On Apr 29, 1:42 pm, N8N <
[email protected]> wrote:
> On Apr 29, 4:30 pm, SMS <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Tom Sherman wrote:
> > > Jay Bollyn wrote:
> > >> [...]
> > >> For 'illuminate pavement' headlights, see DiNotte headlights: Simply
> > >> the best, brightest, and best customer service, by far.
>
> > > Why go with such inexpensive, low powered lights?
>
> > > This is the one to have: <http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/bigbang.asp>.
> > > If only the adapter for US/Canadian outlets was no additional charge.
>
> > I was all set to order four of them, then I saw that the $975 each was
> > just the beginning. No way was I going to shell out $3 each for plug
> > adapters.
>
> > You gotta laugh at the assertion that only this HID light is safe to use
> > on the road. Other HID lights are equally aim-able to not blind oncoming
> > traffic.
>
> Eh, it's not completely laughable. I suspect but have no proof that
> many "bike headlights" simply have a flashlight-style beam pattern...
I use only a taillight (Planet Bike "Super Flash" - awesome light,
BTW). SWMBO insisted. Otherwise I guess I'd still be riding the old
black Trek around like a stealthy puma. But I do like the taillight.
I can hear cars coming waaaay back there... then I hear them suddenly
slow down, and I can even hear inside the driver's head "What the heck
is that?!" ... Then, just a moment or two later, I hear their head
telling them, "Oh, it's just some guy on a bike." Then, *most* of
them pass me quite safely and courteously.
Admittedly, when it was still pitch dark outside in the morning I had
to really strain sometimes to detect the white line and know where the
road was in front of me, but in terms of being seen, what matters is
what's behind. I mean, what's the oncoming gonna do? Swerve all the
way across the road to take me out because they didn't know I was
there? (I do acknowledge the case where one oncoming vehicle is
passing another.)
I do intend to buy a headlight, though (I've got my eye on the Planet
Bike Beamer 5) - just as soon as it floats up close enough to the top
priorities around payday. Right now I feel like a good rain jacket
trumps any sort of headlight. For that matter a second (backup)
taillight might be a better investment in safety. (* I do realize
that it may be technically illegal for me to ride in the dark with no
headlight ;-)