started reading up on helmet can lights on a mtb forum and ended up here! So much great info…almost too much. Looking at a budget torch light to mount to my helmet. Ideally one that might fit the exposure helmet mount.
I read a few posts on some suggested models. What are your thoughts on this package from amazon:
UltraFire WF-502B Q5 Cree LED Flashlight
with this battery
UltraFire 18650 3000mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery (Pair) + Charger Combo
and charger
2pcs 3.7v Ultrafire 18650 3000mah Rechargeable Battery
1. Possible, but will it be washed out by your bar lights? Need more info. Usually you want a bright thrower for the helmet. I have several I use for this purpose.
2. & 3. Avoid UF batteries at all costs. Charger is ok.
thanks for the quick reply! is there a light that is bright enough on it’s own without the use of bar lights? I’ve been using a light and motion arc li-on for the past 4 years and it’s been fine for racing. a friend of mine just bought the exposure diablo mk3 but i just can’t justify spending $250 on another light when i have a perfectly fine set (as cumbersome the cords may be)
what batteries do you recommend? I see a lot of vendors like t-mart, dx, etc…not sure if i should be looking there rather than the amazon.
I got the tl100 charger from there also. It works fine, but the batteries are pretty tight in there, I just knock the thing on something to knock the batteries out. And it’s a slow charger, but it’s cheap. But there are better ones out there.
If you do decide to get that light you might want to try purchasing it here since it will mostlikely be cheaper. (Ultrafire-shop always has items at higher costs)
boy1dr, I'm not clear: You are currently using the L&M Arc on your bars or helmet? It makes a huge difference if you are looking for a torch for the bars or the helmet, as I would use a larger light on the bars than on your lid.
If you have decent night vision, you can get away with one torch, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'm a roadie but do some light trail riding, nothing too technical. My setup for night riding this Fall is going the be a Shadow JM07 for flood, Trustfire A8 for throw, both mounted on the bars. These use 26650 batteries, which should give you 120 minutes run time on high, much longer with wiser use of Medium and Low. Both of these lights are every bit as bright as the Diablo, with better run time. and at a fraction of the cost. You could pick up both 2 batteries and a charger for about 1/2 of the cost of the Diablo.
I'll use one of the smaller form factor 18650 lights on my lid if needed. Refer to the thread Garry linked to to get some ideas on those lights. The A8 could also be used as a helmet light with it's compact form factor, but you have to decide how much weight you are comfortable with on your helmet, as too heavy a light causes it to shift on the head.
hi betweenrides, currently i use the L&M on my helmet for both road and xc riding, but find the battery and cord combo bothersome. For road i’m looking for a helmet mounted light. For offroading i like your suggestions or maybe i’ll just mount the L&M on my bars and use the helmet mounted light. do the 26650 batteries create a thicker barrel on the light? I’m hoping to be able to use the exposure helmet mount
it’s such a sleek mounting system. I think the 16650 lights are the only ones that might fit. i’ll take a look at some of the great suggestions above in more detail but i think some of the barrels might be too thick.
Also, i noticed one of the recommendations uses both types of batteries. Is that 1 of each (16550/26650)? So 2 in total?
Now I understand what you are looking for. 18650 size will give you the most choices, as that is the predominant flashlight cell size for Li-ion lights. These are 18mm in diameter (little under 3/4") by 65mm in length (little over 2-1/2"). 26650 cells are same length but thicker diameter at 26mm (just over 1"). That translates to slightly larger diameter body tube for 26650 lights. 26650 batteries have a higher capacity however, which translates to longer run time. Most of my 18650 cells are 2600mAh, where as my King Kongs are tested at over 4200mAh, an increase of about 61%. That works out to 2:15+ hours run time on High for my JM07 on 26650, 1:20-1:30 using 18650 on high (The JMO7 will run on either size with a supplied battery tube adapter). I generally carry a pack of 2x18650 cells as spares on my rides in case I need them in any of my lights.
The Exposure Joystick mount is pretty slick, one of the nicest helmet mounting options out there, but at a ridiculous price of $30:
That being said, it's solid as a rock and I doubt you could find a better one. I use this for bar mounting and this for bar or helmet. My suggestion is to the measure your friend's joystick holder against these flashlight diameters. The joystick needs to be just slightly smaller for the torches to fit tightly.
By the way, the TwoFish knock offs will hold both sized lights, bar or helmet, but on the bar will shake a little. Regardless, you should buy 3-4 as spare mounts. I plan to try the A8 on my helmet some this year. All the 18650 lights listed above work well on the helmet or bar, but particularly well on the helmet. This is just a sample of lights that will work - lot's more out there. All the above 18650 lights give out 500-800 lumens and have run times from 1 hour up to 1:45 on high. I never use the helmet mount for more than a few minutes here and there, so run time has never been an issue. Bar lights alternate between High/Medium/Low depending on the terrain. I've never had to replace a battery on a ride, but YMMV.
Looks pretty nice, JR. Do you think it's big enough to fit on a helmet? With 3 different mounting positions on it, you could really light up the night!
Yes. All the links I provided to you are reputable sites. Wouldn't steer you wrong there. FancyFlashlights (free shipping) same as CN Quality Goods (lower prices, but pay extra for shipping). Ric-CN runs them both and is a BLF member. For any of these outfits, I recommend you pay a little extra for tracking if it isn't already included (FF it is for orders over $30). For most parts of U.S., it takes 14-21 days. International Outdoor Store, pretty much the same, run by Hank. Solarforce is good, 10-14 days, because they ship HK Post. Kaidomain: Takes 3-4 weeks. Thrunite-Store, about the same.
Wouldn't steer you wrong there. FancyFlashlights (free shipping) same as CN Quality Goods (lower prices, but pay extra for shipping). Ric-CN runs them both and is a BLF member. For any of these outfits, I recommend you pay a little extra for tracking if it isn't already included (FF it is for orders over $30). For most parts of U.S., it takes 14-21 days. International Outdoor Store, pretty much the same, run by Hank. Solarforce is good, 10-14 days, because they ship HK Post. Kaidomain: Takes 3-4 weeks. Thrunite-Store, about the same.