My wife and I rode the Cannon Valley Trail in Minnesota yesterday. A number of the riders had daytime flashing headlights. The one that most attracted my attention was one that was FLASH, FLASH, DOUBLE-FLASH. Does anybody happen to know what bike lights have that as a flash pattern?
Bike Light Flash Patterns
- Thread starter Jim1348
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Frank/Delaware
Active Member
I ride with: GNT Recon HL 200 Headlight from my Giant bike shop. It has several flashing patterns including this one - which I think is Morse Code for SOS [dot, dot, dash]
Tars Tarkas
Well-Known Member
I use Lezyne Zecto front and rear lights - they both have many settings including the one you describe. Very good lights
Frank/Delaware
Active Member
Yea, my mistake - but it does flash for SOS which is why I never use that setting - thanks
Tars Tarkas
Well-Known Member
I guess better to have an SOS option and not need it... but when would anyone be likely to use it? When being chased by a bear?? After being run over by a truck?? And how many people know Morse code anyway?
Just curious, because a Morse code flashing bike headlight seems to me like a silly idea, and because you thought dot dot dash meant SOS, what makes you believe your headlight can flash SOS? Not saying it can't....
TT
Last edited:
DiggyGun
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
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- Buckinghamshire
We use Moon lights and they have a double day flash
moon-sport.com
DG…
Moonsport | bicycle light | CYCLING
Moon Sport , based in Hong Kong, specializes in bicycles lights, accessories and outdoor headlamp.
moon-sport.com
DG…
Jeremy McCreary
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- USA
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- Carlsbad, CA
The bear's more likely to know Morse code for SOS than any human under 50.
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Member
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- USA
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- Y. O.
Mine isn't working correctly and flashes the SOS pattern backwards
But just about all bike lights have that or a very similar sequence.
Tars Tarkas
Well-Known Member
SOS is a palindrome as well as an ambigram (reads the same upside-down.)Mine isn't working correctly and flashes the SOS pattern backwards
But just about all bike lights have that or a very similar sequence.
I'm still very skeptical that any bike headlights flash SOS. Seriously, why would they? I would welcome a link to a headlight claiming to do so. The Giant Recon HL 200 mentioned above does not make such a claim.
Things that blink don't all mean SOS.
TT
Gionnirocket
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- USA
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- Y. O.
The upside down head
means it was said in jest As I found the statement somewhat ridiculous... I couldn't help myself
m@Robertson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Here you go. Its a gimmick but the idea is to use it to summon help after a crash out in the boonies. Or guide a bear to his next meal if you are an animal lover.
Search 'SOS bike light' on Amazon and you'll find a slew of them.
I own a few of the one linked. Its a quality light, surprisingly. Cheap, bright, a good worklight for nighttime repairs roadside - unfortunately I've had to do that - and has USB and USB C plugs so the 2 18650's inside can be used as a compact power bank.
Back on topic, Bontrager calls this an 'interruptive' blink. Knog Blinder Square and Big Cobber lights have them. So do Bontrager Flares. Many others. They all do it differently. The idea is a steady blink is repetitive and can create a moth effect - drunk drivers may be attracted to them and steer towards a steady blinkie. So you make the blink irregular and its more noticeable.
Tars Tarkas
Well-Known Member
I'm not shocked but it seems like a feature of very peripheral utility, the target market likely pre-adolescent boys. But, sure, as I said earlier, better to have it and not need it, I suppose.
TT
DiggyGun
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Buckinghamshire
Back in the 70s, I was an Observation Post (spotter) Signaller in the Royal Artillery, hence knowing a bit of Morse.
However, this is about the only bit I can remember now.
DG…
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