Chinese lights on ebay
Discussion
bulldog5046 said:
I'll give this one my personal recommendation:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4X-CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-...
For the money i was staggeringly impressed. Well machined alu case, bright as i needed for riding unlit trials at night and sooo cheap! been tempted to get a second one just because they are so cheap, not that i need the extra output!
I also run a Cree light. Superb light, but the pouch that carries the battery isn't up to much. Mine fell apart after about three weeks. I just tape it onto the stem now. Still a great light though. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4X-CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-...
For the money i was staggeringly impressed. Well machined alu case, bright as i needed for riding unlit trials at night and sooo cheap! been tempted to get a second one just because they are so cheap, not that i need the extra output!
richardxjr said:
Same here.
Much better than the single T6 XML and no need for a third party diffuser lens.
Said XML has been relegated to helmet mount for off road though, perfect combination.
I like that plan, will have to find a head mount :-) Much better than the single T6 XML and no need for a third party diffuser lens.
Said XML has been relegated to helmet mount for off road though, perfect combination.
Offroading recommences tonight after a long break (illness, christmas, new year, etc) I've got ten miles on my new mtb and I think its time for it to get muddy!
Silver940 said:
Devil2575 said:
Just ordered a Solar Storm X3.
Estimated delivery Friday 10th.
got one for Chistmas, seems good but not actually managed to get out mountain biking with it in the dark yet!Estimated delivery Friday 10th.
Watchman said:
Exactly which £20 - £20 lights are you starting with?
I have 2x of these on mine with the optional prismic lens, and nothing else.
I can see almost as well as I can in broad daylight. Hard to imagine a more cost effective solution. Check back on Amazon from time to time because I got my last lot (I've got 6 on different bikes now) for just over 13 quid each (plus a fiver for each prismic lens).
I've got one of these with the standard clear lens and you're right, it's fantastic. Dark cycle path on the way home (ex railway line) is lit up beautifully. Contrary to some other commenters on this site, I do use the strobe setting (even though it gives me a headache). I have yet to experience a better way of getting noticed in traffic; cars will move out from the kerb to let me past with it flashing and pedestrians can't miss it either. I have 2x of these on mine with the optional prismic lens, and nothing else.
I can see almost as well as I can in broad daylight. Hard to imagine a more cost effective solution. Check back on Amazon from time to time because I got my last lot (I've got 6 on different bikes now) for just over 13 quid each (plus a fiver for each prismic lens).
bakerstreet said:
I also run a Cree light. Superb light, but the pouch that carries the battery isn't up to much. Mine fell apart after about three weeks. I just tape it onto the stem now. Still a great light though.
My pouch and battery are still fine, however at the price point these are i had intended to upgrade to LiPo packs to run them but it's not really been necessary yet...I was a bit bored last night and decided to order a second one so i can have 2 front mounted on the bike. Complete overkill but entirely awesome!
bakerstreet said:
bulldog5046 said:
I'll give this one my personal recommendation:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4X-CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-...
For the money i was staggeringly impressed. Well machined alu case, bright as i needed for riding unlit trials at night and sooo cheap! been tempted to get a second one just because they are so cheap, not that i need the extra output!
I also run a Cree light. Superb light, but the pouch that carries the battery isn't up to much. Mine fell apart after about three weeks. I just tape it onto the stem now. Still a great light though. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4X-CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-...
For the money i was staggeringly impressed. Well machined alu case, bright as i needed for riding unlit trials at night and sooo cheap! been tempted to get a second one just because they are so cheap, not that i need the extra output!
uncinquesei said:
I've got one of these with the standard clear lens and you're right, it's fantastic. Dark cycle path on the way home (ex railway line) is lit up beautifully. Contrary to some other commenters on this site, I do use the strobe setting (even though it gives me a headache). I have yet to experience a better way of getting noticed in traffic; cars will move out from the kerb to let me past with it flashing and pedestrians can't miss it either.
Ah the death strobe.My only complaint on the solar storm is that the strobe is quite slow. Ludicrously effective though and unlikely to induce epilepsy like my triple cree...
I reserve it for special occasions and it parts traffic like that scene in Bruce almighty....
uncinquesei said:
I've got one of these with the standard clear lens and you're right, it's fantastic. Dark cycle path on the way home (ex railway line) is lit up beautifully. Contrary to some other commenters on this site, I do use the strobe setting (even though it gives me a headache). I have yet to experience a better way of getting noticed in traffic; cars will move out from the kerb to let me past with it flashing and pedestrians can't miss it either.
Ah the death strobe.My only complaint on the solar storm is that the strobe is quite slow. Ludicrously effective though and unlikely to induce epilepsy like my triple cree...
I reserve it for special occasions and it parts traffic like that scene in Bruce almighty....
curtisl said:
The only thing I have noticed is that there is a small flicker when going over bumps but it is a minor.
I had this until I realised you need to really push the connectors together for the battery pack. Maybe its this. It clicks into position, hard to do because its a small diameter.I bought my £30 chinese light 2 years ago and its been excellent both on and off road.
Lasts about 2 hours before there's noticable dimming.
As has been said strobe id very effective in traffic :-)
Solarstorm x2 has a screw-in connector, much better. I put the battery in my saddle pack, the wire is just about long enough. Can't say I approve of using the strobe by the way, far too distracting.
I think I'm going to get a Moon Comet front to match my rear light, for flashing daytime running without having to rig up the x2.
I think I'm going to get a Moon Comet front to match my rear light, for flashing daytime running without having to rig up the x2.
Got my Solar Storm X3 now.
Quite impressive for £35, it's certainly a lot brighter than my other light. It will be used in anger for the first time tonight on my commute home.
Quality wise it's ok. It's not quite there in terms of finish and feels a little bit hand made. Durability wise time will tell.
Quite impressive for £35, it's certainly a lot brighter than my other light. It will be used in anger for the first time tonight on my commute home.
Quality wise it's ok. It's not quite there in terms of finish and feels a little bit hand made. Durability wise time will tell.
Thought I should follow this up.
Light was great last week. Amazing illumination of the road enabling me to go balls out on a road is very badly potholed in places and completely unlit.
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
If anyone has a working light but no battery pack and want to sell me it then let me know.
But for now it's back to the old, dim, but reliable light.
I haven't decided if I want to risk another cheap ebay light or not.
The sad thing is for a few quid more it could be a really good product and still a lot cheaper than the stupidly priced branded ones you get in the shops.
Light was great last week. Amazing illumination of the road enabling me to go balls out on a road is very badly potholed in places and completely unlit.
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
If anyone has a working light but no battery pack and want to sell me it then let me know.
But for now it's back to the old, dim, but reliable light.
I haven't decided if I want to risk another cheap ebay light or not.
The sad thing is for a few quid more it could be a really good product and still a lot cheaper than the stupidly priced branded ones you get in the shops.
Shame that but it is a bit of a lottery. I'd not read anything about the X3s, it's the X2 that I and lots of others use and recommend at the mo. It is usually the battery or charger that goes though so I'd buy an X2 (from a UK seller for £23.95) then you've got a spare battery and charger for that.
richardxjr said:
Shame that but it is a bit of a lottery. I'd not read anything about the X3s, it's the X2 that I and lots of others use and recommend at the mo. It is usually the battery or charger that goes though so I'd buy an X2 (from a UK seller for £23.95) then you've got a spare battery and charger for that.
Agreed. I bought two x2 packs for spares - total cost 60 quid and the spare battery and charger come in handy.
If anything fails, I've got a replacement....
Devil2575 said:
Thought I should follow this up.
Light was great last week. Amazing illumination of the road enabling me to go balls out on a road is very badly potholed in places and completely unlit.
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
If anyone has a working light but no battery pack and want to sell me it then let me know.
But for now it's back to the old, dim, but reliable light.
I haven't decided if I want to risk another cheap ebay light or not.
The sad thing is for a few quid more it could be a really good product and still a lot cheaper than the stupidly priced branded ones you get in the shops.
Crap, I've just ordered one of these.Light was great last week. Amazing illumination of the road enabling me to go balls out on a road is very badly potholed in places and completely unlit.
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
If anyone has a working light but no battery pack and want to sell me it then let me know.
But for now it's back to the old, dim, but reliable light.
I haven't decided if I want to risk another cheap ebay light or not.
The sad thing is for a few quid more it could be a really good product and still a lot cheaper than the stupidly priced branded ones you get in the shops.
I noticed on the ebay seller I bought from, they clearly described the difference between a "real" one and a fake one. The way to tell seemed to be the colour of the circuit board, which should be blue rather than green : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SolarStorm-X3-3-CREE-U2-...
Out of interest what colour was your circuit board?
R32 said:
Devil2575 said:
Thought I should follow this up.
Light was great last week. Amazing illumination of the road enabling me to go balls out on a road is very badly potholed in places and completely unlit.
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
If anyone has a working light but no battery pack and want to sell me it then let me know.
But for now it's back to the old, dim, but reliable light.
I haven't decided if I want to risk another cheap ebay light or not.
The sad thing is for a few quid more it could be a really good product and still a lot cheaper than the stupidly priced branded ones you get in the shops.
Crap, I've just ordered one of these.Light was great last week. Amazing illumination of the road enabling me to go balls out on a road is very badly potholed in places and completely unlit.
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
If anyone has a working light but no battery pack and want to sell me it then let me know.
But for now it's back to the old, dim, but reliable light.
I haven't decided if I want to risk another cheap ebay light or not.
The sad thing is for a few quid more it could be a really good product and still a lot cheaper than the stupidly priced branded ones you get in the shops.
I noticed on the ebay seller I bought from, they clearly described the difference between a "real" one and a fake one. The way to tell seemed to be the colour of the circuit board, which should be blue rather than green : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SolarStorm-X3-3-CREE-U2-...
Out of interest what colour was your circuit board?
You may well be fine. Lots of peiople who have them seem to be happy.
Watchman said:
And it's hard to imagine anyone spending anything up to 20 quid on anything else, quite honestly.
Devil2575 said:
However the light died. First one of the LEDs went out so foolishly I opened it up and a wire snapped, a very cheap piece of wire at that. While trying to repair it it got properly broken so is now in the bin.
This is why people will spend more. I often do 30/40/50 mile rides in the evening, and if my light was to pack up miles from home I'd be in trouble. You pay for the quality.
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