I had been looking at getting an LED light to use on my helmet to supplement a handlebar mounted system.
I like the look of the BLT ozone 21ne seeing as it's light, compact powerful and not particularly expensive.
So, I went out and bought one... Now I'm wondering if I should send it back as I can't be sure if it will work with Rechargeable Cr123 cells or not - oops. I don't fancy throwing away loads of spent cells as I like to get out on the bike as much as possible and try to do my bit for the environment.
I know Cr123 cells are available as rechargeable, but information seems to vary on whether they work across the board.
Has anyone in the biking community tried rechargeable in an Ozone 21ne? :skep:
If it doesn't work I guess I'll have to send it back and shell out for the Tritron T4..
Rupert.
I was also thinking about the BLT Ozone 21ne for night racing. I currently have a Cygo Night Rover on my bars and was looking to add a helmet light (I borrow a Night Rider Evolution from a friend right now for the helmet). Since I do only a couple 24 hour races/night rides a year (on a team, not solo), I am thinking that this could be a good light for that. So I am interested if the rechargeable CR 123 batteries would work as well.
If anyone has used this light, what are your opinions of it? I would like some reviews before spending the cash.
I don't know the light, but I know the battery. Anybody, please correct me If I'm wrong The only rechargable battery replacement for throw away CR123 lithium 3v batteries with the same diameter is multi cell NiCad. At somewhere around twice the length so special adapters are needed in cases like flashlights. If the BLT Ozone 21ne has separete battery case any mods would be easier.
I run a 6v high pressure xenon flashlight on my helmet using basically 4 rechargable AA's @ 5.2 v. I do not get the light output of 2 CR123 bats, still, very useable and those $5+ bulbs last longer.
I have been doing a bit of research into this problem since I first posted.
I spoke to windwave who import BLT to the UK and it would seem that rechargeable CR123 lithiums will work with the Ozone 21ne.
Apparently, although the Triton is described as coming with a Li-Ion battery pack, the cells are actually separate and Cr123 shaped.. The advertised burn time for the Triton is 3hrs, although I'm told the burn time is actually about half that when using the rechargeable battery pack and full burn is only achieved using disposable CR123 cells!
I haven't proven this information for myself as I don't have this light or the cells, but the information did come from the importer and they sounded pretty sure!
After looking at what is available in rechargeable CR123 lithiums (and yes they do exist); most commercially available cells are rated at 600 milli-amp hours (mAh) and the disposable cells that came with my Ozone 21ne are rated at 1300 mAh.
This would seem to explain the reduction in burn time.
I think I have found a source for 1200 mAh CR123 rechargeable cells and have emailed them for some info. I'll report back when I hear more.
The whole thing has become a little accademic now, as I went out for a ride on Friday Night (in Harleston Firs, Northampton, UK) with a friend using my new Ozone 21ne and on our way home across the fields we got jumped by about 12, fourteen to sixteen year old lads who surrounded us and viciously attempted to steal our bikes. (both of which belonged to me!) After much struggling, punching, and getting kicked in the head, I managed to keep hold of my Uzzi VPX, although lost my helmet and new light in the process. My friend didn't do so well as he got bottled and lost hold of the bike he was riding (heavily modified '04 S-works Enduro). I'm going to post separately about the incident in the hope that someone local may see or hear something, but suffice to say it wasn't a good night and we both got hurt badly.
For the 2 hours we did ride though, the ozone 21ne was very good. the beam is very bright and white in colour, although the angle is narrow, making it good for use on your head, but not so much on the bars as the sides of anything other than a narrow trail are not illuminated. I'd say the spot is a bit bright in the centre, and could be more even across the beam, but it's so small and light it's hard to pick fault. Especially at the price.
I shall continue my investigations and report back on the rechargeable batteries seeing as I have started and may well buy another ozone 21ne in due course. ..
I have a BLT 21ne ozone and have mixed comments about the light. Speaking purely bang for your bucks, the light output per dollar isnt as good as say a 5-10watt halogen because it is a very narrow beam. However where it falls short it makes up for it in size and convenience. It mounts to the helmet very well. On the handle bars is alittle bit more difficult so if you're riding your MTB in the bush it moves easily if not tightened super tight.
Definately not a good handlebar light due to the lack of light spill / flood. However on the head/helmet it is very good for pointing and looking at were you want to go..
If you need a decent helmet light, this may do the trick.
I used Rechargeable CR123 batteries and it doesnt last anywhere near 3hours. I bought some generic 1000mAh ones off ebay and when fully charges its bright, but it starts to loose its power after about 60minutes and fades quickly after that.
Thanks for that dnation. I've not tried rechargeables yet, so it's good to hear from someone who has. I agree about the poor performance on the handlebars, plus the mount is pretty poor for use on the bars too. The helmet mount is much better.
I do think it's decent value for a helmet lamp though.
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