Noob needs guidance for 18650 torchlight bicycle use

I’m in the process of updating my p7 and MCE based lights:

I have recently purchased the XinTD C8 and this DX UltraFire C2 3 mode XML light:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-c2-t60-cree-xm-lt6-3-mode-1200-lumen-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-1-x-18650-1-x-17670-90777

Both have less flood and more throw than my old lights. Of the two the XindTD has a tighter hot spot (larger smooth reflector), so if you want a bike light with a floody beam pattern for your handlebars this may not be the best choice.

I’m not sure which other XML based lights offer more flood?

Aloha and welcome to BLF sanpedro667!

You might have mounting problems with Keygos M10 as well, depending on which mount you use.

What do you guys think? I have done additional reading and think I will get these a Unique fire UF2200 with XML-U2:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/uniquefire-uf2200-cree-xml-u2-led-5mode-memory-flashlight-gray-1865026650-p-10033

Paired with Trustfire protected 26650. Any recommendation for chargers. I have narrowed down to Trustfire TR005 or TR006. They differ in the charge rate, 1.5a vs 1a.

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-liion-battery-charger-for-2665025500267001865016340-us-plug-p-8851
http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-dual-channel-liion-battery-charger-for-2665025500267001865016340-tr006-us-plug-p-9985.

I will get the first two out of the 3 mounts recommended by ‘betweenrides’.

Now since most items will come from Manafont, I was wondering do they list the entire value of the items? In Canada I can import tax free $20 worth of stuff. So I can do multiple orders if I have to.

Welcome to the club, sanpedro667!

So I finally got the light installed. It’s pretty bright and meets my expectations. Thanks all for the suggestions.

Very nice! Glad to hear it's working well for you.

A 26650 up front on a bicycle is killer action… :wink:

Hey everyone:

I’m loving my Cyclone C88 (discovered through this forum) and am looking for a solid bike mount for a Trek Navigator 2.0 handlebar.

My main requirements (besides fit for the 38mm body) are that it does not move up/down over somewhat rough terrain (swappable rubber liners of varying thickness would be great) and that that the light is secured, not just dropped into a rubber “U” grip.

Any suggestions?

Another noob.

I'm looking at this light for my bike:

or

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/180966316418?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Like the all-in deal with battery and charger.

Is it useful to have a zoom on the bike, or is it going to move on you while riding?

And will the charger do, or am I better of with another charger?

Make yourself at home, KrisKras!

I don't think this is a good spend. The zoomie on flood is not going to be very bright compared to a lot of other lights and zoomed out the little patch of light is worthless for cycling. The batteries are most probably recycled laptop cells with low capacity and the charger is very cheap and you would need to watch it like a hawk to make sure it's not overcharging. You will also need to get a Digital Multimeter to test your batteries.

There are some good suggestions in this thread and many others here on BLF. Do some looking around before making your decision. It might help first to find out a little about how you are going to use the light: Commuting, trail riding, road, fast or slow, time of day?

Thanks for the welcome Racoon City. Love the pictures !

Thanks BetweenRides for the advice.

I'm now looking to buy the TrustFire A8. Since I have no batteries nor charger, it seems like a good deal and I like the extra runtime of the 26650's.

From the review at https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/8028/ it seems like a good combination of flood and throw.
For now it will be my only light, thus a good flood will avoid tunnel vision.

Now the search for the ultimate handlebar mount... :D

KrisKras, the A8 combo is a great choice. Good luck on finding a stout mount for it. I have not been too impressed with the rubber lockblocks and this light - jiggles way too much. I have the Fenix mount on the way that I'm going to mod and try with the A8.

Not to start my own thread about it, I wanted to ask whether this supposed C8(???) clone is worth those 6.39$ asked for it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221120048203
???

Im planning to get one cheapie as my first Li-Ion light to use with my bicycle and Id like to buy my first light as cheap as possible and if nobody has tested this particular light out, Im willing to risk and just buy it, for that money most likely you cant go wrong :D?

I don't think you can go wrong with that C8 veer. I had one like it that was one of my first Li-Ion cycling lights, and for $7.60 shipped, it's definitely worth the risk.

Yeah, I figured since I missed that awesome 5$ deal on MXDL light, I might as well shell out extra 2$ for this one, bought two, will report as soon as I have them+proper 18650 batteries, now need to find couple of those for decent prices too :D!

Thanks for advice, its cheap so in worst case it could serve as a host for better driver/emitter combo :slight_smile:

Sure is a good looking deal. Thanks for sharing.

If you find a good deal on the 18650's, please share in this thread also :-)

May the light shine brightly! 8)

OK, got my TF A8 and took it for a spin.

I have it mounted for now with a clone rubber block and mounted it hanging down. Seems not too bad to jiggle. But I've only riden on paved roads. Am very happy with the combination of throw/flood. Works well on the bike.

More comments from me here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/8028?page=1#comment-259922

Have Fun :hat:

welcome to BLF.

C8 or 501B with a bike mount can be very budget.