I am looking for a budget headlamp to use when commuting by bike and would like to hear your recommendations. Part of my commute is on a paved trail with no illumination so I am looking to light up the trail, not just be visible.
I have a Convoy S2 XM-L U2 (2100mA) on my handlebar but like having something on my helmet as well. Last year I had mounted my TangsFire C8 XM-L2 U3 8W on my helmet and the combination of the two lights running on medium worked well (flood on handlebars, throw on helmet), except for the fact that the C8 was too bulky and heavy on my head.
I want an 18650 light (1 cell would do), water resistant (should be able to use in the rain), preferably around $15, not much higher.
I see Boruit RJ-02 recommended in a few posts, but I don’t like that it does not have a CREE emitter, and modding is not an option for me.
Could you tell me what the difference is between the S2 and S2+? I can’t understand. After 4-5 years of use on my handlebars my S2 is misbehaving(it constantly flickers at random intensities) and I am looking to replace it.
I have taken it apart and put it together a few times, tightening things, but to no success. Any time I hit rough patches of road when the light is on the handlebars it starts to change the mode on its own.
If the lght changes modes on its own on rough patches there isbanpretty simple fix tonadd a magnet or solder a brass button on the top of the spring to get more pressure of the springs
The light changes modes when the barrery disconnects by g force
Thanks for the suggestion. I will give a magnet a try. Although, the springs seem to be compressing considerably when putting the caps on with a battery inside, especially when it’s a longer one (protected Panasonic).
Should have bought the Crelant CH10 because of the throw. The Skilhunt has textured lens that makes it floody. Ninety-nine percent of the time I like a very floody headlamp for up close illumination and the Skillhunt is great for that 99% but biking is not one those times, it’s the other 1%. On a bike you want to see for a decent amount of distance because of the speed of the bike.
I have had about 8 of the cheap single cell chiner flashlights over the years. I ziptied them to my helmet and they worked most of the time… Lost four and one died.
Have a Yinding and a Solarstorm x2, they are overkill for a quick trip around town but work great for mountain biking.
I got the Skillhunt H03 last week and have used it twice now. My setup now is the Skillhunt under my helmet and the TangsFire C8 on the handlebars. Together they provide adequate lighting on my commute, even on the section of trail with no illumination.
When the trail makes turns I do feel that it would be better to have the flood on the handlebars and the thrower on my head so I could turn my head to where the trail is headed. So I can see why the Crelant CH10 would have been better, but this setup gets the job done as well.
As for my S2, a few days ago when I was taking the battery out, the spring at the front fell of. I soldered it back on, and the random mode changes went away for a few days, but I got them back again. I have to look into it some more.