Lights

Tony Raven said:

[email hidden] wrote innews:[email protected]:

Quoted message said:

I agree it's a flawed measure, but as all manufacturers use it and
probably in the same way, it does give some basis for comparison. And
I do recommend the Cateye from personal experience, but the available
data doesn't prove its better than the Halfords light.

If they did use it in the same way it might be useful but they don't and it
isn't. A good example is some of the LED cluster front lights that spray
light everywhere and while they might have a high candlepower rating will
not light the road in any useful sense compared to a comparatively feeble
traditional bike light. They are however useful for being seen as they
spray light everywhere.

True! I went for a Halfords set which claimed to have good power and
set me back almost £20. Blooming useless it was! I got a small
rectangle of light with a weak glow around it. If it hadn't got
covered in mud on the first use, I would have taken them back!

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Lateral thinking... a road alternative may be either better lit and/or
less in need of serious lighting anyway (better surface, wider lane) and
remove the need for more light.

Pete.

Tried that. Same trouble in reverse...I couldn't see the curb! As my
rides are 100% dark country lanes, I feel less light is certainly
never an option.

Nice idea though. Thanks anway.

All my night time riding is on unlit country lanes.

Currently using Cateye HL-EL530
See http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/.%2fproducts%2fEL530.aspx

I have two, and have a helmet-mounted LED light too. But I do tend to go for
the low-flying UFO approach to my night-time cycling ;-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My little lights are definitly not strong enough for the cycle track
home at night and I have decided to spend out. I am looking at the
Eurolight Super Bright 16 LED Front Headlight Set from Argos which
costs £39 ish.

Has anybody got this headlight set? Any opinions?

I have bought Euro lights from argos before, and they are
IMHO Cr@p.

For battery powered lits between 10 and 50 odd pounds I
would only buy cateye lits.

In the longer term I would seriously consider getting a
hub dynamo and lit for the commuting you do. You then will
have the cateye for a spare.

Martin.

Quoted message said:

I have bought Euro lights from argos before, and they are
IMHO Cr@p.

For battery powered lits between 10 and 50 odd pounds I
would only buy cateye lits.

In the longer term I would seriously consider getting a
hub dynamo and lit for the commuting you do. You then will
have the cateye for a spare.

Martin.

Yea, I am thinking along these lines too. Thanks.

Am Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:21:36 -0700 schrieb [email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

My little lights are definitly not strong enough for the cycle track
home at night and I have decided to spend out. I am looking at the
Eurolight Super Bright 16 LED Front Headlight Set from Argos which
costs £39 ish.

Has anybody got this headlight set? Any opinions?

I have currently got a 15 year old B&M light, driven by a hub dynamo. This
will probably be my next headlight.
Lumotec IQ Fly
http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html?docu/174q-e.htm
There is also a battery version called Ixon IQ
http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html?docu/192q-e.htm

I read some good reviews - and the IQ Fly just won an award on the 2007
Eurobike:
<http://www.eurobike-exhibition.de/html/en/press/press_releases/press_releases.php?lid=10430>
http://lists.topica.com/lists/bikecurrent/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=812847159

Andreas

Quoting Peter Clinch <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Think I will stick with the Cateye option for now but look at
getting dynamos at some point in the future. I am assuming they are
better for the enviroment too as you generate your own power.

I'd never really thought about it from that point of view, but I think
you're right.

It must be pretty trivial if you use rechargeables in battery lights - an
AA rechargable needs what, tuppence of electricity?
--
OPTIONS=name:Kirsty,menustyle:C,female,lit_corridor,standout,time,showexp,hilit
e_pet,catname:Akane,dogname:Ryoga,fruit:okonomiyaki,pickup_types:"!$?=/,scores:
5 top/2 around,color,boulder:0,autoquiver,autodig,disclose:yiyayvygyc,pickup_bu
rden:burdened,!cmdassist,msg_window:reversed,!sparkle,horsename:Rumiko,showrace

Response to :

Quoted message said:

Ahhh, the joys of night cycling! I do struggle with the dazzle from
oncoming headlights. I tend to lose my place in the road until they
are close enough to light my way instead of blind me!

A baseball cap does it for me: I automatically tilt my head to keep the
headlights out of my eyes. I wouldn't cycle at night without something
to stop me being dazzled, especially on the trike.

--
Mark, UK
"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."

Quoted message said:

I then discovered if I switched my front light
_off_ altogether, my eyes adapted and I could see much better. I could
see car headlights at least 30 seconds before they got to me, so had
plenty of time to turn it back on, though the headlights ruined my
adaptation and I had to slow down until I got it back.

I remember a few years ago when I upgraded from Bog Standard lights to a
10W Cateye (with chunky SLA battery), that the biggest difference was
that oncoming car drivers would see it from far enough away that they
could dip their headlights before reaching me - made all the difference.
You might also try cycling with one eye closed when cars approach, then
at least when they've passed you can open it again and still see where
you're going with one eye.

This was before the cheap (comparatively cheap) decent LED headlights
came on the market, so I don't know what the equivalent of that is in
today's technology. It's been a while now since I rode anywhere that
doesn't have streetlights.

-dan

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't have one, but I suspect it will give a floodlight effect - a
big bright pool of light in front of the bike, but not stretching very
far ahead, which might be what you need, but I suspect you'll find
something with a bit of beam more useful. LED lights tend to have this
problem, it's difficult (but not impossible) to get a beam from them.

Interesting. Yea, I'm not sure if a large pool of light or seeing far
is important. I've found with my current lights it is not the distance
that is the problem but my inibility to see exactly what is going
under my tyres! Part of my cycle track has also got this wonderfuly
designed bit where the white line dissapears leaving no clue as to
where the curb and a short fall into the busy A40 is. Might be
thinking the spot light effect is what I need. Hummm....not sure.
Shame you can't road test these things before you buy them!

this is where multible lights come in, i have 2 lights a spot that gives
me distance and a wider beamed one that gives close in light, also means
if i should forget and let one run out of power then i still have a back
up.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

wafflycat w*a*ff£y£cat*@£btco*nn£ect.com said:

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Lateral thinking... a road alternative may be either better lit and/or
less in need of serious lighting anyway (better surface, wider lane) and
remove the need for more light.

Pete.

Tried that. Same trouble in reverse...I couldn't see the curb! As my
rides are 100% dark country lanes, I feel less light is certainly
never an option.

Nice idea though. Thanks anway.

All my night time riding is on unlit country lanes.

Currently using Cateye HL-EL530
See http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/.%2fproducts%2fEL530.aspx

I have two, and have a helmet-mounted LED light too. But I do tend to go for
the low-flying UFO approach to my night-time cycling ;-)

heh like that, i have at present 4 lights 2 upfront and 2 at rear, at
least for my shopping/popping into town bike, i can see more might be
hard to resist.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't have one, but I suspect it will give a floodlight effect - a
big bright pool of light in front of the bike, but not stretching very
far ahead, which might be what you need, but I suspect you'll find
something with a bit of beam more useful. LED lights tend to have this
problem, it's difficult (but not impossible) to get a beam from them.

Interesting. Yea, I'm not sure if a large pool of light or seeing far
is important. I've found with my current lights it is not the distance
that is the problem but my inibility to see exactly what is going
under my tyres! Part of my cycle track has also got this wonderfuly
designed bit where the white line dissapears leaving no clue as to
where the curb and a short fall into the busy A40 is. Might be
thinking the spot light effect is what I need. Hummm....not sure.
Shame you can't road test these things before you buy them!

this is where multible lights come in, i have 2 lights a spot that gives
me distance and a wider beamed one that gives close in light, also means
if i should forget and let one run out of power then i still have a back
up.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't have one, but I suspect it will give a floodlight effect - a
big bright pool of light in front of the bike, but not stretching very
far ahead, which might be what you need, but I suspect you'll find
something with a bit of beam more useful. LED lights tend to have this
problem, it's difficult (but not impossible) to get a beam from them.

Interesting. Yea, I'm not sure if a large pool of light or seeing far
is important. I've found with my current lights it is not the distance
that is the problem but my inibility to see exactly what is going
under my tyres! Part of my cycle track has also got this wonderfuly
designed bit where the white line dissapears leaving no clue as to
where the curb and a short fall into the busy A40 is. Might be
thinking the spot light effect is what I need. Hummm....not sure.
Shame you can't road test these things before you buy them!

There's not much point in having a light on the ground in less than the distance you can
do something about. The light I have cost about £15 a few years ago and has a letter-box
patter and is set to shine 25-30yards in front. This lets me see (as far as possible -
tracks next to roads are impossible and woodland tracks have no contrast) (a) ahead
perhaps in time to take avoiding action and (b) gives a hint of the way the road/path is
leading. Some paths without lights are almost impossible to cycle at night regardless of
whatever lights you have. One trouble is that occasionally some lanes have straightened
out the road but left the hedges curving so by following the hedge...

For most of the way back home tonight I had my light on in the lit areas (to make my
presence known to the more frequent traffic) but not the country as I could see well
enough without it. I sympathise with you WRT your original problem path. Email the head
of the Highways Agency and ask "Are they aware of the problem cyclists have with this bit
of path and the resulting safety issues.". (Then chase and chase - They don't want to
know of course. But either the answer is NO, in which case you say come and look or YES in
which case you say what are you going to do about it. - Keep us in u.r.c informed of
progress.)

--
Peter Fox
Beer, dancing, cycling and lots more at www.eminent.demon.co.uk

Quoted message said:

I think I found it extra hard last night becuase it is my first dark
ride since the clocks changed.

Clocks changed? Where? They don't change in Europe till the end of
October...

EFR
Ile de France

Mark McNeill said:

A baseball cap does it for me: I automatically tilt my head to keep the
headlights out of my eyes. I wouldn't cycle at night without something
to stop me being dazzled, especially on the trike.

Now there's a good tip. Baseball cap for night-riding a trike, who'd a
thunk.

EFR
Ile de France

In news:[email hidden],
David Damerell <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine
to tell us:

Quoted message said:

Quoting Peter Clinch <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Think I will stick with the Cateye option for now but look at
getting dynamos at some point in the future. I am assuming they are
better for the enviroment too as you generate your own power.

I'd never really thought about it from that point of view, but I
think you're right.

It must be pretty trivial if you use rechargeables in battery lights
- an AA rechargable needs what, tuppence of electricity?

Though rechargeables don't put out as many voles as non-rechargeables. I
normally use rechargeables in my EL530, but bunged in some Energizer
Lithiums for The French Ride. While 4.8 voles still puts out an adequate
amount of light, the full 6 voles is noticeably more effective.

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
Mr. Charles Kennedy (Krankieburgh): Would the Prime Minister
care to comment on a report in today's Guardian that he: "arrived
late for a meeting with Jacques Chirac, smelling of alcohol, and
with body language suggesting a total disregard for the rights
of ethnic minorities, lone parents and laboratory animals"?

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think I found it extra hard last night becuase it is my first dark
ride since the clocks changed.

Clocks changed? Where? They don't change in Europe till the end of
October...

But they did change in March, which was the relevant one :-)

cheers,
clive

Dave Larrington said:

In news:[email hidden],
David Damerell <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine
to tell us:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It must be pretty trivial if you use rechargeables in battery lights
- an AA rechargable needs what, tuppence of electricity?

Though rechargeables don't put out as many voles as non-rechargeables. I
normally use rechargeables in my EL530, but bunged in some Energizer
Lithiums for The French Ride. While 4.8 voles still puts out an adequate
amount of light, the full 6 voles is noticeably more effective.

I'm not sure how you get 4.8 VOLES. I have a picture in my mind of
small furry animals running round a hamster wheel with a dynamo :-)
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

In news:[email hidden],
Phil Cook <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to tell
us:

Quoted message said:

I'm not sure how you get 4.8 VOLES. I have a picture in my mind of
small furry animals running round a hamster wheel with a dynamo :-)

ISTR it orginated in the uk.rec.waterways newsfroup, where there is much
talk of voles, ants and so forth in relation to boaty electrickery.

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
Odd, is it not, how all roads lead inexorably to David Icke?

In article said:

David Damerell <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine
to tell us:

Quoted message said:

Quoting Peter Clinch <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote:
> Think I will stick with the Cateye option for now but look at
> getting dynamos at some point in the future. I am assuming they are
> better for the enviroment too as you generate your own power.
I'd never really thought about it from that point of view, but I
think you're right.

It must be pretty trivial if you use rechargeables in battery lights
- an AA rechargable needs what, tuppence of electricity?

Though rechargeables don't put out as many voles as non-rechargeables. I
normally use rechargeables in my EL530, but bunged in some Energizer
Lithiums for The French Ride. While 4.8 voles still puts out an adequate
amount of light, the full 6 voles is noticeably more effective.

Fresh alkalines will have a higher no-load voltage than rechargeables,
but under load the rechargables lower internal resistance means they
typically have very similar output very soon (and the alkalines then
slowly decline, and the rechargables stay more level until sharply
declining).
Non-rechargeable Lithiums might well be worthwhile for a special occasion
like The French Ride, but I doubt many people use them for regular
commuting.

(On the subject of LED lights, all LED car headlights are coming soon:
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/more-details-on-audi-r8s-worlds-first-led-headlights/
(via http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2007/09/car-headlights.html).
It would be nice if that lead to more high-power bike lights with proper
shaped beams for road use. The new B&M IQs look promising though.)

David Damerell said:

Quoting Peter Clinch <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Think I will stick with the Cateye option for now but look at
getting dynamos at some point in the future. I am assuming they are
better for the enviroment too as you generate your own power.

I'd never really thought about it from that point of view, but I think
you're right.

It must be pretty trivial if you use rechargeables in battery lights - an
AA rechargable needs what, tuppence of electricity?

I was more thinking of the issues of throwing it away when it's
knackered than the charging it up side of things.

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/