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