Question for riders in rainy weathers

[pll]

I do not ride before dawn or after it gets dark, but sometimes I need a head light that will let car drivers see me, for example, when it is raining. I have a Blackburn Mars blinkie in the back and a Knog strobe in the front, but the batteries of the latter run out incredibly fast (less than 4 hours), especially if I rode in rain. The blinkie works just fine.

Any recommendations for a head light that has good battery life and that won't "drain in the rain"? I was looking at the Portland Design Works "cosmic dreadnought", but it is pricey. If it has TE forum endorsements, I might break the bank for it.

Just in case, I don't understand rechargeable lights that want be connected to the computer via a USB port. In my mind, a muddy / dusty light has no business near my computer!

[Becky]

Just in case, I don't understand rechargeable lights that want be connected to the computer via a USB port. In my mind, a muddy / dusty light has no business near my computer!

Any electronics store will sell a "power block" that allows you to plug a device with a USB charger into an ordinary wall socket. I use them for all sorts of things....phones, lights, MP3 players.... Don't rule out a light just because of its charger.

[sgf726]

I don't ride often in dark/rainy conditions but have used the same headlamp thatI use for backpacking. Petzl Tikka, about $40 runs on AAA batteries. I get about 30-40 hours before having to replace. There are many similiar.

http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/tikk...ies/tikka-plus

[carback]

I commute year-round, in the dark, in the rain, and have really liked Blackburn lights - really bright and they won't break the bank.

This year, I'm using the Blackburn Flea. ($36 CDN)

http://www.blackburndesign.com/Flea2_USB_front.html

I also have their Quadrant light.

I have had people stop me and tell me how visible and bright I am.

[Sardine]

I also ride throughout the year, including in the winter months when it's dark by the time I leave the office and rains a fair bit. This is the front light on my main commuting bike: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-hl-el...k-front-light/ It's a Cateye and is bright (3 leds), small, light and the batteries (2 AA) last for ages. It works well in a city environment where there are a lot of light sources already and the main function of the light is to draw the attention of drivers to my presence. I have it on the flashing mode most of the time. I'm not sure that it's bright enough to light up the road ahead sufficiently if you're riding outside town though. It doesn't say anywhere that it's waterproof but I regularly ride in the rain and this hasn't been a problem yet.

[Biciclista]

i ride in dark and rain, but i put a generator hub on my bike so I have only a very light lamp to guide me. No heavy batteries or battery packs and no running out of battery power!