Headlight shopping
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TriSooner posted 12 weeks ago.
NiteRider is a good brand, go with LED. You want the brightest and longest running one with the fastest re-charge time you can afford. Personally, I like helmet mounted lights b/c when you turn your head to look the light follows you.
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TryScott posted 12 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
Personally, I like helmet mounted lights b/c when you turn your head to look the light follows you.
Does that get you in trouble when checking out chicks that are jogging/walking?
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kylie posted 12 weeks ago.
No, it just allows you to see them better and improves their form as they know they are being watched.
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jrs961 posted 12 weeks ago.
When I went headlight shopping, I was told that there were two types of lights - those that help you to see, and those that help you to be seen.
For me, I needed the second type... I tend to do a lot of early morning riding, and live in a city, and what I found was that with streetlights and other lights from buildings and houses, my eyes adjust quickly and I don't need a light to see things on the ground... Instead my lights are to make sure that cars see me. I went with two Knog Frog lights - and set them to flash. They are flexible and can attach/mount anywhere. The red I hook to the back of my helmet, and I put the white LED on my handlebars.
Another benefit is that they are much less expensive than what you are looking at.
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TryScott posted 12 weeks ago.
jrs961 wrote:
When I went headlight shopping, I was told that there were two types of lights - those that help you to see, and those that help you to be seen.
When I used to live, the city gave off enough light that I could see when running on a golf course an hour before sunrise. Where I live now, I need a light that helps me see.
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TriSooner posted 12 weeks ago.
kylie wrote:
No, it just allows you to see them better and improves their form as they know they are being watched.
Yeah, I have shined my light on people running/walking in the dark and it totally freaks them out. Comes in handy too to get the attention of drivers: A high-intensity LED right through the windshield and they can't say, "Didn't see you." I don't do it on purpose, just a turn of the head or a gaze toward a turning car. Found out later they think you are a cop. Handy!
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TriSooner posted 12 weeks ago.
jrs961 wrote:
These are super awesome: cheap, effective, long-life, nearly water-proof. If you can find them (always sold out at my LBS), stock up on clear and red. They come in handy.
Knog Frog lights
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tritoride28 posted 12 weeks ago.
I have both the see and be seen lights for different bikes. I bought the Niterider Sol LED light and it kicks ass. I lit up a bike path for about 150 yards and the whole path into the tree line in the middle of the night. I bought it at REI b/c I know if i dont like it or want to upgrade, i can just take it back without a problem. I had an issue with a halogen Niterider light, it didnt throw off enough light, and took it back to REI after a year without a problem.
You will also want to grab a taillight. I would get 2 longer lights and put one around each seatstay with alternating patterns to grab attention. Cateye makes a pretty good one that is like 15 bucks, or you can buy it in a pack with a "be seen" headlight.
I am not affiliated with any of these companies, I just like the product.
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Raygir posted 12 weeks ago.
I love my NiteRider MiNewt.X2 Dual and a head lamp (NiteRider SOl) for my Mtn bike rides chasen bunny rabbits around at night.. the 2 lamps on the bars can be focused vertically for longer distance views or spread out side to side for more techincal riding..The head lamp turns where your head is pointed ( hopefully) so a sharp turn is'nt dark until you turn your handle bars,,, They are bright as most car head lights and reasonable $$ compared to the LEDs .. for road riding again the more light the better 2 flashing Red LEDs onthe back ( i have one on the back of my helmet and the other on my seat bag, with some left and right side views.. the occassional night ride might be ok with a battery powered unit but I would buy a recharge-able,,
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Anton posted 12 weeks ago.
Handle bar light AND helmet light here (both cateye)..Love my Frog, too. LED is best and lasts forever...
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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beads1985 posted 12 weeks ago.
Lights on your bike, front and back, so you can be seen and a light on your helmet so you can see some more than just with a headlight.
Either that, or use the force ;-)
However the force doesn't help you check out the chicks
Nothing to it, but to do it
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TryScott posted 12 weeks ago.
Thanks for the suggestions. Tomorrow I plan on ordering 2 NiteRider Sol LED Headlights. It looks like they make one for a helmet, and another one that's $20 cheaper to mount on the bike. I already have a really bright red light for the back.
I'm not happy about it, but I need to start riding when it's dark. I'm looking for suggestions on a headlight. There's a lot to choose from, but I can't imagine what's different about them. The only differences in lights is how bright they are, right?
My gut feeling is to go to http://www.performancebike.com, sort by top sellers, and buy the first one over $100. That appears to be the NiteRider Sol LED Headlight. Or should I get one that has 2 lights?