Get Some F**king Lights

Anyone used the Magicshine rear light?
[picture of magicshine light]
I have the uber powerful front one, and figured I'd run the rear off the same battery for shortish rides/commuting. Together with some reelights as back up.

I've had the Magicshine front (MJ-808) and rear (MJ-818) lights since last year and used them commuting throughout autumn and winter.

Short version - buy this light, it is ace.

I'm using the front and rear light running off a single battery which I keep in a Pro storage bottle in a bottle cage. Originally because I managed to break the velcro strap that came with the battery in a few days use but longer-term I've found it simpler to use than velcro.

I bought a Y-cable from DX and just run the minimum amount of cable from the storage bottle that I need for the lights. A couple of velcro cable ties secures the cables to the frame.

I've found this setup works very well. Had no problems riding in all weathers through winter and reasonably quick to attach and remove from the bike. The battery life is fine for a couple of hours with the front on blink and the rear on solid - usually I add a Mars 3.0 on blink at the rear and sometimes a Cree torch on the front for backup.

A few complaints / problems...

• The DX description says "3 modes including 2 flash and 1 constant setting" but this isn't right, you get a blink mode that alternates the very bright centre light and the less-bright outer lights plus a constant mode. I would much prefer a constant rapid blink using both sets of LEDs.
  
• To turn the light on or switch modes you rotate the body of the light by about 120 degrees. This can be tricky with gloves on and cold hands and it's easy to overshoot and select the next mode.
  
• The DX Y-cables are a bit frail and I destroyed one after six months of plugging and unplugging. However I'd rather the Y-cable failed than the cable on the lights, and at $3 each you can have a few in reserve.
  
  

At the DX prices I would absolutely recommend them, there is nothing close on the market.