when switched to steady mode. Since most flashing lights do also have a steady mode, they're legal but not approved, so you'll probably need another lamp that is.

'Since most flashing lights do also have a steady mode, they're legal'

If the light is flashing, its legal from what I have read (as long as it meets the flashing criteria). Whether the light has a steady mode or not wouldnt affect its legality, as long as long as the light is being used in a flashing mode.

As long as the OP has flashing lights which meets the regulations (no need for BS compliance, as it doesnt cover flashing lamps) they should be able to run with pretty much any steady mode lamp (in addition to the 'flasher') & remain legal.

Legal vs. approved. You still need at least one approved light to be legal. So, better get that blinky! Again, legality is one thing, enforcement is another. I use a StVZO light because the beam pattern is suitable to my needs. Massive bright patch on the road, not in other people's eyes. I happily hit 25mph with that light on dark paths & roads.

 

[BigCoops]

Halfords have got their Bike Hut 450 lumens rechargeable front light reduced from £49.99 down to £24 in their sale at the moment. It comes with helmet and handlebar mounts and seems plenty bright enough to me. Battery life is reportedly up to 10 hours, depending on which mode you use.
www.halfords.com/cycling/lights-locks/lights/bikehut-l450-front-light

Thanks for this, reserved one this morning, just been to get it, now fitted to my spare helmet and the battery is charging,

Cracking bit of kit to be fair, easy to fit and appears good quality...(time will tell of course).

Thanks again for the link

 

[NorthernDave]

Thanks for this, reserved one this morning, just been to get it, now fitted to my spare helmet and the battery is charging,

Cracking bit of kit to be fair, easy to fit and appears good quality...(time will tell of course).

Thanks again for the link

No problem, happy to help.
I've bought two (one for each bike ) and they're an absolute bargain at under half price.

 

[steveindenmark]

I had my Koga Roadchamp fitted with a Shimano hub dynamo and Busch and Müller lights. I live in the middle of nowhere in Denmark and go to work at 4 am.. It is as black as black out there and the B&M lights are great. I have no problem seeing and I dont have to worry about batteries.

 

[slowmotion]

I can't comment on a front light but the Lezyne Micro Drive (USB rechargeable) rear light is pretty good. It's got very bright daylight settings which are really too bright for might-time use. I use the night time flash mode which gives eight hours of use. On a group ride in the countryside I use the economy setting.
http://www.lezyne.com/product-led-sport-microrear.php

 

[mjr]

Won't a German light be set up for left hand drive..?

I think ISWYM. Every German light I've seen has been symmetric. I think this is because German cycle tracks are sometimes on the left of a carriageway, just like ours are sometimes on the right.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

I use one of these and am impressed with it.
It has five settings and on the third brightest it does me for dark lane riding.
Bontrager Ion 700 USB Front Light