Rechargeable lights - which ones ?

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

Yes. A hub dynamo is definitely worth considering. Mine replaced the
rechargeable lights when the finally died and I would not go back. that
nagging doubt about whether you did or did not charge the lights last
night is just not worth it, even though I never did forget.

I can't praise the SON driving a pair of lights in a 12V style highly
enough.

--chris

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

Yes. A hub dynamo is definitely worth considering. Mine replaced the
rechargeable lights when the finally died and I would not go back. that
nagging doubt about whether you did or did not charge the lights last
night is just not worth it, even though I never did forget.

I can't praise the SON driving a pair of lights in a 12V style highly
enough.

--chris

I submit that on or about 25 Jul 2005 06:57:55 -0700, the person known
to the court as [email hidden] made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

A dynamo is definitely worth considering. I used a Shimano hub dynamo
for an unlit 7.5 mile each way commute for a year or so, then switched
to a SON, which will power two lights (12V). I think the new Shimano
will do the same if you use normal switches instead of the automatic
switch. I used a 2.4W coupled with a Busch & Muller 4D TopLight for
the first light, and a 3W secondary. The primary light was a B&M
Lumotec and the secondary a SON E6 (much better beam pattern but no
standlight).

Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

I submit that on or about 25 Jul 2005 06:57:55 -0700, the person known
to the court as [email hidden] made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

A dynamo is definitely worth considering. I used a Shimano hub dynamo
for an unlit 7.5 mile each way commute for a year or so, then switched
to a SON, which will power two lights (12V). I think the new Shimano
will do the same if you use normal switches instead of the automatic
switch. I used a 2.4W coupled with a Busch & Muller 4D TopLight for
the first light, and a 3W secondary. The primary light was a B&M
Lumotec and the secondary a SON E6 (much better beam pattern but no
standlight).

Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

On 25 Jul 2005 06:57:55 -0700 someone who may be
[email hidden] wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

You ask for rechargeable lights, and then tack on a question about a
dynamo.

Dynamo lights have the advantage that they are always there. A 2.4W
or 3.0W halogen light powered by one is perfectly adequate for many
people to see the road by.

Canny commuters tend to have both, as both are potentially subject
to various failures.

I would suggest lights using standard cells than can be recharged in
a universal charger, with the same cells for front and rear lights.
If a light doesn't take a cell you have standardised on, such as AA,
then there are many other lights to choose from.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

On 25 Jul 2005 06:57:55 -0700 someone who may be
[email hidden] wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

You ask for rechargeable lights, and then tack on a question about a
dynamo.

Dynamo lights have the advantage that they are always there. A 2.4W
or 3.0W halogen light powered by one is perfectly adequate for many
people to see the road by.

Canny commuters tend to have both, as both are potentially subject
to various failures.

I would suggest lights using standard cells than can be recharged in
a universal charger, with the same cells for front and rear lights.
If a light doesn't take a cell you have standardised on, such as AA,
then there are many other lights to choose from.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

I used to commute along a 2 mile stretch of unlit road as part of a
longer commute. I used a Shimano hub dynamo (see Guy's post) but
supplemented that with a bottom end Cat-Eye single lamp rechargeable
system. The Cat-Eye system was heavy and used a dedicated charger but
provided a 12W beam for the unlit stretch, not just useful for seeing
with but very useful in getting oncoming motorists to dip their lights.
The dynamo provided security and was sufficient for the stretches on lit
roads. The rear lights were all battery LEDs, more than one set.

Colin

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

I used to commute along a 2 mile stretch of unlit road as part of a
longer commute. I used a Shimano hub dynamo (see Guy's post) but
supplemented that with a bottom end Cat-Eye single lamp rechargeable
system. The Cat-Eye system was heavy and used a dedicated charger but
provided a 12W beam for the unlit stretch, not just useful for seeing
with but very useful in getting oncoming motorists to dip their lights.
The dynamo provided security and was sufficient for the stretches on lit
roads. The rear lights were all battery LEDs, more than one set.

Colin

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

For front recharbable I use the Cateye ABS10
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/itemviewer.asp?ID=34&type=lights.
Thouroughly recommended. For back lights 2x Cateye LD600.

Having said that I park my bike in a shed with power so as a matter of
routine I just plug the light onto charge every time I use it at night.
If you are keeping the bike outside with no access to power I would
agree with prev poster that dynamo is the way to go. Less hassle than
taking battteries on and off all the time.
Iain

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide
which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have
to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

For front recharbable I use the Cateye ABS10
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/itemviewer.asp?ID=34&type=lights.
Thouroughly recommended. For back lights 2x Cateye LD600.

Having said that I park my bike in a shed with power so as a matter of
routine I just plug the light onto charge every time I use it at night.
If you are keeping the bike outside with no access to power I would
agree with prev poster that dynamo is the way to go. Less hassle than
taking battteries on and off all the time.
Iain

I submit that on or about Mon, 25 Jul 2005 15:23:44 +0100, the person
known to the court as Colin Blackburn <[email hidden]>
made a statement (<[email hidden]> in Your Honour's
bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

I used to commute along a 2 mile stretch of unlit road as part of a
longer commute. I used a Shimano hub dynamo (see Guy's post) but
supplemented that with a bottom end Cat-Eye single lamp rechargeable
system. The Cat-Eye system was heavy and used a dedicated charger but
provided a 12W beam for the unlit stretch, not just useful for seeing
with but very useful in getting oncoming motorists to dip their lights.
The dynamo provided security and was sufficient for the stretches on lit
roads. The rear lights were all battery LEDs, more than one set.

I used a headtorch. Very handy for getting clueless cagers to notice
you - moving the thing around seemed to attract their attention very
reliably!

Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

I submit that on or about Mon, 25 Jul 2005 15:23:44 +0100, the person
known to the court as Colin Blackburn <[email hidden]>
made a statement (<[email hidden]> in Your Honour's
bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

I used to commute along a 2 mile stretch of unlit road as part of a
longer commute. I used a Shimano hub dynamo (see Guy's post) but
supplemented that with a bottom end Cat-Eye single lamp rechargeable
system. The Cat-Eye system was heavy and used a dedicated charger but
provided a 12W beam for the unlit stretch, not just useful for seeing
with but very useful in getting oncoming motorists to dip their lights.
The dynamo provided security and was sufficient for the stretches on lit
roads. The rear lights were all battery LEDs, more than one set.

I used a headtorch. Very handy for getting clueless cagers to notice
you - moving the thing around seemed to attract their attention very
reliably!

Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

On 07/25/2005 15:03:02 Chris Gerhard Chris.Gerhard@remove_this.sun.com said:

[email hidden] wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7 mile
commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide which
to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have to
remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

Quoted message said:

Yes. A hub dynamo is definitely worth considering. Mine replaced the
rechargeable lights when the finally died and I would not go back. that
nagging doubt about whether you did or did not charge the lights last
night is just not worth it, even though I never did forget.

Quoted message said:

I can't praise the SON driving a pair of lights in a 12V style highly
enough.

The new B&M 12V bottle dynamo is excellent, as good as if not better
than Lightspin.

--

Buck

I would rather be out on my Catrike

http://www.catrike.co.uk

On 07/25/2005 15:03:02 Chris Gerhard Chris.Gerhard@remove_this.sun.com said:

[email hidden] wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7 mile
commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to decide which
to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so may have to
remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

Quoted message said:

Yes. A hub dynamo is definitely worth considering. Mine replaced the
rechargeable lights when the finally died and I would not go back. that
nagging doubt about whether you did or did not charge the lights last
night is just not worth it, even though I never did forget.

Quoted message said:

I can't praise the SON driving a pair of lights in a 12V style highly
enough.

The new B&M 12V bottle dynamo is excellent, as good as if not better
than Lightspin.

--

Buck

I would rather be out on my Catrike

http://www.catrike.co.uk

Buck said:

The new B&M 12V bottle dynamo is excellent, as good as if not better
than Lightspin.

And so it should be at that price...

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Although the hippopotamus hath no sting in its tail, the wise man would
rather be seated upon the back of a bee.

Buck said:

The new B&M 12V bottle dynamo is excellent, as good as if not better
than Lightspin.

And so it should be at that price...

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Although the hippopotamus hath no sting in its tail, the wise man would
rather be seated upon the back of a bee.

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to
decide which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so
may have to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

A dynamo would probably be adequate most practical for you, but Lumicycles
are the business if you do fancy a high-power rechargeable system for
extra illumination or just high-speed fun: www.lumicycle.co.uk

~PB

Quoted message said:

Can anyone recomend a set of rechargable lights - will be doing a 7
mile commute each way, along unlit country lanes so am trying to
decide which to go for. The bike will have to be stored outside, so
may have to remove lights each time - is a dynamo worth considering ?

A dynamo would probably be adequate most practical for you, but Lumicycles
are the business if you do fancy a high-power rechargeable system for
extra illumination or just high-speed fun: www.lumicycle.co.uk

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

A dynamo would probably be adequate most practical for you, but
Lumicycles are the business if you do fancy a high-power rechargeable
system for extra illumination or just high-speed fun:
www.lumicycle.co.uk

Agreed. Especially the "fun" bit.