Are adjustable bike lights just a gimmick or do they actually serve a practical purpose for cyclists. Ive seen some lights with brightness settings that range from a dim 10 lumens to a blinding 1000 lumens, but do we really need that kind of adjustability. Does having multiple brightness settings actually make a difference in terms of safety, battery life, or overall visibility.
Some argue that having an adjustable brightness setting allows cyclists to conserve battery life by using a lower setting during daylight hours or in well-lit areas. But is this really a significant advantage, or are we just splitting hairs. Others claim that adjustable brightness settings can help reduce glare from oncoming traffic, but isnt that just a matter of angling the light properly.
And what about the added complexity and cost of adjustable brightness settings. Are they really worth the extra money, or are we just paying for a feature we dont really need. Ive seen some lights with multiple brightness settings that are no more expensive than single-setting lights, but are they really comparable in terms of quality and reliability.
Lets hear from some of you who have experience with adjustable bike lights. Do you find the multiple brightness settings to be useful, or do you just stick with a single setting and call it a day. Are there any situations where adjustable brightness settings have actually made a difference for you, or are they just a marketing gimmick.