Recommend a budget headlamp for cycling

Hi everyone,

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.

One of my least favorite because of the throwy beam but would great for biking and is around $20, Crelant CH10.

Go to Gearbest and search for the Xanes brand. They have a lot of headlights at great prices. Good luck.

Why not try the S2 on the helmet?

I’ve used S2+ and A6 on the helmet.

Nothing comes up in my search.

Thanks for the suggestion. I may go with the Crelant CH10. Is FastTech a reliable place to get it?

Thanks for the suggestion, but at $158 it really is out of my budget.

I have been quite happy with the previous lights I have gotten at the $15 price range, such as the Convoy S2 or Tangsfire C8.

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.

Thanks.

The step to 30$ headlights is not so bad, but the quality gain is enormous

the S2+ has a shorter reflector so wider spill angle

There is not much what can go defective in the S2, maybe a loose retaining ring
could be oxidation on some parts

definitely a way to fix without replacement is disassemble the light clean it up and reassemble it

could be the switch or driver
driver and switch you can buy in Simons Ali express shop

Any particular one you might recommend?

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 anyone could comment on Crelant CH10 vs SKILHUNT H03 in terms of throw vs flood and comfort wearing under a bicycle helmet, I would appreciate it.

Crelant CH10 is available for $22.62 from FastTech and SKILHUNT H03 for $29.99 from GearBest.

I’ve used the Nitecore HC30 while out mtn. biking and liked it. Goes for about $45-50

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).

I just ordered a SKILHUNT H03 . Will report back once I get it and try it.
Thanks everyone for your input.

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.

A bit higher than your budget at around 30$ but the Imalent HR20 might be worth a look.

I did the same. Ordered from gearbest for $29.

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.

Thanks again to everyone for your input.