Visibility-what price glory. Light review {long}
Visibility. How the heck do I lessen the chance I will get creamed in an intersection in the dark. How do I make my self noticeable at a good distance in daylight to a driver who may be distracted or tired. Back in December as I contemplated becoming a commuter, these two questions always came up. Aside from reflectors and hi-viz vests, I would need lights, but what kind and how much.
I started with a Sefras AAA headlight and Viewpoint blinkie in the rear. Not enough. In the dark, not enough up front to light the road surface and too dim to compete with car headlamps. I needed lumens. The rear blinkie fared better but it could not compete with the city and all the cars. After some research, and adding a second rear blinkie, (a Blackburn Mars 3), I came to the conclusion I needed closer to 3 watts in back for it to be noticeable in daylight like a car brake light. Then the Blackburn broke at the mount, then the Viewpoint. (within 2 weeks of each other). They are probably swimming in the Pacific by now. I was through with AAA blinkies.
After researching lights, I found out about 'Magicshine' lights. And they just came out with a rear taillight that works on an external lith-ion rechargeable battery. 3 watts. They also have a 900 Lumen (supposed) front light. So I bought both online from 'Geoman Gear', along with a Y cable to run both lights from one battery. So far, I am pleased with the lights. A co-worker who passed me in his truck last week went out of his way to stop me outside my office to comment that he saw me blinking all the way down the block, well before he got close to me. This was in daylight. On the way home, when I stopped at a light, a person standing there commented he saw my headlight (in blink mode) all the way down the street- in broad daylight, on a long city block.
I had bought a L&M Stella 150 before finding out about the Magischine, and although it is a well made light, it is only good as a nighttime 'be seen light'. It was not enough to be a main front light for daylight use or at night if you wish to see the road. The Magicshine blows it away. The cost is reasonable too, I got the front and rear lights, Y cable and two batteries for about 20 bucks more than the Stella 150.
The other really useful light I found started out as a silly thing but it is really very useful in the 'be seen at night' category. It's the 'BikeGlow' safety light. Silly looking, but it really works. I found it at the local REI. It's a thin tube that is about 3feet long and glows (2AA batteries). You wrap it around the frame and secure it with zip ties. At night, the light makes you visible as a cyclist from the sides. No it's not as bright as a rear blinkie, but that's not what it is for. And it's cool looking.
So I would recommend the Magicshine front and rear lights to any commuter who wants daylight visible front and rear lighting at a reasonable price, without the hassle of AA and AAA batteries. And if you want to have some fun in the dark (with lights :D) the BikeGlow adds some side visibility and color.
Don't forget the reflectors and hi-vis vest, and be safe out there...
