Headlights???
- Thread starter pandabear
- Start date
ki11a
Well-Known Member
Brightest is a variable, there are up to 6000 lumen lights...comparing that to a car headlight at average of 700 - 1200 lumens.
The prices of these lights vary from the elite Pro Niterider for 500 bucks to the casual Lezyne 1300Macro for 100 bucks.
The Lezyne light is very bright and a great deal for the lumens. I recently got an Outbound Lighting Headlight for $195 which produces 1800 lumens and has a cutoff for the light like a car headlight.
So it all depends on how much cash you are willing to fork. Be aware of the no name brands that claim “1xxx” lumens for 20 bucks, the lights never come near the lumen rating they claim and the battery life on these fail really quickly.
Thing is about headlights is that to be seen you need to be brighter than your surroundings and to feel safe is a priceless feeling. I had a cygolite before my ebike and that was fine, but once I am going speeds up to 28mph I need better headlights and price comes with that.
The prices of these lights vary from the elite Pro Niterider for 500 bucks to the casual Lezyne 1300Macro for 100 bucks.
The Lezyne light is very bright and a great deal for the lumens. I recently got an Outbound Lighting Headlight for $195 which produces 1800 lumens and has a cutoff for the light like a car headlight.
So it all depends on how much cash you are willing to fork. Be aware of the no name brands that claim “1xxx” lumens for 20 bucks, the lights never come near the lumen rating they claim and the battery life on these fail really quickly.
Thing is about headlights is that to be seen you need to be brighter than your surroundings and to feel safe is a priceless feeling. I had a cygolite before my ebike and that was fine, but once I am going speeds up to 28mph I need better headlights and price comes with that.
Last edited:
ki11a
Well-Known Member
Indeed I bought a no name China brand to find out if it was up to the hype they put it through, 30 bucks for 2000 lumens...LOL kinda knew it would be crap but tried it anyways. I have a lux/lumen reader and it came out to less than 300 lumens. I returned that thing so fast.
ki11a
Well-Known Member
Yep they are called Lumen/Lux Meters, I got one for my indoor plants to measure light ratings and such, just so happened to need to test some headlights too so that came in handy.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
If you plan on replacing the existing headlight on your bike, check the wiring and max controller current before buying. These high power lights can easily draw more current that the bike headlight circuit can safely handle.
A better option is a light with it's own rechargeable battery. Some have the ability to recharge via the USB port on your bike's display (if so equipped). That way, you don't sacrifice range by depleting your bike's battery.
You can save some money by avoiding those expensive bike headlights and buy an ordinary high power LED flashlight. There are many ways of mounting it to your bike such as these products from RAM:
The light then becomes a multitasker and can be used for other non bike related purposes.
A better option is a light with it's own rechargeable battery. Some have the ability to recharge via the USB port on your bike's display (if so equipped). That way, you don't sacrifice range by depleting your bike's battery.
You can save some money by avoiding those expensive bike headlights and buy an ordinary high power LED flashlight. There are many ways of mounting it to your bike such as these products from RAM:
The light then becomes a multitasker and can be used for other non bike related purposes.
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
While not the brightest, I have the Fenix BC30R, which puts out a reliable 800 lumens on high; the newest version does 1000 lumens. The ad copy states 1800, but that is only in burst mode which is only useful for flashing oncoming traffic. The Fenix BC30 puts out 1500 on high and uses replaceable cells, but does not have the OLED digital display panel.
Sifu Ben
Active Member
I use an Amazon-bought Victagen ($23 at the time of purchase more than 2 years ago , includes a very bright tail light) and I ride at night very often, starting after sundown. I also use a Coast headlamp (2-pack from Costco for $24). So $50 for lights. If you ride off road trails at night, then maybe you might want the expensive lights. I ride only on the roads at night. I use both lights most often in the low setting, otherwise people flash their hi beams at me. I don't think that I bought the Victagen for its lumen output, but i've been well served by it and bought a second unit which performs just as well. I never wanted for more light. Remote battery has decent charge to last through 3 rides. The Coast headlamp is also great. I can adjust from flood to spot on the lens, 3 brightness levels, throws light where I look. Outperforms my more expensive Princeton Tech headlamp.
antboy
Well-Known Member
Do you need the brightest though? If you're riding in town, there's such a thing as too bright.
People might hate you.
I've been blinded by overkill lights, and lights angled right in the face of oncoming traffic. My bike came equipped with a Euro (German?) standard called STVZO, which helps prevent people approaching you by having a softer light at top and bottom.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
It functions like an automobile headlight. Lighting the road, not the oncoming traffic.
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
It really depends on where and how fast you are riding. My wired-in light is an StVZO compliant, and it is fine for being seen and putting out enough light for urban use at slower speeds, but it is not enough for unlit paths at night and greater speeds.
antboy
Well-Known Member
Oh for sure... My OHM Cruise came with Lezyne E-65, and it's a world of difference compared to the cheapo light that came with my fat folder.
ki11a
Well-Known Member
Indeed, it seems its all in the lens technology they put into the lights themselves. Cutoff points for our headlights are necessary to not blind people.
The company Outbound Lighting I got my headlights from made a great point of this...
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
My Vado is equipped with running lights that are good to help be seen during the day, but not enough for night time riding. The headlamp is rated at 205 lumens.
Like @Nova Haibike I also use the Fenix BC30R. At 800lm it's plenty bright for night time and the flashing mode is a great addition for daytime traffic riding. Its beam is shaped to prevent blinding oncoming traffic as per Euro standatds. It uses a rechargeable 18650 lithium battery that can be charged in the light or removed and replaced with a fresh cell. It also unclips very easily making it a multi-tasker on our trips; nice to have a flashlight when we walk to dinner!
Don't forget the taillight. I use a bright rechargeable tail light to help be seen in traffic and for night time rides.
How much light do you need? As others have posted this varies with riding conditions but also with age. We older riders need nominally twice the illumination as THIS ARTICLE discusses briefly.
Like @Nova Haibike I also use the Fenix BC30R. At 800lm it's plenty bright for night time and the flashing mode is a great addition for daytime traffic riding. Its beam is shaped to prevent blinding oncoming traffic as per Euro standatds. It uses a rechargeable 18650 lithium battery that can be charged in the light or removed and replaced with a fresh cell. It also unclips very easily making it a multi-tasker on our trips; nice to have a flashlight when we walk to dinner!
Don't forget the taillight. I use a bright rechargeable tail light to help be seen in traffic and for night time rides.
How much light do you need? As others have posted this varies with riding conditions but also with age. We older riders need nominally twice the illumination as THIS ARTICLE discusses briefly.
Sierratim
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Nevada City, CA & Paradise Valley, AZ
If you ride in traffic this is an especially important point. Bright hand held flashlights and most inexpensive bike lights don't shape their beams to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. Traffic that's blinded by your head light can't see you. Not a good thing for the cyclist.
JuicePower
Member
That is funny. I bought a "6000 lumen" and for 13 bucks it is about 4 times as much light as my 200 lumen Eddie Bauer headlamp. I like the USB recharge feature. The light ratings bring new meaning to exaggeration.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
My Roxim headlamp is 400 lumens. I did add a led light bar for traffic free use. But find 400 lumens good enough. I have an 18650 battery powered flashlight that has a mount on my handle bars. 1200 lumens lights 100 yards ahead. https://www.ebikes.ca/roxim-x4-ebike-light.html
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