MTB Winter Lights?
Discussion
Fartomatic5000 said:
These lights are phenomenal - my new hobby is night riding!
I have two on the front, one with a beam widener lens from ebay, PLUS a bright dynamo powered lamp too.
On the back there is one dynamo light, one 0.5Watt thing, and one magicshine 818.
CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?
Yes, they can. Vehicle drivers don't pull out in front of me when I'm approaching, (of course I make sure the lights are not blinding anyone they are pointing maybe 5 meters ahead at the road).
There is absolutely no excuse for anyone not seeing me, my lights are brighter than some cars.
Off road they are great too, as I can angle them up a bit to light up the hedgerows and further down the path.
Just need to sort out some warmer clothes now the evenings are getting cooler.
Which wide angle lens did you buy? Any loss of light from it?I have two on the front, one with a beam widener lens from ebay, PLUS a bright dynamo powered lamp too.
On the back there is one dynamo light, one 0.5Watt thing, and one magicshine 818.
CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?
Yes, they can. Vehicle drivers don't pull out in front of me when I'm approaching, (of course I make sure the lights are not blinding anyone they are pointing maybe 5 meters ahead at the road).
There is absolutely no excuse for anyone not seeing me, my lights are brighter than some cars.
Off road they are great too, as I can angle them up a bit to light up the hedgerows and further down the path.
Just need to sort out some warmer clothes now the evenings are getting cooler.
Matt106 said:
Which wide angle lens did you buy? Any loss of light from it?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280752532003I wouldn't say there is much loss of light as such, it just appears dimmer because the light is spread out more instead of being in a spot. The light on the left of my bars is the original spot (smooth reflector) for lighting up hedgerows, and the one on the right has the beam widener.
If I was using only one light I'd use the beam widener with it.
I'll try to take some photos of the patterns soon.
I also have another light on order with an orange-peel reflector (it's for the wife's bike), so I can compare all three patterns.
Fartomatic5000 said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280752532003
I wouldn't say there is much loss of light as such, it just appears dimmer because the light is spread out more instead of being in a spot. The light on the left of my bars is the original spot (smooth reflector) for lighting up hedgerows, and the one on the right has the beam widener.
If I was using only one light I'd use the beam widener with it.
I'll try to take some photos of the patterns soon.
I also have another light on order with an orange-peel reflector (it's for the wife's bike), so I can compare all three patterns.
Thanks. I've just ordered a couple of these. I wouldn't say there is much loss of light as such, it just appears dimmer because the light is spread out more instead of being in a spot. The light on the left of my bars is the original spot (smooth reflector) for lighting up hedgerows, and the one on the right has the beam widener.
If I was using only one light I'd use the beam widener with it.
I'll try to take some photos of the patterns soon.
I also have another light on order with an orange-peel reflector (it's for the wife's bike), so I can compare all three patterns.
For anyone wanting a wide lens I've found a UK seller, I've got one on order - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wide-Angle-Lens-for-Magi...
They also do a quality looking handlebar mount.
They also do a quality looking handlebar mount.
Matt106 said:
For anyone wanting a wide lens I've found a UK seller, I've got one on order - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wide-Angle-Lens-for-Magi...
They also do a quality looking handlebar mount.
Damn - I did contact this seller based on an older link but they had run out so I ordered off the US seller instead. If I'd waited 2 days...They also do a quality looking handlebar mount.
I've just bought a Cateye Nano Shot Plus, which is 600 lumens, it's a single unit usb rechargeable light and i'm very impressed with it, can't imagine how bright some of these 600+ lumens lights must be!
Also bought one of these for my helmet, http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
Also bought one of these for my helmet, http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/
i have the 1000lm unit. better connections that the DX alternative.
run two of these with a DX trustfire torch on my lid.
my mate who has >£500 of exposure lights is gutted.
all battery packs last my 2.5hr ride with ease. even on continuous full blast
i have the 1000lm unit. better connections that the DX alternative.
run two of these with a DX trustfire torch on my lid.
my mate who has >£500 of exposure lights is gutted.
all battery packs last my 2.5hr ride with ease. even on continuous full blast
My wide angle lenses turned up today from the Ebay seller in the USA (some good feedback is due there, methinks).
They make a MASSIVE difference, it's actually laughable why they aren't standard fitment to be honest.
They are plastic, if that matters. Probably means they'll scratch easily but shouldn't break. Considering putting the glass lens over the top... Maybe not. Would leave the bezel sticking out a bit.
They make a MASSIVE difference, it's actually laughable why they aren't standard fitment to be honest.
They are plastic, if that matters. Probably means they'll scratch easily but shouldn't break. Considering putting the glass lens over the top... Maybe not. Would leave the bezel sticking out a bit.
I've just fitted the beam widener as suggested by Matt106. It makes a MASSIVE difference, well worth £5. I also purchased the handle bar mount from the same seller and it looks like a good bit of kit, the O ring mount was the only weak point on the light.
I'm going to buy a second light to use as a helmet or bar mounted spot light.
I'm going to buy a second light to use as a helmet or bar mounted spot light.
metalsteve said:
I've just fitted the beam widener as suggested by Matt106. It makes a MASSIVE difference, well worth £5. I also purchased the handle bar mount from the same seller and it looks like a good bit of kit, the O ring mount was the only weak point on the light.
I'm going to buy a second light to use as a helmet or bar mounted spot light.
I bought two of the handlebar mounts and they are better than constantly fiddling with the angle after going over big bumps. After I ordered them (at £15 each!) I found another seller on ebay selling them at £8.xx I'm going to buy a second light to use as a helmet or bar mounted spot light.
Can't find that seller again though!
Love these mounts. Expensive but fabulous nonetheless:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magicshine-MJ-6079-Solid...
I previously used Hope quick release mounts the but the new lights I have recently bought have their mounting hole positioned further to the rear, so the QR release doesn't line-up as well. With this in mind I'd like to try these aluminium mounts before I bought... but I'll probably order them anyway.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magicshine-MJ-6079-Solid...
I previously used Hope quick release mounts the but the new lights I have recently bought have their mounting hole positioned further to the rear, so the QR release doesn't line-up as well. With this in mind I'd like to try these aluminium mounts before I bought... but I'll probably order them anyway.
Oh, there's more. This isn't too bad:
http://www.farnhamcycles.co.uk/Shop/p/25499-electr...
This one might need "garage machining" to make it fit nicely. Nice clamp though:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
This type definitely fits my original lights. The positioning of the mounting hole in the light body is different in the new one, so they don't fit as well:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
This is beautifully machined but I don't think I could easily get it to work with the Magicshine. It would have to be mounted sideways, so to get the right left/right sweep, you'd have to bend that arm or make a wedge... bit faffy. And it seems to only fit the 31.8mm middle bit of the handlebars. I would prefer a 22mm fit:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
http://www.farnhamcycles.co.uk/Shop/p/25499-electr...
This one might need "garage machining" to make it fit nicely. Nice clamp though:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
This type definitely fits my original lights. The positioning of the mounting hole in the light body is different in the new one, so they don't fit as well:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
This is beautifully machined but I don't think I could easily get it to work with the Magicshine. It would have to be mounted sideways, so to get the right left/right sweep, you'd have to bend that arm or make a wedge... bit faffy. And it seems to only fit the 31.8mm middle bit of the handlebars. I would prefer a 22mm fit:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
minimoog said:
Ordered mine before you Watchman and I'm still waiting. A packet bounced off the front door back to the sorting office today though which I'm hoping is the light itself...
Light arrived today, sans the O-rings to mount it Pay peanuts etc...
Will have to order some off ebay.
minimoog said:
minimoog said:
Ordered mine before you Watchman and I'm still waiting. A packet bounced off the front door back to the sorting office today though which I'm hoping is the light itself...
Light arrived today, sans the O-rings to mount it Pay peanuts etc...
Will have to order some off ebay.
Is yours the one with the glow-in-the-dark o-ring around the inside of the bezel? Pretty effect when you turn it off, no?
minimoog said:
Watchman said:
Is yours the one with the glow-in-the-dark o-ring around the inside of the bezel? Pretty effect when you turn it off, no?
Yes. Tis v cool The wide-angle lens from Action LEDs went straight in without need for shimming or the like, so pleased with that.
minimoog said:
Light arrived today, sans the O-rings to mount it
Pay peanuts etc...
Will have to order some off ebay.
To be honest the O ring mount isnt great and the light tends to slip on the bars. I bought one of these and its a much better way to mount the light. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261117309059Pay peanuts etc...
Will have to order some off ebay.
I think other types of QR mounts are compatible too.
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