Suggestions for off-road headlight?

[bikeman242]

I am looking for suggestions for a front headlight for rail-trail use in total darkness. I plan to ride the carriage roads in Acadia Park at night.

Ideally, the light would be able to be recharged from a portable USB battery pack that I would keep in a front pannier, and can work to provide light while charging at the same time, so I can get hours of use out of it before the battery runs out.

I also have a headlamp that I clip to my helmet, but need something more powerful.

 

[JES2020]

I am looking for suggestions for a front headlight for rail-trail use in total darkness. I plan to ride the carriage roads in Acadia Park at night.

Ideally, the light would be able to be recharged from a portable USB battery pack that I would keep in a front pannier, and can work to provide light while charging at the same time, so I can get hours of use out of it before the battery runs out.

I also have a headlamp that I clip to my helmet, but need something more powerful.

These headlight are way powerful, up to 80v!
You can wire them into your bike battery and not worry about it.

80V High Power Light Kit - Calibike

Ultimate high power ebike light kit. Midnite sun lights give riding safety and visibility for both rider and drivers.

calibike.com

 

[Alaskan]

The Knog PWR Mountain puts out a massive 2,000 lumens and has a 10,000 MAh battery that also can be used to recharge phones and other devices using USB. It is programable to choose between many different light intentensity and flash for four different preset light modes. The Knog PWR Trail version is 1100 lumens with 5,000 MAh battery

PWR Mountain 2000 Front Bike Light

PWR Mountain is a powerful modular bike light for trail and mountain biking, but it’s not just another bike light.

us.knog.com

They can be purchased at probikeit.com at a significant discount off the prices shown on the Knog site.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Cateye Volt 1700.

 

[JES2020]

Cateye Volt 1700.

$239 ! Brahahaha

 

[WIVado]

I have had good luck with Dinotte lighting.

Not the latest/greatest, but built very robust.

 

[fooferdoggie]

$239 ! Brahahaha

better then crashing cause your 2000 lumen 30.00 light from amazon did not do the job.

 

[6zfshdb]

I use one from Olight:

Amazon.com

I use these RAM mount parts to mount on the bars



The light has an internal lithium battery which is charged via the USB port on the bike's display. An external USB power bank can also be used.

I particularly like the fact that it is easily removed for use as a general purpose flashlight. It's come in handy on a few occasions when I've had to work on the bike at night. Caution must be used if using it on road though to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

Coincidentally, I've used the light on the Acadia trails at night and it works well. When I was there a few years ago, most of the Acadia trails closed at sunset. The ones I rode were on private property but still part of the Acadia trail system. I don't know how strictly the rules are enforced though.

 

[JES2020]

I use one from Olight:

Amazon.com

View attachment 129415 View attachment 129413 View attachment 129414

I use these RAM mount parts to mount on the bars

View attachment 129415 View attachment 129417

The light has an internal lithium battery which is charged via the USB port on the bike's display. An external USB power bank can also be used.

I particularly like the fact that it is easily removed for use as a general purpose flashlight. It's come in handy on a few occasions when I've had to work on the bike at night. Caution must be used if using it on road though to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

Coincidentally, I've used the light on the Acadia trails at night and it works well. When I was there a few years ago, most of the Acadia trails closed at sunset. The ones I rode were on private property but still part of the Acadia trail system. I don't know how strictly the rules are enforced though.

$323? You could buy a police light bar for not much more.

 

[JES2020]

I am looking for suggestions for a front headlight for rail-trail use in total darkness. I plan to ride the carriage roads in Acadia Park at night.

Ideally, the light would be able to be recharged from a portable USB battery pack that I would keep in a front pannier, and can work to provide light while charging at the same time, so I can get hours of use out of it before the battery runs out.

I also have a headlamp that I clip to my helmet, but need something more powerful.

Maybe it's just me but I would have a VERY hard time justifying spending $100 on a front light , much less over $300 !
Hell, I spent $600 on my 1500w conversion including a 21a 48v battery !
That $25 80v light I posted, will blind onlookers in full sunlight if not adjusted,...what else do you need? Signal Martians?

 

[tomjasz]

$600 on my 1500w conversion including a 21a 48v battery

 

[tomjasz]

I have had good luck with Dinotte lighting.

Not the latest/greatest, but built very robust.

Linked in your text. Interesting systems. New to me. Very cool charging options and mounting options too!

 

[antboy]

I am looking for suggestions for a front headlight for rail-trail use in total darkness. I plan to ride the carriage roads in Acadia Park at night.

Ideally, the light would be able to be recharged from a portable USB battery pack that I would keep in a front pannier, and can work to provide light while charging at the same time, so I can get hours of use out of it before the battery runs out.

I also have a headlamp that I clip to my helmet, but need something more powerful.

I'd consider a rechargeable tactical light like one from Fenix or Olight, and a handlebar or helmet mount, depending on your preference.

I picked up a Fenix PD36R on sale for just under $100 CDN (currently $100 US), and have used it on my bike using some cheap universal silicone handlebar clamp I picked up a few years ago. I've only used it 1hr at a time, but never ran out of charge (site says that at max brightness will last over 2hr, which I believe).

Comes with a 21700 battery, and has a USB-C charge port, and will operate while charging.

Its main use is camping, but now I'll toss it and the bike mount in my trunk bag if I'm doing a longer evening ride that takes me on trails.

Fenix PD36R V2.0 Rechargeable Flashlight

Discover the Fenix PD36R V2.0 Rechargeable Flashlight: One of our top-selling flashlights with a powerful 1700 lumens reaching up to 1299ft (396m). Shop now.

www.fenixlighting.com

 

[bikeman242]

I'd consider a rechargeable tactical light like one from Fenix or Olight, and a handlebar or helmet mount, depending on your preference.

I picked up a Fenix PD36R on sale for just under $100 CDN (currently $100 US), and have used it on my bike using some cheap universal silicone handlebar clamp I picked up a few years ago. I've only used it 1hr at a time, but never ran out of charge (site says that at max brightness will last over 2hr, which I believe).

Comes with a 21700 battery, and has a USB-C charge port, and will operate while charging.

Its main use is camping, but now I'll toss it and the bike mount in my trunk bag if I'm doing a longer evening ride that takes me on trails.

Fenix PD36R V2.0 Rechargeable Flashlight

Discover the Fenix PD36R V2.0 Rechargeable Flashlight: One of our top-selling flashlights with a powerful 1700 lumens reaching up to 1299ft (396m). Shop now.

www.fenixlighting.com

Interesting thought - a tactical light as a bike headlight.

How do you mount it to your handlebars?

Does it have sufficient floodlighting to fill out the trail?

 

[bikeman242]

I use one from Olight:

Amazon.com

View attachment 129415 View attachment 129413 View attachment 129414

I use these RAM mount parts to mount on the bars

View attachment 129415 View attachment 129417

The light has an internal lithium battery which is charged via the USB port on the bike's display. An external USB power bank can also be used.

I particularly like the fact that it is easily removed for use as a general purpose flashlight. It's come in handy on a few occasions when I've had to work on the bike at night. Caution must be used if using it on road though to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

Coincidentally, I've used the light on the Acadia trails at night and it works well. When I was there a few years ago, most of the Acadia trails closed at sunset. The ones I rode were on private property but still part of the Acadia trail system. I don't know how strictly the rules are enforced though.

Hell of a light!

The trails at Acadia are open 24/7, I have confirmed it with multiple park rangers. I would like to bike to the top of Day Mountain at night for some stargazing.

Good to hear from you again.

 

[bikeman242]

The Knog PWR Mountain puts out a massive 2,000 lumens and has a 10,000 MAh battery that also can be used to recharge phones and other devices using USB. It is programable to choose between many different light intentensity and flash for four different preset light modes. The Knog PWR Trail version is 1100 lumens with 5,000 MAh battery

PWR Mountain 2000 Front Bike Light

PWR Mountain is a powerful modular bike light for trail and mountain biking, but it’s not just another bike light.

us.knog.com

They can be purchased at probikeit.com at a significant discount off the prices shown on the Knog site.

Seems like a good selection at a good price point. Do you have this light?

 

[tomjasz]

LED light bar from Aliexpress. Wider coverage than my tactical LED. very powerful off my 36 or 48V battery. JW I’ll be moved to my electric three wheeler front “pizza rack”. Solar panel, mppt, and wiring arrived this week. Quite inexpensive too!

12.94US $ 29% OFF|7 inch 18w Slim Led Light Bar 6D Flood Spot LED Bar Work Lamp Driving light For Jeep Truck Trailer Offroad ATV 4X4 Car 12V 24V|Light Bar/Work Light| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[pmcdonald]

Do they sell this brand in the States? Dirt cheap for 2200 lumens and includes all the bits.

Cleanskin Duo 2200 Lumen Front LED Light - With GoPro Mount - Neoprene

The Cleanskin Duo 2200 Lumen Front LED Light throws a dazzling amount of light on the trails to illuminate the trail ahead. See every rock, tree root, rut and more with the twin beams that offer incredible light spread for its compact size. The Cleanskin Duo is the perfect light for those...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

A mate runs one on his mtb. Works as advertised if you don't mind the chunky battery pack.

 

[tomjasz]

Do they sell this brand in the States? Dirt cheap for 2200 lumens and includes all the bits.

Cleanskin Duo 2200 Lumen Front LED Light - With GoPro Mount - Neoprene

The Cleanskin Duo 2200 Lumen Front LED Light throws a dazzling amount of light on the trails to illuminate the trail ahead. See every rock, tree root, rut and more with the twin beams that offer incredible light spread for its compact size. The Cleanskin Duo is the perfect light for those...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

A mate runs one on his mtb. Works as advertised if you don't mind the chunky battery pack.

A cheaper version,

7.99US $ 30% OFF|2000 Lumen Bicycle Headlight Cycling Front Lamp Waterproof Light Accessories Headlamp Bike room Lantern on Cycling 2x XM L2 LED|Bicycle Light| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[antboy]

Interesting thought - a tactical light as a bike headlight.

How do you mount it to your handlebars?

Does it have sufficient floodlighting to fill out the trail?

OLight makes a universal mount with a pivot so the light can be either parallel or perpendicular to the tubing. It's only about 10 bucks.

Olight FB-1 Bike Mount

Olight FB-1 Bike Mount

www.olightstore.ca

It's not the one I have (mine is some no-name brand), but basically the same idea.

As for the spread, the Fenix does a good job, but it's not purpose-made. I don't do twisty technical at night, more like rail-to-trail type stuff with a bit of very mild single track (not at high speed either).

For real spread you'd probably want a bar along the lines of what @tomjasz posted.