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Bike light question: Flashing or Constant?

2

Comments

  • #32
    Traumadoc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,521 ✭✭✭Traumadoc


    Flashing lights are far more effective in drawing attention, warning of danger, thats why they are on slow moving vehicles ( amber flashing lights)


  • #33
    CheGuedara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,032 ✭✭✭CheGuedara


    Traumadoc wrote: »
    Flashing lights are far more effective in drawing attention, warning of danger, thats why they are on slow moving vehicles ( amber flashing lights)

    169805_1f2f67b4.jpg

    +


    bicycle%20dynamo.jpg = Safe cycling?


  • #34
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,937 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    Is Flashing vs Constant the new Helmet thread?


  • #35
    Jip
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,418 ✭✭✭Jip


    GreeBo wrote: »
    What is it with people who will use a red light on the front or white on the back...are they just mad?

    At least they made some sort of effort, unlike the guy I came across n the dark last night along the North Road in the Phoenix Park with nothing whatsoever, no lights, reflective material on clothing or even reflectors on his bike. He blended right into the darkness.


  • #36
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,053 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    tomasrojo wrote: »
    Is Flashing vs Constant the new Helmet thread?

    Seems like lol.

    I'm surprised we've not seen some euro neon lights yet.


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  • #37
    CheGuedara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,032 ✭✭✭CheGuedara


    Jip wrote: »
    At least they made some sort of effort, unlike the guy I came across n the dark last night along the North Road in the Phoenix Park with nothing whatsoever, no lights, reflective material on clothing or even reflectors on his bike. He blended right into the darkness.

    Yea, I think everyone'll agree bike ninjas are bad (m'kay)


  • #38
    bob123456
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 133 ✭✭bob123456


    Is the Q-Lite QL-257 too much?




  • #39
    CheGuedara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,032 ✭✭✭CheGuedara


    ... 'subtle' subliminal messaging kicking in.... must purchase Garmin 705 then post on that credit card thread.... ...and blame bob123456 for the whole thing....


  • #40
    72hundred
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,333 ✭✭✭72hundred


    CheGuedara wrote: »
    I find as a motorist that the constant rear red is much more useful in judging the distance of a cyclist travelling in the same direction. That said I have seen lads with small lights (knog frogs?) on the seat stays give a good outline of a cyclists position flashing or otherwise.

    I definitely find this as well. So my solution was two lights, one flashing and one continuous. Only problem is that it eats AA batteries in the winter months to keep a OK level of brightness. I was half thinking of getting a 18650 Li-Ion charged back light for powerful light and cheaper to recharge.


  • #41
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    I use a constant front and two constant rear (a Smart 1/2 watt attached to the panniers, and a Blackburn Mars 3 attached to the seat post).

    My thinking is that AAA batteries are cheaper than health insurance, never mind hospital fees, so I use my lights on heavily overcast days, or any time that is near dusk or dawn. At night, I also clip a reflective LED band at ankle level around each leg, and they flash.

    When I'm driving or cycling, I generally find that flashing lights make it difficult to judge distances, particularly if the cyclist is in dark clothes, and that you are often much closer to the flashing lights than you think you are.

    Relative to the consquences of not having them, bicycle lights are really cheap. I have very little time for people who don't use them.


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  • #42
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,475 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    72hundred wrote: »
    I definitely find this as well. So my solution was two lights, one flashing and one continuous. Only problem is that it eats AA batteries in the winter months to keep a OK level of brightness. I was half thinking of getting a 18650 Li-Ion charged back light for powerful light and cheaper to recharge.

    Fenix do red diffusers, has to be the ultimate solution for 360 degree visibility.


  • #43
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,053 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    My guide is if any cars have lights on then, I should.


  • #44
    IM0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,390 ✭✭✭IM0


    In my experience most flashing lights are stationary road works things, not the best impression to give a dozy motorist on his way home from the commute.

    Then theres the 'annoyance' factor of flashing ones for people behind you.


  • #45
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,937 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    me@ucd wrote: »
    In my experience most flashing lights are stationary road works things, not the best impression to give a dozy motorist on his way home from the commute.

    Then theres the 'annoyance' factor of flashing ones for people behind you.
    I disagree. I fell off my bike; if my light hadn't been set to flashing I'd be dead. Anyone who leaves their light set to constant is a fool.

    (Just trying to helmetize this thread.)


  • #46
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,053 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    me@ucd wrote: »
    In my experience most flashing lights are stationary road works things, not the best impression to give a dozy motorist on his way home from the commute.

    Then theres the 'annoyance' factor of flashing ones for people behind you.

    I dont get that. do motorists usually drive into roadworks?


  • #47
    coolbeans
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    A good rapidly flashing white LED is the only way to go in my opinion especially in the suburbs where you absolutely have to be seen from a distance. They draw far more attention. The only caveat on this is the RATE of flashing i.e. the flash needs to be rapid to be effective. If the flash is too slow as on some of the cheaper LEDs then constant is safer. I've used (not for long though) a front LED with a flash interval of almost a second which is just plain dangerous and does not a safe light make.


  • #48
    SerialComplaint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,644 ✭✭✭SerialComplaint


    I find that my two white flashers on the front are pretty good at letting other traffic see me. It is not unusual to find that cars moving in the same direction as me pull out to their right, presumably having seen my flashing in their wing mirror.


  • #49
    Dr_Colossus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,280 ✭✭✭Dr_Colossus


    Just an FYI, was in the 2 euro shop on Thomas St on Sat and saw they were selling white LED front lights with a bike mount. Not having a front light since my last one was stolen I bought it to give it a go rather than spending out big money for something similar, for the sake of 2 euro I'm pretty impressed. Takes 4 AAA batters and with 5 LEDs it's pretty bright with a constant, quick flashing and slow flashing setting. Tried it this morning in the dark commuting through the city and could even see the flashes a good few yards ahead on the road.


  • #50
    cdaly_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Civilian_Target wrote: »
    I use my lights on heavily overcast days, or any time that is near dusk or dawn.

    I run my lights (flashing front and rear) any time I'm out, even in bright daylight. They probably don't do much in the bright but I reckon they provide some kind of draw-the-eye thing.


    Rechargeable AA / AAA batteries, one set in the charger, one on the bike...


  • #51
    bob123456
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 133 ✭✭bob123456


    If anyone is buying bike lights (or parts) there is free shipping to Ireland from Amazon atm on orders over 25pounds. Link

    Thinking about going for the Reelight. Reviews

    32€ SL100 | 43€ SL120

    *No Batteries
    *Hard to Steal
    *No taking on and off.

    Product Description
    The Reelight SL120 Power backup flash while your wheels are in motion, crucially they continue to flash for up to 2 minutes after you have stopped thanks to the built-in capacitor which stores current while you are cycling.

    With Reelight, you always have lights on your bike day and night! The permanently fitted magnet lights flash when the wheels rotate and work without the need for batteries.

    When pedalling your bike, friction free Reelight bike lights create their own energy by magnetic induction from the wheel mounted neodymium magnets, powering high efficiency flashing LEDs.

    These lights can't fail on you like battery powered systems, therefore they also make a great set of backup safety lights to compliment your setup.


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  • #52
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,937 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    I think the Reelights are ingenious, but I don't like where they (of necessity) position the light. It's too near the ground for my liking.


  • #53
    biker_joe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 485 ✭✭biker_joe


    I am going to purchase some High powered front light .. am wondering if anyone has brought the set of Airbike lights from Planet-x ?

    Good price for the amount of lumens, compared to some of the Exposure joystick models...

    http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Airbike.html

    Biker Joe


  • #54
    Gavin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,660 ✭✭✭Gavin


    Might be better off with the Magicshine
    http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25149

    Plenty of reviews of both on the lighting forum of mtbr.com


  • #55
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,054 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    If you check up on it, it is a requirement of every vehicle in Ireland (including cyclists) to read and obey the rules of the road. The rules of the road state that a cyclist must have a constant front white light and a constant rear light at all times that visibility is in anyway diminished for any other road users eg night time, bad weather etc. I know this because I had to go to court after getting hit and found this out on reading. Those who say flashing lights are better because they grab more attention maybe disappointed to know that if they are hit by a car and a gardai witnesses the flashing light they will be perceived to be in wrong as they are not obeying the rules of the road and are therefore in the wrong, probably wouldn't come up if you get hit but just in case.


  • #56
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,506 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    CramCycle wrote: »
    If you check up on it, it is a requirement of every vehicle in Ireland (including cyclists) to read and obey the rules of the road. The rules of the road state that a cyclist must have a constant front white light and a constant rear light at all times that visibility is in anyway diminished for any other road users eg night time, bad weather etc. I know this because I had to go to court after getting hit and found this out on reading. Those who say flashing lights are better because they grab more attention maybe disappointed to know that if they are hit by a car and a gardai witnesses the flashing light they will be perceived to be in wrong as they are not obeying the rules of the road and are therefore in the wrong, probably wouldn't come up if you get hit but just in case.

    http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/dempsey-signs-bike-legislation-into-law-439849.html


  • #57
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,054 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Bad times, sorry for the misinformation, it was right when I got hit.


  • #58
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,506 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    CramCycle wrote: »
    Bad times, sorry for the misinformation, it was right when I got hit.

    No need to apologize, they only introduced it recently. I just wish they would clamp down more on people with NO lights.


  • #59
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,053 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    DirkVoodoo wrote: »
    No need to apologize, they only introduced it recently. I just wish they would clamp down more on people with NO lights.

    Too true. There's an awful of ninjas out there on bikes.


  • #60
    coggs
    Closed Accounts Posts: 50 ✭✭coggs


    i got a fellow cyclist give out to me , that my front lights where too bright ?


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  • #61
    irishmotorist
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,268 ✭✭✭irishmotorist


    Sounds strange. Was he in front of you and frightened by his shadow or on the opposite side and shouted at you?


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