Sticky Wicket said:For someone with someone with no ability nor desire to tinker with
electronics, what would be your suggestion for a light? Basically it
would be for a touring tandem. We tour in the summer, in northern
latitudes, so we only rarely need a light but when we do we need a
fairly decent one. Idealy it would double as a flashlight. I am not
keen on helmet lights because, in the past at least, my experience
was that lights set lower, e.g., on the fork, made it easier to pick
out things like potholes on the road; so some sort of handlebar or
front rack attachment would seem best (plus that would work with a
flashlight). For this purpose neither dynamos nor rechargables would
seem appropriate.
You are not alone. View the following link for ideas, solutions, and
pictures of ideas and solutions to your exact problem. Read the whole
thread:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=156154
Quoted message said:Any suggestions for lights that would work for the above from the
Cree/SSC products?
Based on the above thread, the L2D-CE ($50 shipped) fits your bill
perfectly, uses only 2AA batteries for light output that nears a 10W
NiteRider or similar, and runs for 2 hours on the highest setting with
high-quality rechargeable batteries, and dimmer performance afterwards. The
lowest setting will run for 55 hours. No separate battery pack and weighs
only 70 grams w/o batts, I believe. You can use it for handheld use if you
like, too.
There are other Cree/SSC-based handhelds, but they don't come close in terms
of small size, high light output, long runtime, and low cost. You really
get all four instead of choosing just three. The L2D is also current
regulated, so you get specific output that doesn't decrease over the first
two hours on the highest mode. Comes with an SOS and strobe setting, also.
Other handhelds at this power output level are designed for rough tactical
use, meaning much heavier weight and durability.
To buy, go to www.fenix-store.com for the primary US distributor.
Otherwise, there should be distributors in your area if you check
www.fenixlight.com. I have no affiliation with either company.
If you wait longer, you will find manufacturers coming out with Cree and
SSC-based bike-specific products in the near future, but you will pay dearly
for it. After all, manufacturers know that cyclists will pay anything! 😉
If you are looking for a completely plug-in integrated system with Cree/SSC
emitters and mounts, you are out of luck. It shouldn't be terribly hard to
fabricate a mount a lot like the one above. Just ask your LBS for some old
reflectors and their mounts and you should be golden. The Cree emitters
have been on the market for a grand total of 4 months, and the SSC emitters
even less. Be assured, however, that new products are in the works as we
speak.
--
Phil
