-
• #3602
Yeah, it doesn't look like a brilliant attachment or charging method. Pity.
TBH, my Flare has been such a nightmare I'm very reticent to buy a new one. The circuitry is clearly faulty somewhere, and despite sending it back to Exposure via Kinoko, the head I got back (bit it fixed or a different refurb) still didn't work. It changes function, or dims by about 80%, or just turns off every time you touch it or hit even the smallest bump. Risky business when your rear light can turn off without you knowing about it...
I would like something fairly sleek, weather proof, with a power button (rather than a twist-on) and a decent (5 hour+) battery life. What else is about?
-
• #3603
the tracer fixes the problems you describe
-
• #3604
I second the Tracer, mount deems decent, USB charge, button on/off and good battery life so far.
Saying that if you've got a decent Exposure light up front, the Redeye is a no-brainer as it removed the common points of failure (switch/charging port)
-
• #3605
TBH, my Flare has been such a nightmare I'm very reticent to buy a new one. The circuitry is clearly faulty somewhere, and despite sending it back to Exposure via Kinoko, the head I got back (bit it fixed or a different refurb) still didn't work. It changes function, or dims by about 80%, or just turns off every time you touch it or hit even the smallest bump. Risky business when your rear light can turn off without you knowing about it...
That's what has happened to the three Flares I've owned.
I think it's that the threads of either the head or the unit got worn down, and then the contacts become a bit iffy. After a while I'm there tightening it as much as I can, but even if I get it on there's no guarantee it will still be on if I hit a bump at all. Riding up Horseguard's Parade where there are a lot of vibrations will almost certainly turn it off. It's hard to even get it into the mode I want, I tend to use 2 Flares at once, one in flashing mode and the other in constant mode... but both are iffy and I can be faffing around for a while to attain the modes I want and by the time I get home one of them will be turned off, and who knows what mode the other will be in.
I like the Moon Comet for what it is... cheap and bright. But I'm not betting on it being a keeper for more than one winter (if it survives that long).
The Tracer looks good, but the experience with the Flare has put me off it and I'd still rather put my own batteries in it or use an external battery pack when we're around the £50 mark.
For me: £25 and below is disposable, £40+ and it should be a keeper. When we're nearing £100 for a tail light I'm expecting many years of use and a brilliant light for all conditions. Hell, it should rock as an overnight ride light, rock in a downpour, rock in the fog. I should be singing superlatives.
The Hope looks the best, but is way beyond what I could afford to spend. A few years ago I wouldn't have hesitated, and I bet I'd still have the thing now. Instead I opted for mid-range lights and have gone through enough that I should've just invested in something like the Hope at that time.
-
• #3606
ive got a toro up front, what do you do with the cable each time you go to use the redeye? I like the idea of only charging one light but dont like the idea of having to re-route the cable each time
-
• #3607
Nothing... It's just taped along the top tube and lives on the bike.
-
• #3608
great if you only intend to use it on one bike or dont lock your bike anywhere I suppose
-
• #3609
I have them on two bikes and just move the Revo between them. Re: locking up - should be simple to cut the cable near the light and install a weatherproof connector and allow easy removal of the front/rear elements while leaving the majority of cable in place. Is on my todo list but not near the top. Would only require a couple of spade connectors some heatshink tubing.
You can even buy connector kits it seems... http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/supernova-qr-gold-connector-set-with-integrated-shrink-wrap-prod21402/
Cheaper option, if not a bit harder to undo with cold, wet hands... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Strips-Lighting-Waterproof-Power-Connector-Cable-3-5mm-x-1-35mm-/190895853837?pt=UK_Light_Fittings&hash=item2c7247910d
-
• #3610
next winter ill have a winter bike with revo and red eye for battery free lighting, sounds good! :)
-
• #3611
I managed to limit my Flare's decline in to uselessness by putting very stiff springs in it to ensure decent connection between the battery and the contacts, but it never lasted particularly long as a fix. I would be willing to give the Tracer a go, as I do rate Exposure's build quality apart from the crap with this Flare.
Pretty tempted to get something honky for up front like a Joystick or an Axis for night riding and winter lanes.
Hope stuff is obviously brilliant, but I can't bear all the cables.
-
• #3612
Hope stuff is obviously brilliant, but I can't bear all the cables.
Even on the Robin Mather which produces enough power from the dynohub to power front and tail, I only power the front.
I just don't run cables back and forth, and if I had the Hope I would buy the battery pack for it and fix it between the saddle rails with a single short cable going to the light.
Of course, we haven't even mentioned the Dinotte.
-
• #3613
I haven't found better than the RSP astrum for the money
-
• #3614
Should have been clearer, these lights are gunna be interchangeable between my carbon roadie douche-wagon and my tarck burk. No commuting, no touring, always gunna have a USB whereever I end up.
Would love to have something slung under my saddle for aerosthetic reasons, but the Exposure saddle-rail thing was always fucking laughable. So many dropped lights.
-
• #3615
Sounds like the Four 4th Scorpion would be ideal for your rear light . I tried to order one recently but it seems they are out of stock .
-
• #3616
That's absolutely perfect! Thanks. EDIT: on second thought, it's quite large and having the charging port open and directly in road-spray-zone doesn't seem too wise for an £90 light.
Now I just have to work out where to put my saddlebag + bits...
-
• #3617
-
• #3618
gross, no.
It's entirely possible that I can't undersling a light AND have a saddlebag, but it's probably worth having a look and seeing if anyone has jury-rigged something together. Seems like something that TT dorks would have managed.
-
• #3619
That light is literally a heat sink... I wouldn't want to put anything in contact with it.
-
• #3620
Any recommended front light for a 30 minute commute? I'm thinking of purchasing the moon comet/meteor combo, somebody have used it?
-
• #3621
Partner has been commuting with that combo since last winter, no issues so far.
-
• #3622
My hope district has a damaged cable where it enters the housing. Make sure you don't bend it too tightly. The light still works but one day I'll email them and they'll get it fixed.
Having the second battery pack is a real boon. Carry the y-splitter cable and you have a backup option if one runs out.
Even with decent lights I still carry little usb-chargeable spares.
One point to note about the District is that it's seatpost-mount only and only circular profile seatposts at that, so no aero posts etc. Also means that a seat post amounted rack or rear bottle cage will obscure the light.
On the plus side, it illuminates the bottles something magic. -
• #3623
Rear light, too bright, is shite.
Stop making me overtake you so I can see where the fuck I'm going.
-
• #3624
Rear light, too bright, is shite.
Stop making me overtake you so I can see where the fuck I'm going.
Exactly, a total pain especially on night rides.
-
• #3625
Stop making me overtake you so I can see where the fuck I'm going.
Alternatively, dip it so that I can ride behind you on a brightly lit bit of red road.
yeah i think thats what I have .. the rubber flap is bit annoying to get to the charging port but its a very good light; bright; 3 power modes; solid make; solid clamp; good battery life; weatherproof ..
http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/exposure-tracer-rear-light-review.html