Thanks a million. Must be the most detailed reply that I ever got for a simple question.
One last question, got any online shops you would recommend.
--
Regards, Turbo Fahel __o -\<, ( ) / ( )
"Iguana Bwana" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:18:31 +1100, "Turbo.Fahel" <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> >Would you recommend the Vistalite and which one, the 5, 10 or 15w.
>
> Given our pissweak dollar and local pricing in the Australian marketplace, IMO&E the various
> Vistalite alternatives and their SRP arguably offer the optimum compromise of price vs performance
> for most of us. I use and can confidently recommend them with the following caveats.
>
> Taking into consideration your stated requirements. As you possibly already know, for riding on
> lamplit roads (famil with Beverly Hills) or other areas saturated with light pollution, bicycle
> front headlights really become semi-superfluous, and effectively act as a "what the!" attention
> getter than being *required* by the rider to light the way.
>
> For unlit bike path riding in the proverbial pitch black, IME&O a Vistalite of your choosing is an
> ideal solution for those without an unlimited budget. ie: most of us. They are similarly effective
> on unlit roads, although the speed at which you are riding will determine which wattage beam you
> require to ensure you don't outride it.
>
> As a guideline, for ambling along sub-20kph, properly adjusted, I find a (single) 5w projected
> beam more than adequate. At around the 25kph, you're starting to outride it but can get by. ie:
> You'll only spot the prominent rocks, holes or other unlit obstructions in time to alter track at
> that speed. At 30kph, you're kidding yourself with 5w. A 10w or stronger is really required. 5, 10
> or 15w, the beams all have excellent penetration, rather than diffusion. Combos work well, and can
> be independently switched on and off for the prevailing conditions to maximise endurance.
>
> Pretty obviously, for any 6v system the higher the globe wattage the brighter and more penetrating
> the beam, the trade-off being less endurance per battery capacity, exponentially so. We'd all run
> 15w continuously if it wasn't for endurance constraints. Maximum endurance of a single 5w running
> on a fully charged 2000mA nicad is stated at
> 2.2hrs. I find maximum practical risk of endurance to avoid overdischarging slightly less than
> this at around 2hrs, and *effective* endurance closer to 1¾hrs per nicad. It's starting to dim
> and & look pretty tired by the 2hr mark. Similarly Vistalight's specified 2.8hrs of a 5w from
> the 2200mA NiMH is wishful thinking IME, and *effective* lighting being less than 2½hrs
> depending upon the condition, age and maximum charge the battery will really accept. The latter
> cell conditional caveat also applies to the nicads.
>
> I have multiple Vistalite batteries and headlight units. That said, I prefer to run a single 5w
> finding it more than adequate most of the time enjoying the safe *effective* 3½-4¼hrs endurance 5w
> offers carrying just 2 compact slimline nicad/NiMH batteries. The problem I have with the 10w and
> 15w units becomes one of limited endurance vs the number of batteries you simultaneously need to
> purchase, maintain, charge, and carry. If you were continuously running the higher wattages, NiMHs
> (as supplied) and plenty of them, are a must.
>
> For MTBing, IMO a combo of high and low wattage lamp units is definitely required which hits the
> batteries (in continuous use) pretty hard. This is IM weenie night MTB experience offset by the
> nature of night MTBing itself which is mentally and physically taxing leading to much shorter
> endurance rides than you'll ordinarily do commuting, training or on bike path social night rides.
>
> Vistalite strengths
> -------------------
> + availability
> + PRICEpoint
> + portability - everything easily & quickly demountable
> + size - compact
> + weight - (relatively speaking)
> + availability of spare parts & replacement batteries
> + nicad or NiMH batteries available
> + 5, 10, 15w sealed globes available
> + can be used in multiples/wattage combo. Secondary switches etc available to facilitate this
> + reliable (IME)
> + robust (certainly will cop a physical hiding. I've witnessed some batteries continue to perform
> despite woeful neglect from users.
> + battery mounting (doesn't occupy a water bottle cage; not slung from top tube or bars etc;
> battery can be easily and compactly be carried in the supplied bracket, HydraPak pump pocket or
> pump bracket.
> + headlight/helmet mounting - versatile alternatives
> + compact charger
>
> Weaknesses and limitations
> --------------------------
> + 6v system
> + endurance times with higher wattage globes
> + time to recharge - the battery units all have idiot proofed auto-resetting charge overload
> protection. I haven't tried charging at higher rates myself, but presumably, this would limit
> charging rates to around those spec. of the supplied chargers? The supplied chargers are 7.2v
> 300mA & 600mA for the nicad and NiMH units respectively. Battery fully charged capacities are
> 2000mA and 2200mA respectively. As can evidenced from this, practical time to ensure a full
> recharge for a close to fully discharged battery (caution having been exercised not to over
> discharge) is circa 7hrs for a nicad and 4½hrs for an NiMH unit.
> + more of a criticism than a weakness per se. Supplied chargers have no idiot light indication
> indicating charging is even (a) taking place (eg: as per simple RC trickle chargers) and/or (b)
> completed (as per eg: digital camera or mobile ph chargers). Relies upon feeling the transformer
> for temp (yup it's charging) and gauging charge time.
> + replacement rain, dirt & mud rubber protective covers for battery jacks don't appear to be
> available as a spare part item.
>
> Iguana Bwana
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.465 / Virus Database: 263 - Release Date: 25/03/2003
). I
