Headlamps

[MeadMaker]

Heinz do you think that the H51 would make  a good bicycling head  lamp?  I plan on using my Coast L6 mounted on my handlebars and set on full flood and put a light with more of a focused beam on my helmet.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Heinz do you think that the H51 would make  a good bicycling head  lamp?  I plan on using my Coast L6 mounted on my handlebars and set on full flood and put a light with more of a focused beam on my helmet.

It could, but I'd say it depends on what kind of riding you're going to be doing, and particularly how fast... 

I took one of my spare ZL brackets and trimmed it down with scissors, and then just ran a velcro strip around it between the loops and through the center vent hole in my helmet, placing it under my visor.  I use it as an off-bike light mostly, though it's certainly useful for being able see my computer on my handlebars at night.  It will also throw a decent amount onto the ground right around my bike too.  Generally though, I don't use it for light while I'm actually riding. 

I'd suggest a two light set up, something floody on your bars aimed low to give you light right in front of your wheel at all times, and a throwy light on your helmet so that you'll get a good beam downrange where ever you look.  That's what I do and it works well for me.

With a floody light aimed low, giving 10' - 12' of light directly in front of my wheel, if it's very bright it overpowers even a throwy light on my helmet on max, and is distracting.  It reduces the usefulness of the helmet mounted light, so I keep my bar mounted light small and at a lower level.  Since it doesn't have to give me a lot of range, I find 60 - 80 lumens to be fine.  On my helmet though, I want as much as I can get for that additional range, and so it doesn't get overpowered by my bar mounted light.

That's what works best for me.  I'd say the best thing to do would be to get some lock-blocks, and experiment with them and see what works well for you.  If you're not going to be riding real fast, and won't be in traffic much, then you don't need a lot of throw in a helmet mounted light.  But if you're going to be commuting in traffic, and/or will be keeping up a higher average speed, you should have something with a lot of punch on your helmet. 

I use my Jetbeam Jet III Pro ST on my helmet, and have manage to intimidate people from pulling out in front of me by flashing them directly with it.  Not that I make a habit of it, but don't underestimate the safety you'll get from having a very bright concentrated beam that you can point anywhere you want to.  That's the main reason I like my Pro ST for helmet use; the default settings are that it comes on on high, second click to get to low, and third click to get to beacon strobe.  That's very useful when I find I have to ride in rain or similar conditions.

[Gareth]

On a related note, and not aimed at anyone here, but I do wish some cyclists round here would realise just how strong their new LED lights are and stop aiming them into drivers faces.   I've been properly dazzled a couple of times and it's an excellent way of causing an accident, one that just might involve the cyclist as well.

[dks]

On a related note, and not aimed at anyone here, but I do wish some cyclists round here would realise just how strong their new LED lights are and stop aiming them into drivers faces.   I've been properly dazzled a couple of times and it's an excellent way of causing an accident, one that just might involve the cyclist as well.

Real Cyclists don't need lights!

[Gareth]

On a related note, and not aimed at anyone here, but I do wish some cyclists round here would realise just how strong their new LED lights are and stop aiming them into drivers faces.   I've been properly dazzled a couple of times and it's an excellent way of causing an accident, one that just might involve the cyclist as well.

Real Cyclists don't need lights!

good night vision?



 

[dks]

well, if a parrot can do all these a cat should be able to ride a bike....

Of course, a lot depends on having the right trainer.... 

[Mr. Whippy]

For cycling, I use an Olight M21.  It is quite floody but at 500 Lumen, it also has enough throw to function as a headlight.  Since I live on a farm, the first 10 miles of my commute to work is without any streetlights and no houses right on the road so it is pitch black.  Not only can I see the road ahead, I can see the shoulders well enough to identify deer and raccoons who might be thinking bad thoughts.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

On a related note, and not aimed at anyone here, but I do wish some cyclists round here would realise just how strong their new LED lights are and stop aiming them into drivers faces.   I've been properly dazzled a couple of times and it's an excellent way of causing an accident, one that just might involve the cyclist as well.

Well, I don't do it on purpose, and do take pains to avoid doing so, unless it's obvious I'm not being seen.  I am constantly amazed that despite the abundance of lumens on me and my bike, that people still don't see me.  Or, they decide that since I'm "just a bike" that I have no rights on the road and they can just pull out in front of me anyway.  That's when I punch them in the face with the spot of one of the beams of my lights.

[Grant Lamontagne]

It's not just cyclists- I have a bright yellow Jeep and people keep trying to run into me because they don't see me.  Sadly my reflexes are pretty good and I usually react too fast for them to run into me, but one of these days I'll let them pay for new bodywork.   

Def

[Beerplumber]

Any idea when we'll know more about Travis becoming a zebralight dealer? I'd buy from Travis instead of eBay any day!

Also, have you decided on a headlamp yet? Join the cool kids club and get the surefire saint! Do it! Night kayaking think aboot it!


Stay multi my friends

[Grant Lamontagne]

No, not yet, but I'll probably wander over to Mountain Equipment Co-Op in the next few days and see what they have.

As for Travis, they said it takes a couple of weeks to become an official dealer so I don't imagine we'll hear anything about it until at least next week.

Def

[Styerman]

Petzel has some good offerings , good price , tuff as a pigs nose . I rock a Surefire saint Minimus at work , backed up by a Petzel Tikka . The saint is pretty tuff , and runs on the same batts as my EDC's and work lights .

Chris

[Beerplumber]

Grant you should try one of the LED Lensers. They LOOK pretty sound but I haven't heard too much about them yet.  http://www.ledlenser.com/category/headlamps


Stay multi my friends

[Grant Lamontagne]

I looked at them, but to be honest they didn't really do anything for me.  I don't think I want a battery pack on the back of my head as I can see it getting in the way of some of the cold weather gear, hardhats etc that I have to wear as well. 

To be honest, there's not much in the LED Lenser line that catches my eye.

Def

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I looked at them, but to be honest they didn't really do anything for me.  I don't think I want a battery pack on the back of my head as I can see it getting in the way of some of the cold weather gear, hardhats etc that I have to wear as well. 

To be honest, there's not much in the LED Lenser line that catches my eye.

Def

You're not missing much.  Their output is low compared to a Zebra (they use emitter lumens, not out the front ratings), and the external battery packs are awkward at best.  The zoom feature is a gimmick too.  You lose a lot of usable light with a focusable beam.