Lights ????

[Tim]

Hey Guy,

i need some lights for my bike.... what would be the best ones to get?? I need somthing that is pretty brght. But not too bulky, anyone got some good brand names?

Tim

[Rik]

Depends on your budget... but I really like Vistalites system as it's modular and expandable. You can run 5 or 10 watt bulbs, I think they do a 15 too (can't remember :roll: ) and you can run one or two battery sticks on the bike, plus they come with helmet mounts too, giving you plenty of options.

[Tim]

Hey Rik,

what sorta price would i be looking at ?? I guess i'm prepared to spend a couple of hundred, i know there not cheap.

Tim

[Rik]

Anywhere from $200 to $500 depending which set you get. The more you pay, the more bits you get, check 'em out here
http://www.vistalite.com/vistalite_03/03code25.html

Hrm, could've sworn they did a Code 20 and 10 too... brainfade right now.
You can always get, say, the Code 15 to start with, and then buy another battery as you go... then if you need more power, buy another lamp and battery down the road, etc.

Personally, I'm going to build myself a DIY light set for winter, but if I was to buy one, I'd have a look at the Nightsticks, or if I was feeling like blowing a big wad of cash, the Cateye Stadium Light is tempting...

[ruthlessgirl]

I got a niterider, helmet light... if you're just getting one light go for a helmet that way you have a light where you are looking, not where your bike is pointing! :)

[dunk]

I used homemade lights last year, they worked OK, but I've recently got some Vistalites. The homemade lights were a pain to adjust the mounts and swap from bike to bike. I like the modular ability of the Vistalites, and how easy it isa to add and remove from the bike. I'm running 15W on the bars, with the battery mounted on the frame, and a 5W with the helmet mount, and the battery in my Camelbak.

[josh]

Rob (Techno destructo), is trying to hook up a review of a few different light systems on the market for you guys. I'd say it will still be a while, but shall definetely be a worthwhile read for anyone interested!

[Squidly Didly]

I'm a Vistalite and Petzl man myself, BUT the latest AMB (page 27) has a nice writeup on the Niteflux Visionstick 20 that seems to be good value.
Features: 1x 5w, 1x 15w, 2x head units, 2x NiMH batteries and bracket, 2x hbar brackets, 1x helmet mount, 2x battery chargers, 1x carry case. $299rrp
Have no idea how they go, but they seem to be a good buy. Anyone here used them before?

[LordNikon]

I use a vistalite system with 2 lights.

Works well. :)


That reminds me, I haven't done a night ride for a while... might have to get out there this weekend.

[cam-o]

My vote goes to the Vistalites as well. Easy to expand so if you start out cheap(ish) and dig 'em you can easily get more. The batteries are relatively light and a great shape for both frame and camelbak. I use 15w on the helmet and 10 on the bars. Be warned the 15w is a bit of a battery pig so I usually carry a spare. That's the other cool thing though, you can buy the batteries individually.

[McBain]

I started with a Vistalite code 15, so three lights (two 5W and a 15W). I run on on my helmet, and 2 on the bars, but only one of the bar lights at a time.

Because I do stuff that usually runs longer than the batteries last for, I also built up some battery packs from NiMH cells (got them from Jaycar).

So, along with the 2200mA Nightsticks, I've got 2 4500mA packs. The nightsticks are good for about 1.5-2 hours with the 5W, and I get about 3-4 hours with the bigger packs. I tend to only use the 15W light where I really need it (like going silly fast on loose rocky tracks).

[dunk]

Be warned the 15w is a bit of a battery pig so I usually carry a spare.

I noticed on Phantomcycles.com they have a digital dimmer made up for the Vistalites, might have to look into getting one instead of getting an extra battery.

[Rik]

That's something I was thinking but didn't mention, if you're handy you can DIY some battery packs to get serious burn time out of the lights. DIY'ing lamps and brackets and shit is no fun, but making your own battery packs is relatively easy and really would pay off. 13400Ah of battery life is pretty fucken impressive is you ask me! I know who to befriend if I ever go nightriding with lack of preperation ;)

[McBain]

I know who to befriend if I ever go nightriding with lack of preperation ;)
Then I won't mention that I've turned up to a night ride in the Mountains, with all my lights and stuff sitting at home in Sydney. :)

A lot of people who do 12 & 24hr races have a lot of lights and batteries and stuff. Plus it tends to be their topic of conversation during the winter months.

Me, I'm wondering how long it is before I spend the $$ and get a HID system. Mmm, stupid amounts of light!

[MrPlow]

I will post my home made setup tonight :D
50 watt and 20 watt.
3.7 SLA water bottle mounted 8)

[Velophile]

Me, I'm wondering how long it is before I spend the $$ and get a HID system. Mmm, stupid amounts of light!

Topeak make the cheapest HID system I've seen.

http://www.topeak.com/global/moonshineHID.php

Cecil Walkers in Melbourne have one for $480.

[Rik]

Ahh fuck'em, I was going to build my own lights and called it the "moonshine project"... won't stop me from doing it, but still.
I was looking to do at least 50w of power, so I'll be interested in MrPlows setup.

[DEVLIN]

With that much light you might as well wait for day time. I reckon we should have a volantary limit of two 20 watt globes max. That way it will bring back what night riding is all about, challanging yourself to the .....um........challenge of riding at night or I could be jealous of those with a good light system.

I have made some battery packs as well. I used the D cells NiMH from Jaycar to make up a 7.2volt pack for my sweet little Marwi Night Pro Lights. At the moment I have them installed in a length of PVC pipe which I strap to my down tube. Heaps of burn time on 10 watts with a battery capacity of 8Ah. So Tim, if you gets yourself some decent lights for the front in a 6 volts system, maybe a second hand set, you can have all the power and burn time that you want. Have fun.

[Tim]

hmmm i'm not the electrical type, making lights and batteries sounds too hard, been thinking about some Cateye light's comes with 2 batteries and 1x 10w and 1x15w globes for $300 ???how this sound guy's?

Tim

[John U]

you probably want a dimmer of some sort to have the option of being able to go lower than 10 or 15W if required. i have used the vistalite to ride home from work for a couple of years now and it works fairly well. you might want to take into account the cost of spares. the original vistalite set up i got cost $120, a replacement globe cost me $45. The handlebar bracket on the light broke and i couldn't get a replacement so had to buy another kit which had 2 brackets so i ended up with a helmet light and handlebar light.
i forked out a fair bit for a topeak moonshine pro last year for the mont 24hr and it refused to perform to the companies claims, in fact well below, so i rode the couple of night laps i did with the vistalights. they did the job well enough but i stacked a lot.
the moonshine pro kit has been totally replaced. and haven't tried the new kit out yet so i can't rate it but there was meant to be a few problems with them getting the charging system compatible with the australian power supply. this happened with a system i bought in 98 as well. with new systems coming into the country there will probably be some teething problems. i think you would be well advised to get something that has been here a while and don't even think about ordering something from OS because you will need back up at some stage.
anyway, bottom line, get something that goes down to 5w. that is all you will need for a lot of climbing and getting to and from where ever you are riding and you don't want to waste that valuable battery juice doing that

[Cruz]

The Niteflux Visionsticks that Squidly mentioned would be the best value for money lights I have seen used so far, an excellent kit.
Have a look at the Nightlightning set from NZ as well, very good value if you dont mind the weight of a lead acid battery.

[Ride_Guy]

I'm a Vistalite and Petzl man myself, BUT the latest AMB (page 27) has a nice writeup on the Niteflux Visionstick 20 that seems to be good value.
Features: 1x 5w, 1x 15w, 2x head units, 2x NiMH batteries and bracket, 2x hbar brackets, 1x helmet mount, 2x battery chargers, 1x carry case. $299rrp
Have no idea how they go, but they seem to be a good buy. Anyone here used them before?

We have these kits at work and they are really bright, dont no as yet how they go performance wise, but im planning on letting them rip all day while im at work, but value for money i recon you would be hard beat to try and find something beter than these...

8)

[Simo]

Just a quick word. If making your own NiCad, NiMH, Lithiom Ion or any other kinda of battery pack be carefull that you don't let the cell heat up when soldering as it will cause problems. Also find a good, dependable flux and solder.

[m1]

http://www.vicmtb.com.au/STORE/Index.cfm lights here it is in vic though i don't no where u live help it helps?

[rek]

I have a set of these on order from the states:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=17233

HID lights for US$210.. can't say no to that! Unfortunately dealing with Performance Bike has been a bit of a pain, they require an address verification for credit card payment (which my bank doesn't allow due to privacy concerns), so I've had to do things the slow and old-fashioned way with posting them a money order.. :(

(DAMN the lights were US$250 when I put my order in, I hope they can give me the updated price for them)

[sid_marx]

Has anybody built lights using the Fat Hippy's plans from here:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~fathers/lightstoc.htm

I'm thinking about using his Mark IV plan and would be really interested to hear from anyone who's built lights based on any of his plans.

[dunk]

I've built lights using his plans, adjustability of the beam direction and installing/removing from the bars are a bit of a hassle....but if money is an issue or you love DIY they do a good job.

[karri]

For a bible on everything you need to know about home made lights, including led and HID lights, check out:

http://www.26inches.com/26inches/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=3&TopicID=31&Pag ePosition=1

[MrCove]

i use Cat Eye super halogen 12v
2 bulb set up, not sure what, they were Cat's best lights until the Stadiums came out
had them a few years now and they still work great
will be using them more now my shoulder is moving!!

[Sutek]

I'm a Vistalite and Petzl man myself, BUT the latest AMB (page 27) has a nice writeup on the Niteflux Visionstick 20 that seems to be good value.
Features: 1x 5w, 1x 15w, 2x head units, 2x NiMH batteries and bracket, 2x hbar brackets, 1x helmet mount, 2x battery chargers, 1x carry case. $299rrp
Have no idea how they go, but they seem to be a good buy. Anyone here used them before?

We have these kits at work and they are really bright, dont no as yet how they go performance wise, but im planning on letting them rip all day while im at work, but value for money i recon you would be hard beat to try and find something beter than these...

8)

Check out our review in MBA Winter issue..double page 28/29. These are the goods...
You guys really need to start looking into this mag a bit more..THE most technical of the Oz mags with honest reviews by Johnny H..
Say no more..

[Loonspoon]

Yep the NiteFlux lights are definiately the goods. I bought a set based on the good review in Mountain Bike Australia. As far as I can tell, they are a copy of the Vistalites and have the same advantages of versitility as the Vistalites. My only complaint is the relatively short burn times (1 hour for the 15W)

[sid_marx]

I built the Fat Hippy's MKIV lights on the weekend and have tested them a couple of times this week. They really do work well for the cost of the components.
I made some minor modifications such as using a 1 X 50W + 1 X 20W configuration instead of the twin 20W setup. Reason for this is that a single 50W lamp puts out far more light than 2 20's combined proportionate to battery suckage.
The total cost was under $200 for 2 dual headlamp systems (one for me one for the GF) including 2 12V 7.2ah SLA batteries and a charger.
They outweigh the typical commercial systems by probably a kilo and a half but I would be surprised if there is a system out there that can match the homemades on burn time and sheer light output.