Cheap/LIGHT/helmet mounted road light?

[bungeejoe]

Originally Posted by cbs

Well I checked the book for what I can order that is inexpensive. Seems like the pricey ones all have battery packs to carry and are heavy anyways. And was told the more LEDs, the brighter. So the one with the most was the Planet Bike 4 LEDs Sport Spot headlight. Think this will do OK? Or should I get a cateye one too like bungee joe has set up? I am not sure the difference between the 1 LED cateyes they have and the PB one with 4. I want to order Monday. I could afford both possibly.....

I can afford the most expensive lights available but don't own them.

The Planet Bike 4 led I used by itself for a couple of years before adding the Cateye. I commute every day all winter riding on roads with out street lights and streets with street lights and a few paths. I some times have done up to 30 miles in the morning darkness prior to work and more miles after work in the dark. In the winter both my commutes are in the dark.

If you are not doing muni any ONE of these on flashing is enough light for me. The Planet Bike gives a large spot of general area light. To get the batteries to last longer I usually only use two of the four leds or the four on flash. Gives me enough light to ride by. I don't need a lot of light. I have good night vision. I've worked underground. I would love to again have a good cap lamp. But the weight I don't want. A nice small light with a small battery pack on a three foot cord would be great. That way the battery weight would not be on the helmet.

I got the Cateye for two reasons. One to have a spare. If the batteries on one are going dim the other one helps me see plenty and get 100+ hours from each light. I try to change batteries so that one has new when the other is past high output. With two cheaper lights I get lots of light when I need it and turn some off if I don't need it. Two lights means if one breaks or fails for some reason I am still able to get home and others will see me. The second reason for the Cateye was it has a good spot. I have had some close calls with other people not noticing me. I use the spot to shine in their window and make sure they see me. You may argue with this technic but it was suggested to me and works. I can see them see me. I don't blind them in the eye but make sure I get their attention with one flashing light and one steady light. This seems much more effective. Fewer people cut me off or pull out into me.

No light I have will make it light enough for some. Part of the challenge is to be riding in the dark. I some times close my eyes and ride in the dark for the challenge of riding with my eyes closed. May sound stupid to some. But what will you do if you get a bug in your eye, stop or keep going. When I've been training and trying to get 60 or 100 miles in on a full work day I don't have time to stop.

The primary reason I use lights is for others to see me. I've been hit and near missed enough. I usually know where I'm going. I just need to see the sticks, trash, and rocks in the way. Its also nice to be able to miss a few of the slugs along the way. Two much light would take the fun away. Why do I ride a unicycle? For the challenge! I like to add to the challenge. Other wise I would commute on a bike. Unicycles make no since to use for commuting. But there is no challenge to commuting on a bike, lots of people do that. So stop worrying about how bright a light is or how much it costs, just accept the challenge of riding in the dark for what it is, riding in the dark.

[cbs]

Great post! I only do the uni for the challenge. Its really hard for me and incredibly exciting every time I accomplish something. Its not like I'm a natural, if I were it would get boring quick. I'm ADHD so need something to excite me and constantly have something new to work on. I'll get one or both of those. I ride in the parking lot with nothing so this is safer and should be enough for me coming home once the sun goes down. Actually, tomorrow having surgery on my arm so going on a 10 pm uni ride!!

Today I was almost run over by these HUGE deer! Nah, life isnt boring for me. Was pretty cool.

Originally Posted by bungeejoe

I can afford the most expensive lights available but don't own them.

The Planet Bike 4 led I used by itself for a couple of years before adding the Cateye. I commute every day all winter riding on roads with out street lights and streets with street lights and a few paths. I some times have done up to 30 miles in the morning darkness prior to work and more miles after work in the dark. In the winter both my commutes are in the dark.

If you are not doing muni any ONE of these on flashing is enough light for me. The Planet Bike gives a large spot of general area light. To get the batteries to last longer I usually only use two of the four leds or the four on flash. Gives me enough light to ride by. I don't need a lot of light. I have good night vision. I've worked underground. I would love to again have a good cap lamp. But the weight I don't want. A nice small light with a small battery pack on a three foot cord would be great. That way the battery weight would not be on the helmet.

I got the Cateye for two reasons. One to have a spare. If the batteries on one are going dim the other one helps me see plenty and get 100+ hours from each light. I try to change batteries so that one has new when the other is past high output. With two cheaper lights I get lots of light when I need it and turn some off if I don't need it. Two lights means if one breaks or fails for some reason I am still able to get home and others will see me. The second reason for the Cateye was it has a good spot. I have had some close calls with other people not noticing me. I use the spot to shine in their window and make sure they see me. You may argue with this technic but it was suggested to me and works. I can see them see me. I don't blind them in the eye but make sure I get their attention with one flashing light and one steady light. This seems much more effective. Fewer people cut me off or pull out into me.

No light I have will make it light enough for some. Part of the challenge is to be riding in the dark. I some times close my eyes and ride in the dark for the challenge of riding with my eyes closed. May sound stupid to some. But what will you do if you get a bug in your eye, stop or keep going. When I've been training and trying to get 60 or 100 miles in on a full work day I don't have time to stop.

The primary reason I use lights is for others to see me. I've been hit and near missed enough. I usually know where I'm going. I just need to see the sticks, trash, and rocks in the way. Its also nice to be able to miss a few of the slugs along the way. Two much light would take the fun away. Why do I ride a unicycle? For the challenge! I like to add to the challenge. Other wise I would commute on a bike. Unicycles make no since to use for commuting. But there is no challenge to commuting on a bike, lots of people do that. So stop worrying about how bright a light is or how much it costs, just accept the challenge of riding in the dark for what it is, riding in the dark.

[entropy]

Originally Posted by feel the light

I have used this light for almost 2 years with the same rechargeable MH AAA bats. Cheap light ! (Cateye)

I've had that light for a couple of years too. I used it for solo night muni in the angeles national forest until I realized that mountain lions are nocturnal. I mounted it on my helmet (makeshift), and it worked great for many, many rides.