Super bright HID lights

[john_childs]

Has anyone tried a super bright HID light for muni? Something like the Niterider Storm <http://www.niterider.com/products/bike_storm02.html>
Lights in Motion <http://www.bikelights.com/> also has a HID light.

I have seen bikes with them and they are super bright and have a nice long burn time. I'm wondering if they are too bright for muni? What kind of light pattern do they have? What is it like when focusing close to your wheel instead of way out in front of you? How would it be in cold weather where your breath fogs up and the light reflects off the fog (the brightness of the light may be a big disadvantage in this case)?

"john_childs" <john_childs.brhly@timelimit.unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:john_childs.brhly@timelimit.unicyclist.com...
>
> Has anyone tried a super bright HID light for muni? Something like the
> Niterider Storm <http://www.niterider.com/products/bike_storm02.html>
> Lights in Motion <http://www.bikelights.com/> also has a HID light.
>
> I have seen bikes with them and they are super bright and have a nice
> long burn time. I'm wondering if they are too bright for muni? What
> kind of light pattern do they have? What is it like when focusing close
> to your wheel instead of way out in front of you? How would it be in
> cold weather where your breath fogs up and the light reflects off the
> fog (the brightness of the light may be a big disadvantage in this
> case)?

You don't really need that bright a light for muni cos you just aren't going
that fast. I've ridden with 20w halogen lights (about a third as bright as
most HID lights) and they are a bit bright for my liking, everything is a
bit too samey.

I would worry about mist or fog too, if the weather mists up, even with
smaller halogens (10w/12w) you get quite a lot of light reflected back and
can't see anywhere near as far, I suspect you'd be shining loads of light
right back on yourself if mist came down whilst you were out.

Joe