Cycle Lighting- Front

JP said:

I haven't got a budget for a lumnicycle 🙁 , but I've seen good reviews
and prices for a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp system lead acid rechargeable
2.4W + 10W

I had a BL-201 before I went dynamo, and it's an okay bit of kit that
can be had for good prices. The only reason I don't still have it is
it's on semi-permanent loan to a pal who needed some lights. AFAIK
she's still using them okay. Another pal bought a set and I think hers
are going fine too.

You can generally run on the 2.4 most of the time and add in the 10 for
when you need it. Not state of the art, but works well and doesn't cost
a bomb.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:06:12 +0100 someone who may be "JP"
<anagram@com> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

I haven't got a budget for a lumnicycle 🙁 , but I've seen good reviews
and prices for a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp system lead acid rechargeable
2.4W + 10W

To add to what has been said, the 2.4W lamp has a broad beam and is
generally fine for trundling along unlit roads. The 10W lamp has a
narrower beam and can be turned on as and when necessary to
supplement the other beam.

Some have been known to replace the 2.4W bulb with a higher rated
one, though this does affect battery life.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

JP' anagram@com said:

I have a very short commute ride each night, which includes a section of a
mile on an unlit road. My current Cateye LED HL 300 is not up to the job,
not enough light - not a broad enough beam and I'm in fear of hitting a
stone etc one night.
I haven't got a budget for a lumnicycle 🙁 , but I've seen good reviews
and prices for a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp system lead acid rechargeable
2.4W + 10W and also a ELECTRON EHP315 Front Light 5+10W System.
Clearly with such a short distance, battery life isn't an issue.

So any further comments on which I should choose or other recommendations .

MTIA

The earlier '600' version of Trelocks LS700
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;product=5223;group=92;page=1;ID=2eceb955934bfc6a6380dc23109d44a3
has worked well for me at up to 25mile/hr on unlit roads. I'd
recommend getting a set of rechargeables and their fast charger, as
the battery compartment lid is a bit of a faff to remove/refit (but it
does last for 6 hours at full wack, then the red light comes on and it
should do lots more but at reduced power).

As a minor addition to other (and more knowledgalbe) comments, can I
suggest that, other things being equal, go for a light with the
largest possible illuminated area.

As I have discovered from painful personal experience, even a
super-bright light can be mis-seen by an oncoming driver as being on a
vehicle much further away than it actually is.

IMO, this is the next big challenge for designers of bike lights. It
seems that it is now possible to get lights which are bright enough
both for seeing and being seen in virtually all riding conditions,
with at least adequate battery life (or excellent dynamo performance),
but I'm not aware of anything which would trigger the subconscious
reaction of "vehicle approaching - keep clear" rather than "bike or
pedstrian with torch somewhere over there, bound to be plenty of room
and time".

--
Tim Forcer [email hidden]
The University of Southampton, UK

The University is not responsible for my opinions

"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:06:12 +0100 someone who may be "JP"
<anagram@com> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

I haven't got a budget for a lumnicycle 🙁 , but I've seen good reviews
and prices for a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp system lead acid rechargeable
2.4W + 10W

To add to what has been said, the 2.4W lamp has a broad beam and is
generally fine for trundling along unlit roads. The 10W lamp has a
narrower beam and can be turned on as and when necessary to
supplement the other beam.

Some have been known to replace the 2.4W bulb with a higher rated
one, though this does affect battery life.

thanks for the replies.

I've seen a good price on a smart 10w +10w.
I presume these are the exact same as the BL 201 2.4w+10w just with the more
powerful bulb.

JP' anagram@com said:

I've seen good reviews
and prices for a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp system lead acid rechargeable
2.4W + 10W and also a ELECTRON EHP315 Front Light 5+10W System.

I bought and used an Electron 5+10W system (probably the previous
model but looks the same) all winter for daily commuting on a rough
unlit towpath. Did me just fine, 100% reliable and good value.

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:30:40 +0100 someone who may be "JP"
<anagram@com> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

I've seen a good price on a smart 10w +10w.
I presume these are the exact same as the BL 201 2.4w+10w just with the more
powerful bulb.

I believe that is the case. A year or two ago I noticed sets like
that being offered and it seemed that Smart were selling them with
two 10W bulbs to be in competition with the manufacturers of the
ever more complicated sealed units that now dominate the market.

I would buy one and also experiment with lower wattage bulbs. IIRC
it is still illegal to have more than a 2.4W bulb as the main lamp
on the front of a bike, though higher powered ones can be used in
additional lamps.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:30:40 +0100 someone who may be "JP"
<anagram@com> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

I've seen a good price on a smart 10w +10w.
I presume these are the exact same as the BL 201 2.4w+10w just with the more
powerful bulb.

Forgot to add. The charger that comes with such sets tends to be
rubbish. It is best to buy/build a proper charger for lead acid
batteries and use that to keep the battery in tip top condition. The
charger that comes with the set can be used at work to give the
battery a top up, provided it is not left to cook the battery.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:48:25 +0100 someone who may be Tim Forcer
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

As I have discovered from painful personal experience, even a
super-bright light can be mis-seen by an oncoming driver as being on a
vehicle much further away than it actually is.

Particularly if they are mounted side by side. However, it is
possible to mount bike lights vertically to reduce the problem.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Tim Forcer said:

IMO, this is the next big challenge for designers of bike lights. It
seems that it is now possible to get lights which are bright enough
both for seeing and being seen in virtually all riding conditions,
with at least adequate battery life (or excellent dynamo performance),
but I'm not aware of anything which would trigger the subconscious
reaction of "vehicle approaching - keep clear" rather than "bike or
pedstrian with torch somewhere over there, bound to be plenty of room
and time".

I suppose blue strobes are out of the question ?

-adrian

David Hansen said:

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:30:40 +0100 someone who may be "JP"
<anagram@com> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

I've seen a good price on a smart 10w +10w.
I presume these are the exact same as the BL 201 2.4w+10w just with the more
powerful bulb.

I believe that is the case. A year or two ago I noticed sets like
that being offered and it seemed that Smart were selling them with
two 10W bulbs to be in competition with the manufacturers of the
ever more complicated sealed units that now dominate the market.

I would buy one and also experiment with lower wattage bulbs. IIRC
it is still illegal to have more than a 2.4W bulb as the main lamp
on the front of a bike, though higher powered ones can be used in
additional lamps.

Which begs the question - how do the PTB decide which is the "main" one?

_ said:

Which begs the question - how do the PTB decide which is the "main" one?

More relevant is the fact that in all probability they won't actually
give a damn as long as you're showing a reasonable front lamp. Much as
there was never (AFAIK) a spate of prosecutions for using LED flashing
rears when they were quite clearly illegal.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

"JP" <anagram@com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have a very short commute ride each night, which includes a section of a
mile on an unlit road. My current Cateye LED HL 300 is not up to the job,
not enough light - not a broad enough beam and I'm in fear of hitting a
stone etc one night.
I haven't got a budget for a lumnicycle 🙁 , but I've seen good reviews
and prices for a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp system lead acid rechargeable
2.4W + 10W and also a ELECTRON EHP315 Front Light 5+10W System.
Clearly with such a short distance, battery life isn't an issue.

So any further comments on which I should choose or other recommendations
.

MTIA

Thanks for all the replies, I 've gone with a Smart Twin Headlamp system
lead acid rechargeable
10W+ 10W from two-wheel cycles on Ebay for £28 in P&P.
The cost of a replacement lead acid battery isn't worth a seperate
re-charger, I saw some as low as 11 US dollars!
I'll just put it on my security plug timer so it can't over-charge.

Thanks for all the advice, looking forward to an illuminating trip.

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:10:05 +0100 someone who may be "JP"
<anagram@com> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

The cost of a replacement lead acid battery isn't worth a seperate
re-charger, I saw some as low as 11 US dollars!

Remember to get deep cycle batteries. These are specifically
designed for deep discharging.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

_ said:

Which begs the question - how do the PTB decide which is the "main" one?

There's no need for such a decision. The regs [1] specify a set of
requirements for mandatory lights and a less stringent set of
requirements for optional lights. As long as you have at least one
front and one rear light complying with the mandatory lighting
requirements, and all of your other lights comply with the optional
requirements, you're covered.

[1] <http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm>

--
Danny Colyer <URL:http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/>
Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often
"Daddy, put that down. Daddy, put that down. Daddy, put that down.
Daddy, why did you put that down?" - Charlie Colyer, age 2