Lights

Ok so here is my opinion about CREE XML T6:

PROS:

• 12 hours battery in medium mode, +/- 7hrs in the most powerful mode with a good 10 000 mAh battery pack.
  
• bargain price (10€)
  
• USB compatible (you can choose a reliable powerbank by your own)
  
• very very very very bright.
  
  

CONS:

• Need to be modifiyed to not dazzle people sharing the road with you
  
• better optics would be great
  
• that's chinese -- could easily be broken without reason at every time
  

There are some third party lenses available for these that help the beam spread and dazzling.... I'll have a delve around and see if I can find where I got mine from...

That would be great if you could

Oh i'm looking forward to see it, yep.

I think the 39mm should fit, but worth checking.
Mine rattled around a bit until I packed it out with a bit of tape, but other than that it did the job.
http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/category-accessories.html

Do you have a link where you got it from?

Yep, there are so many out there, but here is mine:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/T6-Bicycle-Light-USB-Port-Power-Supply-1800LM-CREE-XML-T6-LED-Bike-Front-Lights-/121703150700?hash=item1c5612b46c:g:gQMAAOSwLVZVo6Y5

I bought this one because I didnt wan't headband strap. I already have one. If you want to have one you might consider something else.

Plus I can add beam pattern if you want some (with and without the wide angle lense).

Probably here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XML-T6-5V-USB-LED-Headlamp-Headlight-Bike-Bicycle-Light-3-Modes-Torch-Lamp-UK-/272081842801?hash=item3f59577271:g:DmoAAOSw5IJWdS5~
Or here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Lm-CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-Bicycle-Bike-Head-Light-Headlamp-Rechargeable-Light-/171938807992?hash=item28085a00b8:g:~7kAAOSwo0JWQb27

But in both cases don't forgot that's cheap and not reliable. Could easily broke at any time, but you know, that's bargain.

So buy two.

What is people's real world experience of Moon Comet run times? I seem to be getting 3-4 hrs instead of the up to 7 hrs they quote in standard mode.

Anyone tried the solar storm Cree front lights from eBay?

Thinking about this as I need the battery. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solarstorm-2-CREE-XML-U2-LED-5000LM-Bicycle-Bike-Front-Light-Torch-Rechargeable/381232335757?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34996%26meid%3D2e802a453ebf406eadc3e40c1a152bf9%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D361133109416

Is a powerbank different from a battery?

Is a powerbank different from a battery?

A battery is just a stack of cells. A powerbank packages a cell or battery with ancillary components such as battery management electronics and connectors.

Chinese battery faillure are frequent, and could potentially burn your house... Buy a well-branded powerbank

Ok thanks so what battery pack would I need for the solar storm 2 cree xml u2 or the xml t6? Any links ? Sorry for all the q's I don't know much about this stuff

They all output the same voltage so you need to look at capacity. For example most of the solar storm batteries are rated at something like 4000 mAh. Though I suspect they are much less than this, Anker have a good reputation, a 10, 000 mAh is a big lump but obviously holds a significant amout of power.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-10000mAh-Portable-External-Technology-Black/dp/B0063AAIRG

I've just got back from my second ride with one of those Cree things. Going from cheap "blinky" city lights to these is pretty noticeable. Haven't been descending at speed with them yet, due to the constant wind mixed with wet and slippery roads. But it feels great opening up evening rides on country roads.

Gonna look into a better battery tho I think.

Cool thanks for that, are they waterproof though if I am gonna strap it to the bike?

Don't forgot to buy a 5V USB compatible light such as those i posted

Please folks, if you ride with a cree cheap light such those,
post here how many burning time you have and in which mode with which BP...etc

I just done an hour and a half, battery wasn't fully charged to start with. Done most on low beam and about 30 minutes on full. Was still showing 2 green lights when I got home.

I'll try and do a proper burn test when I get time to.

Got a cateye volt 1200 for some unlit road riding, but its missing the flashing mode. Anyone experienced this?

Moon meteor 200 for £20 here https://www.merlincycles.com/moon-meteor-front-led-light-59182.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Front+Bike+Lights&gclid=Cj0KEQiAiNi0BRDaobaq3dKJhrwBEiQAyVThzRyvVuubbzSrRB6JXjFqM81Rfkmo61V0tfAi-x3esiQaAlM88P8HAQ

They all output the same voltage so you need to look at capacity.

The cells all output the same voltage, but packs and banks don't.

Anything using USB should be 5V ± 5%

I've got a few MS808 clones, all using 4-cell packs but half are 2S2P (8.4/7.4v, 4400mAh), half are 1S4P (4.2/3.7v, 8800mAh). 3.7v pack into a light that expects 7.4v, you should get a low battery indicator and it probably won't output anything, especially if it has a low-voltage dropout feature. With a 7.4v pack and a 3.7v light, if the circuit doesn't go pop and there's no overvoltage protection, the buck driver should be able to run a reduced duty cycle and you'll get light, but the low-voltage dropout will never kick in and you'll be in the dark with a knackered battery.

I bought an Anker Astro3E a few years ago, can't remember where it is any more. The 10000mAh capacity is internal, at the cells' voltage, so it either has 5 cells or 4 "high capacity" cells whose stated capacity may or may not be accurate. 10Ah @ 3.7v = 37Wh = 7Ah @ 5.25V (minus conversion losses and with total output over time inversely correlated with current draw)

The 2/4 cell packs that come with most chinese lights aren't. The Anker Astro 3E isn't but is less open to the elements than packs.