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

I use protected cells .

I have tried the plastic elliptical inserts for my C8 , but found the shard-like artifacts distracting .

I like the beam profile DC-Fix gives me because I don’t like a blinding hotspot , particularly when it.s aimed down .

This sounds like a winner. Intriguing…

Any links?

Interested in which insert you used for C8. Link or model number?

Thanks!

Sure, sorry. I just hate formatting links on BLF. Here is an elliptical triple optic that would work in a triple light such as the Jaxman E2L .

You can also find similar TIRs for single emitter lights that should work in any 1” tube light with a bit of luck.

This Reddit post should give you an idea of the beam patterns that various TIRs, including the elliptical options, can give you.

I’m putting my foot in my mouth a bit now because I can’t seem to find any elliptical optics for quad emitter lights, sorry.

I find the KDIY 5Ks with a XHP50.2 5000K LED and single 26650 to be quite nice. I get about 1,5 hour at 2000+ lumen with a 6000mah keeppower cell. It’s also available in 6500K and 3000K colour temperature, and it’s cheap.

Two UltraTac s20’s and two Olight bike flashlight holders.

Works great for me.

Probably could go with the Nitenumen they are talking about at the link below too. Many modes probably matter less for bike lights. I probably would have gone with these at this $17 price had I not already had the S20s.

I use a custom bracket and some hose clamps. long story though. It’s not very heavy, so I think a twofish mount would work on the G20 quite nicely. I was saying it might not be quite enough for a TK35 though. I’d have to estimate the battery live of the G20 at maybe 2 hours average and up-to 4 depending on how I’m using it. I never run it full turbo most for more that a minute I would say. It’s been long enough for me, when I’m using that one it is often very dark.

I often ride at around 2am cuz i can never sleep and riding my bike on trails and on the back roads helps relax my mind or body for some reason. No street lights at all so I’d need or want some decent light. Wouldn’t need to use the G20 on turbo at all though.

I really like the Q8 for bike riding. I rarely ride on roads to worry about blinding drivers though. My C8.2 and BLF A6 are also great bike lights. The A6 on mode 4 of 7 is around 230 lumens and enough for anything I do. I pack extra lights always but never had any die on 2 hour+ rides.

The less light in the area you’re riding the less light you need. Pitch black is ideal for me.

I find the worst time of night is about 0.5 hours after sunset or before sunrise. Sky is bright which keeps your pupils small, and the ground is dark so you can’t see a thing. Even 1000 lumens doesn’t help much at that time of night.

When dark, I generally like between 200-600 lumens. 600 is more fun, but you’re right that it probably doesn’t help much more than 200. When going through unknown forest trails, I’ll bump it up to 1000+ lumens, but that’s probably just because I’m a wuss so I want to see well ahead of me and around me to the sides.

I haven’t felt the need to use anything brighter than what a 1x18650 light with a single emitter can provide.

A BLF Q8 would be fun, but way overkill IMO.

Agreed :+1: about less light needed for darker areas. My Q8 I have no idea how I’d mount that to my bike or helmet. I’m sure I could figure out a way for the trails. I just think I’d blind the drivers maybe with that much light if I happen to end up on the road. How does the A6 compare to the Thorfire VG10s? I have the VG10s.

How do those S20s compare to those Nitenumen? I read up on those and I’m not crazy about the UI that they come with.
Also any idea how them Olight mounts compare to the Twofish mounts?

My friend has that light and it is very nice! Like you said though, not very budget friendly. I was gonna get it before I was given a thorfire bike light kit. Works well for my mountain bike but it does move up and down on the rough trails.
:+1:

Thanks! I have never used any of these. I might have to do some playing.

I couldn’t resist and got the Nitenumen too. Arrived today. Just in the basement it doesn’t look as bright as the S20s. But one review says it has a longer runtime so it’s probably dialed back some relatively. I got it for the trifecta as seen in the picture below. It has a smooth surface and will be the “throw” torch for the bike to try and catch potholes and roughroad early. Not as precise a spot as I was hoping but it will do. Being that they are all for my bike the UI is pretty moot for me personally. I just turn them on once and ride and then shut them off so it’s not so much a bother. The Nitenumen has 5 mode to go through every time so no way would I use that for an EDC. S20’s I could live with. But I do like the way the Nitenumen feels in hand; good EDC ergonomics.

My third Olight bike mount is coming tomorrow. They are simple, small, and great. Barely any movement. Never had a problem. I have only used them with these compact 18650s lights so I can’t speak for bigger lights. Tried all kinds of different ones and the Olight are the best. Never tried a twofish though.

How do you mount the Q8?

Some 3/4 and 2in conduit hanger bolted together with a locknut. 1 1/2in would work better for the Q8’s size. Old bike inner tube used to not mar the bike frame or light. Would recommend a hanging or sideways orientation so you don’t throw off the center of balance. I can’t say that I notice it the way it is. If you’re trying to ride offroad I’d recommend putting something together using Truss Clamps.

Here it is with the MF01 mounted below and C8.2 on top.(only the MF01 is on)

I’ve seen C8.2 quite a bit on here. What is that? Or what does that mean?

Thanks
Mike

Planning on riding re-purposed rail trail with a MT07, that’s probably going to slip. Thanks for posting though.

Once the ice age ends up here I’m going to try using an aluminum go pro mount bolted to the tube of a bar extender, one of the ones that have an aluminum clamp on both sides of the stem. Then thread a metal camera stud to go pro adapter into the light. The plan is to rest the back half of the light on top of the stem with some padding and snug it down with a velcro strap.

The C8 flashlight has been copied by many companies and is popular with modders. Now they are changing the design a bit and calling it a C8.2.

Single emitter, single 18650 cell with a 40mm+ diameter head.