riding with Bright Lights

[lph]

I think I've posted something like this before, but I couldn't find it, sorry.

Am debating whether to buy a used light off a friend. It's a Light and Motion Stella 180, and has 4 different modes, plus flashing. I tried it commuting home in the dark this evening, and dang, that's a bright light! I got my friend to ride my bike away from me and back a couple of times so I could see what my light set-up looked like. When she was riding toward me, even with the light on the lowest setting, I couldn't see her head at all, and any hand signals would have been lost. I had to ask her to tip it way forward so that it was focussed just a metre or two in front of the front wheel. On the brightest setting it's impossible to see what's approaching, it could easily be a car with one headlight...

Now this light looks like it could be very useful riding on trails and gravel roads in the dark, which I do occasionally, but for commuting it seems like it could be a hazard unless I'm diligent about aiming the beam.

Any thoughts?

[Maxxxie]

One of the guys on the BNA (http://bicycles.net.au/forums/index.php) forums came up with an answer to this. Basically, he Magyver'd some covers that sit over the top of his lights, so that they deflect the light downwards. Similar to what you might see on traffic lights:

http://katybarrilleaux.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/traffic_light_green.png

Sadly, I can't find the pic of his Magyver job right now, but I hope you get the drift.

Max

[blackhillsbiker]

My LBH just gave me a great deal on a Stella 120. I tried it out tonight and it was plenty bright for my commute. More would have been overkill.

Deb

[Selkie]

I go for overkill but I ride primarily on a MUT that has unlit segments.

You can't go wrong with a L&M lamp. Excellent quality---I have an arc li-on battery that I bought in 2005 & have used on a regular basis for at least the last two years. Have noticed only very slight reduction in run time due to "age." The Seca lamps (which I now use) are extremely efficient in terms of battery use--better than advertised.

I don't have the Stella but when I need to replace my backup headlight, I will get a Stella.

[7rider]

Now this light looks like it could be very useful riding on trails and gravel roads in the dark, which I do occasionally, but for commuting it seems like it could be a hazard unless I'm diligent about aiming the beam.

Any thoughts?

Well. For one, you didn't have a car light shining on her to offset her bright light coming at you. That MAY make your approach more visible (but I'm not sure). Because if you're using a light, chances are, the car is, too.
Also, reflective trim on your gloves, or a reflective band on your wrist might make hand movements more clear.
That could be worth some testing with your friend....and...you could let us know if it works! :D

[Becky]

DH and I use NiteRider TriNewts for our winter commute (smaller lights in the summer). They're crazy bright, but there are quite a few sections where our city doesn't see fit to install and maintain roadside lighting. There's also some sections with heavy traffic where smaller headlights would simply blend in. We're careful to be respectful with our brightness- keeping the lamps tipped down, shielding them if we see pedestrians squinting, etc.

I'd rather err on the side of being too bright than not bright enough.