Topeak RedLite UFO Comments?

It's - OK. I got one through Amazon last week and had high hopes for
it.

4 large, bright, red LEDs - 2 face straight back and 1 each at an
angle on either side. 2 others (smaller) face slightly forward, 1 on
each side. The other 4 -strictly for show. 2 on top to light the
switch, 2 others pointing up through the "frog's eyes" on top. They
aren't bright-strictly decorative.

Usual program modes - flashing and steady. "Cruising" mode is a back
and forth chaser mode, which could be amusing - but when there are
only 4 main lights,and they cycle slowly - it isn't much. It
requires an allen wrench for the 2 N size batteries - not terribly
friendly compared to most blinkies.

It does come with a seat post/stay bracket (no tools needed-very
nice!) and a separate clip for cargo bag/belt/whatever. The only
thing lacking is their Redlite Mount so you can attach it to one of
their racks. I have one and would like to use it that way, but I
haven't found anyplace that carries it.

This probably sounds harsher than it is. It's smallish, with an
interesting design - just needs more meat to make it a really good
taillight. If I had the soldering skills I'd try it.

(Next to the 4 Hokey Spokes on each wheel, it doesn't add much)

I did find a 3W white LED headlamp at Target for $9 - apparently a
discontinued Brinkmann model. Hellaciously bright for the size - same
LED used in the Cateye Triple Shot. You could duct tape three
together for 90% less than the Cateye }:-P

On 23 Jun 2006 18:21:56 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Anyone using this new taillight?

It looks awesome.

(I can't stop pimping my bike.)

http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/lights/redliteufo.php

Thanks for any info.

- Jay

Thanks for the detailed review. I ordered one the other day.

Regarding the Redlite Mount, you might have trouble finding that.
Finding it for sale with a simple google search is probably hopeless.
My suggestion is to call a few Internet retailers. Small cheap items
like this are often not in their online catalogs, but they actually do
have them for sale. Especially if they have a retail store in addition
to their online business. I like Brands http://brandscycle.com/ . They
have free shipping for orders over $30, and no sales tax if you do not
live in NY state.

You might also call Todson, who is the parent company of Topeak:

Todson, Inc.
8 Spring Brook Rd
Foxborough, MA 02035
T: 800-213-4561 (M-F 9-5 EST)

- Jay

Grateful said:

It's - OK. I got one through Amazon last week and had high hopes for
it.

4 large, bright, red LEDs - 2 face straight back and 1 each at an
angle on either side. 2 others (smaller) face slightly forward, 1 on
each side. The other 4 -strictly for show. 2 on top to light the
switch, 2 others pointing up through the "frog's eyes" on top. They
aren't bright-strictly decorative.

Usual program modes - flashing and steady. "Cruising" mode is a back
and forth chaser mode, which could be amusing - but when there are
only 4 main lights,and they cycle slowly - it isn't much. It
requires an allen wrench for the 2 N size batteries - not terribly
friendly compared to most blinkies.

It does come with a seat post/stay bracket (no tools needed-very
nice!) and a separate clip for cargo bag/belt/whatever. The only
thing lacking is their Redlite Mount so you can attach it to one of
their racks. I have one and would like to use it that way, but I
haven't found anyplace that carries it.

This probably sounds harsher than it is. It's smallish, with an
interesting design - just needs more meat to make it a really good
taillight. If I had the soldering skills I'd try it.

(Next to the 4 Hokey Spokes on each wheel, it doesn't add much)

I did find a 3W white LED headlamp at Target for $9 - apparently a
discontinued Brinkmann model. Hellaciously bright for the size - same
LED used in the Cateye Triple Shot. You could duct tape three
together for 90% less than the Cateye }:-P

On 23 Jun 2006 18:21:56 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Anyone using this new taillight?

It looks awesome.

(I can't stop pimping my bike.)

http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/lights/redliteufo.php

Thanks for any info.

- Jay

I agree, having to buy the very small Allen wrench was an annoyance.
How much would it have cost them to include a wrench? Probably 20 cents
per light? Not very customer-focussed - (go to the hardware store,
figure out what size you need, etc.)

I have attached the light to my Trunk Bag, which is perfect for me. I
rarely ride without my Trunk Bag.

I also agree that it is smaller than I had anticipated. But I think it
is large enough to do the job.

I must say I am VERY pleased with the Topeak rack/ Trunk Bag system. I
was previously tying down a backpack to the rack with bungee cords,
which is very tedious.

- Jay

Grateful said:

(snip)
only 4 main lights,and they cycle slowly - it isn't much. It
requires an allen wrench for the 2 N size batteries - not terribly
friendly compared to most blinkies.

It does come with a seat post/stay bracket (no tools needed-very
nice!) and a separate clip for cargo bag/belt/whatever. The only
thing lacking is their Redlite Mount so you can attach it to one of
their racks. I have one and would like to use it that way, but I
haven't found anyplace that carries it.

This probably sounds harsher than it is. It's smallish, with an
interesting design - just needs more meat to make it a really good
taillight. If I had the soldering skills I'd try it.

(Next to the 4 Hokey Spokes on each wheel, it doesn't add much)

I did find a 3W white LED headlamp at Target for $9 - apparently a
discontinued Brinkmann model. Hellaciously bright for the size - same
LED used in the Cateye Triple Shot. You could duct tape three
together for 90% less than the Cateye }:-P

On 23 Jun 2006 18:21:56 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Anyone using this new taillight?

It looks awesome.

(I can't stop pimping my bike.)

http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/lights/redliteufo.php

Thanks for any info.

- Jay

Quoted message said:

I agree, having to buy the very small Allen wrench was an annoyance.
How much would it have cost them to include a wrench? Probably 20 cents
per light? Not very customer-focussed - (go to the hardware store,
figure out what size you need, etc.)

I have attached the light to my Trunk Bag, which is perfect for me. I
rarely ride without my Trunk Bag.

I also agree that it is smaller than I had anticipated. But I think it
is large enough to do the job.

I must say I am VERY pleased with the Topeak rack/ Trunk Bag system. I
was previously tying down a backpack to the rack with bungee cords,
which is very tedious.

- Jay

Grateful said:

(snip)
only 4 main lights,and they cycle slowly - it isn't much. It
requires an allen wrench for the 2 N size batteries - not terribly
friendly compared to most blinkies.

It does come with a seat post/stay bracket (no tools needed-very
nice!) and a separate clip for cargo bag/belt/whatever. The only
thing lacking is their Redlite Mount so you can attach it to one of
their racks. I have one and would like to use it that way, but I
haven't found anyplace that carries it.

This probably sounds harsher than it is. It's smallish, with an
interesting design - just needs more meat to make it a really good
taillight. If I had the soldering skills I'd try it.

(Next to the 4 Hokey Spokes on each wheel, it doesn't add much)

I did find a 3W white LED headlamp at Target for $9 - apparently a
discontinued Brinkmann model. Hellaciously bright for the size - same
LED used in the Cateye Triple Shot. You could duct tape three
together for 90% less than the Cateye }:-P

On 23 Jun 2006 18:21:56 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Anyone using this new taillight?

It looks awesome.

(I can't stop pimping my bike.)

http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/lights/redliteufo.php

Thanks for any info.

- Jay

Quoted message said:

I must say I am VERY pleased with the Topeak rack/ Trunk Bag system.

Agreed. Other than having to swap out a carbon seatpost for an
aluminium one, the Topeak clamp-on rear rack was all that I needed to
use a Roubaix as a light touring bike.
The one click quick release is a very nice feature.

-bdbafh