Light Recommendations (formerly Front Light For Dark Country) Road Commute

ednwireland · 10-11-2009 3:15pm

trinewbie wrote: »

How long did it take for your order to be shipped dude? mine has been stuck in 'processing' state since last Thursday, Ive emailed them but no response.

mines been there for a few days as well

Sunday Spins · 11-11-2009 9:16am

http://fonarevka.lux-rc.com/

Click on the different torch names .... not sure if you have this already

Apologies if u do

Stokolan · 11-11-2009 9:54am

I oreder one from dealextreme on the 16th of October, It only arrived yesterday. which is nearly 5 weeks for delivery.

ednwireland · 11-11-2009 10:09am

Stokolan wrote: »

I oreder one from dealextreme on the 16th of October, It only arrived yesterday. which is nearly 5 weeks for delivery.

3.5 weeks ?

Stokolan · 11-11-2009 5:33pm

ednwireland wrote: »

3.5 weeks ?

You would be right. I dont know how I got 5. Maybe the light blinded me enough that I couldnt make out the calendar

Home:Ballyhoura · 11-11-2009 6:03pm

Hi guys, I bought a Fenix TK11 a while back and so far I'm happy enough with it. However, it is not as bright as I had expected it to be. I mean don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic light and lights up pitch black roads OK and all but I just still don't have the amount of visibility and therefore confidence when cycling in the dark. I know it is a fairly throwy light and maybe I need something with more of a flood beam...I actually came across this light (on DealExtreme and another site called GeoMan) which I saw "The tax man" has too...it seems to fit the bill alright.

However, I have been reading crap reviews of DealExtreme and it is really putting me off making an order with them (especially as this light is considered more of a gamble than something like the Fenix, and can often be faulty or go wrong somehow). This means I might have to use their returns procedure at some stage which appears to be run by a bunch of cowboys (I was reading here, many more examples where that came from too) who don't put you right very well and not with great speed either. DX have it for €55, GeoMan is €71 (with an option of an extra battery included for €102). My question is do ye think it is worth the extra €16 and get it from a more reliable source?

Gavin · 11-11-2009 6:14pm

Does that Geoman price include delivery as well..? Probably best to go with Geoman for peace of mind. I got the dealextreme one (which has finally arrived, woohoo!) as I ain't too bothered if I have to send it back.

Home:Ballyhoura · 11-11-2009 7:01pm

Ya, price includes delivery alright. It's not a huge difference but it just doesn't seem like the ridiculous good value that you think of when looking at €54.55 delivered from DX. Plus, if I get caught for customs, the difference is increased further...although fingers crossed I won't if I do decide to go for it!

How do you find it anyway, happy enough? Got any pictures, videos or other lights to compare it to? I wouldn't mind sending back my one either if there was something wrong with it, it's just that they seem to mess about with you a little if you decide to do this (judging by reviews on the web anyway!). However I presume the build quality would be the exact same from both places would it? The only real difference I can see it 5 modes versus 3 modes...would there be any other differences do you think?

blorg · 11-11-2009 9:10pm

I would think there is a slightly higher chance of being caught for duty+VAT buying from Geoman. Have never bought from them but in my general experience of buying from the US vs HK the latter seems safer (in that regard.) Just my hunch. Why don't you buy it and let me know how it works out

To be honest though I would move fast one way or the other, customs tend to up their game coming up to Christmas.

Gavin · 11-11-2009 9:55pm

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Ya, price includes delivery alright. It's not a huge difference but it just doesn't seem like the ridiculous good value that you think of when looking at €54.55 delivered from DX. Plus, if I get caught for customs, the difference is increased further...although fingers crossed I won't if I do decide to go for it!

How do you find it anyway, happy enough? Got any pictures, videos or other lights to compare it to? I wouldn't mind sending back my one either if there was something wrong with it, it's just that they seem to mess about with you a little if you decide to do this (judging by reviews on the web anyway!). However I presume the build quality would be the exact same from both places would it? The only real difference I can see it 5 modes versus 3 modes...would there be any other differences do you think?

Don't have any photos yet, will do it properly soon. Only advantage of Geoman is the 5-modes and a better customer service if the yoke arrives dead.

Lumen · 11-11-2009 10:07pm

Thanks to RflynnR's misordering, I'm now running twin B&M Ixon IQs. The results are satisfactory. I think I'm using about 5W (1.5Vx2.4Ahx8 cells/5hr runtime) compared to about 3.5W with a single TK11 (3.6Vx2.4Ahx1 cell/2.5hr runtime), although my Fenix is still out of action so I can't compare the outputs.

Must get out for one of these group evening spins soon.

Gavin · 11-11-2009 10:27pm

Geezer in work warned me about dual lights, if they are side by side on the bars. He said he heard of motorbikers who had modified their bikes to enable two full lamps on either side of the front forks.

In the pitch black, cars assumed that the oncoming motorbike was actually a car far away, would pull out and the biker go into the car.

blorg · 11-11-2009 10:35pm

@Gavin- what are the 3 modes on your light? 900/500/strobe? A "200" mode as on the 5 mode could be useful for longer distance maybe, although for that I would prob just use the TK11 anyway.

Lumen · 11-11-2009 10:38pm

Gavin wrote: »

Geezer in work warned me about dual lights, if they are side by side on the bars. He said he heard of motorbikers who had modified their bikes to enable two full lamps on either side of the front forks.

In the pitch black, cars assumed that the oncoming motorbike was actually a car far away, would pull out and the biker go into the car.

Lordy, I'd better buy another one then.

Gavin · 11-11-2009 11:09pm

blorg wrote: »

@Gavin- what are the 3 modes on your light? 900/500/strobe? A "200" mode as on the 5 mode could be useful for longer distance maybe, although for that I would prob just use the TK11 anyway.

Yeah 900/500/strobe. The strobe is pointless alright, 200 would have been far more useful, but I'll probably only be using it offroad so for me it's handy enough.

Mounted low on the road bike, on the fork perhaps, 500 could be ok to not blind oncoming cars. Apparently over 5 hours on 500 is pretty good.

Home:Ballyhoura · 11-11-2009 11:13pm

blorg wrote: »

To be honest though I would move fast one way or the other, customs tend to up their game coming up to Christmas.

Thats a very good point to make to be honest, however I feel I might even have left it a bit too late to order. Most people are saying it takes around a month to arrive, and at that rate it would be two weeks before Christmas, I'm sure the exact time when the customs people will be on the top of their game! Oh no, what to do...and I don't really want to wait until after Christmas to get it either.

Also blorg, the MagicShine had been tested to actually to produce only 500-600 lumens at max output and not the claimed 900, so at this rate of over estimation I would guess that the "500 lumen setting" would actually be a bit closer to 300 or thereabouts. At least that is a bit closer to the 200 setting you were looking for and they reckon you get around five hours out of this setting, which I would presume should be plenty for most night cycles, but, you never know with blorg! If not, go with geoman and get the one with the extra battery pack (and the more setting including the actual 200 setting you were originally looking for)!

One quick question, what do ye guys do with handlebar mounted lights to prevent the cables getting in their way (by this I mean in their path where the light shines). I'm not really worried about losing light or anything its just that the light is reflected back up towards my face into my eyes and is very distracting. It also takes away from the actual illumination out front on the road as it appears to be not as bright. When I pull the cables away with my hand for a moment it is much better, but I was wondering if there was any other trick to solve this minor yet very annoying problem?

blorg · 11-11-2009 11:25pm

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

but I was wondering if there was any other trick to solve this minor yet very annoying problem?

Yes, very simple, Di2 or at a lower budget new Ultegra sorts that problem. Seriously though I have both cableless (new Ultegra and fixed) cockpits and the old DA/Ultegra/105 and it honestly has never been a problem. You get a slight shadow on the immediate road from your wires.

congo_90 · 12-11-2009 1:01am

The tax man wrote: »

No ordered it through Ebay. Coming from Hong Kong.10-14 days delivery time.:( Seller claims no one has been hit for customs,looking through feedback it seems no one has....yet.

Hey I know this post is old but how is that light working out for you?
I've a small led light I use for travelling along street lit areas but I find that when on country roads (during my commute, always at night) that fails to deliever.
Is this light still reliably working for you? If so I'm going to buy one. Been relying on moonlight and the dimness of my little led light which I'll keep on for flashing mode

Edit,
Missed your last post a few days ago! never mind

The tax man · 12-11-2009 1:57am

Sorry Congo,can't really give an update on reliability due to an injury keeping me off the bike. It's still lighting up the back garden successfully though.:D

Last spin I had on the bike I had the Ay-Ups on the bike,which BTW is another excellent light system. Coming down from the viewpoint in the wet, at times I wished I had the Magicshine on the bike just to light up the road in front a bit more.

congo_90 · 12-11-2009 2:01am

I saw those ay-ups in action on another cyclist bike before.
Personally I wouldn't shell out 130 for lights as I don't get enough use. My darkest part of the journey is around 15-20mins so in between I can use my little light + magic shine. I'll check out funds then make a move. (have a few birthdays coming up).

trinewbie · 12-11-2009 12:36pm

keith_d99 wrote: »

Yeah took about a week to change from processing to shipped

Cheers dude.still no progess with my order and no response to emails.real sh1tty customer service.did you get an email when it was shipped with a tracking numBer and shipping confirmation?

trinewbie · 13-11-2009 5:41pm

Did anyone who ordered from dealextreme get a confirmation email when their order was shipped? Nothing has changed with my order status and I cant get an email response from them -

Gavin · 13-11-2009 5:52pm

trinewbie wrote: »

Did anyone who ordered from dealextreme get a confirmation email when their order was shipped? Nothing has changed with my order status and I cant get an email response from them -

It takes ages, you just have to wait.

keith_d99 · 13-11-2009 5:54pm

I did get an email when the order shipped which contained a tracking number.

I had emailed them before that and had no reply either. As far as I know - the way DealExtreme work is that they wait for the orders to build up before ordering from their suppliers.

No easy - but try and be patient. Ordering from them is frustrating to say the least - but it will come!

trinewbie wrote: »

Cheers dude.still no progess with my order and no response to emails.real sh1tty customer service.did you get an email when it was shipped with a tracking numBer and shipping confirmation?

ednwireland · 14-11-2009 12:01am

tracking no. just appeared on my magicshine order

Gavin · 14-11-2009 1:40pm

5 mode just arrived at dealextreme
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30864

blorg · 14-11-2009 3:26pm

Gavin wrote: »

5 mode just arrived at dealextreme
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30864

Cheers for that, just ordered it.

Home:Ballyhoura · 14-11-2009 5:26pm

Gavin wrote: »

5 mode just arrived at dealextreme
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30864

Thanks aswell! Just ordered mine too, and an added bonus is that is is a UK plug...wohoo! I had the older 3 mode one in my cart just lastnight about to make the order but for some reason I just decided to leave it. So glad I did now. Cheers! It will be interesting who receives theirs first and who gets caught by customs! Haha, I will keep ye updated!

Captain Havoc · 14-11-2009 6:02pm

This is my one. €129 from LBS. She strong, 1840 lux is written on the box.

72hundred · 14-11-2009 6:11pm

How do you tell when the battery is charged on the new 5-mode http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30864 ? Can't see an indicator light on either the battery pack or charger plug.

EDIT: Is that it there on the bottom left of the back of the plug - http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_30864_7.jpg ?

Home:Ballyhoura · 14-11-2009 8:34pm

blorg wrote: »

Cheers for that, just ordered it.

Hey blorg...I'm not sure but I think we could have made a mistake by our rushed decision! On the old 3 mode version there were two models, this one and this one. The only difference between them is 82¢ and the first (less popular) had "Circuitry:Digital Regulated 1000mA Current Output" and the second (most popular and generally referred to as "THE" DealExtreme MagicShine) had "Circuitry:Digital Regulated 2400mA Current Output". I actually read here and I think somewhere else aswell that the first 1000mA version wouldn't be as good and would be less bright, but would keep cool better during operation. The worrying thing was that it was suggested that it's only half as bright.

Well, how does this apply to us with our 5 mode versions I hear you ask...the thing is that those are that 1000mA version too. And I don't even think there will be a bike mount included! It says it is a headlamp and not advertised as a bike light as before...no mention of bike mounts neither are they seen in the pictures! It just says 1 x Head Strap.

OMG what have I done...have I made a big mistake in my excitement that DX got the 5 mode version in? Or am I wrong and will it be grand? What would ye do (and blorg, what are you going to do?)...is it time to go and look for a way to cancel the order? Please let me know asap, cheers!

EDIT: Oh, and I meant to say I intend to use this as a bar light as I already have a helmet light. Also, even the more legit one on GeoMan is the 2400ma version

blorg · 14-11-2009 8:57pm

I am not sure how accurate DX is on a lot of these things... I am going to relax and see what I get in the mail in a month or so.

Raam · 14-11-2009 10:05pm

So much great information on this thread.

I want to get the Fenix TK11 since I want a torch which can be helmet mounted. I will be running this in addition to my Light and Motion Vega, which is plenty bright.

Some questions:
1. is the 60 lumen mode adequate for urban cycling?
2. would I need to dip it when in the 60 lumen mode?
3. If helmet mounted, is it easy to dip the torch?

4. Finally, anyone know of any helmet mounted rear lights?

thanks

blorg · 14-11-2009 10:09pm

Yes, No, Don't Know but probably, not necessary.

Beasty · 14-11-2009 10:22pm

Raam wrote: »

4. Finally, anyone know of any helmet mounted rear lights?

The Exposure RedEye Rear Light can be helmet mounted. It can be powered from the Exposure Joystick Front Light-Helmet Mount

On the dipping point, I tend to find my helmet light tends to be pointing down with the main beam 2-3 metres ahead, and not shining into oncoming vehicles (unless I point my head in an unusual direction - I have the light on the road side of the helmet, so it naturally tends to point more towards the kerb than in the direction of oncoming traffic)

Deisetrek · 15-11-2009 6:01pm

Raam wrote: »

So much great information on this thread.
which is plenty bright.

4. Finally, anyone know of any helmet mounted rear lights?

thanks

Raam , virtually any rear light can be mounted to the rear of your helmet with the help of a few cable ties slotted through the vents of the helmet at the rear . I have a Smart superflash ( about 10 euro on Wiggle) on mine , excellent helmet light .

Captain Havoc · 15-11-2009 6:15pm

Deisetrek wrote: »

Raam , virtually any rear light can be mounted to the rear of your helmet with the help of a few cable ties slotted through the vents of the helmet at the rear . I have a Smart superflash ( about 10 euro on Wiggle) on mine , excellent helmet light .

On that I just got a cable-tie and my Smart superflash and attached it to my helmet, fits perfectly. Will be doing that from now on.

emty · 16-11-2009 12:42am

Again,just going on yesterday's spin I felt that my Fenix TK11 was at least equal to all the different types on display and was more than pleased with its battery life.Also,the ease of transfaring it to another bike is very appealling as is its use in being able to detach it from the bike in case of emergency.
Also would have to say that I don't really see the point in putting a rear light on your helmet,better to have good lights on your rear stays but each to their own.
Slightly off- topic but was greatly impressed by my first-time use of a carridice bag,certainly made my day more enjoyable.

The tax man · 16-11-2009 1:15am

emty wrote: »

Slightly off- topic but was greatly impressed by my first-time use of a carridice bag,certainly made my day more enjoyable.

Staying off topic, can your saddle take such a bag or what way had you it attached to the bike?

Beasty · 16-11-2009 9:53am

emty wrote: »

Also would have to say that I don't really see the point in putting a rear light on your helmet,better to have good lights on your rear stays but each to their own.

It adds to the Xmas tree effect - one on each stay, another on the saddle bag and one on the helmet:). I also think it is helpful to have some lights which are not attached to your bike, in case you get separated from it in an accident - vehicles can still see you (as well as your bike)

BostonB · 16-11-2009 11:25am

emty wrote: »

...
Also would have to say that I don't really see the point in putting a rear light on your helmet,better to have good lights on your rear stays but each to their own.....

Most people I see with a rear helmet light also have at least one (if not more) other rear lights on the bike. I've noticed on other cyclists the high mounted light either on a rucksack or helmet catches your attention, probably more than bike mounted light. I have a red flasher I hang out my jacket collar. I think bikes with more lights catch your eye more then just one light. Even if that one light is a good light.

rflynnr · 16-11-2009 12:36pm

Raam wrote: »

4. Finally, anyone know of any helmet mounted rear lights?

thanks

Came across this when ordering this.

thebouldwhacker · 16-11-2009 5:39pm

Safety Armband

Safety Armband

Reflective yellow armband with Velcro strap, ideal for outdoor activities such as Running, Cycling, Walking, Riding etc

4 Super bright Red LED lights with reflective yellow band
2 Mode flashing light
Long lasting lithium battery included
Comfortable easy to use Velcro strap size adjustable

Price £3.8 inc VAT

I got some of these in Lidl earlier in the year. They tie perfectly onto the back of my Giro helmet and tbh do the job perfectly

Back on thread, @emty, Blorg recomended that light to be last week and I want to get one, where did you buy yours? thanks

emty · 16-11-2009 8:00pm

The tax man wrote: »

Staying off topic, can your saddle take such a bag or what way had you it attached to the bike?

I used the sqr hanger,which you can buy seperately from carridice(or some kind soul will give you for free,thanks again old 'hat).Works like a dream,bag itself is like a tardis.

Raam · 17-11-2009 10:49am

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix_tk11_r2.html

says it comes with free batteries. Does anyone know if it's the 18650 or CR123 type?

Need to figure out which charger to get.

Lumen · 17-11-2009 10:58am

Raam wrote: »

says it comes with free batteries. Does anyone know if it's the 18650 or CR123 type?

CR123s. You''l need to buy a charger and a couple of "protected" 18650s.

Raam · 17-11-2009 11:00am

Lumen wrote: »

CR123s. You''l need to buy a charger and a couple of "protected" 18650s.

Why do I need protected 18650s?
Will the white charger and the supplied CR123s not do?

Lumen · 17-11-2009 11:09am

Raam wrote: »

Why do I need protected 18650s?
Will the white charger and the supplied CR123s not do?

I can't remember how the Fenix is regulated, but torches which provide constant brightness can kill non-protected cells. This is not a theoretical problem - I killed a non-protected cell using one of my ubertorches. I don't remember protected ones being any more expensive, so it's a bit of a no-brainer.

I think the 18650s give you longer runtime or more brightness or something.

DX is the place for this stuff.

blorg · 17-11-2009 11:17am

Raam wrote: »

Why do I need protected 18650s?
Will the white charger and the supplied CR123s not do?

CR123s are not rechargable. There is a rechargable variant but the ones you get are not. 18650s also have substantially more energy (basically there is a fair bit more mass in a single 18650 than two CR123s- CR123s have a smaller diameter and with the two batteries you have a bit of space between them.)

Protected 18650s just have very marginally lower energy capacity than unprotected, as they use up a bit of space in the battery for the protection circuit. It's pretty minimal.

Raam · 17-11-2009 11:20am

Thanks guys.
So I figure this is all I need...

TK11R2 - Fenix TK11 Cree R2
lockblocks - Lockblocks Flashlight Holder
WF-139 - Ultrafire WF-139 Charger
18650AW - AW 18650 Rechargeable Battery

Light Recommendations (formerly Front Light For Dark Country) Road Commute

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