Cateye Micro vs. newer LED models

[Matt O'Toole]

I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for riding
around town at night. It's barely powerful enough, but it's
convenient -- I can quickly throw it in my bag so it doesn't
get stolen, and/or carry it along in case I'm out later than
planned. But it's on the fritz, and and I'd rather replace
it than try to fix
it. My question is -- are the newer Cateye LED lights as
powerful or better? How about alternatives, of the same
type? (I have bigger lights for more serious riding,
and I'm well aware of generator setups, etc. So hold
the nerd-assed suggestions, please.)

Matt O.

 

[Mikey]

"Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I have bigger lights for more serious riding, and I'm well
> aware of generator setups, etc. So hold the nerd-assed
> suggestions, please.

Sorry, we can't maked nerd-assed suggestions without knowing
what you're planning to do with the lights.

 

[Dan Daniel]

On Thu, 06 May 2004 02:55:24 GMT, "Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for riding
>around town at night. It's barely powerful enough, but it's
>convenient -- I can quickly throw it in my bag so it
>doesn't get stolen, and/or carry it along in case I'm out
>later than planned. But it's on the fritz, and and I'd
>rather replace it than try to fix
>it. My question is -- are the newer Cateye LED lights as
> powerful or better? How about alternatives, of the
> same type? (I have bigger lights for more serious
> riding, and I'm well aware of generator setups, etc.
> So hold the nerd-assed suggestions, please.)
>
>Matt O.
>

The 3 white LED cateye (with 200 in the name??), same size
as the halogen micro light with 4 AA batteries, is much
nicer than the micro, I find. Brighter light (although less
focused and definitely purplish) and *much* longer burn
times on a set of batteries. The switch is improved over the
sliding switch my micro had, although prone to getting
turned on if you cram it into a bag.

Cateye also makes a 1 led model in a similar case- I'd avoid
it.

The bracket from the older micro works with the newer one.

The slim, fashionable, silver cateye with 3 leds using AAA
batteries gives less light than the micro style one. Unless
space is really tight, go for the one that uses 4 AA
batteries.

 

[Matt O'Toole]

Dan Daniel wrote:

> The 3 white LED cateye (with 200 in the name??), same size
> as the halogen micro light with 4 AA batteries, is much
> nicer than the micro, I find. Brighter light (although
> less focused and definitely purplish) and *much* longer
> burn times on a set of batteries.

Would you say the beam pattern is more even than the
Micro's? Narrower or wider? Some LED lights seem to have too
narrow a beam to be useful.

> The switch is improved over the sliding switch my micro
> had, although prone to getting turned on if you cram it
> into a bag.

The switch seems to be the problem with mine. Vibration
causes the light to
dim. Switching it off and on again restores it.

> Cateye also makes a 1 led model in a similar case- I'd
> avoid it.

I can't imagine 1 LED would give enough light.

> The bracket from the older micro works with the newer one.

That's good to know -- an extra for the other bike.

> The slim, fashionable, silver cateye with 3 leds using AAA
> batteries gives less light than the micro style one.
> Unless space is really tight, go for the one that uses 4
> AA batteries.

AAA cost twice as much per unit energy anyway.

Matt O.

 

[Ivar Hesselager]

"Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote:
> My question is -- are the newer Cateye LED lights as
> powerful or better? How about alternatives, of the same
> type? (I have bigger lights for more serious riding, and
> I'm well aware of generator setups, etc. So hold the nerd-
> assed suggestions, please.)

To my experience you still have the best light/wheight-ratio
on the market with the Cateye Micro (HL-500) - but use only
top of the line rechargeable batteries (NiMH 2000 mAh) -
that gives you extra brightness and durabilty. The Cateye
HL-1600 is another good option. It has a better projector
than the Micro, but it's bulky and takes up more room in
your pocket than two Micro's. I also have the EL-300 with 5
LED's - and it helps you to be seen, but as mentioned by
others, LED's gives a vague beam and doesn't help you much
to see holes in the road in front of you. I did quite a bit
of reading and experimenting a year ago in preparation to
the Paris-Brest-Paris ride and concluded that the best (not
too heavy) battery light was obtained with one LED-light (EL-
300) in combination with two Micros. In that way I had
backup ready, and I could turn the light up or down
according to the surroundings. Riding in the twilight, in
the city or behind another bicycle, the LED would do fine.
And you can help the Micro to shine the brighter and the
longer if you let the batteries rest, whenever you can.
Three lights on the bike may seem nerdy, I guess. For my
winter morning 45 minutes commuting, I carry two lights: One
dependable long lasting LED and one bright Micro. Should I
choose only one, I would definately pick the Micro. Ivar

 

[Gonzo Bob]

Originally posted by Matt O'Toole
I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for riding
around town at night. It's barely powerful enough, but it's
convenient -- I can quickly throw it in my bag so it doesn't
get stolen, and/or carry it along in case I'm out later than
planned. But it's on the fritz, and and I'd rather replace
it than try to fix
it. My question is -- are the newer Cateye LED lights as
powerful or better? How about alternatives, of the same
type? (I have bigger lights for more serious riding,
and I'm well aware of generator setups, etc. So hold
the nerd-assed suggestions, please.)

Matt O.

I've got both Cateye 2.4W halogen (it's not the Micro but I'm pretty sure it uses the same bulb as the Micro - 4.8V, 0.5A powered by 4AA's) and a 5-LED Cateye. The LED is OK for dark country roads but does not provide enough light for city riding. Even on dark country roads, I still bring a halogen that I turn on for corners and descents.

I also have a SigmaSport halogen powered by 5AA's which is brighter than the Cateye halogen.

 

[Dan Daniel]

On Thu, 06 May 2004 06:01:52 GMT, "Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Dan Daniel wrote:
>
>> The 3 white LED cateye (with 200 in the name??), same
>> size as the halogen micro light with 4 AA batteries, is
>> much nicer than the micro, I find. Brighter light
>> (although less focused and definitely purplish) and
>> *much* longer burn times on a set of batteries.
>
>Would you say the beam pattern is more even than the
>Micro's? Narrower or wider? Some LED lights seem to have
>too narrow a beam to be useful.
>

I'd say the beam pattern is more even and wider all in all.
But different in quality. Softer light. I would *not* use
the LED model to see the roadway on dark streets. I *have*
used the halogen micro for seeing potholes in the past, at
slow speeds.

Neither light is worth much if you need to light up the
roadway for serious riding on dark streets. You say that you
have other lighting systems. For the town trips, as a back
up or a 'to-be-seen' light, I'd go with the LED model.

>> The switch is improved over the sliding switch my micro
>> had, although prone to getting turned on if you cram it
>> into a bag.
>
>The switch seems to be the problem with mine. Vibration
>causes the light to
>dim. Switching it off and on again restores it.
>

Yep, the switch on both of the micros I owned were problems.
The LED switch is a soft membrane push switch which has had
no problems in over a year, including riding in the rain.
Well, except that it can be turned on bumping around in a
bag if you aren't careful.

>> Cateye also makes a 1 led model in a similar case- I'd
>> avoid it.
>
>I can't imagine 1 LED would give enough light.
>
>> The bracket from the older micro works with the
>> newer one.
>
>That's good to know -- an extra for the other bike.
>
>> The slim, fashionable, silver cateye with 3 leds using
>> AAA batteries gives less light than the micro style one.
>> Unless space is really tight, go for the one that uses 4
>> AA batteries.
>
>AAA cost twice as much per unit energy anyway.
>
>Matt O.
>

I've had decent results with rechargable alkalines. 4 in the
light, and another 4 in the seat bag as backup.

 

[Matt O'Toole]

Ivar Hesselager wrote:

> To my experience you still have the best light/wheight-
> ratio on the market with the Cateye Micro (HL-500) - but
> use only top of the line rechargeable batteries (NiMH 2000
> mAh) - that gives you extra brightness and durabilty.

This is what I do too. But since I do a lot of random 15
minute trips, I lose track of how much charge is left. So I
get caught out without lights, and I have to stop at a store
to buy AAs.

> The Cateye HL-1600 is another good option. It has a better
> projector than the Micro, but it's bulky and takes up more
> room in your pocket than two Micro's.

> I also have the EL-300 with 5 LED's - and it helps you to
> be seen, but as mentioned by others, LED's gives a vague
> beam and doesn't help you much to see holes in the road in
> front of you.

Neither does the Micro, as far as I'm concerned! I wind up
creeping down hills, but at least I'm visible and legal. If
you think the EL-300 is worse, then maybe I should just buy
another Micro.

> I did quite a bit of reading and experimenting a year ago
> in preparation to the Paris-Brest-Paris ride and concluded
> that the best (not too heavy) battery light was obtained
> with one LED-light (EL-300) in combination with two
> Micros. In that way I had backup ready, and I could turn
> the light up or down according to the surroundings. Riding
> in the twilight, in the city or behind another bicycle,
> the LED would do fine. And you can help the Micro to shine
> the brighter and the longer if you let the batteries rest,
> whenever you can. Three lights on the bike may seem nerdy,
> I guess. For my winter morning 45 minutes commuting, I
> carry two lights: One dependable long lasting LED and one
> bright Micro.

For more serious around town riding and commuting, I use a
Nightsun Sunsport helmet light. It's just enough light to
really see by, without ever slowing down much. I still keep
the Micro on the handlebars to be seen by, and present the
light signature of a bicycle. The Sunsport is still OK for
trips to the store, since it lives on my helmet, w/ the
battery in the backpack.

I've been looking for one of those 6W bulbs for the Micro,
which were part of a high power Micro kit with an external
battery. Rechargeables should drive it fine, and still give
enough runtime for short trips. It would probably match the
Sunsport's output, making it unnecessary. The ultimate
compact handlebar light for around town...

> Should I choose only one, I would definately pick
> the Micro.

OK, done, unless someone else has a better idea.

Matt O.

 

[Lioninoil_a T_n]

> I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for riding
> around town at night. It's barely powerful enough, but
> it's convenient ... it's on the fritz, and and I'd rather
> replace it than try to fix it. ... are the newer Cateye
> LED lights as powerful or better?

I did a side-by-side test of my wife's Cateye Micro HL-500II
and a Cateye Opticube EL-300, and the Micro is brighter; but
I agree with Gonzo_Bob, the Sigma Sport Ellipsoid FL-100 is
brighter than either of these Cateyes. It's also easier to
recharge: just insert the charger outplut plug into the
input jack on the light, and leave it overnight.

 

[Jacobe Hazzard]

Matt O'Toole wrote:
> I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for riding
> around town at night. It's barely powerful enough, but
> it's convenient -- I can quickly throw it in my bag so it
> doesn't get stolen, and/or carry it along in case I'm out
> later than planned. But it's on the fritz, and and I'd
> rather replace it than try to fix it. My question is --
> are the newer Cateye LED lights as powerful or better? How
> about alternatives, of the same type? (I have bigger
> lights for more serious riding, and I'm well aware of
> generator setups, etc. So hold the nerd-assed suggestions,
> please.)
>
> Matt O.

I have a Planet Bike spot 3 LED. This thing is great (for
my riding).

It takes 3AAA batteries which seem to last forever, so I can
only tell you that the battery life is excellent as my
batteries have lasted for many months without dimming
(almost a year now I think).

It has 3 white LEDs, definitely bluish light, and functions
in both the steady and blinking mode. I like the blinking
mode because it saves battery life and cars seem to
recognize me as a bicycle (or at least a slow moving
oncoming vehicle) much sooner that way. Can't really tell
you about the beam pattern, I wouldn't want to navigate only
by this light any faster than a jogging pace, but it's great
for being seen by cars. I can see the blinking light
reflected off stop signs from more than a block away.
There's also plenty of light for me to navigate the dark
alley that leads to my garage, where I always used to walk
into my neighbours garbage cans.

Probably the nicest thing about it is the packaging. It's
completely waterproof and very solidly made, and you have to
hold down the on button for a couple seconds to turn it
on/off (so it doesn't go off in my bag like my rear blinky
always does). Tap the button while it's on to switch between
blink and solid. The mounting is with a cam-type quick
release which adjusts quickly to fit on all my bikes with
different diameter handlebars and no mounting hardware.
Comes off with a flick of the fingers.

I use this light on flat bars, road bars, and as a
flashlight when I go touring/camping. It cost me $21
canadian. Planet bike also makes a 1W LED and a halogen type
light in the same packaging. Highly recommended.

 

[Paul Kopit]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 06:14:20 GMT, "Jacobe Hazzard"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I use this light on flat bars, road bars, and as a
>flashlight when I go touring/camping. It cost me $21
>canadian. Planet bike also makes a 1W LED and a halogen
>type light in the same packaging. Highly recommended.

The 1W Super Spot gives better light than the 3 led model.
The battery life is only 30 hours. The names of the LED
models is confusing when a double or triple LED gives less
light than the 1W single LED.

 

[Mark Herke]

"Jacobe Hazzard" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Matt O'Toole wrote:
> > I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for
> > riding around town at night. It's barely powerful
> > enough, but it's convenient -- I can quickly throw it in
> > my bag so it doesn't get stolen, and/or carry it along
> > in case I'm out later than planned. But it's on the
> > fritz, and and I'd rather replace it than try to fix it.
> > My question is -- are the newer Cateye LED lights as
> > powerful or better? How about alternatives, of the same
> > type? (I have bigger lights for more serious riding, and
> > I'm well aware of generator setups, etc. So hold the nerd-
> > assed suggestions, please.)
> >
> > Matt O.
>
> I have a Planet Bike spot 3 LED. This thing is great (for
> my riding).
>
> It takes 3AAA batteries which seem to last forever, so I
> can only tell you that the battery life is excellent as my
> batteries have lasted for many months without dimming
> (almost a year now I think).
>
> It has 3 white LEDs, definitely bluish light, and
> functions in both the steady and blinking mode. I like the
> blinking mode because it saves battery life and cars seem
> to recognize me as a bicycle (or at least a slow moving
> oncoming vehicle) much sooner that way. Can't really tell
> you about the beam pattern, I wouldn't want to navigate
> only by this light any faster than a jogging pace, but
> it's great for being seen by cars. I can see the blinking
> light reflected off stop signs from more than a block
> away. There's also plenty of light for me to navigate the
> dark alley that leads to my garage, where I always used to
> walk into my neighbours garbage cans.
>
> Probably the nicest thing about it is the packaging. It's
> completely waterproof and very solidly made, and you have
> to hold down the on button for a couple seconds to turn it
> on/off (so it doesn't go off in my bag like my rear blinky
> always does). Tap the button while it's on to switch
> between blink and solid. The mounting is with a cam-type
> quick release which adjusts quickly to fit on all my bikes
> with different diameter handlebars and no mounting
> hardware. Comes off with a flick of the fingers.
>
> I use this light on flat bars, road bars, and as a
> flashlight when I go touring/camping. It cost me $21
> canadian. Planet bike also makes a 1W LED and a halogen
> type light in the same packaging. Highly recommended.

I have a planet bike 1W LED light that I bought about 1 week
ago. I've been using it for commuting to work (16 miles
round trip). The roads I travel are mostly suburban and side
roads. It's got a pretty strong beam for 1W of power. The
equivelant halogen would be about 5-6 watts I would say. It
does have a bluish tint to the light, which adds a nice
clean look to the beam of light. I get a lot of respect from
other cars using this light. I do have an Arc light that I
use during the winter time when my morning commute is pitch
dark. But during Spring and Summer months, this light is
great since my morning commutes are usually at the crack of
dawn. My Arc light is needed during the winter months to
provide the visibility to some roads that don't have any
surrounding lights. This set-up works good for me since
since during the hot summer months, I can now fit a water
bottle in my water bottle cage. The Arc I have has an
external battery which takes up my water cage. But during
winter, I never really have a need to drink water on my
short commute hops.

 

[Thomas Reynolds]

"Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've had a Cateye Micro for years, which I use for riding
> around town at night. It's barely powerful enough, but
> it's convenient -- I can quickly throw it in my bag so it
> doesn't get stolen, and/or carry it along in case I'm out
> later than planned. But it's on the fritz, and and I'd
> rather replace it than try to fix
> it. My question is -- are the newer Cateye LED lights as
> powerful or better? How about alternatives, of the
> same type? (I have bigger lights for more serious
> riding, and I'm well aware of generator setups, etc.
> So hold the nerd-assed suggestions, please.)
>
> Matt O.

For a few years I have used the Cateye HL-EL110, the kind
that requires 4 AA batteries and consumes 2.5 watts. Like
you, I have more powerful lights for other uses but use
these for all-nighters. I was never really impressed with
the amount of light ("bright enough to let you see what you
just ran over") but they were satisfactory.

A few weeks ago I had my Cateye fly off the handlebars and
break on a steep downhill. A fellow rider let me use his
spare light, a Cateye Compact Opticube LED light. I
appreciate him letting me use it but I have to say that the
light was useless. The tiny amount of light that it put out
was not good for anything past 5 mph riding.

Just my experience, Tom

 

[Martin TöRnsten]

Captain's log. On StarDate Thu, 06 May 2004 15:19:55 GMT received comm from
"Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> on channel rec.bicycles.tech:

: I've been looking for one of those 6W bulbs for the Micro,
: which were part of a high power Micro kit with an external
: battery. Rechargeables should drive it fine, and still
: give enough runtime for short trips. It would probably
: match the Sunsport's output, making it unnecessary. The
: ultimate compact handlebar light for around town...

I'm also thinking of putting a 6W bulb in my standard HL-
500II, but I'm not sure if it will handle the additional
heat generated from it (compared with the 2.4W bulb it's
designed for).

Anyone who has actually tried?

Also, anyone who knows the difference between the
standard housing, and the housing who comes with the high
power version?

I would be very interested in this!

Best regards,

martin törnsten

--
http://82.182.73.126/

 

[Matt O'Toole]

Martin Törnsten wrote:

> Captain's log. On StarDate Thu, 06 May 2004 15:19:55 GMT
> received comm from "Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> on
> channel rec.bicycles.tech:
>
>> I've been looking for one of those 6W bulbs for the
>> Micro, which were part of a high power Micro kit with an
>> external battery. Rechargeables should drive it fine, and
>> still give enough runtime for short trips. It would
>> probably match the Sunsport's output, making it
>> unnecessary. The ultimate compact handlebar light for
>> around town...
>
> I'm also thinking of putting a 6W bulb in my standard HL-
> 500II, but I'm not sure if it will handle the additional
> heat generated from it (compared with the 2.4W bulb it's
> designed for).
>
> Anyone who has actually tried?
>
> Also, anyone who knows the difference between the standard
> housing, and the housing who comes with the high power
> version?
>
> I would be very interested in this!

Apparently there's a different reflector and/or lens, which
comes in a kit from with the bulb. I learned this from the
Bikecurrent archives, but I haven't been able to find a shop
who cares to get it for me from Cateye. I called Cateye, and
they told me to get my shop to call. Catch-22.

FWIW, Supergo had a big pile of these 6W Micros on sale 3-4
years ago. So I know the parts exist.

Matt O.

 

[Michel Gagnon]

I have seen the Cateye products and heard a few
comments and, quite frankly, I would rather go with
Planet Bike's offering.

Cateye EL-200 and EL-400 are good be-seen lights, although
a bit tiny. The EL-300 could help you see if you ride
slowly, but it's front-end heavy and tends to break lookse
from its bracket.

I have the tiny Planet Bike light with 3 LEDs in a triangle.
It's great for being seen, and the "flashing" option is very
useful in central business districts to get the pedestrians
off the street. I often use it for that very reason in
conjunction with my generator. It uses 2 AA batteries and is
very compact. I have also used it a few times pointing down
to lighten up potholes. Not useful as a headlight, though.
The other 3-LED headlight -- with 3 LEDs in a vertical row
is, I think _slightly_ more powerful.

The 1 W LED is in a category by itself. It uses 4 AA
batteries so it's not ultra-compact, but it's well made,
sturdy, the weight is centred on its bracket, and the switch
won't depress by itself. It shoots its beam about as far as
the Micro Halogen, but it throws light at a wider angle,
though a bit too much is wasted upward. It reminds me of a 5
W MR-11 beam. I would ride in the dark with it, albeit not
at downhill speed, and I find it's a great supplement to my
Lumotec generator headlight, whether it's for pointing down
towards potholes or for the occasional trail riding.

I find only one drawback of Planet Bike's clamp vs the clamp
of the Micro Halogen. With the Micro Halogen,. one may turn
the lamp 5-10 degrees sideways; no such option for the
Planet Bike lamps.

Michel Gagnon

 

[David Damerell]

Thomas Reynolds <[email protected]> wrote:
>A few weeks ago I had my Cateye fly off the handlebars and
>break on a steep downhill.

I'll bet the corners of the mounting rails gradually chipped
off until the whole thing disintegrated. The newer Cateye
mounting design does not seem adequate.
--
David Damerell <[email protected]> flcl?