Thats about as good as it gets in terms of explaining the "blinkie vs. static light" discussion. As noted in the article, there are definite and absolute issues with blinking lights and a motorists' ability to gauge distance (which is applicable because the upcoming driver isn't sure where you are exactly, or how fast you are going thanks to the blinkie's spoiling your ability to track the rider). they know you are there but it takes them a bit longer to nail down your trajectory. And the whole drunk/moth thing really is bad news - and a genuine issue.
So I split the difference. I use two fixed and one blinkie light for a total of three rear-facing, day-bright lights. The fixed lights - usually one on each chainstay down low, or on my vertical rack stays - are spread as wide apart as I can just like car taillights. Thats not a lot unless its a cargo bike with wideloaders, in which case they are about 2 feet apart. But its good enough as even as a pair close together as seen below, they are perceived as a single big light in the dark, and two bright pips in the day. the square steadies are Knog Blinder Squares and on EBay they are discounted to about $35 each.
The single center blinkie in this case is a Knog Big Cobber, set to a full blink on eco mode, which is really bright and really short/intense. These puppies are about $70 if you can get a deal on them (Ebay) and $100 if not.
I also have the Bontrager Flare RT that
@Mr. Coffee linked above. This light's chief claim to fame is it uses some genuine research and science to implement an irregular blink, along with deciding its brightness level so as to be good enough for daytime use. The Flare RT is more of a thinking choice for a rear light, whereas the Big Cobber is more of an iron hammer in velvet: Super bright, but also super brief - not enough to piss people off.
I am upgrading my awd commuter's taillights right now and the blinkie will be a Flare RT. They are about $50 on EBay but I am buying from REI so I can do curbside pickup today.
Knog also sells a Blinder - the Blinder Grid. One of its many modes is an irregular, variable blink. Same benefit as the Bontrager but half the cost and a little less bright. I use a couple of these as blinkies on a couple bikes.
Bring on 2020, which Knog predicts will be the year of the (new) Blinder. However even the most classic of products deserves updating and such is the case with the introduction of the new Blinder bike light from Knog.
www.ebay.com
What am I replacing? I have *many* Night Provision lights in both white front blinking and rear red solid or blinking. they are cheap, day bright and hold a charge for a decent amount of time, although nowadays I like stuff so bright thats why they are getting replaced. Amazon tells me I have purchased them 5 times so that means I have 8 of them in my lighting supplies box, which sounds about right.
www.moonsportusa.com
bell.
cygolite.com
www.rei.com
