Headlight Suggestions Please

[Megustalaplaya]

I'm finding myself out after the sun goes down so I think I should be getting a headlight soon. I want something that will illuminate the road ahead as well as has an option of a blinky setting too. Any suggestions? I did a search in the forum but couldn't find any threads.

TIA!

[Owlie]

The "blinky"-type lights are "be seen" rather than "see by" lights. Lights that'll let you see a useful amount are generally in the 100+ lumen range (I think it's 150 or 175), and they're pretty expensive. If you're riding in a well-lit area, you might be able to get away with a less-powerful light.

I have a small NiteRider light that's reasonably bright, and a Performance house-brand 3-LED light, but I'm riding on trails that I know well and are decently free of stuff, for the most part. There's a 4- or 5-LED version that is well-recommended by the people I ride with. I might have to upgrade. All three of these, though, are "see me" lights.

I think NiteRider makes higher-powered stuff too that you can see by.

[Crankin]

I had a Night Rider, which was fine, but I live in an area with no, or little streetlights and I don't see well in the dark. I now have a Bike Ray light. Really expensive, but I got it for half price from a site in the UK, free shipping. It has a high, low, and flashing setting, as did the Night Rider.
Word of caution. My son was using a more "be seen" type of light while riding home to his new house, which is in a more suburban location. He hit a pothole going down a hill and crashed, because he couldn't see. Don't be cheap here.

[Becky]

I find that, because lighting technology and models change so frequently, it's hard to recommend specific lights. I usually visit MTBR.com or another mountain biking site to get the latest info and reviews. Those guys know lights! See this year's "shoot-out": http://reviews.mtbr.com/2012-bike-lights-shootout

In general, the more light you have, the faster you can go. My winter/pitch black light is a Nite Rider Tri Newt from a few years ago. It's ~500 lumens, and I wouldn't want any less light. However, the prices on LEDs have come way down, and I could probably buy a 800 or 1000 lumen light today for what I paid then.

I have had reason to use Nite Rider's customer and repair services, and the whole experience was quite painless (other than not having my light for a couple of weeks). Based on that alone, I'll consider another Nite Rider when this one gives up the ghost.

[Pedal Wench]

I LOVE my Dinotte lights. They're incredibly bright, and so simple to throw on the bike and adjust as needed. Their customer service is phenominal too. I have both the rechargeable Li-ion battery system and the AA battery lights, depending on what I'm riding. (I like the AA on a brevet where I might to get a resupply from a convenience store.)

[soprano]

I agree that the technology is changing rapidly. It's amazing how much prices have come down in the past few years. You can now buy a "see by" light for <$100.

I ordered this light just this week for commuting. It arrived yesterday and I haven't had a real after-dark commute with it yet, but I zoomed around the neighborhood a little last night and I was very pleased. I had retina surgery recently and my night vision is greatly reduced, but I had enough light that I'm not worried about riding home in the dark now.

[pll]

This season, the folks in a 5:30AM popular local ride are very keen on the Exposure Diablo headlight. 1100 lumens, ~1.5 hours on the high setting, sells for $300 laround here. One of the guys also mentioned that the flashing mode is really nice -- still good enough to see the road ahead. Dawn is close to 7AM around here, this time of the year, so a good light is essential in early morning ride.

[Becky]

For those of you who use Dinotte lights, what has your experience been with their customer service? I find myself in the market for a second light to mount on my helmet, and the Dinotte XML-3 is one of the serious contenders. Serfas and Light & Motion are others under consideration....

[radacrider]

For those of you who use Dinotte lights, what has your experience been with their customer service? I find myself in the market for a second light to mount on my helmet, and the Dinotte XML-3 is one of the serious contenders. Serfas and Light & Motion are others under consideration....

I have had awesome customer service from them. I had an issue with my XML-3 and no questions asked they sent me a new one with the shipping label to send the broken one back. I love my DiNottes.

[Becky]

I just snagged a Serfas 1000-lumen headlight for 50% off at www.chainlove.com. They've moved on to another deal for now, but they'll probably post these again (if previous experience is any indicator). If you're in the market for a high-powered light, this is a steal!

I was checking the Serfas lights out at my LBS and, as a result, they were on my list of lights to consider, so I'm thrilled!