Jemsquash said:
Has anyone ever heard of ayup lights?
http://www.ayup.com.au/ <snip>
Prices seem really good but no dimmable option. I don't know if one is needed though with 6 hours runtime.
I use a set of these for commuting - they're more than bright enough for that purpose. I've also tried a single set (as opposed to their standard two sets for MTB riding) on a half moonlit trail, with no problems in visibility.
They're good value compared to other complete lightsets out there (the road kit is 240-ish, delivered incl GST).
While Luxeon III is old news, the Ayups are equivalent to many retail systems out there (Knog and the Cateye doubleshot to name but two) - although the electronics are a bit more straightforward, that doesn't bother me at all. For flashers, I use knog frogs in addition to the AyUps as the main headlight.
I was tossing up various light systems a while ago, and the thing that swayed my decision in favour of these was:
1) Value for money - it's at least 60% cheaper than the cheapest legitimatley imported HID system I could find (Brightstar Levin).
2) Solid state reliability vs. relative fragility of HID
3) Long term durability - LEDs have a stated life of 100,000h. Even if they achieve only half of that, 50,000h is 91 YEARS of riding for 1.5 hours every night. HID, OTOH, will survive for about 500-1000h. At the same riding frequncy, expect to replace bulbs every 1-1.5 years.
4) HID is looking to be old news in the very near future, and I didn't want to have to replace expensive bulbs that would get harder to find.
5) LEDS are more power efficient - which means you can use a smaller, and lighter battery.
6) AyUps are locally made.
In short: If you're electronically minded and have the time, building your own lightset from parts is a really good cost-effective option, as GeoffS has alluded to.
If you're not, or time poor (like I am), than these IMHO, are a very good value for money alternative.
If you really want HID + brightness in a pre-made LED setup, then consider the new NightLightning headlight - I think its UGLY as, but they do claim 600+ lumens.
Cheers,
n