Best flashlight to use as a bicycle headlight? Stock not modded. Preferably 18650 or 21700.

Do you have any suggestions as far as the multiple emitters go?

Thanks and I seen the price around 80 bucks. I don’t want too small. I use my C8 but am looking for more flood and throw combo than the C8

I second the flood in the drivers eyes. My thorfire BL3 (something like that) has the 4 cell battery pack with its own charger and I always have to point it down while I am with traffic. It shines in their faces and the rear view mirrors. I get honked at a lot. Great light but can be a little much at certain times. It also wobbles around with the bumpier roads. I will check out them zebralights. Bit pricey but I do have the thorfire VG10-s that may work good enough for now.

It don’t run quite long enough though. Hmmm

I also use a Zebralight on my helmet, and I use a Fenix BC30 Bike light on one bike (2x18650), and a Klarus G20 (1x26650) on another just because I had a spare. I’m not sure if the G20 fits in a twofish mount or not, I have a couple somewhere, but I remember they did support quite a big light. If you’re off road a Fenix TK35 would probably be wonderful, but maybe just a bit much, and I think I would want to secure it with more than a two fish mount. :slight_smile:

Yes, I do it all the time. If I enter a more busy area, I reduce to level 3 of 7. Otherwise I enjoy that I can see around :slight_smile:

If you need to care about opposite traffic, German standard (StVZO) lights need to be found (unfortunately I cannot recommend a given model yet, which fulfills that, but I might want to see around for that later).

A backup option could be Jaxman E2L, because it has some flood, but in a rather narrow angle, which can be pointed downwards, and that TIR optics (Carclo 10507) has less light outside the hotspot, than e.g. BLF A6 or Convoy S2\. 5700K CW 90 CRI is awesome.

I think others here might be better at suggesting from actual experience with something with a larger cell or multiple cells. The 4 cell pack separate from the head sounds like a winner.
I have an S41 with 4 nichia, but it is still a single 18650 which will not power it high long enough.
I have a BLF Q8 which would probably be the LED/battery combo I was thinking of, but I have never tried it on the bike due to its fat body. A Q8 on medium is perfect output though and a bargain.

[quote=StandardBatteryI’m not sure if the G20 fits in a twofish mount or not, I have a couple somewhere, but I remember they did support quite a big light[/quote]

I have a 3 C cell zoomie Ozark trail light and the twofish mount held it pretty securely for such a heavy light. I don’t use that light biking cuz it’s pretty awkward,but i was just curious about it. Do you think if the twofish mount can hold the 3 C light, it could also hold the Klaus G20? That’s single 26650 light correct? I’ve been eyeballing that light for quite a while. I think it would make a good light. How are the run times on the Klarus G20? I won’t be using it on Too high of a mode. Only what’s needed really

cu42 i have the Q8 and i agree with what you said. But yes the fat body is kinda am issue to me for now.

I just bought an Indigo 5 light. It’s a 26650, but specifically designed for cycling with a 3000k 90cri mtg2 emiter for a large hotspot and large spill. Build quality is impecable.

Currently on sale too!

http://indigo.lighting/shop/lights/indigo5

My apologies cu42. I confused myself a little bit about your post of the Q8 on medium.

What do you use to mount your Klaus G20?

Yes, comes with a basic mount and I also purchased the mtb mount for a more secure setup. It uses a boost driver to run the higher voltage emiter off only 1 cell. What is quite unique about the light unlike most other lights is that all modes are fully regulated, so high at 1000 lumens will not step down unless the battery can no longer sustain it. Most lights show off powerful lumens but can’t sustain the output for more than a couple of minutes. The warmer and high CRI tint is very similar to car halogen headlights, best for reducing glare and adding superior definition and clarity on the road. The heart pulse feature is great for city commuting.

I haven’t used mine very much yet, but so far very impressed. The 26650 cell strikes a great balance of longer battery life and still keep the light relatively compact.

I have also owned and used the Fenix BC30r flashlight. Also a great option, but not cheaper and lower color rendering, as well as integrated batteries which is a downside.

Once I have some free time, will try and post a review of the Indigo on BLF.

Not quite a budget light but my Fenix BC30 is damn near perfect for me. The beam pattern is very good, floody and has a decent spot. Supposedly it optimized to not point into other drivers eyes. You can easily dismount it off your bike and it even has a remote for a “burst” mode. It’s nice when you want a bit more distance and for a short period of time. Plus the neutral color is nice.

+1 :+1:

That’s a good idea for the phone :slight_smile:

That’s cool. I’ll have to read or watch your review. If you could PM me or post the link to the review in here that would be awesome! I don’t like the sudden step down. It startles me sometimes idk why.
I was reading up about the indigo that it also has something on it to help keep the light out of oncoming traffics eyes which is neat.

I’ve been using a modded C8s with OP reflector which works well but it doesn’t spill enough or light enough.

I have a monsterflashlight (that’s the brand) that is pretty much a knockoff ultrafire 501b flashlight. If you’re curious I ordered the flashlight from monsterflashlight.com and it is under the budget light area.

350 lumen claimed. 5 modes. Was my first light. It’s all twitchy now. Tried cleaning it and it still does twitch. Pretty old too. But yeah…… oh yeah I used to use that light. That’s why I brought it up. Not bright enough.

My hybrid bike is a Giant brand (I can’t quite remember the exact model at this moment) and the handlebars aren’t aren’t circle like on them bikes you’d get at a Walmart or target.

They are more oval and change thickness from the center to the grips. That’s why I got the Twofish mount. The mounts from amazon or even at the bike shop wouldn’t fit the handles.

Other than the Indigo, does anyone know of any good mounts that will fit different shaped handlebars? That one that came with my old Thorfire C8 is crap (it came with a cell, the mount and charger. Charger also crap).

Thanks

I use a CycleBlock by TwoFish to secure a single mode C8 with a neutral emitter and a DC-Fixed lens .

It doesn’t shift modes when going over rough terrain .

I aim the light down in town and aim it higher out in the country .

I usually get an hour and twenty minutes of runtime with a Panasonic B .

jacktheclipper I have the same mount and sometimes use a stock C8s. About an hour runtime on high mode.
I also do the same when in town. I got the twofish because I was reading on BLF I think about how much better it is than them cheap plastic ones off amazon. Very sturdy mount. Was just curious what others were using.

Do you use protected cells? I use NCR18650B cells protected in my stock C8s lights. Cells often get stuck. :person_facepalming:
But it works.

If you like the idea of a floody TIR beam, but don’t like the idea of blinding drivers, you can get elliptical TIRs that will give you a wide but short beam and angle it slightly downwards. These aren’t available for the Astrolux S41, but you can find them for lights that use standard Carclo optics or even most reflectors.