XPG For Night Riding

Hi All,

New to these forums but would really like a little bit of advice or recommendations. I am currently looking at getting a couple of flashlights for “lighting up” my local bridleways and forest tracks for a bit of mountain bike night riding.

Mainly looking at two XPG type flashlights for the handle bars and something for the helmet.

The XPG lights (x2, in case one decides to die while I am out riding) for the handlebars I am looking at are,

1. UniqueFire X8 Cree XP-G R5 5-Mode 230-Lumen Memory LED Flashlight (1*18650)

2. UniqueFire L2 Cree XPG-R5 5-Mode 320-Lumen LED Flashlight - Black (1*18650)

3. UltraFire WF-501B Cree XPE-WCR5 5-Mode 320-Lumen Memory LED Flashlight with Strap (1*18650/2*16340)

4. UltraFire WF-502B Cree XPE-WCR5 5-Mode 320-Lumen Memory LED Flashlight with Clip (1*18650/2*16340)

Would like to know if any of the above are any good, especially with regards to reliability OR if there are any better lights out there at this price range, i.e. under $25.

For the helmet, looking at the following,

1. Ultrafire C1 Q5-WC 230-Lumen LED Flashlight with Clip (2*CR123A/1*18650)

2. TrustFire TR-801 Cree Q5-WC 5-Mode Memory 230-Lumen LED Flashlight (1*18650)

Once again are any of the above any good with regards to reliability OR are there any better helmet lights for +- $15.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

All of these ratings are over by quite a lot. I don't have the first one, but the Uniquefire L2 starts at about 290 lumens but is down to about 230 after 2 minutes - it will hold something like that pretty much till the battery gives out. The dropin does need wrapping in foil to give better thermal contact with the body of the light - so you don't kill the LED. I have several lights with this dropin and it works fine for me though some have complained of its being easy to kill.

Numbers 3 and 4 use the same dropin as number 2 which has a nicer body IMO. The WF-501B is a bit marginal on heatsinking for sustained use which is what I imagine you intend it for. There is also a WF-501B with a very, very bright M bin Cree MC-E emitter - Brted did a review around here somewhere. He also has a review of the 502B here.

Both of the helmet mounted lights look to be on the heavy side for attaching to a helmet.

the heatsink may not be to big a issue on number 3 if he is cycling as the air flow will help to cool the light

If you want a no modes light take a look at the Ultrafire 504B http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24201

Very good light, and cheap too!

Hi there,

Thank you for all the replies. Have been looking at the Ultrafire 504b Cree R2-WC and it seems to get good reviews wherever I look, so I think I will probably try and order a couple.

With regards to the modes, still not sure whether to go for 1 or 5 modes. Will the 1-mode handle been on constantly for 60-90 minutes? or will the 5 mode be better, can then put both on medium mode while cyling?

Have also noticed that Kaidomain has the WF504B with Cree Q5 and Cree XPE-R5 emittors. Will these be better than the R2-WC?

I have actually used most of the the lights discussed here on road bikes.If you are using two lights on your bike,it produces an ideal beam pattern to use one light that has a floody pattern,eg. MC-E or P7, in conjunction with another light that has a lot of throw,eg.R2 or R5.The 504B or Solarforce L2 bodies have superior heat heat sinking,but have an annoying flaw as a bike light in that the 18650s rattle in the flashlight body.The 501 and 502 bodies do not rattle.The 501 has poor heat sinking,but in cool weather and with the air flow produced riding, stays adequately cool.The 502B has become my favorite P60 body for biking because it is rattle -free w/OK heat sinking.The clip on the 502B can hook onto the velcro strap on the mount.Lights with lanyards are a pain because the lanyard can hang up on the stem,shifters or levers.I prefer single mode drop-ins because the multi-modes can easily change modes when you hit bumps,but the multi-modes are worth a try.I also like the single mode X-2000 from DX,but now it is a three mode I have not tried.I have tried numerous mounts and the one I prefer is the rubber and velcro,Bicycle Light "Cramp"sp. from Kaidomain for appox. $2.50.The other mounts I tried rattle or slip. You can keep the mount from moving from bumps by using abrasive skate board tape on the handlebar underneath the rubber clamp on the handlebar.I have found this type of dual set-up to be equal or better than some $200-400 light systems that are much heavier.Carry extra charged 18650s for longer rides.

Can't beat the advice from someone who is actually using it.

Personally, I don't do bicycles, the drivers here are worse than most, slow, unobservant and extremely aggressive. Bad mixture.