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reccomendations for a rear bike light

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Australia and New Zealand
Published
20 December 2003
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28 December 2003
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Arpit
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  1. hi, im looking for a rear bike light, i had to lights each with 6 leds
    from the 2 dollar shop, and both failed today on the main road in the
    dark in the rain withouit me knowing- well, i knew one failed coz the
    cover fell over and the batteries flew out, but the other one just
    stopped. I only found out when someone pulled up next to my and told
    me, very politely. nice of him. And i thanked him, not abused him,
    ahem :p
    So heres what i need, a bright bike rear light. I'm looking for
    something brighter than ordinary, in the same way my 55 watt hedlight
    is breighter than standard lights, which preferably flashes at an
    approximately equal time on and off. i think xenon flashers may
    attract attention but they dont necessarily show where you are if
    thats all that is visible, since the amount of time they are actually
    on is minimal. conversely, i think an always on light would fail to
    get peoples attention from the reflectors on the ride of the road or
    red lights in the distance or other vehicles brake lights.
    Now your probably asking why doesnt this idiot use google, since i
    have seen numerous threads about rear bike lights on this newsgroup
    before. But heres the thing, I need my lights to be water resistant.
    My last lights were closed except for the switch, but after off road
    riding they'd spontqanoeously turn on, and be unturnoffable for aboujt
    24 hours. similarly, i think the one failed today coz it was wet.
    Also, permanent on lights arent much good for me., nor a xenon
    strobes. In a pinch however, I think an always on combined with a
    xenon strobe (what colour? I dont really give a [censored] about whats legal
    or not, safety comes first.) would work. failing that i think a cold
    cathode light on my rear light might work, but might be a little
    fragile. I'd of course have to put some circuitry to flash it in
    programed patterns ( aus.bicycle in morse code perhaps? 😉 but thats
    hardly a problem. xenon and always on actally would be easier though,
    im looking at the mini house alrm xenons.

    Any advice as to the brightness and waterproofness of current rear
    bike lights on the market, as well as comments on my ideas would be
    appreciated.

  2. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Arpit said:


    Any advice as to the brightness and waterproofness of
    current rear bike lights on the market, as well as
    comments on my ideas would be appreciated.

    I've got a standard cateye rear LED light, nice and bright
    and water proof enough never to cause me any problems in the
    rain, about A$30 from your LBS.

    --
    | Joel Mayes | /~\ ASCII Ribbon campaign
    | Accordionist | \_/ stop HTML mail and news
    | Musician | / \
    | Music Teacher |

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

    Quoted message said:

    So heres what i need, a bright bike rear light. I'm looking for
    something brighter than ordinary, in the same way my 55 watt hedlight
    is breighter than standard lights, which preferably flashes at an
    approximately equal time on and off.

    The best one I've found is the Vistalite Super Nebula 5 led tail-light
    http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category237_1.htm

    Not the cheapest at around $30 but it is very weatherproof, has flashing,
    fixed and oscillating patterns, and is one of the brightest around.

    If you don't need a bolt-on fastening and a seatpost mount is preferred then
    the Cateye LD600 5 led light is even brighter, but at a price premium of
    $43.
    http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category7_1.htm

    Cheers
    Peter

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

    Quoted message said:

    hi, im looking for a rear bike light, i had to lights each with 6 leds
    from the 2 dollar shop, and both failed today ....

    Why does that not surprise me??

    Quoted message said:

    Also, permanent on lights arent much good for me., nor a xenon
    strobes. In a pinch however, I think an always on combined with a
    xenon strobe (what colour? I dont really give a [censored] about whats legal
    or not, safety comes first.) would work. failing that i think a cold
    cathode light on my rear light might work, but might be a little
    fragile. I'd of course have to put some circuitry to flash it in
    programed patterns ( aus.bicycle in morse code perhaps? 😉 but thats
    hardly a problem. xenon and always on actally would be easier though,
    im looking at the mini house alrm xenons.

    You jump from $2 shop, [censored] LEDs to xenon strobes, cathode rays and your own
    circuitry. I haven't even seen xenon strobes as a tail-light - do they exist
    commercially (by this I mean in the LBS)? Methinks I smell eau-de-troll.

    Cheers
    Peter

  5. Peter Signorini said:


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

    Quoted message said:

    hi, im looking for a rear bike light, i had to lights each with 6 leds
    from the 2 dollar shop, and both failed today ....

    Why does that not surprise me??

    Quoted message said:

    Also, permanent on lights arent much good for me., nor a xenon
    strobes. In a pinch however, I think an always on combined with a
    xenon strobe (what colour? I dont really give a [censored] about whats legal
    or not, safety comes first.) would work. failing that i think a cold
    cathode light on my rear light might work, but might be a little
    fragile. I'd of course have to put some circuitry to flash it in
    programed patterns ( aus.bicycle in morse code perhaps? 😉 but thats
    hardly a problem. xenon and always on actally would be easier though,
    im looking at the mini house alrm xenons.

    You jump from $2 shop, [censored] LEDs to xenon strobes, cathode rays and your own
    circuitry. I haven't even seen xenon strobes as a tail-light - do they exist
    commercially (by this I mean in the LBS)? Methinks I smell eau-de-troll.


    eau-de-troll.? [censored] that, i had planned on bolting one of the small
    xenon strobes as used in house alarms to the reflector mount at the
    back of my rear rack, and powering it from the bikes 12 volt front
    light supply. THanks for the other light reccomendations by the way

    Quoted message said:

    Cheers
    Peter

  6. Aqua X Lite.
    100% Waterproof (red or white)
    It's about the size and weight of a 20c piece
    2 Long life lithium batteries (hearing aid type)
    90 hours on slow flash
    $20
    Got one and I think it's great.
    It's got a little groove on the underside and attaches to a bar with a
    little elastic band and can be kept on a key ring and really is superbright.

  7. Arpit said:

    eau-de-troll.? [censored] that,

    OK, if you aint a troll.
    LEDs are the only way to go for rear lights. Any decent (ie not $2 shop)
    ones are reasonably water resistant ant VERY visible.

    One caveat: be sure that when you put the batteries in, it goes on
    without hitting the switch. Because some time, maybe when its a bit
    older, you'll hit a bump and break the connection. You don't want
    the lights to go off. Cheap bike lights stay off. Good ones are
    designed to start on for this reason.

    P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

  8. My dad owns the Vistalite Total Eclipse 7 Led rear light and it is VERY bright, good for such a compact light. Definetly recommended.
    linky: http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category237_1.htm

    I've got the cheaper Vistalite Super Nebula 5 led, larger but not a
    bright. I have it mounted at the end of my rear pannier rack and as i
    is so wide it took a fair whack when my bike fell over. Nothing brok
    just the casing popped out and I was able to click it back in. Thi
    wouldn't be a problem with the narrower 7 led Total Eclipse

    Water/mud-proofing and battery life are very good

    Don't just rely on lights, make sure you've got a fluro cycling jacke
    or safety vest with reflectors

    -

  9. Mike:

    Quoted message said:
    Arpit said:

    eau-de-troll.? [censored] that,

    OK, if you aint a troll.
    LEDs are the only way to go for rear lights. Any decent (ie not $2 shop)
    ones are reasonably water resistant ant VERY visible.

    One caveat: be sure that when you put the batteries in, it goes on
    without hitting the switch. Because some time, maybe when its a bit
    older, you'll hit a bump and break the connection. You don't want
    the lights to go off. Cheap bike lights stay off. Good ones are
    designed to start on for this reason.

    P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

    "Aint"?
    "Ant"?
    "Speeling"?
    "some time"?
    "its"?
    "start on"?

    Improve your own poor grammar and atrocious spelling skills first before
    you criticise others'.

  10. Peter Signorini:

    Quoted message said:

    You jump from $2 shop, [censored] LEDs to xenon strobes, cathode rays and your own
    circuitry. I haven't even seen xenon strobes as a tail-light - do they exist
    commercially (by this I mean in the LBS)? Methinks I smell eau-de-troll.

    Google strobe lights and you'll get inundated with internet shops
    selling them, together with various mounting adaptors. LBSs aren't the
    only ones which sell items commercially.

    Strobe lights are extremely annoying and dangerous for drivers and other
    cyclists though, because of their intensity. They are unnecessary; LEDs
    are visible enough even in heavy traffic.

  11. "Joel Mayes" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Arpit said:


    Any advice as to the brightness and waterproofness of
    current rear bike lights on the market, as well as
    comments on my ideas would be appreciated.

    I've got a standard cateye rear LED light, nice and bright
    and water proof enough never to cause me any problems in the
    rain, about A$30 from your LBS.

    I'd agree here - the simple cateye LED is bright, tough and allows you to be
    seen.

    Tim|

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

    Quoted message said:

    Aqua X Lite.
    100% Waterproof (red or white)
    It's about the size and weight of a 20c piece
    2 Long life lithium batteries (hearing aid type)
    90 hours on slow flash
    $20
    Got one and I think it's great.
    It's got a little groove on the underside and attaches to a bar with a
    little elastic band and can be kept on a key ring and really is


    superbright.

    Quoted message said:

    Where did you get this from? Just a regular LBS?

    Tim

  13. Jose Rizal said:
    Quoted message said:

    P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

    "Aint"?

    archaic/humourous/colloquial usage. A contraction for are not and am
    not; also used for is not.

    Quoted message said:

    "Speeling"?

    new to the 'net are you?

    Quoted message said:

    "its"?

    Yes, you got me on the apostrophe. I don't normally comment on such
    things, but sometimes illiteracy gets beyond belief. There a kids out
    there who cant spell simple words like "off" (consistenly using "of"😉.

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

    Quoted message said:

    My dad owns the Vistalite Total Eclipse 7 Led rear light and it is VERY


    bright, good for such a compact light. Definetly recommended.

    Quoted message said:

    linky: http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category237_1.htm

    I've got the cheaper Vistalite Super Nebula 5 led, larger but not as
    bright. I have it mounted at the end of my rear pannier rack and as it
    is so wide it took a fair whack when my bike fell over. Nothing broke
    just the casing popped out and I was able to click it back in. This
    wouldn't be a problem with the narrower 7 led Total Eclipse.

    Water/mud-proofing and battery life are very good.

    Don't just rely on lights, make sure you've got a fluro cycling jacket
    or safety vest with reflectors.

    Yeah, agreed, and Netti have a new range of shorts out with retroreflective
    outside seams... look pretty cool, and stand out miles away in headlights...

  15. Thhre words spring tp mind: "pot", "kettle" ans "black"
    (tee-hee)
    [censored]
    p
    (warnig: this post may contain
    - top-postinf
    - ironyu)
    ps: do you knew how hard itr was to get this past the spell-cjecketr??

    Mike said:


    Jose Rizal said:
    Quoted message said:

    P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

    "Aint"?

    archaic/humourous/colloquial usage. A contraction for are not and am
    not; also used for is not.

    Quoted message said:

    "Speeling"?

    new to the 'net are you?

    Quoted message said:

    "its"?

    Yes, you got me on the apostrophe. I don't normally comment on such
    things, but sometimes illiteracy gets beyond belief. There a kids out
    there who cant spell simple words like "off" (consistenly using "of"😉.

  16. Fred Nieman:

    Quoted message said:

    Thhre words spring tp mind: "pot", "kettle" ans "black"
    (tee-hee)
    [censored]
    p
    (warnig: this post may contain
    - top-postinf
    - ironyu)
    ps: do you knew how hard itr was to get this past the spell-cjecketr??

    One word : huh?

  17. Mike:

    Quoted message said:
    Jose Rizal said:
    Quoted message said:

    P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

    "Aint"?

    archaic/humourous/colloquial usage. A contraction for are not and am
    not; also used for is not.

    Define it how you like, it's still wrong.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    "Speeling"?

    new to the 'net are you?

    It's still wrong.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    "its"?

    Yes, you got me on the apostrophe. I don't normally comment on such
    things, but sometimes illiteracy gets beyond belief. There a kids out
    there who cant spell simple words like "off" (consistenly using "of"😉.

    I repeat your mistakes, and because you are unaware of these being
    mistakes, I include the corrections:

    "Aint"? (Are not)
    "Ant"? (And, as in "water resistant AND very visible"😉
    "Speeling"? (Do I need to tell you how this is spelled?)
    "some time"? (Sometime)
    "its"? (Self-evident)
    "start on"? (Start or on, not both)

    Improve your own poor grammar and atrocious spelling skills first before
    you criticise others'.

  18. "Peter Signorini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    The best one I've found is the Vistalite Super Nebula 5 led tail-light
    http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category237_1.htm

    I have the other one on this page, the Eclipse. It's the
    brightest rear light I've used. Recommended.

    hippy

  19. "Tim Jones" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "gaza" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

    Quoted message said:

    2 Long life lithium batteries (hearing aid type)

    Pity it costs about $8 to replace them! ;-)

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    90 hours on slow flash

    I wouldn't recommend the slow flash mode though.
    The light is off for way too long.

    Quoted message said:

    Where did you get this from? Just a regular LBS?

    I got mine from Croydon Cycleworks. Other LBS's
    should therefore have them.

    hippy

  20. "Deep Freud Moors" <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote in
    message news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Jose Rizal _@_._ said:


    Improve your own poor grammar and atrocious spelling skills first before
    you criticise others'.

    Improove you're irony detecter before you critisize uthers.

    Hey, that should be "your"!

    ;-)

    Tim

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