using a high powered torch as a headlight??

Rex

Hello,

Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter) torch
as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.

I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg. ayup/dinotte),
but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot cheaper.

Anyone else use one? how does it go?

roshea

Very happy with mine: Fenix L2D-CE attached to the bars with a Fenix Lockblock. Fenix-store.com have the L2D on special now ($US50).

The L2D isn't as bright as Ayups (single versus two beams plus lower voltage due to 2 x AA cells) but still fine for commuting.

Martin

Rex wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter)
> torch as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.
>
> I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg.
> ayup/dinotte), but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot
> cheaper.
>
> Anyone else use one? how does it go?
>

I have used two since the end of daylight saving this year. One on my
bars (with a second weaker LED flasher) and one on my helmet. One is
adequate so if the batteries in one go flat I don't have to stop to
change them. My little evening commute is about 7 km (20 min) on
reasonably well-lit roads with good surfaces and low-medium traffic. The
Fenix torches allow me to go at my usual speed - I don't have to slow
down at all even on quite fast descents. I use 2500 mAhr AA NiMH cells
which are a couple of years old now and get about an hour (5 20 min
rides) on a charge. This version of the Fenix is specified to put out
180 lumens. The helmet-mounted (using 3 Australia post rubber bands)
Fenix is very useful for flashing at cars that are thinking of pulling
out in front of me from sideroads/driveways etc. I think the beam
pattern is good - good central beam and enough spill around the beam to
light up road signs and to be seen. I bought them from
http://www.torchworld.com.au which offers a bundled torch plus bike
mount for about $77 + delivery. I have no connection with torchworld -
just got good service. The bike mount rattles a bit but I cured that
with a rubber band.

Martin
--
Removed z before replying by email.

Duncan

On May 16, 6:16 am, "Rex" <dontsends...@dontsendspam.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter) torch
> as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.
>
> I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg. ayup/dinotte),
> but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot cheaper.
>
> Anyone else use one? how does it go?

I use a butchered 2-AA torch with 350mA-driven Luxeon for my helmet
'point at drivers' light..

Does the job well enough.. not as bright as my main light (now a
single Cree@700mA), but that's to be expected.

I think the advantage of using a torch is cheap NiMH power source,
with readily available chargers etc. I worry about custom Li-Ion cells
and their life expectancy.

Plus. you get to use it for other things, like as a torch

duncan

Damien

On May 16, 6:16 am, "Rex" <dontsends...@dontsendspam.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter) torch
> as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.
>
> I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg. ayup/dinotte),
> but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot cheaper.
>
> Anyone else use one? how does it go?

I have an L2D-Q5 with a fenix mount. It's very, very good. By far
the brightest bike I've ever seen in person, though I've no doubt the
top level dinottes take it to another level. The spot givew you 20m
of front visibility, and the spill lights anything closer. I can ride
at normal speeds (up to 55 km/h) with fine visibility. If off-roading
I would want two (apparently this works well). If the batteries go
flat, you get a long period of lower light level (about 1/10th of the
normal light), which is fine for safety purposes at lower speeds. The
mount is a bit lower quality. Its ratchet should be finer (double the
number of clicks), and it rattles if you mount it above the
handlebars. It's best mounted below the bars. Apparently though it's
the best available, as at least the plastic is high quality. You can
get cheaper CREE lights at dealextreeme.com, but the fenix is such a
class act that it's worth buying for reliability and performance (you
WON'T get 2 hours at 180 lumens out of anything else).

/Damien

Rex

Seen the deal extreme site. THinking of getting the triple cree light they
have.

I have a dinotte tail light. It is very, very good - gets everyones
attention. But just wasnt sure if I wanted to fork out that sort of money
again now that I need a headlight (the old homemade repair job on an old BLT
light failed again).



"Damien" <damienbatstone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:be5f02ba-91b0-44a4-8465-e97f44d8a592@w1g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> On May 16, 6:16 am, "Rex" <dontsends...@dontsendspam.com> wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter)
>> torch
>> as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.
>>
>> I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg. ayup/dinotte),
>> but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot cheaper.
>>
>> Anyone else use one? how does it go?
>
> I have an L2D-Q5 with a fenix mount. It's very, very good. By far
> the brightest bike I've ever seen in person, though I've no doubt the
> top level dinottes take it to another level. The spot givew you 20m
> of front visibility, and the spill lights anything closer. I can ride
> at normal speeds (up to 55 km/h) with fine visibility. If off-roading
> I would want two (apparently this works well). If the batteries go
> flat, you get a long period of lower light level (about 1/10th of the
> normal light), which is fine for safety purposes at lower speeds. The
> mount is a bit lower quality. Its ratchet should be finer (double the
> number of clicks), and it rattles if you mount it above the
> handlebars. It's best mounted below the bars. Apparently though it's
> the best available, as at least the plastic is high quality. You can
> get cheaper CREE lights at dealextreeme.com, but the fenix is such a
> class act that it's worth buying for reliability and performance (you
> WON'T get 2 hours at 180 lumens out of anything else).
>
> /Damien

dej

On May 16, 6:16 am, "Rex" <dontsends...@dontsendspam.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter) torch
> as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.
>
> I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg. ayup/dinotte),
> but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot cheaper.
>
> Anyone else use one? how does it go?

I don't use one, but i did build a couple of lights using CREE Q5
led's from www.cutter.com.au
I'm running 8 Q5 LED's in two little housings, enough light to race
mtb at night and also cause damage to eyes from a very long way off
I think total cost was $270 including a home made battery (made from
2400mah nimh cells, wouldnt mind going to li-ion to reduce the size)

The light housing from cutter is expensive, about $120 alone i think?
i got a lamp globe socket from radioparts for $3 which fits the mr11
kit nicely along with the circuit board. My lights are a lot brighter/
more projection than the ayups, just without the nice packaging etc..

I rekon it's worth spending a bit extra to get something which you
know will do the job

Duncan

On May 20, 9:07 am, dej <dejon...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On May 16, 6:16 am, "Rex" <dontsends...@dontsendspam.com> wrote:
>
> > Hello,
>
> > Thinking about getting a high powered (Fenix with a Cree LED emitter) torch
> > as a headlight. 200+ lumens output.
>
> > I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight (eg. ayup/dinotte),
> > but how far off would it be? They area hell of a lot cheaper.
>
> > Anyone else use one? how does it go?
>
> I don't use one, but i did build a couple of lights using CREE Q5
> led's fromwww.cutter.com.au
> I'm running 8 Q5 LED's in two little housings, enough light to race
> mtb at night and also cause damage to eyes from a very long way off

8... crikey! I use one on the road.. and that is more than adequate
for the purpose.

duncan