Headlight Shopping

[Miranda]

I hate trying to buy a new piece of gear I have no experience with. Sifting through the research gives me a headache. I have searched and read some old threads on here. Good start. But, I need some more help. (btw, if you remember of a great thread on here, please help guide me to the link)

I want to add lighting to my biking to extend my riding options. I can't say I'm dead set on how I want to use it, as part I have never done before. From what I gather, lights for added safety at dawn and dusk, are one type of light. Lights to really do true night riding, are another. I've been caught out when it got dark before (no lights/safety gear), whoa, no fun.

I ride my road bike on county rual roads. No street lights. I do also have some single track wooded trails I found recently to take my mtb to. Plus, I would just like to do a nigt neighborhood spin with the kids on my old refurb bike I use for that. The subdivision has some lighting with yard post lights (no street lights). For that situaiton, I would like to get something less expensive to put on my kids bikes as well for visibility.

What I own now in terms of night or safety gear is a FireFly red tail light (LED) bought from RoadID's web site. I have two reflective ankle bands they make also. FireFly's can be added to the ankle bands.

I was hoping my FireFly is enough tail light for cars to see me? The headlight I orginally was thinking I would spend up to $150. Then, I started reading about HID lights, and a comment that stated "for 'true' night riding, if a person reaaally needs to be able to SEE, this is the way to go..." = cha ching, $400+. If I really found I loved night riding, I would figure out a way to work towards this price. I'm thinking if I left within a hour before daylight, I could get a spin in alone before DH left for work (kids summer break is a struggle to find real riding time, beyound their lesiure group spin).

The couple lights in the $150 ball park I read positive comments about on here were: Dinotte 200L, and Niterider MiNewt. I assume on my road bike and lesiure, I would handle bar mount it? I read a different comment about being able to easily remove the light, that a helmet option is best for mtb trail riding? Not sure what the advantage is of wearing your light on your head, vs your handle bars (well, weight on the head of course, but I mean functionality suited to the type of riding, trail vs road).

OK, my brain is spinning as you can see. I will stop typing now. TYIA for any guidance.

Miranda

[Velobambina]

Lights and Motion Arc Li-On. Well worth the investment.

[Zen]

That costs more than my bike

[Delta7]

Dinotte 200L works great is visible and I can see when riding in the dark. It's light weight and easy to mount. I also have the tail light. Cheers!

[Zen]

Have you read this?
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/plight.asp

[Becky]

I adore my first-generation MiNewt for early morning commutes and I've read that the MiNewt.X2 (second-gen) is twice as bright as mine for the same price. Also, NiteRider's customer service is top-notch!

[maillotpois]

Have you read this?
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/plight.asp

Wow. He's the Sheldon Brown of lights.

ETA:

I have used:

1. The older version of: http://www.serfas.com/product.asp?ProductID=296
For $30 - WOW. This is THE light for a pre-dawn start to a long ride. Or just to have on the bike "in case" you go later than expected and need something.

2. This: http://www.niterider.com/prod_moab.shtml

I use this as a headlamp - used it all night (quite literally) on my 600k as well as MOST of the night at DMD. It is a freaking flame thrower. I used the medium - low setting on the 600k, not having experience/confidence in the battery. The battery will last 12 hours EASY on the medium setting. Amazing light.

3. Two of these: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schm....asp#schmidte6 With a dynohub. For brevets, long non-hilly doubles. Early morning rides. Whatever. The self-sufficiency of a dynohub is wonderful. I would have used this on my 600k instead of the nite rider, but did not have them.

4. I always use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HVP5A2 On the rear if I will be out in dark. 2 of them.