cheap light

[BigE610]

so my magicshine quit working out of the blue last night as i pulled out of work which left me only a cheap head lamp to ride home... not fun. The roads around here are awful and i was dodging potholes for 12 miles. I dont have much or any money right now to buy a replacement since i just purchased a new bike (salsa fargo). Any suggestion on a cheap replacement until i get the warranty situation worked out.

[BigE610]

what are you thoughts on Amazon.com: CREE XML T6 Bicycle Headlight LED 3 Files 1200 Lumens: Sports & Outdoors

[junior1210]

Probably do alright short term, just remember that the lumen rating is most likely exaggerated.

[BigE610]

Probably do alright short term, just remember that the lumen rating is most likely exaggerated.

i ordered it. its not too expensive and should last until i can navigate the magicshine warranty. what a headache.

[bedwards1000]

Report back, I'm finding myself wanting one. I'd like to know how the head mount strap is.

[rodar y rodar]

I love the translation on the product description:
>1.Constant pressure current, from beginning to end all the same high brightness, has no electricity from will put off, and not like a step-down circuit as can slowly going down.<
Huh?

Comedy aside, it looks like a worthwile gamble to me too. Hope it does a good job for you.

[bedwards1000]

I ended up ordering the 1600 lumen head mounted version, had to. It was the description that got me. Actually it is that my bike light is so good that I sometimes wear my helmet to use the light attached, like working on the car. Having a good head mounted light seems like a good idea.

[BrianMc]

I love the translation on the product description:
>1.Constant pressure current, from beginning to end all the same high brightness, has no electricity from will put off, and not like a step-down circuit as can slowly going down.<
Huh?

Comedy aside, it looks like a worthwhile gamble to me too. Hope it does a good job for you.

Part of that means it uses a constant current driver rather than a step down driver. So you have the same max output from fresh battery to the battery cutoff. Hope it has warning flashes as battery voltage drops and good battery cutoff circuits. Mine do.

... Actually it is that my bike light is so good that I sometimes wear my helmet to use the light attached, like working on the car. Having a good head mounted light seems like a good idea.

I use mine in the 'attic' and I ordered a headband so I don't have to wear the helmet.

BrianMc

[jrm]

I would think it would be cheaper then replacing it. Just take the time to diagnose exactly what "went" and replace it.

[BigE610]

magic shine has been returned but its going to take some time to get another one. I needed a cheap light so that i can continue to ride home from work and not kill myself.

[poconomtbiker]

How about one of those less expensive usb charged lights ? They look like a great back up or temp light. I see them on Amazon and Nashbar in the $50 - 60 range. Just a thought, prob not the best choice for every day use..

[BigE610]

now that amazon accepted my return any suggestions on a new light under 150? I like the mj816 because of the floods which come in helpful on large bike paths at night but im open to anything.

[bedwards1000]

For $75 the Niterider Lumina (350) is a heck of a light. I have the Pro 600 (previous version) which I run on medium most of the time. Or you could jump right to the Lumina 650 but that is getting out of the "cheap" range but does come with the helmet mount for a really nice backup light if your main light craps out or the battery dies.

My cheap 1600 lumen headlamp should be on my doorstep.

[mack_turtle]

get a Solarforce L2 and find a way to strap it on your bike. I have had mine (two of them) for about a year and I use them every day for everything. Welcome to Solarforce -

[BrianMc]

A review for those interested:

Review of the Best Bicycle Tail Lights in 2012 « Stack Exchange Bicycles Blog

BrianMc

[bedwards1000]

I ended up ordering the 1600 lumen head mounted version, had to. It was the description that got me. Actually it is that my bike light is so good that I sometimes wear my helmet to use the light attached, like working on the car. Having a good head mounted light seems like a good idea.

I got this light in and for $35 the light output is amazing. Quality isn't the cheapest Chinese junk but the quality is indicative of it's price. This one isn't the bike specific light but I'd guess it is similar.

[BigE610]

anyone got a recommendation on a light with a nice wide beam. this cheappy i got is nice but it only lights up a small spot. i would give up some brightness if i could get a wider area. thanks.

[BrianMc]

Have you looked here?

2012 Bike Lights Shootout | Mountain Bike Review

As far as cheap and bright goes the MagicShines have that. Reliability? Not so much. Some have used amber 'snoots', a tube around the bezel to tame the side spill a bit for the road. Check out the lights forum for beamshots.

If you are handy, check the DIY forum to make your own. It will cost more than the magicshine but you determine the quality.

BrianMc

[Sanath]

anyone got a recommendation on a light with a nice wide beam. this cheappy i got is nice but it only lights up a small spot. i would give up some brightness if i could get a wider area. thanks.

You could just get a lens for your cheapie light.

Action-LED-Lights — Wide Angle Lens
Amazon.com: Wide Angle Lens for MagicShine, Gemini, and many other Bike Lights / Headlight: Sports & Outdoors (same company, but through Amazon)

[bikeCOLORADO]

what are you thoughts on Amazon.com: CREE XML T6 Bicycle Headlight LED 3 Files 1200 Lumens: Sports & Outdoors

I have that exact same light, only I bought mine off E-Bay for just about the same price. It is very bright, probably not quite 1200 lumens, but it is shockingly bright. Mine is on all the time, in daytime I have it on low strobe pointed a little more to the ground. In broad daylight, on low strobe I can see it flashing off street signs a block away. It's a ridiculously bright little bugger.

At night on full brightness you have no worries. I think I have a cell going out in the battery pack, but you can very easily build your own pack or buy replacements.

[bikeCOLORADO]

The single problem I have with the light is the battery indicator. When charged the power on/off switch glows green showing full charge. It's supposed to change to amber when the battery is close to dying. It doesn't, the light just shuts off. I am going to buy or build another battery pack as it has left me with no light at night unexpectedly in 1,300 miles riding.

[wallstreet]

This makes a nice present

[wyatt79m]

I ordered one, gonna try it as a backup/loaner light.... We will see?

[leeboh]

REI has the lumina 650 on sale for about $ 100.00.

[BigE610]

You could just get a lens for your cheapie light.

Action-LED-Lights — Wide Angle Lens
Amazon.com: Wide Angle Lens for MagicShine, Gemini, and many other Bike Lights / Headlight: Sports & Outdoors (same company, but through Amazon)

this works perfect on the clone i purchased. thanks for saving me some money