Show me THE light!

[wombatK]

The night cycling future ??

Anyone who thinks that the boy with a toy that has most lumens wins needs to think again...

Rule 219
219 Lights not to be used to dazzle other road users

A driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary, and road user is defined in rule 14.
Note 2. Driver includes a person in control of a vehicle—see the definition of drive in the Dictionary.

There is a clear cut obligation to not dazzle other road users. A bicycle is a vehicle and a rider is a driver. And road user includes
pedestrians and other cyclists.

Even 900 lumen lights and Ayups would dazzle other road users if not aimed carefully toward the ground. A 5000 lumen light is going to bounce off so much that dazzling would be hard to avoid. Even a 1400 lumen LED torch is close to the output of a typical H1 car headlight, and would need to have the shaped reflector treatment and lens that car headlights have to avoid dazzling other road users and be legal.

But of course, you knew that, didn't you il padrone

[ajmit3]

Lights test 2011 results table
Compact front
Overall rating Light RRP Weight Batteries Visibility Useability Durability Waterproofness Value for money Find retailers Notes
81 Ilumenox Highpower SS-L1222W $79.00 93 AAA x 3 79 7 8 10 9 www.allegrobikes.com.au
72 Knog Gekko $49.99 54 AAA x 2 63 8 8 10 8 www.apollobikes.com/
68 Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB $65.00 17 USB rechargable 62 8 8 8 7 1800 333 054, customer.service@pacbrands.com.au Easy to lose USB recharger
66 Knog Boomer $49.99 58 AAA x 2 60 6 10 8 6 www.apollobikes.com/ Difficult to find switch & fit battery cap
66 Planet bike Blaze 2W $89.95 142 AA x 2 68 8 7 6 4 0416 257 985, eurosolutionsoz@bigpond.com Front cover part dissasembly after dropping. Water entered lens area.
63 Cateye Hybrid $169.00 123 AA x 1 or solar-chargable NiMH 52 7 9 10 6 www.cateyelights.com.au
60 Smart 1W $79.95 141 AA x 2 61 8 2 9 4 www.echelonsports.com.au Dissasembled but still worked
59 BBB High Integrate $64.95 137 AAA x 4 62 7 7 5 3 1800 808 181, www.bikesportz.com.au Rear O-ring leaks
58 Portland Design Works Spaceship $34.95 110 AA x 2 58 5 8 6 4 0416 257 985, eurosolutionsoz@bigpond.com Tools required for mounting and to change battery. No seal and leaked
57 Exposure lights Flash $79.00 41 CR123A x 1 45 7 8 10 5 1800 228 229, info@bikebox.com.au Turns in mounting when turning on & off; batteries inconvenient to replace
48 Blackburn Voyager $19.95 29 CR2032 x 2 46 5 9 3 4 1800 333 054, customer.service@pacbrands.com.au Cover entire light with finger to change mode, O-ring leaks; batteries inconvenient to replace
69 Tioga 119 AAA x 4 67 8 5 10 6 www.bikecorp.com.au Scratched
Compact rear
86 Tioga Dual Eyes $35.00 81 AAA x 2 85 8 8 10 9 www.bikecorp.com.au
82 S-Sun Eaglefly $25.00 73 AAA x 2 88 7 4 10 8 www.allegrobikes.com.au Dissembled on impact but still worked
80 Cateye TL-LD 610R $49.95 59 AAA x 2 80 8 9 8 7 www.cateyelights.com.au
79 Niteflux Red Zone 4 $99.00 85 USB rechargable 79 8 8 10 6 www.niteflux.com
79 BBB BLS-Highlaser $34.95 64 AAA x 2 84 7 4 10 7 1800 808 181, www.bikesportz.com.au Opened and switch bent
79 Skully 1W Rear $25.00 12 CR2032 x 2 81 6 9 9 6 www.allegrobikes.com.au Batteries inconvenient to replace
71 Smart Two Eyes $45.00 73 AAA x 2 68 7 8 9 6 www.echelonsports.com.au
71 NiteRider herry Bomb $34.99 74 AAA x 2 67 7 8 10 6 02 4560 1200, info@jetblackproducts.com
71 Tioga 600 rear TCL54 $25.00 78 AAA x 2 81 6 8 4 4 www.bikecorp.com.au Battery cover leaked slightly
71 Planet bike Blinky Superflash $34.95 70 AAA x 2 65 7 8 10 7 0416 257 985, eurosolutionsoz@bigpond.com
71 Knog Beetle $34.99 21 CR2032 x 2 66 5 10 10 6 www.apollobikes.com/ Batteries inconvenient to replace
70 Ilumenox Crocolight $29.00 32 CR2032 x 2 67 5 8 10 7 www.allegrobikes.com.au Batteries inconvenient to replace
69 Fibre flare Long Red $34.95 84 AAA x 2 60 8 10 9 6 http://fibreflare.com
66 Knog Boomer $49.99 54 AAA x 2 66 8 10 5 4 www.apollobikes.com/ Cover did not fit properly leaked
65 Infini Amuse Rear $14.95 13 CR2032 x 2 67 6 10 6 4 www.southcottcycles.com.au Batteries inconvenient to replace
57 Exposure Lights Flare $79.00 44 CR123A Lithium 53 5 8 10 2 1800 228 229, info@bikebox.com.au Batteries inconvenient to replace
50 Planet bike Spok $19.95 14 CR2032 x 1 52 5 8 4 2 0416 257 985, eurosolutionsoz@bigpond.com No seal, leaked; batteries inconvenient to replace
/ 100 grams / 100 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10

Dynamo front
Overall rating Brand RRP Weight* Batteries Standlight Visibility Useability Durability Waterproofness Value for money Notes
72 Gazelle Medeo Plus Fenderlight $1,699.00 not applicable 2 56 10 9 9 10 www.gazellebicycles.com.au Light integrated into mudguard; $1699 for whole bike
66 Supernova E3 Pro Glare-free $349.95 172 not applicable 5 55 8 8 10 7 www.apollobikes.com/
66 Schmidt Edelux $299.00 130 not applicable 5 53 8 8 10 8 www.stkildacycles.com.au
65 Busch and Muller IQ-Fly $149.00 71 not applicable 5 53 8 7 9 9 www.stkildacycles.com.au
59 Busch and Muller IQ-Cyo $229.00 99 not applicable 5 57 8 8 4 5 www.stkildacycles.com.au Poor water resistance
57 Busch and Muller Oval Senso Plus $109.00 138 not applicable 5 49 6 6 8 7 www.stkildacycles.com.au
42 Reelight SL620 power back up $76.95 133 not applicable 3 28 6 6 10 3 0415 443 311, info@kornart.com.au
Dynamo rear
63 Supernova E3 tail seat-post mount $129.95 27 not applicable 4 50 8 8 10 7 www.apollobikes.com/
54 Busch and Muller Seculite Plus $65.00 52 not applicable 5 46 5 5 10 6 www.stkildacycles.com.au
49 Reelight SL620 power back up $76.95 133 not applicable 3 40 6 6 10 3 0415 443 311, info@kornart.com.au
42 Busch and Muller D-Toplight XS plus $69.00 66 not applicable 5 41 5 4 4 4 www.stkildacycles.com.au Poor water resistance
/ 100 "grams
* Plus dynamo" minutes / 100 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10

High-powered front
Overall rating Brand RRP Weight Batteries Burn time Visibility Useability Durability Waterproofness Value for money Notes
85 Literover Trail Blazer $199.00 318 Lithium; mains power rechargable 3 84 9 7 10 9 literover.com.au Currently only for sale in shops in Melbourne
82 Ay-Up Twin Sport $264.00 184 Lithium Polymer; mains power rechargable 12 80 7 9 10 8 www.ayup-lights.com
73 NiteRider Mi-Newt.250 $299.99 192 Lithium Ion; USB or mains power rechargable 4.5 64 9 9 10 7 02 4560 1200, info@jetblackproducts.com
73 Cygo-Lite Trion 600 $449.00 257 Lithium Ion; mains power rechargable 12 67 8 9 10 6 www.bikecorp.com.au
72 Niteflux Commuter 6 $199.00 267 Lithium Ion; USB rechargable 6 67 5 9 10 8 www.niteflux.com
69 BBB Highpower $279.95 230 Lithium Ion; mains power rechargable 5 63 8 8 10 6 1800 808 181, www.bikesportz.com.au
69 Cygo-Lite Expilion $199.00 159 Lithium Ion; USB or mains power rechargable 10 62 7 8 10 7 www.bikecorp.com.au
67 Exposure Lights Joystick $320.00 205 Lithium Ion; USB or mains power rechargable 24 61 8 9 8 5 1800 228 229, info@bikebox.com.au
66 Exposure Lights Diablo $450.00 256 Lithium Ion; USB or mains power rechargable 10 62 8 9 8 4 1800 228 229, info@bikebox.com.au
High-powered rear
77 Ay-Up Twin Sport with red caps $264.00 199 Lithium Polymer; mains power rechargable 12 71 7 9 10 8 www.ayup-lights.com
69 Literover Tail Gator $99.00 263 Lithium; mains power rechargable ~60 69 4 7 10 7 literover.com.au Gets too hot too quickly without sufficient airflow. Only for sale in shops in Melbourne
/ 100 grams hours / 100 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10

Overall rating is the sum of Visibility ( / 10), Useability, Durability, Waterproofness and Value for money, with a 60% weighting on Visibility.

[elStado]

Lights test 2011 results table

I saw this, and although it isn't a bad guide I noticed that they missed quite a few major light models + brands and they also didn't show the lighting impact of the compact fronts.

[elStado]

What's a good light that is easy to remove? I've been looking at the Ay-Ups but realised you directly fix them to your bike.

[wombatK]

What's a good light that is easy to remove? I've been looking at the Ay-Ups but realised you directly fix them to your bike.

The Ayup mount can be easily undone to allow removal of the lights from the handlebars or helmet. If you mount them on your helmet, you'll probably not need to remove them.

[elStado]

What's a good light that is easy to remove? I've been looking at the Ay-Ups but realised you directly fix them to your bike.

The Ayup mount can be easily undone to allow removal of the lights from the handlebars or helmet. If you mount them on your helmet, you'll probably not need to remove them.

Howe easily? I ride to Uni most days and of course I wouldn't leave them attached. Will be having to remove and attach them a few times a day.

[high_tea]

The night cycling future ??

Anyone who thinks that the boy with a toy that has most lumens wins needs to think again...

Rule 219
219 Lights not to be used to dazzle other road users

A driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary, and road user is defined in rule 14.
Note 2. Driver includes a person in control of a vehicle—see the definition of drive in the Dictionary.

There is a clear cut obligation to not dazzle other road users. A bicycle is a vehicle and a rider is a driver. And road user includes
pedestrians and other cyclists.

Even 900 lumen lights and Ayups would dazzle other road users if not aimed carefully toward the ground. A 5000 lumen light is going to bounce off so much that dazzling would be hard to avoid. Even a 1400 lumen LED torch is close to the output of a typical H1 car headlight, and would need to have the shaped reflector treatment and lens that car headlights have to avoid dazzling other road users and be legal.

But of course, you knew that, didn't you il padrone

Ah, but see s214:

Division 1 Lights on vehicles (except bicycles, animals and animal-drawn vehicles)

214 Division does not apply to riders of bicycles, animals or animal-drawn vehicles

This Division does not apply to the rider of a bicycle, animal or animal-drawn vehicle.

Note 1. Bicycle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. The rules for using lights when riding a bicycle or an animal-drawn vehicle at night, or in hazardous weather conditions, are:

• for riders of bicycles—rule 259

• for riders of animal-drawn vehicles—rule 223.

[apsilon]

Just had a play at one of the local ovals and thought someone might be interested.

Yellow line denotes 100m

My old NightFlux Vision Stick 10w Halogen. 1 hour run time


My new 10w LED (still playing with mouting options as it's not meant for a bicycle so own't mention brand yet). Aimed a lot more downward due to it's wide angle. Same LED is available in a 20deg and might be a better choice, this one is 40deg and possibly better suited to offroad. 3.5 hour run time


For good measure a Tioga 5 LED blinky on solid


Sorry about the blurry pics. Not easy to hold a light and camera at the same time. Camera was on manual so exposure and apeture the same for each shot.

[il padrone]

The night cycling future ??

Anyone who thinks that the boy with a toy that has most lumens wins needs to think again...

Rule 219
219 Lights not to be used to dazzle other road users

A driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user.

......But of course, you knew that, didn't you il padrone

Well, yes. That was sort of my point in posting about this ludicrous torch. Some people on here seem to be stuck well into a lumens arms race

[twizzle]

What's a good light that is easy to remove? I've been looking at the Ay-Ups but realised you directly fix them to your bike.

The Ayup mount can be easily undone to allow removal of the lights from the handlebars or helmet. If you mount them on your helmet, you'll probably not need to remove them.

Howe easily? I ride to Uni most days and of course I wouldn't leave them attached. Will be having to remove and attach them a few times a day.

You just unclip the rubber strap that holds the light head to the bracket.

[queequeg]

Anyone who thinks that the boy with a toy that has most lumens wins needs to think again...

Rule 219
219 Lights not to be used to dazzle other road users

A driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary, and road user is defined in rule 14.
Note 2. Driver includes a person in control of a vehicle—see the definition of drive in the Dictionary.

There is a clear cut obligation to not dazzle other road users. A bicycle is a vehicle and a rider is a driver. And road user includes
pedestrians and other cyclists.

The entire section in the legislation on lights specifically excludes bicycles. If you read the opening comments for Part 13 you will see that none of the lighting rules apply to bicycles or cyclists. It even refers you to the specific rule for lighting requirements on a bicycle (Rule 259)

Part 13 Lights and warning devices

Division 1 Lights on vehicles (except bicycles, animals and animal-drawn vehicles)

214 Division does not apply to riders of bicycles, animals or animal-drawn vehicles

This Division does not apply to the rider of a bicycle, animal or animal-drawn vehicle.

Note 1. Bicycle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. The rules for using lights when riding a bicycle or an animal-drawn vehicle at night, or in hazardous weather conditions, are:

• for riders of bicycles—rule 259

• for riders of animal-drawn vehicles—rule 223.

[The Walrus]

What's a good light that is easy to remove? I've been looking at the Ay-Ups but realised you directly fix them to your bike.

The Ayup mount can be easily undone to allow removal of the lights from the handlebars or helmet. If you mount them on your helmet, you'll probably not need to remove them.

Howe easily? I ride to Uni most days and of course I wouldn't leave them attached. Will be having to remove and attach them a few times a day.

Along with all my other demands I'm also interested in this question...along with many others!

Thanks to an earlier post I saw mentioned Exposure Lights and have looked up their web site. It seems to be a rechargeable light that doesn't have the hassles of batteries being attached and so on, I assume its built in as part of the unit. You just attach it to your handlebars and off you go...different levels of brightness available depending on what you need and what you are prepared to pay.

Anyone know anymore? www.exposurelights.com

[trailgumby]

Option B is to just go helmet mounted maybe for both pairs of Ayup emitters, and just take the helmet with you. No stress then about removing and replacing lights and batteries for fear of theft.

[The Walrus]

Has anyone had any experience with Niteflux lights?

They are Aussie made and some of them are self contained (like the Exposure lights). They also offer a 1 year warranty and (for a price) can extend that to 3 years, that tells me they have some degree of confidence in the product!

Exposure lights are my first choice but I'm trying to find an Aussie made product that compares. I like to try and support Aussie made when I can! Ay Ups are great with a great reputation but I don't like the fitting mechanism or the fact that you have to have cables and batteries attached, the contained system that attaches easily is my top choice, like Exposure and I don't mind paying the price for quality.

[apsilon]

Has anyone had any experience with Niteflux lights?

My first pic above is my approx 6 year old Niteflux VisonStick 10w halogen. No idea what they're new LED lights are like but they'd be worth having a look at if my old one is anything to go by.

[The Walrus]

Hi apsilon

Thanks for that. With regards to your experiment post in this thread I dont think you actually revealed the light you were testing, unless I missed it?

[apsilon]

Hi apsilon

Thanks for that. With regards to your experiment post in this thread I dont think you actually revealed the light you were testing, unless I missed it?

I haven't had time to find a way of mounting it (at least the battery pack) that I'm 100% happy with so hadn't said anything but it's a Vision X Solstice Solo Prime 40deg LED. The 20deg version may be better for a road bicycle, at least for oncoming road users.

[mitzikatzi]

[ldrcycles]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Super-Bright-56- ... 23105336b5

THIS is what you need. The beam of this is fantastic, the road in front is daylight, rather than 900 lumen 2km down the road (yes im exaggerating a little, but i find a really wide flood beam to be the best). And for the price!? Obviously being so cheap, it has a flaw, NOT in the mechanicals (works really well, and not just one, i've bought 4 and they all worked), the problem is the mount, it is CRAZY flimsy. Easy fix though, bolt it on the bars and then wrap the hell out of it with duct tape (McGuyver would be proud lol). I've been using one for over a year now with no problems, uses 4 AAs that last weeks.

Yes having to duct tape it on is inconvenient (i leave it on all the time though), but i think $15/year including batteries is the winner so far?

[elStado]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Super-Bright-56- ... 23105336b5

THIS is what you need. The beam of this is fantastic, the road in front is daylight, rather than 900 lumen 2km down the road (yes im exaggerating a little, but i find a really wide flood beam to be the best). And for the price!? Obviously being so cheap, it has a flaw, NOT in the mechanicals (works really well, and not just one, i've bought 4 and they all worked), the problem is the mount, it is CRAZY flimsy. Easy fix though, bolt it on the bars and then wrap the hell out of it with duct tape (McGuyver would be proud lol). I've been using one for over a year now with no problems, uses 4 AAs that last weeks.

Yes having to duct tape it on is inconvenient (i leave it on all the time though), but i think $15/year including batteries is the winner so far?

Looks pretty ugly, heavy and not water resistant though. 56x LEDs would be pretty bright.

[The Walrus]

Hi apsilon

Thanks for that. With regards to your experiment post in this thread I dont think you actually revealed the light you were testing, unless I missed it?

I haven't had time to find a way of mounting it (at least the battery pack) that I'm 100% happy with so hadn't said anything but it's a Vision X Solstice Solo Prime 40deg LED. The 20deg version may be better for a road bicycle, at least for oncoming road users.

http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/visi ... d_208.html

[ldrcycles]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Super-Bright-56- ... 23105336b5

THIS is what you need. The beam of this is fantastic, the road in front is daylight, rather than 900 lumen 2km down the road (yes im exaggerating a little, but i find a really wide flood beam to be the best). And for the price!? Obviously being so cheap, it has a flaw, NOT in the mechanicals (works really well, and not just one, i've bought 4 and they all worked), the problem is the mount, it is CRAZY flimsy. Easy fix though, bolt it on the bars and then wrap the hell out of it with duct tape (McGuyver would be proud lol). I've been using one for over a year now with no problems, uses 4 AAs that last weeks.

Yes having to duct tape it on is inconvenient (i leave it on all the time though), but i think $15/year including batteries is the winner so far?

Looks pretty ugly, heavy and not water resistant though. 56x LEDs would be pretty bright.

I don't mind the looks, but yes it is a lot of weight (especially in the batteries), i've used them in heavy rain with no worries though. Over the last couple of months i've had to mow the lawn after dark and actually put one of these lights on the push mower handle, works really well .

[apsilon]

http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/visi ... d_208.html

Mounting the light isn't an issue, it's the battery pack that's a challenge. I've come up with a couple of options but would like to come up with something that's more generic.

[rifraf]

Hi,
I ride a 15 year old Moulton APB
I found a new "old stock" sturmey archer dynohub about 10 years ago in Christchurch NZ.
I paid the money to have it put into a rim with stainless spokes.
I've never looked back as remembering to charge batteries and dealing with shops when the batteries
fail early under warranty was more than I wanted to repeat after numerous times with my vistalight combo.
I recommend to anyone to get yourself a son dynahub as they weigh bugger all compared to my sturmey and the available lights at bike24 prices are out of this world compared to when I made the plunge.
The sturmey is still pumping out the power after all these years and all I have to remember is a spare bulb.
I have never had to replace the serfas 9(?) bright led taillight in years so I've never bought a rear light for the hub.
I'm toying with the idea of a new moulton tsr and one of the first improvements will be the sondelux (son20) and the L+M cyo senso plus 40 lux headlights or maybe the supernova if I'm sitting down when getting the quote - lol.
You just cant beat "fit it and forget it".
As to why the son as opposed to the shimano, tis the same reason I opted for an internally geared rear hub - very low maintenance as I'm lazy and resent getting my fingers dirty when I could be riding or drinking.
I've never meet anyone unhappy with having a dynohub once the've gotten over the purchase price.
Good luck with your choice what ever it is

[il padrone]

From ACT's Pedalpower, one view on why the lumens 'arms race' may be dangerous to some.

I had something happen the other night (no-one hurt) on the bike path that I think will become a key issue in safety if it hasn't already. Also I work with LEDs in my company and use an LED light so believe me I am not against LEDs or new technology. I eat, live and breath new technology. However... Last night I had two bikes in quick succession come towards me on the bike path with very bright (900 lumens(?)) LED lights mounted and aimed pretty much straight ahead. They made no effort to dim them. What I didn't know was that there was a pedestrian walking dressed in black from head to toe right after them. I had dimmed my LED system as the bikes approached but whether I had or not I still would have been temporarily blinded by the oncoming lights. I saw the pedestrian late due to the dazzle, put on my brakes and swerved to the left off the trail. She, hearing my brakes, also jumped to the left and we collided, luckily softly, but we both went down, I on the bitumen and she on the grass. She and I both apologised profusely and she was up in a flash and helped me up which I thought was pretty nice.

As I say, I work with LEDs and I have LED drivers, LEDs in various states (including samples from Cree) and microprocessors around me to drive these things intelligently. I can't however easily devise a system to autodim for bicycles and it's not in my business plan to do so... I can tell you a little about the technology you are using.
1. the lumen released are released from a very small area. LED lighting is about as close as you can get to laser light without it actually being a laser.
2. Here is a warning from a Cree XLAMP XM-L LED I have: "Wear sunglasses. These are extremely bright parts, generating up to 260 lumens from a very small area. Take proper precaution to shield your eyes." That's 260 lumens.. I was hit with about 900 lumens last night twice in quick succession.
3. From a self defense product blurb: "The Phazzer Talon stun gun provides 2000KV. These ratings are achieved with the use of 7.2V Grade A Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery. The safety features include the unique Circuit Disconnect Rip Cord, Toggle slide safety switch and a blinding LED light when shined in the eyes of the assailant causes 5-8 seconds of temporary blindness. Has a leather belt loop case. Being compact this compact stun gun boasts a lot punch for its size" (not well specified but you get the idea)

There are plenty of articles and discussions on this and ongoing research into LED effects on the visual system, but basically bike lights are approaching the brightness of car headlights and in some cases, depending on the light source, the light is emitted from a very small spot. To avoid blinding oncoming cars, pedestrians and other bicyclists it is more important than ever to make certain your headlight is either dimmed or aimed properly to avoid temporarily blinding the oncoming traffic.

When riding at night I am now more tempted to ride on the roads with a bike lane rather than the bike path. I think the increase in power of bicycle lighting has outstripped the education on how to use it safely.