Seeing people riding with them is actually making me question the wisdom of super bright head lamps.....

I've noticed that when they are coming towards you, yes you sure can see the light, but the rider completely disappears..... I can't help but wonder if that makes you less safe - no one can see if you are signaling or what your body attitude is. I personally think that, at least in the city where there is a fair amount of ambient light, a flashing light is more noticable than a steady one. Where it is dark- no streetlights- I like a front flasher (well.... several actually - I put one on my bike and a second on my messenger bag) in addition to a steady headlamp.

I do however think that its well worth the investment to get new rear flashers. LEDs have gotten much brighter of the last few years, but I still see lots of people riding around with weak, wimpy little flashing tail lights. I have a really bright one that I found... (the clip was broken, but I finageled a way to strap it onto my bike) and I just got a set of Knogs. They are very bright - especially the front one as I have it on the strap of my bag and it lights up my body as I ride. I keep looking up to make sure the low flying planes aren't mistaking me for runway lights....