inexpensive BRIGHT lighting?

I've been using the pair of flashing LED lights front and rear sold under the Trek label. costs about $15 and uses AAA batteries internally. both have fallen off but didn't break. I can see the flash reflecting off of signs up and down the road and 1 driver even pulled up to me to yell out "good idea about the lights" so i guess they work well enough.

I dont ride on City streets, which have more lights, and more distracitons.

lugger said:

Looking for an inexpensive and very bright and flashing LED headlight and tail light that has the batteries inside the light.

How is Niterider Ultra Fazer 3, Planet Bike Beamer 5 or Cateye EL400 for a headlight?

How is Cateye LD1000 10 or Planet Bike Blinky 5 for a tail light?

What else should I look at? Which is very bright and sturdy, which is not?

I want to be SEEN when riding on city streets.

I think it is a good idea to have a flashing strobe light on the front of the bike also.
When I see people using them they are easy to spot from a mile away.
You can use various settings and they are worth every penny.
After all money is no object when it comes to your safety.
Good Helmut, brakes, lights and bright clothing.
They are my main worries.

I commute by bike as often as I can. I'm on the road at 5:15am; at this time of year it is dark and often foggy. My route is about 65% two lane country roads and the balance in well lighted city streets.

Every now and again I see another rider using a green or white led flasher on the front. In the dark areas the lights are worthless at speed and in the lighter areas or in trafic they really don't stand out.

Buy one of the many cheap 10 w lights that are often on sale--

Try the one of Luxeon LED lights that are becoming available (even the 1watt gives a useable light-both to see and be seen).
Stap a small flashlight to the bars.

Don't get hurt saving 30 or 40 bucks.

lugger said:

Looking for an inexpensive and very bright and flashing LED headlight and tail light that has the batteries inside the light.

How is Niterider Ultra Fazer 3, Planet Bike Beamer 5 or Cateye EL400 for a headlight?

How is Cateye LD1000 10 or Planet Bike Blinky 5 for a tail light?

What else should I look at? Which is very bright and sturdy, which is not?

I want to be SEEN when riding on city streets.

I added a Planet Bike blinking tail light this winter. It is brighter than my old Vistalite and was pretty inexpensive. It runs on two triple AAs that have lasted several weeks (use about 40 minutes commuting 5 times/week).

lugger said:

Looking for an inexpensive and very bright and flashing LED headlight and tail light that has the batteries inside the light.

How is Niterider Ultra Fazer 3, Planet Bike Beamer 5 or Cateye EL400 for a headlight?

How is Cateye LD1000 10 or Planet Bike Blinky 5 for a tail light?

What else should I look at? Which is very bright and sturdy, which is not?

I want to be SEEN when riding on city streets.

In my opinion there is no LED-based light, yet, that is really suitable as a headlight. When I ride at night, an LED light just doesn't throw enough of a beam to really be able to see far enough down the road if there are no streetlights. Oncoming cars can see the bike well enough, though. Rear flashing LED lights are plenty good enough for they are so oncoming cars can see and LED's are fine for that.

Hi, I'm using a Cateye EL-500 (standard LED white beam) and a S-sun ss-l 120w with 3 focusing led's on the front and the red led version on the rear, these are all much brighter than the non focusable lights.

http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod557.htm
http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod1082.htm

With both lights on oncoming cars have been dipping their lights.

Also to be seen I'm wearing flashing bands on the arm and ankle.
http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod798.htm

You can never not have enough lights while riding in the dark.

Regards
Ken

lugger said:

Looking for an inexpensive and very bright and flashing LED headlight and tail light that has the batteries inside the light.

How is Niterider Ultra Fazer 3, Planet Bike Beamer 5 or Cateye EL400 for a headlight?

How is Cateye LD1000 10 or Planet Bike Blinky 5 for a tail light?

What else should I look at? Which is very bright and sturdy, which is not?

I want to be SEEN when riding on city streets.

Thanks folks. I went ahead and ordered some lights from Nashbar. I decided on the Cateye LD1000 10 LED Tail Light and Cateye EL400 Compact Opticube LED Headlight for my helmet and NiteRider Ultra Fazer 3.0 for the handlebar. I might also grab a Planet Bike Blinky 3H rear light. It straps onto the back of the helmet and pivots up and down to stay level. All that, plus several reflectors, should be plenty for city riding at night. It's a lot, but from seeing other cyclists at night, I think double-lighting brings much more than double the visibility.

And I got super discounts, BTW. Nashbar is having a sale and this coupon, S1207G, is good for 10% off on top of the sale. Go save by spending!!??

Also, let me put in a plug for Planet Bike, although I did not get their stuff this time (but I use their fenders). I think they are a great company, they make good stuff and they give money to bike advocacy groups. Anyone know what percent they give?

Last thought...Too bad there is no research-based way to compare how bright lights are. There are no comparative reports and reviews, no standardized, independent ratings of candlepower or LMS. Most of the lights just say they are "bright," in their descriptions and on manufactures' websites.