Does anyone here run a helmet mounted light?

Does anyone here run a helmet mounted light?

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Celtic Dragon

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

235 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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If yes, who makes it and what do you think of it?

I popped down to the Bike show at the Excel centre today with a bit of a shopping list, and 1 of these were on it. Came back empty handed sadly, as there wasn't a lot there.

USE were there and I have to admit to liking the joystick, but at 3 digits, it's a big ask for a limited use light.

. There was another company there, when I told them what I wanted, brushed off their compact light (1000 lumen) I had been looking at and presented me with a 4500 lumen model with a battery pack the size of a brick strapped to a helmet, also the thick end of 300 quid. Nicely built but entirely useless for an adventure race, and already had told them I have twin lamps on the bars running off 2x 22k mah power backs.

CubanPete

3,630 posts

188 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Very dazzling for drivers and other cyclists...

Jimbo.

3,947 posts

189 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I used to. An Exposure (USE) Joystick, funnily enough. I've recently resumed commuting without it (battery died), but can't say I miss it really. From what I recall it didn't really add a lot.

Celtic Dragon

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

235 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
CubanPete said:
Very dazzling for drivers and other cyclists...
For an off road jaunt in Tuscany, so drivers aren't a concern.

Some Gump

12,689 posts

186 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
eBay Cree job is, plus a lump of blu tack and an o ring.
10 quid all in and did me a great service. Can adjust the field of light, to avoid dazzlage.
Just don't leave it on the table at your Le Mans campsite. Some git will lift it.

gazza285

9,810 posts

208 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Some Gump said:
eBay Cree job is, plus a lump of blu tack and an o ring.
10 quid all in and did me a great service. Can adjust the field of light, to avoid dazzlage.
Just don't leave it on the table at your Le Mans campsite. Some git will lift it.
Same here, modified the battery pack so it clips into the rear strap joint of the supplied head harness, then stretched it over my helmet and secured it with small cable ties. Only used off-road though, there's one on the bars for road use.

james7

594 posts

255 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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I got one of these a while ago http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights...
Not used it a lot but it works really well and the battery does what it says. I also use this http://www.mtbbatteries.co.uk/mountain-bike-lights... on the bars. Its kinda like daylight when I go outlaugh

I think it comes with a helmet mount, but I dont use a helmet so cant say what its like.

phil-sti

2,679 posts

179 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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I have a hope R4i on my bars and I use a solarstorm X2 which I have fitted on a go pro mount on my helmet.


BadgerBenji

3,524 posts

218 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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Yes, use either my Hope R1 or R2 with an R4 on the handlebars, it's been a great set up for racing night events. The R2 sits lower so is less clattering in the scenery. They come with a nice long lead, so either stash the battery pack in my Osprey pack or zipped in a jersey pocket. Prefer not having batteries on my helmet, can make it feel heavy.

E65Ross

35,071 posts

212 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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I have an Exposure Race mk9 on the handlebars and a Moon XP600 on my helmet, I usually run the XP600 on its lowest price next to lowest setting.... I use it just for added visibility of me to other drivers,rather than allowing me to see more. My exposure race is 1200 lumens on its top setting which is enough.

Chirpsean

55 posts

133 months

Sunday 14th February 2016
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I have an exposure link on my helmet for commuting, constant white on the front and the pulse mode rear. I run it on its lowest power setting and its bright enough to be seen but no so bad it dazzles. USB charging, low weight and well made.

ecsrobin

17,117 posts

165 months

Monday 15th February 2016
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I have an exposure Diablo with a red eye mounted on it for the rear light. Brilliant light I have it angled low to stop any dazzle but on the odd time a car has tried to pull out a quick lift of the head stops them so in my eyes it's a great bit of kit that's kept me on 2 wheels.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

210 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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I think you'll have 18-20hrs of light each day so wouldn't go mad. I'd defo need to rest for at least 4hrs each night.

But to cover myself for dusk/dawn/dark forest bits I'd use my remote battery 1000lm bar jobby (Nitefighter BT40s) with 2 battery packs for about 18hrs of power on Low-Medium, with my Lezyne USB 400lm bar/helmet light as a back up (+ one of thoese battery pack things). Enough for the 3 days riding.

Unless you're happy to splash out on Exposure or a Dynamo set up, Gearbest sell decent Nitefighter lights. Much better than 1st gen Chinese tat. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery though.


Celtic Dragon

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

235 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
quotequote all
Richard, the 2 powerbanks will give me 22 hours at 300 lumens and 7 hours at 1200 (2 lights and 2 powerbanks). I've gone for this on recomendation from others. Apparently when your are near towns or the coast, your OK on lowish powers, but like the area you live, as soon as you leave the towns behind its pitch black. you have just reminded me I need to put the beam spreaders in.

I want the helmet light for when I turn my head to look round a corner, as the first 200 kms are the worst as they are hike a bike and singletrack. Once out of the moiuntains, then you're on the Strade Bianche or tarmac. I know with my avg speed where I'll be when the sun goes down, and it won't be where I want to sleep.


I'm aiming for 14 - 18 hours awake (not riding time, so I can eat!), and sleeping for the rest of it.