Anyone tried the Spaceship/red-planet light set?

[anonymousmoose]

I bought some cheap $20 lights from the bike store... not happy with the rear light and not overly impressed with the front.

I did some wiggling and found this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pdw-spaceship-f ... light-set/

It looks pretty cheap and seems to have good reviews... what do you think?

I cant seem to find any reviews on them, but the description seems promising. Only thing I'm worried about is that I end up with another cheap set that I have trouble with.

[jasonc]

40 looks, no posts. I'll ask the question. Do you want to them to see or be seen?

[anonymousmoose]

Do you want to them to see or be seen?

Sorry?

[Sir Stinkalot]

Are you looking for a set of lights to illuminate your path so you can ride in the dark, or are you looking for a set of lights so others can see you in the dark?

If you are generally riding around areas that are well lit with streetlights you only really need lights of a sufficient strength so people can see you.
If you are riding in at night with no street lighting then you will need much stronger lights that will illuminate where you are going (and help others see you).

[m@]

I reckon this is better value—should be fine for general 'to be seen' use, though I'd add a second rear light for redundancy: Smart Lunar 10 Lux Front and 1/2 Watt Rear Light Set

I have a few of the 1/2W rear light (amongst others) and a 1W version of the front light—not sure how that compares to the '10 lux' version here.

[ningnangnong]

FWIW, I run with something like this on the front of my bike, and one of these on the back.

The headlight is fantastic value for the price - I didn't want to spend too much as I don't ride at night a whole lot. The Cygolite on the back is just plain brilliant. I am pretty sure I can be seen from space when I have that bad boy turned on.

[jasonc]

Are you looking for a set of lights to illuminate your path so you can ride in the dark, or are you looking for a set of lights so others can see you in the dark?

If you are generally riding around areas that are well lit with streetlights you only really need lights of a sufficient strength so people can see you.
If you are riding in at night with no street lighting then you will need much stronger lights that will illuminate where you are going (and help others see you).

+1

i run a dealextreme PP7 as my front light (alleges 900 lumens) and a radbot 1000 as my main rear with a dealextreme 1/2w light for backup

[anonymousmoose]

I reckon this is better value—should be fine for general 'to be seen' use, though I'd add a second rear light for redundancy: Smart Lunar 10 Lux Front and 1/2 Watt Rear Light Set

Good idea, I'd keep the 'crappy light' I have a a backup.

[anonymousmoose]

I decided I will buy decent light set... and keep the current ones as backups. What are some good ones to be seen and also see in the dark that have USB? I'll compare it to the non USB charging ones.

[Ross]

Not sure about front USB lights but a reasonably priced rear one is a Cygolite HotShot http://www.pushys.com.au/cygolite-hotsh ... light.html

[anonymousmoose]

I reckon this is better value—should be fine for general 'to be seen' use, though I'd add a second rear light for redundancy: Smart Lunar 10 Lux Front and 1/2 Watt Rear Light Set

I have a few of the 1/2W rear light (amongst others) and a 1W version of the front light—not sure how that compares to the '10 lux' version here.

Currently the Smart Lunar 35 is almost as cheap than the 10 set.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/smart-lunar-35- ... light-set/

But with the rear light, what is the mounting clip like? The main grip I have with my current rear light is the bracket has broken TWICE. I got a new one the first time but I cant be bothered going back now. I filed wont the screw hole and fitted it through my seat bracket to attach . It holder BETTER than knew but I think it points a bit more down rather than up... so I still want to add a 2nd light and will buy this SMART maybe if someone can tell me the bracket is any good.

I'm of course talking about this bracket:

[Byke]

A great USB rechargeable front light is the Lezyne Super Drive XL.

It's more than bright enough to light up a pitch black road, and small and light enough that you'll always have it with you (I used to have a separate light and battery set, but it stayed on the shelf too often). The other lights on that page are also USB rechargeable, just not as bright (but even the cheapest will get you seen).

The road.cc 2012 bike light comparison is a fantastic resource for visually comparing the output of about 40 different front lights (including some of the Lezynes). Don't buy anything till you've had a look at that.

[Byke]

But with the rear light, what is the mounting clip like? The main grip I have with my current rear light is the bracket has broken TWICE. I got a new one the first time but I cant be bothered going back now. I filed wont the screw hole and fitted it through my seat bracket to attach . It holder BETTER than knew but I think it points a bit more down rather than up... so I still want to add a 2nd light and will buy this SMART maybe if someone can tell me the bracket is any good.

I'm of course talking about this bracket:

I've owned or fitted about 10 Smart rear lights and never had any problem with the bracket. Never broken one. Never had one wriggle loose and point at the ground. Even my girlfriend's light still points exactly where I put it (whereas the straps on her identical helmet to mine seem to work loose within days of me readjusting them).

[m@]

But with the rear light, what is the mounting clip like? The main grip I have with my current rear light is the bracket has broken TWICE. I got a new one the first time but I cant be bothered going back now. I filed wont the screw hole and fitted it through my seat bracket to attach . It holder BETTER than knew but I think it points a bit more down rather than up... so I still want to add a 2nd light and will buy this SMART maybe if someone can tell me the bracket is any good.

I'm of course talking about this bracket:

I've owned or fitted about 10 Smart rear lights and never had any problem with the bracket. Never broken one. Never had one wriggle loose and point at the ground. Even my girlfriend's light still points exactly where I put it (whereas the straps on her identical helmet to mine seem to work loose within days of me readjusting them).

+1
Some of the $5 ripoffs aren't the best, but the genuine Smart branded mounts are solid. I have a couple from circa-1995 that are still going strong...