Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

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Date: 27 Jan 2006 18:01:27
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

Date: 03 Feb 2006 12:46:16
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

gooserider wrote:
> "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1138410596.785333.196830@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> > about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> DiNotte Lighting is bringing out a taillight in the next couple of months.
> It's supposed to be super bright.

Great tip! Thanks! I'll be on the look-out for it -- though I guess
there's no missing it, since it's so bright!

Date: 03 Feb 2006 22:44:36
From: gooserider
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1138999576.419235.189660@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> gooserider wrote:
>> "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1138410596.785333.196830@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> >
>> > That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
>> > about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>>
>> DiNotte Lighting is bringing out a taillight in the next couple of
>> months.
>> It's supposed to be super bright.
>
>
> Great tip! Thanks! I'll be on the look-out for it -- though I guess
> there's no missing it, since it's so bright!

Here's a link to a pre-production sample review:
http://www.gearreview.com/2006_led_lights.php

The taillight review is about 2/3 down the page. It's a 3 watt Luxeon with a
red filter, so it should be ridiculously bright. The run time isn't going to
be anywhere close to a blinkie, though.

Date: 04 Feb 2006 01:35:03
From: Simon Cooper
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"gooserider" <gooserider@mousepotato.com > wrote in message
news:o1REf.27$_c.20@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...

> Here's a link to a pre-production sample review:
> http://www.gearreview.com/2006_led_lights.php
>
> The taillight review is about 2/3 down the page. It's a 3 watt Luxeon with
a
> red filter, so it should be ridiculously bright. The run time isn't going
to
> be anywhere close to a blinkie, though.

Not a red filter - it's a red Luxeon. LEDs emit at fairly discrete
wavelengths, if you look at the edges of the light profile of a "white" one,
you'll see yellow and blue fringes - basically the LED has 2 principle
emission areas in the blue and the yellow parts of the spectrum. Or else
they're just blue with a phosphor like on a fluorescent tube. A red filter
on a white luxeon will give you next to nothing...

Date: 04 Feb 2006 11:42:32
From: gooserider
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"Simon Cooper" <swcooper@conecast.net > wrote in message
news:oM6dnVqu5ZbY13neRVn-qQ@comcast.com...
>
> "gooserider" <gooserider@mousepotato.com> wrote in message
> news:o1REf.27$_c.20@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>
>> Here's a link to a pre-production sample review:
>> http://www.gearreview.com/2006_led_lights.php
>>
>> The taillight review is about 2/3 down the page. It's a 3 watt Luxeon
>> with
> a
>> red filter, so it should be ridiculously bright. The run time isn't going
> to
>> be anywhere close to a blinkie, though.
>
> Not a red filter - it's a red Luxeon. LEDs emit at fairly discrete
> wavelengths, if you look at the edges of the light profile of a "white"
> one,
> you'll see yellow and blue fringes - basically the LED has 2 principle
> emission areas in the blue and the yellow parts of the spectrum. Or else
> they're just blue with a phosphor like on a fluorescent tube. A red
> filter
> on a white luxeon will give you next to nothing...
>
I stand corrected.

Date: 03 Feb 2006 19:23:49
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

gooserider wrote:

> The taillight review is about 2/3 down the page. It's a 3 watt Luxeon with a
> red filter, so it should be ridiculously bright. The run time isn't going to
> be anywhere close to a blinkie, though.

You may as well get a 3W xenon strobe for $8. Same issue of not annoying
drivers, but too bright for other cyclists riding behind you.

Date: 03 Feb 2006 22:13:34
From: Rich Clark
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Date: 03 Feb 2006 18:11:41
From: gooserider
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1138410596.785333.196830@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

DiNotte Lighting is bringing out a taillight in the next couple of months.
It's supposed to be super bright.

Date: 30 Jan 2006 15:05:05
From: Chalo
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
>
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

They are not all the same. Cateyes are especially good. Vistalites
are also especially good, but for a cyclist to buy a bike light from a
company that lobbies for MHLs is like a gay person donating money to
Focus on the Family.

> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

There are much less expensive ways to get such lights. Here's one
example: http://elwirecheap.com/index.html

One of my buddies uses a pair of cold cathode fluorescents like those
(but red) attached to the seat stays of his bike. They are much
brighter and more visible than any steady-burning LED light I've seen,
and they are equally bright from any viewing direction. They are
battery hogs, discharging in less than three hours, but he powers them
with rechargeable AA cells.

Chalo Colina

Date: 30 Jan 2006 09:54:45
From:
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Rich Clark wrote:
> <russellseaton1@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1138639237.760287.40540@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > NYC XYZ wrote:
> >> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> >> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
> >>
> >> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
> >
> > VistaLite Eclipse. Multiple VistaLite Eclipse. Other than the
> > NiteRider 6Volt battery powered taillight, its the brightest out there.
>
> It's a great light and very cost-effective. But have you seen it next to the
> Cateye LD1000?
>
> RichC

Yes I have seen the new CatEye and I was very unimpressed with it. Not
comparable to the VistLite Eclipse. I'd take 1 VistLite Eclipse over 1
new CatEye anyday. And considering the Eclipse is always on sale for
$12 at one of the mail order places, I'll take 2 or 3 Eclipses over the
new $30-35 CatEye anyday.

Date: 30 Jan 2006 09:10:56
From: monkeyboy
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:.....
I use a Vistalight red blinker on the bike, and a ine strobe light
on my commuter bag. The strobe takes a C cell and lasts for about 2 hrs
(I use a pair of rechargable Cs). The strobe can be seen for over a
mile, and really stands out, I have it on my bag so it lights me up
when it blinks

Frank

Date: 30 Jan 2006 08:40:37
From:
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

VistaLite Eclipse. Multiple VistaLite Eclipse. Other than the
NiteRider 6Volt battery powered taillight, its the brightest out there.
Usually on sale somewhere for $12. 2 AAA batteries. Have 1 or 2
permaently mounted on the seatstays and 1 or 2 on the seatbag. The
seatstay clamp works very well and stays put for years.

Date: 30 Jan 2006 12:36:38
From: Rich Clark
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

<russellseaton1@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1138639237.760287.40540@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> NYC XYZ wrote:
>> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
>> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>>
>> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>
> VistaLite Eclipse. Multiple VistaLite Eclipse. Other than the
> NiteRider 6Volt battery powered taillight, its the brightest out there.

It's a great light and very cost-effective. But have you seen it next to the
Cateye LD1000?

RichC

Date: 30 Jan 2006 06:58:41
From:
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Sorni wrote:
> NYC XYZ wrote:
>
> > That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> > about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> Cheap blinkie.
>
> Bill "same to you, buddy!" S.

2 cheap blinkies. I've got one taped to my seat post with clear packing
tape (yeah I know it's tacky, but only on one side) and one clipped to
the back of my helmet.
I buy the Planet Bike blinkies from MEC. Whatever you get buy ones that
accept standard size batteries. If you need to replace one at a
convenience store you'll find it easier to get a AA or AAA.

Cam

Date: 30 Jan 2006 11:34:53
From: David Kerber
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

In article <1138633121.599894.219710@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >,
cam.barr@beer.com says...
>
> Sorni wrote:
> > NYC XYZ wrote:
> >
> > > That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> > > about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
> >
> > Cheap blinkie.
> >
> > Bill "same to you, buddy!" S.
>
> 2 cheap blinkies. I've got one taped to my seat post with clear packing
> tape (yeah I know it's tacky, but only on one side) and one clipped to
> the back of my helmet.
> I buy the Planet Bike blinkies from MEC. Whatever you get buy ones that
> accept standard size batteries. If you need to replace one at a
> convenience store you'll find it easier to get a AA or AAA.

I've got one on the back of my rack trunk, and one on my left seatstay.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

Date: 29 Jan 2006 09:08:32
From:
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
A request for rear light information.

Hiya NYC XYZ!
Here's one kludge that did NOT work satisfactorily as a rear light.
Parts list:
1x AA battery minimag flashlight
1x Parts kit for same to get the pocket clip
1x NiteIze red traffic signal cone thing, red color, sized for AA
flashlight
1x NiteIze LED converter unit
2x AA batteries from the spare battery bag in the rack trunk.

Yup, for about four times the purchase price of a basic multiple LED
blinky, I had a steady-state-only rear red finger to the sky sort of
slipped into the strap on the back of the rack trunk. In full darkness,
in conjunction with an LED blinker, it might be helpful. In twililght,
with most of the light going straight up, essentially useless (a
brighter point source, even with less actual light emitted, would
probably be better).

It MIGHT be more satisfactory without the traffic direction cone, just
the red flashlight filter lens, pointed straight back, but then I'd be
worried about the head of the minimag jolting straight off. The LED
afterket add-on from NightIze (three white LEDs in a reflectorized
unit) DOES emit sufficient light for dead of night flat repair, but you
lose the MagLite focus function. Not a big loss for a worklight, as the
three beams are tight enough at a decent (say two to thirty feet)
distance (this is MHO, your opinion and needs may and probably do
differ).

It was worthwhile to have as sign-in-sheet illumination at a 200K
brevet last night.

It may be worthwhile as an emergency "be seen" headlamp, possibly with
the WHITE traffic direction cone on to better be seen by traffic coming
from the side.

Robert Leone rleone@hotmail.com

Date: 29 Jan 2006 05:45:44
From: Andrew W
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

SMS wrote:
> cashrefundman wrote:
<cut >
> Alternatively, you can buy 12V xenon strobes here:
>
> "http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/STROBE-3A/search/AMBER_XENON_FLASHER_.html"
> "http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/STROBE-3R/search/RED_XENON_FLASHER_.html"
>
> See one on a bike at "http://nordicgroup.us/s78/images/img_0279.jpg"
>
> Yes, xenon strobes are much better than an LED blinker in terms of
> visibility, though there are downsides as well. The bulb doesn't last as
> long as LEDs, and the power consumption is higher.

That's what I use for poor weather (with cateye LD600 on non-flash,
when driving I find it hard to gauge how quickly cyclists with just
flashing lights are moving, so I always have one in non-flashing mode)
- rain or fog.

I have it mounted in a plastic lunch box with batteries inside - 10xAA
rechargeables runs for about 6 hours, this simply bungees on to the
rack of whatever bike I am riding at the time (the bikes I have without
racks don't get ridden in poor weather).

I did have a white strobe on the front too, but local police objected
to that so now I only use it to get the attention of car drivers who
"forget" to dip their headlights for mere cyclists.

Andrew Webster.

Date: 29 Jan 2006 11:12:48
From: Wolfgang Strobl
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

[followup to rec.bicycles.tech]

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com >:

>That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down.

I somehow doubt it.

>But how
>about tail lights?

I recommend http://www.bumm.de/docu/ruecklicht2-e.htm or one of the
available variants: D'TOPLIGHT plus, senso etc. I am riding a lot in
the dark, mostly while riding home from work, using this taillight for
some years now and haven't found a need to switch to another, newer
model, yet. It's very bright, has a light distribution optimized for
traffic, it's combinded with a large reflector and last but not least
it's reliable. It needs a generator or an external battery pack, though.

>Or are they just the same?

Certainly not. Similar to headlights, taillights for bicycles need good
optics in order to get the emitted light properly formed and directed.
This needs dedictation, research, and quite some experience on the side
of the manufacturer.

>And what do y'all think of this: www.fossifoool.com?

That's a toy, apparently sold by spamming newsgroups, not a bicycle
light.

--
Wir danken f�r die Beachtung aller Sicherheitsbestimmungen

Date: 28 Jan 2006 21:25:20
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

cashrefundman wrote:
> ...
> These take 2 AA batteries each. I use Ray-o-Vac 15Min rechargeables
> giving about 3 hours of run time per charge....

Rayovac dropped the hyphens in the early 1980's.

--
Tom Sherman - Former Rayovac employee

Date: 28 Jan 2006 18:32:21
From: Brian Huntley
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

cashrefundman wrote:
> I have 2 Lightman Strobes on the back of my night bike. I think they are
> great.

What's the strobe rate on those?

Date: 29 Jan 2006 02:46:37
From: cashrefundman
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Brian Huntley wrote:
> cashrefundman wrote:
>
>>I have 2 Lightman Strobes on the back of my night bike. I think they are
>>great.
>
>
>
> What's the strobe rate on those?
>
A bit more than 1 flash/sec. Slowing down a little as the batteries
discharge.

Date: 29 Jan 2006 02:27:50
From: cashrefundman
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>

I have 2 Lightman Strobes on the back of my night bike. I think they are
great.

These take 2 AA batteries each. I use Ray-o-Vac 15Min rechargeables
giving about 3 hours of run time per charge.

These are significantly brighter than any LED blinkie I know about.

The downside is that they don't come with a bike mount. The light has a
1/4-20 hole in the back so its easy to make mounts.

http://tinyurl.com/a7ra5

Peace,

Cliff

Date: 29 Jan 2006 00:00:00
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

cashrefundman wrote:
> NYC XYZ wrote:
>> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
>> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>>
>> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>>
>
> I have 2 Lightman Strobes on the back of my night bike. I think they are
> great.
>
> These take 2 AA batteries each. I use Ray-o-Vac 15Min rechargeables
> giving about 3 hours of run time per charge.
>
> These are significantly brighter than any LED blinkie I know about.
>
> The downside is that they don't come with a bike mount. The light has a
> 1/4-20 hole in the back so its easy to make mounts.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/a7ra5
>
> Peace,
>
> Cliff

If you buy the Lightman strobes from Night-Sun
(http://www.night-sun.com/htmldocs/stuff_civilian.html) they do come
with a bike mount, but they are more expensive than buying the ones
without the bike mount.

If your headlight is a 12 volt system, Night-Sun sells a 12 volt version
of the Lightman strobe that connects to a 12 volt battery.

Alternatively, you can buy 12V xenon strobes here:

"http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/STROBE-3A/search/AMBER_XENON_FLASHER_.html"
"http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/STROBE-3R/search/RED_XENON_FLASHER_.html"

See one on a bike at "http://nordicgroup.us/s78/images/img_0279.jpg"

Yes, xenon strobes are much better than an LED blinker in terms of
visibility, though there are downsides as well. The bulb doesn't last as
long as LEDs, and the power consumption is higher.

Date: 28 Jan 2006 15:25:02
From: john
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

(This is my 3rd 4th attempt to post this. Once yesterday while no other
posts were under it, & twice thrice today. 3rd 4th times the charm?)
God Damn!

Richard B wrote:

>I like the Cateye LD500-RC.
>It has two modes; blinking and solid.
>in the blinking mode it blinks in triple bink sets (like the morse code
>"S" over and over) and runs just about forever (100 hours) on two AAA
>batteries.
>It also meets the C.P.S.C. (Consumer Product Safety Commission) >regulations >as a reflector.

Boy I'll second that! When everything is considered, it's the best. It
may not he the smallest, lightest, brightest. But it's plenty bright.
Long battery life. But oh, did anyone mention cheap too. (<$10) Cateye
appears to be on the road to discontinuing them, I bought 3 @ Nashbar
to add to the 2 I already have.

I really can't imagine a better taillight. Even if I had a $500 HID
headlight, this is the taillight I would use, John

Date: 28 Jan 2006 14:21:35
From: john
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

(This is my 3rd attempt to post this. Once yesterday while no other
posts were under it, & twice today. 3rd times the charm?)

Richard B wrote:

>I like the Cateye LD500-RC.
>It has two modes; blinking and solid.
>in the blinking mode it blinks in triple bink sets (like the morse code
>"S" over and over) and runs just about forever (100 hours) on two AAA
>batteries.
>It also meets the C.P.S.C. (Consumer Product Safety Commission) >regulations >as a reflector.

Boy I'll second that! When everything is considered, it's the best. It
may not he the smallest, lightest, brightest. But it's plenty bright.
Long battery life. But oh, did anyone mention cheap too. (<$10) Cateye
appears to be on the road to discontinuing them, I bought 3 @ Nashbar
to add to the 2 I already have.

I really can't imagine a better taillight. Even if I had a $500 HID
headlight, this is the taillight I would use, John

Date: 28 Jan 2006 14:09:42
From: john
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

>> Claire Petersky wrote:
>>> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies about
>>> how they are going to attach to racks...

The problem of mounting to the rear of a rack is when one walks a bike
down stairs on it's rear wheel, (necessary on narrow stairs) it hits an
upper step, at best moving it, at worst breaking it. I prefer the left
rear strut, which is even harder to find mounts that will work.
John

Date: 28 Jan 2006 13:42:16
From: john
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Richard B wrote:

>I like the Cateye LD500-RC.
>It has two modes; blinking and solid.
>in the blinking mode it blinks in triple bink sets (like the morse code
>"S" over and over) and runs just about forever (100 hours) on two AAA
>batteries.
>It also meets the C.P.S.C. (Consumer Product Safety Commission) >regulations >as a reflector.

Boy I'll second that! When everything is considered, it's the best. It
may not he the smallest, lightest, brightest. But it's plenty bright.
Long battery life. But oh, did anyone mention cheap too. (<$10) Cateye
appears to be on the road to discontinuing them, I bought 3 @ Nashbar
to add to the 2 I already have.

I really can't imagine a better taillight. Even if I had a $500 HID
headlight, this is the taillight I would use, John

Date: 28 Jan 2006 12:14:27
From:
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

take a joist hanger-bend and cut in to 3 parts-bolt together with
8's-attach to rear rack
add one "big cateye" facing backwards
two yellow nashbar blinkies facing right and left.
coat blinkies insides with electrical silicone-we use 'jiffy lube'
tape seams with electrical tape
jiffy switchs-it'll seep
add one yellow blinkie on the bar with a LED cateye headlamp
and wearing a white/orange or yellow T
uroff!

Date: 28 Jan 2006 10:59:20
From: Mark Janeba
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:

> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

Go to a mass-start ride that starts at or before sunrise, and see for
yourself what you like - probably everything commercially available will
be on display.

As a result of doing this, I found the Cateye TL-LD600:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0307&sku=1512&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

The 600 has some sort of focusing of the five LEDs that makes it far
brighter than many competitors (I *have* compared them side by side).
Also has steady vs. blinking options. One drawback cited in RBT is
non-waterproof-ness. I have used two with one steady and one blinking
simultaneously.

Maybe Cateye listens: the Cateye LD1000:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=101&subcategory=1068&brand=&sku=12860&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

10 leds, in two independently-controlled groups of five. Waterproof.
Same focused LEDs. Kinda blinding. Got it for Christmas, very nice if
you like overkill lights as I do.

Particularly because of the lensing, make sure you have these aimed
well. Probably not suitable for the clip-on-your-jersey-pocket style
mount, although Cateye includes one in the package.

k

Date: 28 Jan 2006 10:02:32
From: Brian Huntley
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Claire Petersky wrote:
> I now have a Busch & Muller 4D Permanent Tail Light (ie, doesn't blink)
> through The Touring
> Store.(http://www.thetouringstore.com/BUSCH%20&%20MULLER/BUSCH%20MULLER%20HOME.htm)
> I also have a Trek Disco light, which I think is the best blinkie that can
> attach itself to the back of my trunk. I really wish some thought would be
> made by the blinkie companies about how they are going to attach to racks
> and trunks, not just seat tubes.

With my current blinkie, I ended up wrapping about a foot (30cm) of old
inner tube rubber around the back of my rack, to build it up to a
diameter that the supplied tube clamp could grab onto. It's about 2cm
in diameter, and the lamp hasn't slipped in 2 months of ridding.

I don't like the way it sticks out the back, but there's not much to be
done about that. I use the top of the rack constantly (ruling out the
seat tube mount) and panniers often enough to rule out using the rack
supports or seat stays.

Date: 28 Jan 2006 12:00:06
From: Collin O'Neill
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>
Now that every taillight product has been recommended to you, I'll make
my recommendation:

Blackburn s 3.0

Why? It doesn't break off if you accidentally hit it. The others are
made of stiff plastic that breaks after jarring and occasional bumping.
The s plastic is a little more flexible and absorbs that shock.
Otherwise it's your standard 2xAAA LED blinkie with four modes.

Have fun,
-C

Date: 28 Jan 2006 14:23:13
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Collin O'Neill wrote:
> NYC XYZ wrote:
>> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
>> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>>
>> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>>
> Now that every taillight product has been recommended to you, I'll make
> my recommendation:
>
> Blackburn s 3.0
>
> Why? It doesn't break off if you accidentally hit it. The others are
> made of stiff plastic that breaks after jarring and occasional bumping.
> The s plastic is a little more flexible and absorbs that shock.
> Otherwise it's your standard 2xAAA LED blinkie with four modes.

Actually, if you attach the LD1000 like I did, using two thin cable ties
around the entire body (between the LEDs), then it's very secure.

But the s 3.0 is a good light, and a lot less expensive than the
LD1000, at only $13 from Campmor.
"http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=54722"

At that price, it's only a bit more expensive than a flasher that
doesn't have side firing LEDs. No reason to be buying the low end
flashers any more.

Date: 28 Jan 2006 14:52:04
From: Claire Petersky
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

I now have a Busch & Muller 4D Permanent Tail Light (ie, doesn't blink)
through The Touring
Store.(http://www.thetouringstore.com/BUSCH%20&%20MULLER/BUSCH%20MULLER%20HOME.htm)
I also have a Trek Disco light, which I think is the best blinkie that can
attach itself to the back of my trunk. I really wish some thought would be
made by the blinkie companies about how they are going to attach to racks
and trunks, not just seat tubes.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Date: 28 Jan 2006 23:33:13
From: Matt O'Toole
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 14:52:04 +0000, Claire Petersky wrote:

> I really wish some thought
> would be made by the blinkie companies about how they are going to
> attach to racks and trunks, not just seat tubes.

The Cateye units have mounts for almost every situation, and they're
pretty easy to get through most bike shops.

Matt O.

Date: 28 Jan 2006 22:54:49
From: gooserider
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:oyLCf.5139$1n4.2917@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>I now have a Busch & Muller 4D Permanent Tail Light (ie, doesn't blink)
>through The Touring
>Store.(http://www.thetouringstore.com/BUSCH%20&%20MULLER/BUSCH%20MULLER%20HOME.htm)
>I also have a Trek Disco light, which I think is the best blinkie that can
>attach itself to the back of my trunk. I really wish some thought would be
>made by the blinkie companies about how they are going to attach to racks
>and trunks, not just seat tubes.
>
I agree. I attach to a rack trunk so I tend to look for lights with a "belt
clip".

Date: 28 Jan 2006 08:24:30
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Date: 28 Jan 2006 18:38:06
From: Claire Petersky
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com > wrote in message
news:43db9aab$0$95967$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> Claire Petersky wrote:

>> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies about
>> how they are going to attach to racks and trunks, not just seat tubes.
>
> The Cat Eye LD1000 attaches to racks that have the little tab for
> taillights.

And it will actually stay on if you use duct tape. Otherwise it will fly off
when you hit a pothole. I think someone should make a blinkie that will stay
on without having to use the duct tape.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Date: 30 Jan 2006 07:40:42
From: David Kerber
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

In article <iSOCf.5266$1n4.741@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net >,
cpetersky@mouse-potato.com says...
>
> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
> news:43db9aab$0$95967$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> > Claire Petersky wrote:
>
> >> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies about
> >> how they are going to attach to racks and trunks, not just seat tubes.
> >
> > The Cat Eye LD1000 attaches to racks that have the little tab for
> > taillights.
>
> And it will actually stay on if you use duct tape. Otherwise it will fly off
> when you hit a pothole. I think someone should make a blinkie that will stay
> on without having to use the duct tape.

Mine does; I use zip-ties!

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

Date: 28 Jan 2006 18:12:24
From: Mark Leuck
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:iSOCf.5266$1n4.741@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
> news:43db9aab$0$95967$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> > Claire Petersky wrote:
>
> >> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies about
> >> how they are going to attach to racks and trunks, not just seat tubes.
> >
> > The Cat Eye LD1000 attaches to racks that have the little tab for
> > taillights.
>
> And it will actually stay on if you use duct tape. Otherwise it will fly
off
> when you hit a pothole. I think someone should make a blinkie that will
stay
> on without having to use the duct tape.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,

Mine's been mounted for the last year just fine, never had a problem

Date: 28 Jan 2006 20:30:02
From: Rich Clark
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"k Leuck" <m..leuck@comcast.net > wrote in message
news:m46dnd3LjZdymkHeRVn-gg@comcast.com...
>
> "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote in message
> news:iSOCf.5266$1n4.741@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
>> news:43db9aab$0$95967$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>> > Claire Petersky wrote:
>>
>> >> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies
>> >> about
>> >> how they are going to attach to racks and trunks, not just seat tubes.
>> >
>> > The Cat Eye LD1000 attaches to racks that have the little tab for
>> > taillights.
>>
>> And it will actually stay on if you use duct tape. Otherwise it will fly
> off
>> when you hit a pothole. I think someone should make a blinkie that will
> stay
>> on without having to use the duct tape.
>>
>> --
>> Warm Regards,
>
> Mine's been mounted for the last year just fine, never had a problem

Zip ties provide that extra peace of mind. All cyclists should have an ample
supply of zip ties for attaching things to bikes so they won't fall off.

RichC

Date: 29 Jan 2006 10:14:45
From: Mark Leuck
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"Rich Clark" <rdclark2SPAM@TRAPcomcast.net > wrote in message
news:9-ydnTOLRIAAh0HenZ2dnUVZ_v6dnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "k Leuck" <m..leuck@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:m46dnd3LjZdymkHeRVn-gg@comcast.com...
> >
> > "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote in message
> > news:iSOCf.5266$1n4.741@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> >>
> >> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:43db9aab$0$95967$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> >> > Claire Petersky wrote:
> >>
> >> >> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies
> >> >> about
> >> >> how they are going to attach to racks and trunks, not just seat
tubes.
> >> >
> >> > The Cat Eye LD1000 attaches to racks that have the little tab for
> >> > taillights.
> >>
> >> And it will actually stay on if you use duct tape. Otherwise it will
fly
> > off
> >> when you hit a pothole. I think someone should make a blinkie that will
> > stay
> >> on without having to use the duct tape.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Warm Regards,
> >
> > Mine's been mounted for the last year just fine, never had a problem
>
> Zip ties provide that extra peace of mind. All cyclists should have an
ample
> supply of zip ties for attaching things to bikes so they won't fall off.
>
> RichC

In fact mine's mounted upside down on my headrest, the standard mount works
fine

Date: 28 Jan 2006 12:10:44
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Claire Petersky wrote:
> "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
> news:43db9aab$0$95967$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>> Claire Petersky wrote:
>
>>> I really wish some thought would be made by the blinkie companies about
>>> how they are going to attach to racks and trunks, not just seat tubes.
>> The Cat Eye LD1000 attaches to racks that have the little tab for
>> taillights.
>
> And it will actually stay on if you use duct tape. Otherwise it will fly off
> when you hit a pothole. I think someone should make a blinkie that will stay
> on without having to use the duct tape.

Actually, what I did was to use two thin cable ties around the body of
the LD1000, and round the top rail of the rear rack. I didn't like the
fact that my $25 light was being held in by one screw, though it didn't
fall off. Duct tape is tacky.

Date: 28 Jan 2006 01:39:08
From: john
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Richard B wrote:

>I like the Cateye LD500-RC.
>It has two modes; blinking and solid.
>in the blinking mode it blinks in triple bink sets (like the morse code
>"S" over and over) and runs just about forever (100 hours) on two AAA
>batteries.
>It also meets the C.P.S.C. (Consumer Product Safety Commission) >regulations as a reflector.

Boy I'll second that! When everything is considered, it's the best. It
may not he the smallest, lightest, brightest. But it's plenty bright.
Long battery life. But oh, did anyone mention cheap too. (<$10) Cateye
appears to be on the road to discontinuing them, I bought 3 @ Nashbar
to add to the 2 I already have.

I really can't imagine a better taillight. Even if I had a $500 HID
headlight, this is the taillight I would use, John

Date: 28 Jan 2006 08:36:45
From: Zog The Undeniable
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:

> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

Due to the historically strict bike lighting regulations in the UK, we
have some rather good LEDs to choose from that meet BS6102/3. If you
can get one, the Cateye TL-AU100BS is excellent. The Cateye LD250 is
brighter but tends to drain its batteries when switched off and the
build quality is crapola.

The lighting rules over here have just been relaxed (Oct 2005) to allow
flashing lights, but they're horrid for other people if you're riding in
a group.

Date: 27 Jan 2006 21:16:18
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

The Wogster wrote:
>
>
> Hmmm, US$529 add on $40 for customs, convert into beaver bucks, that's
> $654 add on the Gouging and Screwing Tax that's $700 for a light, nearly
> 3 times what I spent on the bike (year end distributors clearance, I
> gotta *really* good deal). I think that's a little pricey....

I know, I feel the same way -- except that I do plan on night riding,
and being new to 'bents, I don't feel comfortable doing without a light
(I'm even gonna get a helmet, can you believe that), and this thing
sounds like a real light, not some bar-mounted flashlight.

And if you got such a great deal on the bike itself, then consider that
everything "balances out" with the purchase of such a wonderful
light....

> When I put lights on mine, I'll get a pair of $7 rear lights, and run
> them that way, since I have an MTB with the seat way up there, there is
> lots of seatpost space. Nice thing about running two rear lights, is
> that if the batteries die on one, the other is still running...

That's a good idea.

> Can have the opposite effect, remember, you hit what your looking at, so
> as your watching the light show, you run over the bike it's attached
> to....

But then you can say that about a regular light -- if the driver's
gonna hit what s/he's looking at, and the point is to be
seen...moreover, one might as well say that since 'bents are so
unusual, they're more likely to be hit....

> Well, they got the hokey part right. The real issue in both cases
> though, is you buy a nice light high quality bike, adding 25lbs of
> batteries isn't a big benefit.

Even if I employed all these devices at once -- which I'd only do for
something like a Fourth of July night-ride (yeah!) -- the weight is
most likely three pounds, four pounds tops.

Hell, do you know that a pair of combat boots weighs five pounds?

Besides, the SMGTe is surprisingly light.

I can hack.

> W

Date: 28 Jan 2006 10:32:25
From: The Wogster
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> The Wogster wrote:
>
>>
>>Hmmm, US$529 add on $40 for customs, convert into beaver bucks, that's
>>$654 add on the Gouging and Screwing Tax that's $700 for a light, nearly
>>3 times what I spent on the bike (year end distributors clearance, I
>>gotta *really* good deal). I think that's a little pricey....
>
>
> I know, I feel the same way -- except that I do plan on night riding,
> and being new to 'bents, I don't feel comfortable doing without a light
> (I'm even gonna get a helmet, can you believe that), and this thing
> sounds like a real light, not some bar-mounted flashlight.

Effectively every bike light is a bar mounted flashlight.... Actually
my preference would be 3 lights, mounted locomotive style, one on the
bars to be seen, then one on each fork, to see with, because they are
low down, they would make things like potholes and road detris show as
more visible.....

> And if you got such a great deal on the bike itself, then consider that
> everything "balances out" with the purchase of such a wonderful
> light....

My spouse would disagree.....

>
>
>>When I put lights on mine, I'll get a pair of $7 rear lights, and run
>>them that way, since I have an MTB with the seat way up there, there is
>>lots of seatpost space. Nice thing about running two rear lights, is
>>that if the batteries die on one, the other is still running...
>
>
> That's a good idea.

They also normally serve slightly different purposes, the blinking light
gets your attention, the steady holds it, while you decide how far
away the light is (and the object it's attached to).

>
>
>>Can have the opposite effect, remember, you hit what your looking at, so
>>as your watching the light show, you run over the bike it's attached
>>to....
>
>
> But then you can say that about a regular light -- if the driver's
> gonna hit what s/he's looking at, and the point is to be
> seen...moreover, one might as well say that since 'bents are so
> unusual, they're more likely to be hit....

Thing is they will not look at your bike, with conventional lighting,
they use it for targeting, (there is an object there to avoid). Whether
that object registers as a bicycle or not, doesn't matter, as long as
the driver figures it's something to avoid.

W

Date: 27 Jan 2006 21:01:56
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Tom Keats wrote:
>
>
> Then they're not tail lights.

Right -- I didn't mean that they were. The halos they make, though,
seems to render tail lights unnecessary! That's what's so
interesting....

> Then the rider would block their visibility.
> And they look rather long for attaching to
> stems or seatposts.

Really? They don't look too long, judging by the many photos on the
site involving different kinds of bikes.

But actually, I realize that I'm mistaken in that proposition -- either
the rider's leg or the rear wheel would get in the way!

> When you ride in the rain it's the undersides of bike stuff that
> bears the brunt as drek splashes up from the street. Maybe bricks
> can be dropped on 'em or they can survive being shot ... but what
> happens when you drag them across several miles of wet loose-grit
> carborundum, time after time?

I don't plan on such road conditions, but I'll let you know when I get
them and try them out some time later this year.

The site does note, almost ironically, that the surface is extremely
vulnerable to scratching.

> I guess they'd be all right on a "just for fun" bike. But they
> just don't look practical to me.

I'm not sure what standards of practicality you're applying. If
they're noticed, then they've done their job! There's even a picture
of some guy on an HP Velotechnik Grasshopper, and the lights look like
they belong.

> 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

Date: 27 Jan 2006 20:52:29
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

SMS wrote:
>
>
> Don't get the el-cheapo blinkies. Three reasons. They are not
> well-constructed, not bright, and don't have a good angle of view.

???

"http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=101&subcategory=1068&brand=&sku=12860&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename="

Hey, thanks, this sounds very nice! Bright enough to be seen during
the day, eh?

> Yes, that's a great headlight, but ouch, $500?!

$529, mind you. But it's 5-6 hrs. of 500-600 lumens! You could mount
it on the helmet or the bike, and it's light-weight, the battery pack
weighing a pound -- as much as a loaf of bread!

Date: 28 Jan 2006 08:16:47
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> SMS wrote:
>>
>> Don't get the el-cheapo blinkies. Three reasons. They are not
>> well-constructed, not bright, and don't have a good angle of view.
>
> ???
>
> "http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=101&subcategory=1068&brand=&sku=12860&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename="
>
> Hey, thanks, this sounds very nice! Bright enough to be seen during
> the day, eh?

Yes, at least seen more than the typical blinkie. Trek and Specialized
also have some good rear lights, but I don't find them for sale on-line.

Also check out the Blackburn at
"http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=54722"

See "http://nordicgroup.us/s78/taillights.html" for the taillight
section of the information site on bicycle lighting.

>> Yes, that's a great headlight, but ouch, $500?!
>
> $529, mind you.

$499 at "http://store.yahoo.com/phattire1/limoarcliulb.html"

Date: 27 Jan 2006 20:47:57
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Hehehe...bike culture, indeed!

www.hokeyspokes.com

gotbent wrote:
>
>
> Man, that shit is the BOMB! I wonder how the red ones would go with my bike?
>
>
>
>
> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
> ---= East/West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---

Date: 27 Jan 2006 22:38:58
From: gotbent
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1138410596.785333.196830@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>

Man, that shit is the BOMB! I wonder how the red ones would go with my bike?

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
---= East/West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---

Date: 27 Jan 2006 20:32:02
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

In article <1138420503.262200.306000@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com >,
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > writes:
>

>> 2) doesn't face rearward enough
>
> But they're meant as side lights

Then they're not tail lights.

> -- though conceivably one could be
> attached to the stem to face back....

Then the rider would block their visibility.
And they look rather long for attaching to
stems or seatposts.

>> 3) looks breakable and exposed to the elements; I don't
>
> It's thermoplastic, the same stuff as bullet-proof glass. There's a
> nice video on the site showing them dropping a brick on it!

When you ride in the rain it's the undersides of bike stuff that
bears the brunt as drek splashes up from the street. Maybe bricks
can be dropped on 'em or they can survive being shot ... but what
happens when you drag them across several miles of wet loose-grit
carborundum, time after time?

I guess they'd be all right on a "just for fun" bike. But they
just don't look practical to me.

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

Date: 27 Jan 2006 20:26:18
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

Don't get the el-cheapo blinkies. Three reasons. They are not
well-constructed, not bright, and don't have a good angle of view.

"http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=101&subcategory=1068&brand=&sku=12860&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename="

Yes, that's a great headlight, but ouch, $500?!

Date: 28 Jan 2006 18:07:48
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

SMS wrote:

> Don't get the el-cheapo blinkies. Three reasons. They are not
> well-constructed, not bright, and don't have a good angle of view.

Yup. And another point is that a non-cheapo blinkie isn't actually
/that/ much more money, like Cateye's AU-100 which has several LEDs
in different orientations and will also switch to constant mode.
And they're neat enough to have one flashing and one steady if you
fancy. The batteries (2 x AA) last for ages.

I use one on the Brompton. On the 'bent and the freighter I use
fairly uncheapie B&M LED dynamo powered standlights, which use
single bright LEDs and optics to allow for excellent angle of view.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Date: 28 Jan 2006 02:34:17
From: Simon Cooper
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com > wrote in message
news:43daf259$0$95993$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> NYC XYZ wrote:
> > That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> > about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
> >
> > And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>
> Don't get the el-cheapo blinkies. Three reasons. They are not
> well-constructed, not bright, and don't have a good angle of view.

Best blinkie we have is my wife's cheap Wal-t one, I forget the brand
(not ked Bell), but it is really bright, with about 8LEDs in a full
semicircle. Much better than the Trek one that lasted about 5 weeks. Not
small, but it gets the job done properly, and gets left outside all day.

Date: 27 Jan 2006 19:55:03
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Tom Keats wrote:
>
> <SNIP>
>
> 1) wrong colour(s)

???

How about these colors: www.hokeyspokes.com.

> 2) doesn't face rearward enough

But they're meant as side lights -- though conceivably one could be
attached to the stem to face back....

> 3) looks breakable and exposed to the elements; I don't

It's thermoplastic, the same stuff as bullet-proof glass. There's a
nice video on the site showing them dropping a brick on it!

> <SNIP>

Date: 27 Jan 2006 19:50:22
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

The Wogster wrote:
>
>
> Gotta link as to where these are available?

The cheapest online seems to be for $529 at
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=19467.

> A regular cheap tail light, best is actually 2 lights, one blinking and
> one steady.

Now there's an idea! Hmm....

> I thought such tube lights were stupid on cars.. I guess they would be
> popular to the same kinda guys though, but ones that haven't got the
> cash for a car.....

The car lights are pure vanity. On bikes, they actually have an excuse
-- to be seen.

I so believe that the "halo effect" on the ground helps convey,
psychologically, a sense of "space" to the driver.

> W

And these?

www.hokeyspokes.com

Date: 27 Jan 2006 23:36:48
From: The Wogster
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> The Wogster wrote:
>
>>
>>Gotta link as to where these are available?
>
>
> The cheapest online seems to be for $529 at
> http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=19467.

Hmmm, US$529 add on $40 for customs, convert into beaver bucks, that's
$654 add on the Gouging and Screwing Tax that's $700 for a light, nearly
3 times what I spent on the bike (year end distributors clearance, I
gotta *really* good deal). I think that's a little pricey....

>>A regular cheap tail light, best is actually 2 lights, one blinking and
>>one steady.
>
>
> Now there's an idea! Hmm....

When I put lights on mine, I'll get a pair of $7 rear lights, and run
them that way, since I have an MTB with the seat way up there, there is
lots of seatpost space. Nice thing about running two rear lights, is
that if the batteries die on one, the other is still running...

>>I thought such tube lights were stupid on cars.. I guess they would be
>>popular to the same kinda guys though, but ones that haven't got the
>>cash for a car.....
>
>
> The car lights are pure vanity. On bikes, they actually have an excuse
> -- to be seen.
>
> I so believe that the "halo effect" on the ground helps convey,
> psychologically, a sense of "space" to the driver.

Can have the opposite effect, remember, you hit what your looking at, so
as your watching the light show, you run over the bike it's attached
to....
>
> And these?
>
> www.hokeyspokes.com
>

Well, they got the hokey part right. The real issue in both cases
though, is you buy a nice light high quality bike, adding 25lbs of
batteries isn't a big benefit.

W

Date: 28 Jan 2006 05:39:51
From: Steve
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

http://www.lupine.de/en/home/index.html

Date: 27 Jan 2006 22:05:01
From: The Wogster
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down.

Gotta link as to where these are available?

> But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

A regular cheap tail light, best is actually 2 lights, one blinking and
one steady.

> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

I thought such tube lights were stupid on cars.. I guess they would be
popular to the same kinda guys though, but ones that haven't got the
cash for a car.....

W

Date: 28 Jan 2006 11:42:25
From: Steve knight
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

>
>> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?
>
>I thought such tube lights were stupid on cars.. I guess they would be
>popular to the same kinda guys though, but ones that haven't got the
>cash for a car.....

I have two white ones sticking up on the back of my recumbent. I get
people in cars pulling over and saying how well they can see me.
people on bike saying great lights. they light up me and the road. but
I paid less for mine at www.elwirecheap.com
Knight-Toolworks
http://www.knight-toolworks.com
affordable handmade wooden planes

Date: 27 Jan 2006 19:06:12
From: Tom Keats
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

[rec.bicycles.tech/ketplace in the x-post list is unnecessary]

In article <1138410596.785333.196830@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >,
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > writes:
>
> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

My bottle generator tail light has gradually earned my appreciation.
I like the way it makes a big, red halo. It won't dazzle ya, but
the photons it pumps out have oomph.

The better blinkies have metallic reflectors inside, behind the LEDs.

I once saw a big ol', steady-on unit with a b-i-g lens[*] (almost as big
as those yellow flashers on road construction site sawhorses) for sale
for a couple o' bux in a used parts bin. Took a 9V transistor cell.
I wish I bought it just to see what it sez.

> And what do y'all think of this: www.fossilfool.com?

1) wrong colour(s)
2) doesn't face rearward enough
3) looks breakable and exposed to the elements; I don't
wanna keel-haul my own lighting
4) too LowRider (for my tastes)
5) a lot of stuff with which to complicate a nice, simple bicycle

cheers,
Tom

[*] I'm a believer in /size/ of illumination, like others believe
in brightness. I think light sources bigger than point-sources
(however bright they may be) give viewers better clues as to
what they're looking at. I believe that can be accomplished
with a good combination of active and passive (reflective)
illumination.

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Date: 28 Jan 2006 11:48:21
From: Steve knight
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

here is a not so great picture of a couple cold cathode tubes on my
bent. I changed to two white once since the red is more pink
http://www.knight-toolworks.com/pictures/bikelight5.JPG
these are the best things ever to be seen at night. not as bright as
my HID or my cateye blinky but they make me far more visible. plus
without the batteries they only cost about 20.00 with shipping. they
run on 9.6 to 13.1 v
Knight-Toolworks
http://www.knight-toolworks.com
affordable handmade wooden planes

Date: 28 Jan 2006 02:35:26
From: gooserider
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Date: 28 Jan 2006 02:05:57
From: Sorni
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

NYC XYZ wrote:

> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?

Cheap blinkie.

Bill "same to you, buddy!" S.

Date: 28 Jan 2006 03:04:19
From: Richard B
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

"Sorni" <sornidelicates@san.rr.com > wrote in news:9kACf.2238$Jg.1167
@tornado.socal.rr.com:

> NYC XYZ wrote:
>
>> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
>> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>
> Cheap blinkie.
>
> Bill "same to you, buddy!" S.
>
>

I like the Cateye LD500-RC.

It has two modes; blinking and solid.
in the blinking mode it blinks in triple bink sets (like the morse code
"S" over and over) and runs just about forever (100 hours) on two AAA
batteries.

It comes with a quick release seat post mount and a belt clip.

It also meets the C.P.S.C. (Consumer Product Safety Commission) regulations
as a reflector.

See:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=1511

Rich

Date: 28 Jan 2006 23:29:33
From: Matt O'Toole
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 03:04:19 +0000, Richard B wrote:

> I like the Cateye LD500-RC.
>
> It has two modes; blinking and solid. in the blinking mode it blinks in
> triple bink sets (like the morse code "S" over and over) and runs just
> about forever (100 hours) on two AAA batteries.
>
> It comes with a quick release seat post mount and a belt clip.
>
> It also meets the C.P.S.C. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
> regulations as a reflector.
>
> See:
>
> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=1511

I have one of those and it has served me pretty well. It's actually very
bright and I get good battery life. Cateye also has mounts for about
every situation.

I don't know how good the reflector actually is. There
are some really bright and efficient new LEDs on the ket now. So
some newer models may be better.

Ultimately, I'd rather have a bigger unit that runs on AAs instead of
AAAs, and a DOT standard reflector, either built in, or in addition to.

The Cateye LD1000 is about the brightest self-contained LED unit on the
ket:

http://tinyurl.com/4xzo8

One thing to be careful of with LED taillights is mounting angle. If
they're not aimed correctly, their brightness drops dramatically. This is
often a problem when clipped to a seat bag, backpack, or clothing.

Matt O.

Date: 27 Jan 2006 20:31:04
From: Donald Gillies
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Richard B <blueSPAMMENOTrandonee@gmail.com > writes:

>"Sorni" <sornidelicates@san.rr.com> wrote in news:9kACf.2238$Jg.1167
>@tornado.socal.rr.com:

>> NYC XYZ wrote:
>>
>>> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
>>> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
>>
>> Cheap blinkie.
>>
>> Bill "same to you, buddy!" S.
>>
>>

>I like the Cateye LD500-RC.

I had the Cataeye LD500-RC. And let me tell you, it sucks beanie
babies left and right, up and down. When I got out of the hospital
after being rear ended one evening, i started using a different light:

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/VO-604.gif

The vista 5-LED "Nebula" is my favorite. You can get red or white.
After getting rear-ended by a colorblind driver (who had a hard time
seeing a green flashing light at night), i switched to white.

These are the recommendations for portable, on-body lights. If you
want an on-bicycle light, then something like NiteRider is probably
the best.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

Date: 28 Jan 2006 14:09:55
From: Kristian M Zoerhoff
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

In article <dres28$s8a$1@cascade.cs.ubc.ca >, gillies@cs.ubc.ca says...
> I had the Cataeye LD500-RC. And let me tell you, it sucks beanie
> babies left and right, up and down. When I got out of the hospital
> after being rear ended one evening, i started using a different light:
>
> http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/VO-604.gif
>
> The vista 5-LED "Nebula" is my favorite. You can get red or white.
> After getting rear-ended by a colorblind driver (who had a hard time
> seeing a green flashing light at night), i switched to white.

Red-green colorblindness is grounds for being denied a driver's license
in many jurisdictions. How did this fool who hit you get one?

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com
(_)/ (_)

Date: 28 Jan 2006 01:51:59
From: Mark Leuck
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Best one I've found is the Cateye TL-LD1000, 2 rows of flashing lights

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=41&catId=7&subCatId=4

"Donald Gillies" <gillies@cs.ubc.ca > wrote in message
news:dres28$s8a$1@cascade.cs.ubc.ca...
> Richard B <blueSPAMMENOTrandonee@gmail.com> writes:
>
> >"Sorni" <sornidelicates@san.rr.com> wrote in news:9kACf.2238$Jg.1167
> >@tornado.socal.rr.com:
>
> >> NYC XYZ wrote:
> >>
> >>> That L&M Arc Li-Ion Ultra is the best head light, hands down. But how
> >>> about tail lights? Or are they just the same?
> >>
> >> Cheap blinkie.
> >>
> >> Bill "same to you, buddy!" S.
> >>
> >>
>
> >I like the Cateye LD500-RC.
>
> I had the Cataeye LD500-RC. And let me tell you, it sucks beanie
> babies left and right, up and down. When I got out of the hospital
> after being rear ended one evening, i started using a different light:
>
> http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/VO-604.gif
>
> The vista 5-LED "Nebula" is my favorite. You can get red or white.
> After getting rear-ended by a colorblind driver (who had a hard time
> seeing a green flashing light at night), i switched to white.
>
> These are the recommendations for portable, on-body lights. If you
> want an on-bicycle light, then something like NiteRider is probably
> the best.
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA

Date: 28 Jan 2006 18:05:27
From: Ivar Hesselager
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 01:51:59 -0600, k Leuck <m..leuck@comcast.net > wrote:

> Best one I've found is the Cateye TL-LD1000, 2 rows of flashing lights
>
> http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=41&catId=7&subCatId=4
>
>
>

I have been riding in the dark every night all winter with the Cateye
TL-LD1000 - with one line blinking and one with steady light, and I feel
that car- and truck-drivers show me a lot of respect. I also wear
reflecting bands around each leg and a LED-lit band around my left arm.

I feel confident that every driver has seen me from a long distance. And
it feels like they pass me with a bigger security distance, than cars do
at daytime.

I can't be sure the Cateye TL-LD1000 is the best in the world, but I think
it is good enough.

Ivar of Dank

Sendt med Operas banebrydende nyhedsgruppe-
og e-postklient: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Date: 28 Jan 2006 08:13:11
From: Mike Rice
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 01:51:59 -0600, "k Leuck"
<m..leuck@comcast.net > wrote:

>Best one I've found is the Cateye TL-LD1000, 2 rows of flashing lights
>
>http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=41&catId=7&subCatId=4
>
>
>

Here's another vote for the Cateye LD 1000. Each row of lights has
five very bright LED's, and two of the five face the sides. Each row
has it's own control, so you can have them flashing at differently,
makes a strong effect. And the side lighting is bright enough that I
always can tell that the light is working. I think this is the best of
the LED technology.

Indiana Mike

Date: 28 Jan 2006 08:22:40
From: SMS
Subject: Re: Okay...So What's A Good Tail Light?

Mike Rice wrote:

> Here's another vote for the Cateye LD 1000. Each row of lights has
> five very bright LED's, and two of the five face the sides. Each row
> has it's own control, so you can have them flashing at differently,
> makes a strong effect. And the side lighting is bright enough that I
> always can tell that the light is working. I think this is the best of
> the LED technology.
>
> Indiana Mike

There are a few other LED blinkers with side mounted LEDs now, but I
haven't actually seen them in use. The Cateye LD1000 is very widely used
around my area by commuters. Probably because CatEye does a better job
in terms of distribution than Trek, Specialized, or Blackburn.

I have all of the good LED blinkers on the taillight page of the bike
lighting site: "http://nordicgroup.us/s78/taillights.html"

One good thing about the CatEye (not sure about the others) is that it
has mounting holes for the rear racks that have the little tab for
taillight mounting.