Magic Shine

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ajh003
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby ajh003 » Thu May 19, 2011 8:29 pm

find_bruce wrote: I don't want to alarm you but I would strongly advise against leaving the battery on charge overnight. All of these lights use lithium batteries & there have been a few reports of the battery venting a emitting a short burst of flame. The numbers from one american distributor Geomangear were 3 units in 20,000. From what I hae been able to gather on forums such as Candlepower.com & forums.mtbr.com the risk while real, it is low and it seems that this is often caused by the battery being overcharged by being left on after it is fully charged.
WOW (AT)!!!
Interesting stuff - thanks for the info
I have 2 batteries
Charged 1 x abt 8 hrs last night
Left the other to charge today from 6am till I got home at 6pm - so 12 hrs
I've had these for over 12 months now and I've never had a problem...but I understand what you are saying
I use them every weekday (With front and rear plugged in on a y adapter) and most weekends - average about 12 hrs a week on them
They certainly have been value for money
I still have a third Battery that I have NEVER USED !!!
Jamis CODA SPORT Flat Bar CONVERTED to a DROP BAR for Daily commutes
Giant "Talon" MTB for weekend Trails and "FAMILY" stuff
SW 168.5 kgs CW 111 kgs woohoo !
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brokenbus
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby brokenbus » Thu May 19, 2011 8:33 pm

How long did it take for yours to arrive Parrott. I order on the 5th and havnt received it yet.
Thanks
Nicko
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Parrott
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Magic Shine

Postby Parrott » Thu May 19, 2011 8:38 pm

brokenbus wrote:How long did it take for yours to arrive Parrott. I order on the 5th and havnt received it yet.
Thanks
Nicko
About 3 weeks. Dx are cheap but not quick

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MattyK
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby MattyK » Thu May 19, 2011 8:42 pm

I have two Magicshines from Geoman, love them, 20W of LED power is brutal :) Beam pattern ideally needs to be corrected for road riding as it tends to dazzle oncoming traffic, but I'd rather be seen than be loved.

They seem to get some condensation inside the lens that won't go away even if I open them and let it evaporate, but it only appears after cold rides.

My recollection of the battery issues was that it was caused by excessive discharge, but I could be wrong. I have the old Geoman ones in the metal cannister, so well weather protected (plus stored inside my bag). I had a Y cable break because it is a massive PITA to disconnect the plugs when cold, you tend to pull on the cable and it fractured the wires where they were cable tied to my rear brake cable.

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find_bruce
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby find_bruce » Fri May 20, 2011 5:33 pm

MattyK wrote:My recollection of the battery issues was that it was caused by excessive discharge, but I could be wrong.
Excessive discharge is a problem but I don't think it is the only one. As well as overcharging and getting wet, the other issue appears to be defective cells, but that should show up fairly quickly after use.

Makes them sound like gremlins - don't get them wet, don't feed after midnight ...
MattyK wrote:I had a Y cable break because it is a massive PITA to disconnect the plugs when cold, you tend to pull on the cable and it fractured the wires where they were cable tied to my rear brake cable.
I know what you mean - mine is the same. Have you tried using o-ring lube ? Do you run a rear light, or is the Y cable for 2 front lights ?
Parrott wrote:About 3 weeks. Dx are cheap but not quick
Yep, mine took about the same time. Exactly what you would expect for free postage

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MattyK
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby MattyK » Fri May 20, 2011 10:52 pm

Y splitter is for the two front lights. Should give about 1.5 hrs run time, but I usually recharge after every 2 commutes (25 mins each). Have a spare battery too :)

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stylo
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby stylo » Wed May 25, 2011 10:36 am

Can you guys be so kind as to take pics of your setups especially how the light sits on the bar and the different setups you've used to hold/protect the battery unit ? Only if you can be bothered ! :D

Thanks.

edit found some pics here
http://www.bikefix.net/2010/03/bikefix- ... ne-mj.html

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MichaelB
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby MichaelB » Wed May 25, 2011 11:48 am

stylo wrote:Can you guys be so kind as to take pics of your setups especially how the light sits on the bar and the different setups you've used to hold/protect the battery unit ? Only if you can be bothered ! :D

Thanks.

edit found some pics here
http://www.bikefix.net/2010/03/bikefix- ... ne-mj.html
No pics, but here are some details - Front light mounted on transition from 31.8 to 26mm area, but hanging from underneath.

Tailight (from magicshine) directly attached to seatpost, just above clamp area, battery pack sists in bike bum bag. I use a 1m extension cable and Y splitter.

Love it

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MattyK
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby MattyK » Wed May 25, 2011 12:58 pm

stylo wrote:Can you guys be so kind as to take pics of your setups especially how the light sits on the bar and the different setups you've used to hold/protect the battery unit ? Only if you can be bothered ! :D
Have posted before on here, but anyway:
Lamps are spaced as widely as possible, for two reasons: 1) it adds more "presence" and appearance of width to oncoming viewers, and 2) due to the curve in the bar it aims them out slightly to spread the beam.

I usually tilt the left one up (basically horizontal) and the right one down to reduce dazzle for oncoming traffic.

Image

The wiring is cable tied to, and twisted around, the rear brake line, into a Y splitter along the top tube (still twisting around the brake line which is fully sleeved), and just forward of the seat is where I plug into a 1m extension that stays attached to the battery pack (you can just see the unplugged end dangling). The battery is stored in the rear Topeak bag, so it never gets wet.

Image

The sockets and plugs for the Y splitter rattle on the frame a bit but no biggie.

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stylo
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby stylo » Wed May 25, 2011 6:13 pm

that's convenient being able to put the battery in the bag !

velcro to the top bar looks like the norm on the roadies ..

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Xplora
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Xplora » Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:07 pm

I took the plunge off DX today. If they work well, I'll get some more. :)

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Comedian
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Magic Shine

Postby Comedian » Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:22 pm

Bit of a tip- the screw that holds the light to the bracket vibrated out the otter day. I'd suggest some locktight as a preventative. :)

Rhubarb
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Rhubarb » Sun Jun 12, 2011 11:44 am

Xplora wrote:I took the plunge off DX today. If they work well, I'll get some more. :)
I hope you got this one:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-808e-ha ... 8650-57100

I have one of these and they are excellent. The battery has been improved (now sealed), and light is brighter and has a better beam pattern for cycling with less wasted light and no complaints from oncoming riders. I've had several ayup owners wanting to talk to me about my light since I got it. It is more than 100 lumens better than the old 900 lumen lights.

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Xplora
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Xplora » Sun Jun 12, 2011 12:34 pm

Yup that one. The cree LEDs seem to get a better rap than the S7/P7 or whatever they are called. The rear light as well. Haven't got a Y plug but I'll see what happens first. Dunno how long everything is anyway?

Rhubarb
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Rhubarb » Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:01 pm

Well done -you won't be disappointed.

My only minor complaint is battery life. They claim 3-4 hours on high. I haven't run it down to zero but I suspect it would only just make 3 hours tops. So if you run both front and rear off 1 battery you just need to be conscious of the run time. I wish they would upgrade the battery pack from 4400 to 6600 mAh batteries like other ones I've seen. That way I could charge up once a week instead of twice.

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Parrott
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Magic Shine

Postby Parrott » Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:31 pm

Rhubarb wrote:Well done -you won't be disappointed.

My only minor complaint is battery life. They claim 3-4 hours on high. I haven't run it down to zero but I suspect it would only just make 3 hours tops.
Mine is the same haven't run it flat yet either but it indicates 0-25% charge after less than 3 hrs

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Comedian
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Comedian » Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:38 pm

On these cold and dark mornings when I leave home at 5am I've been running mine on low. I only turn it on high in areas without street lights. It might get 2-2.5 hours use in the morning and another 45 minutes on the way home. I haven't run out yet but I've been watching it. :o

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ajh003
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby ajh003 » Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:26 pm

I actually run mine on the Y adapter for front and back on a single battery even though I actually have 3 batteries
I try and run in flashing mode at sunrise and sunset as I don't so much need to see but definitely want to be seen
I had similar issues just a week ago with y adapter plug - actually thought the batteries were dying after almost 18 months But had fortunately pre ordered a couple of spare y adapters and found that was the problem
Have to say this unit has been faultless for well over the 12 months and yes it was a P7
Interesting to see how the newer models brightness is (HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU REALLY NEED ???)
Jamis CODA SPORT Flat Bar CONVERTED to a DROP BAR for Daily commutes
Giant "Talon" MTB for weekend Trails and "FAMILY" stuff
SW 168.5 kgs CW 111 kgs woohoo !
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Rhubarb
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Rhubarb » Sun Jun 12, 2011 6:48 pm

ajh003 wrote: (HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU REALLY NEED ???)
You'll never know ........ unless you get one of the new 1000 lumen lights with the better focussed beam.

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ajh003
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby ajh003 » Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:37 am

Rhubarb wrote:
ajh003 wrote: (HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU REALLY NEED ???)
You'll never know ........ unless you get one of the new 1000 lumen lights with the better focussed beam.

Oh RATS !!! - I was thinkin the same thing and ....well I really think the wife needs a good set of lights and this P7 would be Perfect for..... her
Can you put the reflector and lens from the 1000 into the P7 ??
Jamis CODA SPORT Flat Bar CONVERTED to a DROP BAR for Daily commutes
Giant "Talon" MTB for weekend Trails and "FAMILY" stuff
SW 168.5 kgs CW 111 kgs woohoo !
Image

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Comedian
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Comedian » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:34 am

cell have their bikerider version of the magicshine on for $99 at the moment.

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Xplora
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Xplora » Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:06 am

You wouldn't bother with 1000, just go to 1200 or 1600 :lol:

I guess the battery issue comes down to one question. Are you using this as a performance edge or safety? Safety = two or three batteries, performance = maybe the yumcha light isn't for you? I need these for safety (pitch black and I'm a bit of a bike ninja plus 10 bucks of baby LEDs) so I don't think I'll be overly stressed about needing to charge them a couple times a week.

farawaybiker
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby farawaybiker » Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:29 pm

Parrott wrote:
brokenbus wrote:How long did it take for yours to arrive Parrott. I order on the 5th and havnt received it yet.
Thanks
Nicko
About 3 weeks. Dx are cheap but not quick
If they ship your order within 2 days you get it in about 2 weeks, if not you need to wait even longer.

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rocketeer
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby rocketeer » Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:00 pm

Xplora wrote:You wouldn't bother with 1000, just go to 1200 or 1600 :lol: .
I have been looking at something like the 1600 lm majicshine to complement my ayup helmet light. Anyone used one of these yet? Its this one:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-872-wat ... -set-80953

Rhubarb
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Re: Magic Shine

Postby Rhubarb » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:05 pm

I'd like to know too. I suspect the battery life will be too short at full brightness. -quoted as "up to" 2 hours. I also think the beam pattern is a bit too wide for my liking. Might be ok for use in conjunction with helmet ayup as proposed but probably not good for oncoming riders

The 1000 lumen one I have is not only much brighter than my previous 900 lumen MS light but also much more effective due to the focussed beam.

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