I'm really a roadie at the moment but I may be persuaded otherwise later so please heed my question!
I have decided last night that night riding is a lot of fun. I rode home from uni (about an hour) with some flashers (mine) and a 15W helmet mount halogen lamp that I borrowed from my flatmate (made by Nightstick). It was great and I now know the benefit of having a headlamp (so many potholes). The problem was that the battery was done just as I turned into my street.
15W halogen seems to be quite adequate for riding through residential type areas. However, I know that if I decide to go training at night I will go along a lot of unlit roads and a higher power beam may be useful.
I have seen a few of the new High Intensity Discharge lights around which seem to be the goods for this task. However they put out an equivalent of a 40~50W halogen (great for country roads and MTB but can dazzle motorists and pedestrians in built up areas). Is there one which may be adjusted to give about 15~20W equivalent at low power and still have the full beam for when it's needed?
It would seem to be a waste to buy two lamps.
Cheers