high powered torch as a headlight

Rex said:

Hello,

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

I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight with similar lumen
output (eg. ayup/dinotte), but how far off would it be? They are much
cheaper.

Anyone else use one? how does it go? Any tips for mounting it to the bike?

A google of the archive with the 'merican of torch will get you
started:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/search?group=rec.bicycles.tech&q=cree+flashlight&qt_g=Search+this+group

Rex said:

Hello,

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

I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight with similar lumen
output (eg. ayup/dinotte), but how far off would it be? They are much
cheaper.

Anyone else use one? how does it go? Any tips for mounting it to the bike?

If it is up to C-Cell Sized:
Two Fish Cycle Black will mount it to the handlebar.

See:

boomerdirect.shoppingcartsplus.com1226129.htmOpen ↗

Beam pattern is often an issue, but a different lens assembly can care for it.
I think it may be worth "chasing down" the combination. Chalo has contributed a lens assembly suggestion in a similar posting a few weeks ago.

On Mon, 19 May 2008 13:39:01 +1000, "Rex"

may have said:

Hello,

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

I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight with similar lumen
output (eg. ayup/dinotte), but how far off would it be? They are much
cheaper.

Anyone else use one? how does it go? Any tips for mounting it to the bike?

Can work OK, but rigging the mount securely may prove more of a task
than expected.

The quickie test to see whether the light will serve well is in the
test ride with it in your hand.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Per Rex:

Quoted message said:

Anyone else use one? how does it go? Any tips for mounting it to the bike?

I swear by mine. I've got a "real" bike lite - hub generator
driven - to make me legal, but it's not enough to see by.

I'm able go hold mine in one hand while that hand still holds the
bar and operates the brake. Big hands, I guess.... but holding
it gets around any beam pattern issues since it can
redirected/swept back-and-forth as needed.
--
PeteCresswell

"Rex" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

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

I dont expect it to be as good as a bicycle headlight with similar lumen
output (eg. ayup/dinotte), but how far off would it be? They are much
cheaper.

Anyone else use one? how does it go? Any tips for mounting it to the bike?

200 lumens? Man that is so behind the times. You'll want to pick up the
latest 900-lumen P7 one here (single emitter, 4 dice):

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12761

You won't ever get 200 lumens out the front, or 900 lumens for that matter.
There will always be optical losses. The rating is for no light focusing
elements, so any LED bike-specific light advertising 600 lumens is likely
using an old Luxeon V or K2. Crees are also advancing slowly with the
current R2 binning, but there's still more headway to go. The Seoul
Semiconductor P7 integrates 4 dice into one emitter, between 70 and
150lm/watt, approaching fluorescent efficiency.

Phil