Im looking for a headlight for my specialized. Doesn’t need a blinking mode I am fine with a steady only. I have a 504b that came with a drop in and that lights up the road awesome but I’m not sure if that is the best to use. I was also just holding it with my hand too. So I need a recomendation on a light and a handlebar mount. At least a hour run time
The ultrafire h6 has gotten some good reviews. But, I believe that’s all flood, no reflector. From what I’ve read, you want floody stuff on your bars, and more throwy stuff on your head. But, being an xml, it’s still going to have some throw just because of the sheer amount of lumens. But, I’m really just using this as a way to bump your post, I’m not very experienced in headlamps right now. I really wish there was a headlight section of BLF :(.
Actually, it has a reflector, so it’d be a pretty good headlight!
I really like my Shiningbeam Blaze on the handlebars on my bike, floody and with good throw.
Have also 2 504b:s and they are good but the Blaze is better and have more mass, so it handles the heat better when run for longer periods of time.
The Blaze is on clearance sale for $30 now, a really great light!
Search for Fenix bike mount, it says to be good for $12.
I use cheapo velcromounts for a couple of dollars each from kaidomain, two separate models for bars resp. helmet.
I’ve been looking at the Shadow BL-21 that International Outdoor has. I’ll probably buy it in August so that I’ll have it for the fall when it starts to get dark earlier.
It’s cheaper than any equivalent bike light at the bike shops, and being a somewhat hard driven XM-L it’s sure to be brighter too. I’m looking to have it on my mountain bike too, so having the battery pack separate is a good thing.
Also it looks like the battery pack has it’s 18650’s in parallel, so it’ll be easy for me to make my own battery packs with higher mAh if I wanted to.
That's a really nice looking light, long run time at a great price. Several of my cycling buddies have them on order for the upcoming night riding season. I have more than enough flashlights now, otherwise I'd pick one up too.
After a bit of testing, I’ve decided I don’t really care for as much throw as the typical bike light has (just based off reflector sizes - I don’t have any real bike lights) I use a pair of triple xpgs with 20mm elliptical optics, but I think a couple UF-2100 or equivalent light and the cheapo lockblocks would do the job admirably. I’m a fan of having two lights not only for redundancy, but to extend runtime by running both on medium.
You might want to check out e123’s 2100’s! They are a little more expensive though, but it’s if you wan’t to be able to use it as a flashlight on with your hand, like walking around.
You're right, mitro. My old P7 Strykr had a big reflector and it was almost too much flood in most situations. My rig this year will be bar mounted flashlights: Shadow JMo7 on one side for flood, TrustFire A8 on the other side for throw.
This one is new and looks interesting
http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-uf22b-cree-xml-t6-lamp-1500lumen-3mode-bicyclelightheadlight-418650-battery-pack-inlcuded-p-10869
My friends showed up with their new BL21s at last nights ride - what a sweet light. Great quality, extremely bright, beam profile just like my JM07, in other words, perfect for cycling. Modes nicely spaced, except for the damn strobe. You can't beat this for $55.
I like a medium beam on the bars and a more throwy light (not a really tight spot) on my helmet to see where my head is pointed(around switchbacks etc.). I’ve heard good things about twofish blocks for as barmounts. I use Vistalites modded for led’s myself.
Awesome, that’s great to hear. I will definitely be getting one.
You should try updating the strykr for an XML if you can. I just updated my Gemini P7 to XML. Like you I used to think it provided too much flood, mainly as it had such a wide weak spill. After using it with an XML I started noticing things I didn’t before with flashlights and the old Gemini P7 emitter. With a stronger XML spill it’s really nice, gives you a peripheral vision and you can simply see more. It kind of makes nightriding with flashlights alone kind of dull as there’s just too much tunnel vision and it’s a little claustrophobic by comparison. My favourite combination now is the JM07 with Gemini Titan bike light.
So now I have a dilemma, do I try and match the beam with 2 floodly flashlights at slight angles? Or I could get another magic shine clone and get a really awesome wide bright spill and enjoy the scenery, but have less reason to buy more flashlights. :~