WTB (UK) First Flashlight - mainly for bike and walking use.

I am not a super big biker but it seems the consensus for a long time was …Two lights .
I run a piece of junk that I’m willing to have stolen on my bars in a pretty tightly cranked down 3$ mount . Something with some throw like an old P-60 ultra fire and then wear a Boruit D10 with the head strap fully loosened around my neck .
Multiple budget lights seems to solve multiple problems and can be used for walking the dog , riding and lots of activities where you need your hands free .
Basically two ten dollar lights …$15 if they’re modded for tint or cri.

Riding seems to be a place I’m not terribly concerned with a fancy user interface or needing anything more than “ good enough”

For me the bike is a good place to put a beater light

Convoy S21A

Big batt, hi-cri led , boots driver, 26$.

Wurkos fc11 or fc12.

i would get a $27 4-18650 battery bike light from amazon

then a convoy s2+ for flashlight use

wle

Thanks all for the advice. Hopefully someone has something like this for sale :slight_smile:

Probably useful to add, at this current point, I’ve got an a amazon cheap bike set of lights which have done me well, and will be absolutely fine for the next 3/4 months worth of weather and a head torch, but in the UK the sun will be gone by say, 4-5pm in November-January.

So there’s not much rush on this one, but would rather buy something that works, as I’m sure you’re aware there’s a lot of rubbish when it comes to torches if you don’t know what you’re looking for and pick the first thing from eBay!

Great point - so prior to being told about this site and running through the initial posts, I wouldn’t have even known what Throwy meant!

Prior to this, we’re talking the cheap mass produced zoom lights, probably with lumen ratings that absolutely were not the true lumen ratings, so ANYTHING would be an upgrade I assume here.

Switch positioning really isn’t too much of an issue at all, and previous lights have been more on the colder light side of things.

In terms of the rain, waterproof isn’t a need, but British weather would disctate that some durability would be great, so yes biking/walking in rain would be happening there.

Zoom able - I can take this or leave this.

I think overall, for now, just something to cover a first “real” light, to dip my toes in the water. I don’t need cutting edge or massively over powered, moreso something dependable and something that I can pick up and go, but as above, I think anything from here would be a marked improvement from my previous ones. Hopefully this helps, but please feel free to ask more.

Firstly, the generosity is much appreciated! i think this is the kind of thing I’m looking for, just something light and nifty, for an everyday carry in certain lights/times.

Thanks for joining the party, Haines1997!

Wow, you must be from the past.

Just wait until you hear about the pandemic--it'll blow your mind!

I second the Convoy S21A w/ B35AM 4500K. Wonderful light.

If you get a 60 degree TIR lens with it, and/or put a little dc-fix on the lens, even better. Very smooth and pleasant light.

IMO you cannot go wrong with an FC11. It’s the default recommended flashlight here, on reddit, and elsewhere for a reason. It’s available on amazon for cheap and does everyday things very well. You should own one anyway :slight_smile:

After that if you find it lacking or you want something more specific for purpose, dig into the hobby rabbit hole.

For me now best bike flashlight for handlebar or helmet is Wildtrail WT3M with XHP50.2. Very compact and powerful flashlight. Body design it is very good. Only driver electronics can fault, one of mine have defective A17DD chip and I just remove it. Also charger IC doesn’t work anymore but I don’t need it anyway because I use external charger. I hope Wildtrail to make another WT3M or WT4M with better driver.
Aslo Convoy S21D or M21B are also good for biking. Now I prefer 21700 flashlight over 18650 because they can fit without problems in most bike mounts and also you have higher battery capacity. Good choice is also Sofirn IF25A. Many people over mtbr.com like it for night riding.
Also I think to try new Wurkkos DL10R for biking. Simple and powerful ring control. For EDC it is not very practical because lower mode is 600 lumens. I am also tested most of my lights with bike.

Another potential silly/new person question. Obviously some of the ones from AliExpress have model that you can choose to come with the 18000 battery. Is this wise to do, or are there particular brands to buy in terms of those?

Thanks all!

I think it anyone has an FC11 for sale in the UK (otherwise I’ll go via the Ali express route, that’s looking like a strong contender.

The FC11 is a nice general purpose light, but it isn’t ideal for use with a bike, since it has a timed stepdown from turbo (it decreases output regardless of temperature, though turbo can be reactivated manually). That’s not something you’d want while riding a bike, where you can take advantage of excellent cooling.

I would get a dedicated bike light, for example the Astrolux BL03, as it has a special dual beam, a big battery capacity, and doesn’t step down.

Hmm, some question to answer.
Where you ride (do you need light for lighting your roud and how wide beam must be), how fast you ride (how far lighting must reach or how many seconds you can see forward)?
In youtube are videos what lighting used when in night downhill rided.

One question more: how long it must last between charges or must there be replacable battery.

any $30 bike light with 4 18650s on amazon, will work fine for me

it will run about 45 min on high, then it steps down

i would like to go at least 15 mph in the dark

i like to ride up to 2 hours

usually the next to highest level will last that long
and usually it is enough light

the wurkos fc11 is ok
it;s very long for pocket/edc though
and the battery will not last long enough for me on high

i would get something like this

Amazon.com%224+18650%22&qid=1655843752&sprefix=bike+light+4+18650+%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-28

wle

So, for now I’ve ended up with the FC11 - given they had a very good offer on it.

I’ve already got one bike light, so this will be an extension of that, but thanks everyone for their thoughts!

If anyone in the UK has one of the Convoy S2s (or similar), I’m all ears for this. Thanks!

“I’ve had all the rubbish torches and was sent here as a good start…”

“So, for now I’ve ended up with the FC11 – given they had a very good offer on it. ”

Congrats… and now you have another rubbish torch…. :smiley:

Hahah, hopefully better than the £4-5 zoomies off Amazon I’d been using.

Any alternatives? :slight_smile:

Welcome Haines!

Where abouts in the UK are you?