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Date: 18 Aug 2006 14:45:01
From: dgk
Subject: A bike light question
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I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming darkness. Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. Most of my 1 hour 20 minute commute is on lighted streets so I don't really need full power except for 15 minutes or so. I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around that price or slightly more greatly appreciated.
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Date: 21 Aug 2006 08:42:42
From: dgk
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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On Fri, 18 Aug 2006 14:45:01 -0400, dgk <dgk@somewhere.com > wrote: >I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system >for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy >and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming >darkness. > >Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely >provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the >handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: > >http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= > >There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: >http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= > >which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. > >Most of my 1 hour 20 minute commute is on lighted streets so I don't >really need full power except for 15 minutes or so. > >I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the >battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around >that price or slightly more greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have to reject dynamo/generator types because I leave the bike locked outside my work and anything of reasonable value will disappear sooner or later. The battery and light currently come with me when I leave the bike.
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 14:50:02
From: Mike A Schwab
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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I like my Cateye HL-300 light $35 60-100 hours on 4AA. A good photo comparison on http://www.eddys.com mouse over photo gallery, next to the bottom of the list.
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Date: 21 Aug 2006 07:16:39
From: Jonathan Kaplan
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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I've tried everything from NiteSun, to Niterider Halogen and HID. The common problem I've encountered is poor battery life. They all start out very bright, then within 45 minutes, the battery starts to weaken, then I end up riding in the dark. I finally got so fed up, I opted for a generator light. I too have a Specialized Globe with the cheaper Shimano Generator hub. I changed the factory light for a Busch and Mueller DLumotec Opal LED light. The advantage of the LED is that it is whiter, reaches full power at 1.5MPH, and never needs replacement because of burnout. (I was having an issue with bulbs burning out on the factory light). I will say however, that generator based lights, are better to been seen with, rather than see with. They are fairly dim, but my neighbor was riding by and he said that he saw my bike a full block away and it looked like it had HID lighting. I'll trade the continuous light output for brightness anyday. In total darkness, they actually work better than suburbia. In suburbia, you have more street lighting and car lighting which tend to overpower the light.
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Date: 22 Aug 2006 23:34:47
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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"Jonathan Kaplan" <insure10@yahoo.com > wrote in message news:mq2dnf2NusyKC3TZnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@comcast.com... > I've tried everything from NiteSun, to Niterider Halogen and HID. The > common problem I've encountered is poor battery life. They all start out > very bright, then within 45 minutes, the battery starts to weaken, then I > end up riding in the dark. > > I finally got so fed up, I opted for a generator light. I too have a > Specialized Globe with the cheaper Shimano Generator hub. I changed the > factory light for a Busch and Mueller DLumotec Opal LED light. The > advantage of the LED is that it is whiter, reaches full power at 1.5MPH, > and never needs replacement because of burnout. (I was having an issue > with bulbs burning out on the factory light). > > I will say however, that generator based lights, are better to been seen > with, rather than see with. They are fairly dim, but my neighbor was > riding by and he said that he saw my bike a full block away and it looked > like it had HID lighting. > > I'll trade the continuous light output for brightness anyday. In total > darkness, they actually work better than suburbia. In suburbia, you have > more street lighting and car lighting which tend to overpower the light. I use a DiNotte Ultralight, and I don't have the sort of battery problem you do. My light will run for three hours on low power, which is pretty high. It's an LED so it doesn't get dim at all. It's bright from the moment I turn it on until I either turn it off or it runs out of juice. I still have to deal with the whole battery thing, but it's not that big a deal. A hub dynamo does seem cool though.
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Date: 21 Aug 2006 16:04:48
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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Jonathan Kaplan wrote: > I've tried everything from NiteSun, to Niterider Halogen and HID. The > common problem I've encountered is poor battery life. They all start > out very bright, then within 45 minutes, the battery starts to > weaken, then I end up riding in the dark. Completely different from my experience. While the older NR stuff /was/ unreliable (except for a lead-acid helmet light that was bullet-proof), my HID system burns bright as hell for over 4 hours -- and the same goes for everyone else's that I know. My worst experiences were with "digital" hardware, so not sure about the newer stuff with battery life meters and all that jazz. Simple plug in and switch on works plenty well enough for me. Bill "weird new ergo wireless keyboard" S.
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 14:14:42
From: VBadJuJu
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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dgk <dgk@somewhere.com > wrote: >I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system >for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy >and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming >darkness. > >Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely >provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the >handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: > >http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= > >There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: >http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= > >which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. I have a slightly older 10W version of this. I have always loathed the bottle cage battery type lights -- I dont want to have to deceide between lights or water. On mine, the battery pack is basically a pack of 5 AA recharchable batteries stuck together, and fits nicely on the frame out of the way. When the battery gets low, like most of them, it steps down to 3 or 5W automatically to help get you home. And battery life on mine is MUCH longer than advertised, it lasted all the way thru a 2.5 hr midnight ride event. It seems like most lights use a bottle cage battery for over 12W and frame mounts for 8-10W. I was given to believe looking at the accessories once that you could mix and swap 10 and 15W bulbs in the Alias and trade off some battery run time if you desired.
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 07:03:27
From: Earl Bollinger
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com > wrote in message news:it1ce2pt346ln2u942k2o5vefcm3t5idrk@4ax.com... > I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system > for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy > and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming > darkness. > > Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely > provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the > handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: > > http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= > > There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: > http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= > > which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. > > Most of my 1 hour 20 minute commute is on lighted streets so I don't > really need full power except for 15 minutes or so. > > I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the > battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around > that price or slightly more greatly appreciated. U Have been using the CygoLite NightRover lighting system to good advanatge. http://www.cygolite.com/light/products/13Rover.htm I liked the dual lights, so you have sort of a high beam and low beam effect. Thus if one bulb fails you have a built in spare. The three hour life works out just right for my long commutes. I also use a LED headlight that has a blinking mode. So when I am in the early dawn and early evening, I use the blink mode headlight, and save the Cygolite for when it gets darker. I have been using the system all last winter no problem, so i expect this year to be a no problem too.
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 04:59:41
From: BobT
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com > wrote in message news:it1ce2pt346ln2u942k2o5vefcm3t5idrk@4ax.com... > I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system > for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy > and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming > darkness. > > Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely > provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the > handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: > > http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= > > There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: > http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= > > which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. > > Most of my 1 hour 20 minute commute is on lighted streets so I don't > really need full power except for 15 minutes or so. > > I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the > battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around > that price or slightly more greatly appreciated. If you regularly commute in the dark, I highly recommend jettisoning your battery powered lighting system and getting a hub generator based one. I have owned several high end battery powered bike lighting systems but nothing beats a hub generator system. This is especially true for longer rides where discharging the battery an issue. My current setup came with my Specialized Globe commuter bike and consist of: generator: Shimano Nexus Generator Hub DH-3N70 headlight: Busch & Müller Lumotec 170NDi Headlight with Standlight tailight: Busch & Muller Dtoplight Plus Many other excellent options are available. BobT
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Date: 20 Aug 2006 04:45:43
From: bob prohaska's usenet account
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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BobT <robertleetaylorRe@movethiscox.net > wrote: > My current setup came with my Specialized Globe commuter bike and consist > of: > generator: Shimano Nexus Generator Hub DH-3N70 > headlight: Busch & M?ller Lumotec 170NDi Headlight with Standlight > tailight: Busch & Muller Dtoplight Plus > I'd second the endorsement; my father's Breezer Uptown 8 has the same setup, and it's very, very good. If you feel like rolling your own, here's what I did on my own bike: http://www.zefox.net/~bob/bicycle/ The directivity of the Luxeon Star/O's is worse than the Lumotec, which is a mixed blessing: If you're riding to total darkness, it's very nice. There's more total light output, so you can see the road surface well, along with features to the side of the road, streetsigns and the like. Leaned over in a turn, the view ahead does _not_ black out! No standlight, however. If you're faced with dazzle from oncoming cars or streetlights my setup isn't bright enough on the road surface to see small obstacles. It is amply bright enough to see large ones, however. In any case, eating lots of carrots is reccommended! 8-) The hub generator is nice, but it's not essential; roller generators from www.yellowjersey.com are much less expensive, lighter and produce about the same electrical output. Shimano's hub generator is hard to find, expensive and you have to lace a wheel besides. Unless you _need_ a wheel, donn't bother. Rollers don't cause enough drag to matter. If you _need_ a wheel, go with the hub, you won't regret it. Else, roller. hth, bob prohaska
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Date: 20 Aug 2006 07:39:08
From: Earl Bollinger
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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"bob prohaska's usenet account" <bp@www.zefox.net > wrote in message news:XNRFg.9364$%j7.6146@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net... > BobT <robertleetaylorRe@movethiscox.net> wrote: >> My current setup came with my Specialized Globe commuter bike and consist >> of: >> generator: Shimano Nexus Generator Hub DH-3N70 >> headlight: Busch & M?ller Lumotec 170NDi Headlight with Standlight >> tailight: Busch & Muller Dtoplight Plus >> > > I'd second the endorsement; my father's Breezer Uptown 8 has the same > setup, and it's very, very good. > > If you feel like rolling your own, here's what I did on my own bike: > http://www.zefox.net/~bob/bicycle/ > > The directivity of the Luxeon Star/O's is worse than the Lumotec, which > is a mixed blessing: If you're riding to total darkness, it's very nice. > There's more total light output, so you can see the road surface well, > along with features to the side of the road, streetsigns and the like. > Leaned over in a turn, the view ahead does _not_ black out! No standlight, > however. > > If you're faced with dazzle from oncoming cars or streetlights my setup > isn't bright enough on the road surface to see small obstacles. It is > amply bright enough to see large ones, however. > > In any case, eating lots of carrots is reccommended! 8-) > > The hub generator is nice, but it's not essential; roller generators > from www.yellowjersey.com are much less expensive, lighter and produce > about the same electrical output. Shimano's hub generator is hard to > find, expensive and you have to lace a wheel besides. Unless you _need_ > a wheel, donn't bother. Rollers don't cause enough drag to matter. > If you _need_ a wheel, go with the hub, you won't regret it. Else, roller. > > hth, > > bob prohaska > Well when it comes to generator lights the Swiss ones are probably the best around. Super low drag, Maybe run both a left and a right side model too. http://www.yellowjersey.org/litespin.html
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Date: 21 Aug 2006 05:29:33
From: bob prohaska's usenet account
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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Earl Bollinger <earlwbollinger@comcast.net > wrote: > > Well when it comes to generator lights the Swiss ones are probably the best > around. Super low drag, Maybe run both a left and a right side model too. > http://www.yellowjersey.org/litespin.html I don't doubt the LightSpin is a good generator, but it is hard to believe it's particularly efficient when weight and cost are taken into account. The key component of the LightSpin is an ironless rotor. That eliminates "cogging" and makes the generator feel smoother, but it does nothing for efficiency; if it did the world's generators would use the same design. They don't. There's a recent article at: http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/VBQgenerator.pdf And an older one at: http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/dynotest.html The raw AC output of an inductively-limited alternator makes a very good match to LED light sources. No fancy electronics required, unless you want standlights. If you're powering a tungsten halogen lamp, then the complexities of the LightSpin make some sense, but not the ironless rotor. bob prohaska
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Date: 21 Aug 2006 05:54:08
From: Earl Bollinger
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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Interesting thanks for sharing. "bob prohaska's usenet account" <bp@www.zefox.net > wrote in message news:1xbGg.2826$q63.1353@newssvr13.news.prodigy.com... > Earl Bollinger <earlwbollinger@comcast.net> wrote: >> >> Well when it comes to generator lights the Swiss ones are probably the >> best >> around. Super low drag, Maybe run both a left and a right side model too. >> http://www.yellowjersey.org/litespin.html > > I don't doubt the LightSpin is a good generator, but it is hard to believe > it's particularly efficient when weight and cost are taken into account. > > The key component of the LightSpin is an ironless rotor. That eliminates > "cogging" and makes the generator feel smoother, but it does nothing for > efficiency; if it did the world's generators would use the same design. > > They don't. > > There's a recent article at: > http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/VBQgenerator.pdf > > And an older one at: > http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/dynotest.html > > The raw AC output of an inductively-limited alternator makes a very good > match to LED light sources. No fancy electronics required, unless you > want standlights. If you're powering a tungsten halogen lamp, then the > complexities of the LightSpin make some sense, but not the ironless rotor. > > bob prohaska > >
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 23:38:14
From: Gooserider
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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"BobT" <robertleetaylorRe@MoveThisCox.net > wrote in message news:3iBFg.211827$k%3.10803@dukeread12... > > "dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message > news:it1ce2pt346ln2u942k2o5vefcm3t5idrk@4ax.com... >> I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system >> for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy >> and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming >> darkness. >> >> Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely >> provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the >> handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: >> >> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= >> >> There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: >> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= >> >> which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. >> >> Most of my 1 hour 20 minute commute is on lighted streets so I don't >> really need full power except for 15 minutes or so. >> >> I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the >> battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around >> that price or slightly more greatly appreciated. > > If you regularly commute in the dark, I highly recommend jettisoning your > battery powered > lighting system and getting a hub generator based one. I have owned > several high end > battery powered bike lighting systems but nothing beats a hub generator > system. This is > especially true for longer rides where discharging the battery an issue. > > My current setup came with my Specialized Globe commuter bike and consist > of: > generator: Shimano Nexus Generator Hub DH-3N70 > headlight: Busch & Müller Lumotec 170NDi Headlight with Standlight > tailight: Busch & Muller Dtoplight Plus > > Many other excellent options are available. > > BobT > I like the idea of the hub dynamo, and am considering one on an upcoming build. However, my commute is dark. I don't mean I'm riding through dimly lit suburbia. I mean I'm riding through pitch black rural Florida. I use a DiNotte Ultralight now, and it's great. Battery management is a bit of a hassle, because I like to run the light on high(don't NEED to , but I like the super brightness) and only get 1.5 hours of burn time. So, I have to charge the batteries every night. I have two sets of batteries but I am constantly recharging something. Doing away with batteries sounds great in theory, but are the dynamo lights really bright enough to be seen in pitch black rural darkness? Except for the battery issue(which isn't really a major issue), I think you have to go a LONG way to beat the DiNotte.
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 21:02:40
From: Earl Bollinger
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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The geenrator or hub dynamo lights are like one of the 2.4w halogen lights (like a two cell flashlight for example). They work but they aren't very bright. There is drag off the generators or dynamo. Going more powerful than a 3w would cause a lot of noticeable drag which would be unacceptable to most people. But then you don't have to recharge them, so that is a huge plus. "Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message news:GhNFg.3840$JO5.1875@tornado.tampabay.rr.com... > > "BobT" <robertleetaylorRe@MoveThisCox.net> wrote in message > news:3iBFg.211827$k%3.10803@dukeread12... >> >> "dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message >> news:it1ce2pt346ln2u942k2o5vefcm3t5idrk@4ax.com... >>> I've been using the NiteHawk raptor 10W SLA bottlecage light system >>> for the past two years and it's been adequate but the battery is heavy >>> and maybe I should get something lighter (both ways) for the coming >>> darkness. >>> >>> Nashbar has the NiteHawk phoenix 10W NiMH (for $80), which likely >>> provides the same light but is lighter and the battery attaches to the >>> handlebars. It doesn't seem like a vast improvment: >>> >>> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&sku=11102&brand= >>> >>> There's also the Planet Bike Alias 10W handlebar mount: >>> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=15456&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= >>> >>> which appears to actually be a 15W system? That's $90. >>> >>> Most of my 1 hour 20 minute commute is on lighted streets so I don't >>> really need full power except for 15 minutes or so. >>> >>> I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the >>> battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around >>> that price or slightly more greatly appreciated. >> >> If you regularly commute in the dark, I highly recommend jettisoning your >> battery powered >> lighting system and getting a hub generator based one. I have owned >> several high end >> battery powered bike lighting systems but nothing beats a hub generator >> system. This is >> especially true for longer rides where discharging the battery an issue. >> >> My current setup came with my Specialized Globe commuter bike and consist >> of: >> generator: Shimano Nexus Generator Hub DH-3N70 >> headlight: Busch & Müller Lumotec 170NDi Headlight with Standlight >> tailight: Busch & Muller Dtoplight Plus >> >> Many other excellent options are available. >> >> BobT >> > I like the idea of the hub dynamo, and am considering one on an upcoming > build. However, my commute is dark. I don't mean I'm riding through dimly > lit suburbia. I mean I'm riding through pitch black rural Florida. I use a > DiNotte Ultralight now, and it's great. Battery management is a bit of a > hassle, because I like to run the light on high(don't NEED to , but I like > the super brightness) and only get 1.5 hours of burn time. So, I have to > charge the batteries every night. I have two sets of batteries but I am > constantly recharging something. Doing away with batteries sounds great in > theory, but are the dynamo lights really bright enough to be seen in pitch > black rural darkness? Except for the battery issue(which isn't really a > major issue), I think you have to go a LONG way to beat the DiNotte. >
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Date: 19 Aug 2006 21:07:16
From: Don Wiss
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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On Sat, 19 Aug 2006, Gooserider <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com > wrote: > Doing away with batteries sounds great in >theory, but are the dynamo lights really bright enough to be seen in pitch >black rural darkness? Probably not. I'm in Brooklyn, so I don't have pitch black darkness. For me they are most useful for seeing the pot holes and other road imperfections. Don <www.donwiss.com/joyrides > (e-mail link at page bottom).
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Date: 18 Aug 2006 20:38:55
From: landotter
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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Tom Keats wrote: > > I still like my old-school generator lighting system > (supplemented with flashlight battery "see-me" lights,) > but I'm not gonna foist my own preferences on ya. > > I'm a big fan of the bottle generators too, but certainly not for an hour commute. The cute little fork mount Basta on my Brodie Energy, takes the visual edge off of the rediculous disc brakes, and when riding down to the little night life district a mile from the house, where there are tons of tipsy pedestrians, its whirr keeps drunks from wandering into the street in front of me, as they always turn their heads in a WTF fashion when they hear it. :-D
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Date: 18 Aug 2006 17:10:14
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: A bike light question
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In article <it1ce2pt346ln2u942k2o5vefcm3t5idrk@4ax.com >, dgk <dgk@somewhere.com > writes: > I'd like to get rid of the bottlecage hassle and just velcro the > battery to the handlebars. Any comments or other options for around > that price or slightly more greatly appreciated. BLT[tm] lighting systems are, IMO, the cat's pajamas for this type of product. Here's the URL to their main page/product list. I expect you'd prefer to explore a bit about their various products, and to decide for yourself which best suits your needs, so I'm not focusing on, or directing you to any particular lighting system of theirs. It's a Canadian company, but the main page links to list of USA and international dealers. http://www.blt-lights.com/main.htm Velcro-ing the battery to the top tube also gets rid of the bottlecage hassle. I still like my old-school generator lighting system (supplemented with flashlight battery "see-me" lights,) but I'm not gonna foist my own preferences on ya. cheers, Tom -- -- Nothing is safe from me. Above address is just a spam midden. I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
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