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

Paul321 · 2018-04-20T09:53:15.000Z

Winnowill1984:

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:

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-20T11:57:13.000Z

That’s a good idea for the phone

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-20T12:10:55.000Z

Pavlo:

Mikeadoo:

Pavlo:

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!
Pavlo that’s an interesting light. Does it come with a mount? 130 bucks not too shabby. I’ll consider it. Thank you!
http://indigo.lighting/shop/lights/indigo5

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.

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.

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-20T12:20:48.000Z

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

jacktheclipper · 2018-04-20T12:31:01.000Z

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 .

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-20T12:49:19.000Z

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.

bmengineer · 2018-04-20T13:28:57.000Z

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.

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-20T14:14:54.000Z

bmengineer:

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.

What’s a TIR beam? Carclo?

bmengineer · 2018-04-20T14:45:54.000Z

Lights like the S41 that have multiple emitters use a TIR, a plastic lens that uses the principle of Total Internal Reflection, instead of a normal reflector to focus the beam. Another common option is the Jaxman E2L, the Emisar D4, a custom built Convoy S2+ Triple, etc.

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-20T15:26:35.000Z

Ok thank you for clearing that up for me. I’ll check them out

jacktheclipper · 2018-04-20T16:29:43.000Z

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 .

cu42 · 2018-04-20T17:39:26.000Z

bmengineer:

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.

This sounds like a winner. Intriguing…

Any links?

cu42 · 2018-04-20T17:42:21.000Z

jacktheclipper:

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 .

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

Thanks!

bmengineer · 2018-04-20T18:05:27.000Z

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.

LessDark · 2018-04-20T20:11:34.000Z

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.

chanamasala · 2018-04-20T20:37:21.000Z

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.

Nitenumen compact EDC 18650 light w/USB charging - Amazon deal 18650 Flashlights

I’ve been looking at this new Nitenumen “C8” EDC light ($19.99) on Amazon for about a week… The price was just lowered today to $15.99! …Plus there’s a 5% discount coupon which brings it down to $15.19 (plus tax) So I couldn’t resist any longer and “pulled the trigger” on it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8C71PH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It was a total impulse buy and I probably shouldn’t have done it since I also plan to buy a DQG Tiny 4th this week! :person_facepa…

StandardBattery · 2018-04-20T20:45:27.000Z

Mikeadoo:

StandardBattery:

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.

What do you use to mount your Klaus G20?

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.

Mikeadoo · 2018-04-21T03:11:39.000Z

StandardBattery:

Mikeadoo:

StandardBattery:

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.

What do you use to mount your Klaus G20?

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.

Jtm94 · 2018-04-21T07:38:46.000Z

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.

WalkIntoTheLight · 2018-04-21T11:46:47.000Z

Jtm94:

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.