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Post by aj1152 on Jan 30, 2007 15:20:39 GMT -8
From a student at Whitworth that just emailed me the following:
"I was wondering if you had any suggestions on cycling lights that would be adequate for trail riding. I'm really interested in making it to some group [mountain bike] rides in the next few months."
Well, what do y'all think?
Alan
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Post by Wrench Goode on Jan 30, 2007 15:49:46 GMT -8
Good trail riding light systems should provide 10-32 watts (halogen yellowish color), or 10-13.5 watts (HID white light) of light and are re-chargeable. The faster someone rides the more light they need!! Don't short yourself with not enough light.
Niteride has a entry level system for $150. That gives out 10w halogen with 2:20 burn and a 9 hour recharge. The next step is $250, provides plenty of light for the Fastest people (Allen has this one) 12-20-32 watt Halogen with a burn of 1:20 H, 2:00 M, 3:10 L. 2.5 Hour recharge.
HID lights start at $450, 12 watts, 4:00 burn, 2.5 hour re-charge. Very white light.
I've used both and like the halogen light better, the depth perception was better for me. The HID white light washed out and I had a hard time focusing on an object.
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Post by Mike S on Feb 1, 2007 13:08:40 GMT -8
For what my 2 cents are worth, I prefer HIDs and LEDs over halogen. I've been really impressed with new white LED light technology. For slower winter trail riding and commuting on the streets, the 4 watt L&M Vega (LED) has been perfect. A few other companies like Cat Eye and Psygolite (sp?) also have super bright LED systems out there. The advantages to LED are many. Because the bulbs have lower current draw per lumen, the batteries are smaller and there’s no external battery to schlep around. The bulb runs cool and has a very long life (basically forever).
Interestingly, we could go into a detailed analysis of physiologic optics (how light interacts with the eyes and the brain), and the logical conclusion would be that the lower color temperature of halogen is better for the specific tuning of the human visual system than the higher color temperature of HID/LEDs . Maybe it doesn't make sense, but I still prefer the crispness of HID/LEDs.
(am I bored today? Yes)
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Post by Pat S on Mar 7, 2007 22:06:39 GMT -8
Here's my opinion that's not even worth one cent because I haven't done any trail riding, but I've used a halogen (L&M Solo) and recently bought an LED (L&M Vega) and use them for commuting and utility. I've been really impressed with the LED, and not having to pack around that mondo LED battery rocks.
I think it really depends on what Goode said - don't short change yourself and get less light than you need. The trick is figuring out how much you need.
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