Lights

Nice one Hiippy

Night Brite Industrial Reflective spray paint - YouTube

Now I need a donor...

I am destroyer of lights.

Yesterday after taking my Knog Blinder out on a ride (which missed the rain) I came down into the cellar to find 3 of the 4 leds on, and it wouldn't switch off or change the flash pattern.

Eventually it turned off and three of the 4 leds have condensation behind the lens. I really don't understand why or how. Spot the difference between the top left LED and the rest:

It's working again now, but I'm now unconvinced of its reliability and I suspect it may die soon if water has somehow got inside, even if its just condensation.

I am never, ever buying another fucking Knog because they always break and its always water ingress. FFS.

hope distric 3

exposure lights flare or blaze

I have three Exposure flares, 1 is completely broken and I can't work out why - it's actually the metal case that is the problem, not the LED bit that screws in. I have found that generally water gets in because when they are switched off the lens has to be unscrewed. Also they may take the Exposure batteries but other CR123A batteries tend not to fit because they are too big, I have to pull them out again with a pair of pliers, which knackers the batteries.

The CherryBomb, batteries last forever, very powerful and bright and great flashing sequence different from the usual.

The problem with the CherryBomb is eventually the plastic clips that hold it in break, I've had this happen to several. Seems to be a design flaw.

I suspect the Hope Vision 3 is a light I might not be able to destroy, as I'm very happy with my two Vision 1's, but it is stupidly expensive for a back light.

How are people getting on with their Moon's long term? I've enjoyed USB charging with the Blinder but I need something that's actually water/condensation proof, not something that says it is but actually isn't...

I am destroyer of lights.

Yesterday after taking my Knog Blinder out on a ride (which missed the rain) I came down into the cellar to find 3 of the 4 leds on, and it wouldn't switch off or change the flash pattern.

Eventually it turned off and three of the 4 leds have condensation behind the lens. I really don't understand why or how. Spot the difference between the top left LED and the rest:

It's working again now, but I'm now unconvinced of its reliability and I suspect it may die soon if water has somehow got inside, even if its just condensation.

I am never, ever buying another fucking Knog because they always break and its always water ingress. FFS.

I have three Exposure flares, 1 is completely broken and I can't work out why - it's actually the metal case that is the problem, not the LED bit that screws in. I have found that generally water gets in because when they are switched off the lens has to be unscrewed. Also they may take the Exposure batteries but other CR123A batteries tend not to fit because they are too big, I have to pull them out again with a pair of pliers, which knackers the batteries.

The problem with the CherryBomb is eventually the plastic clips that hold it in break, I've had this happen to several. Seems to be a design flaw.

I suspect the Hope Vision 3 is a light I might not be able to destroy, as I'm very happy with my two Vision 1's, but it is stupidly expensive for a back light.

How are people getting on with their Moon's long term? I've enjoyed USB charging with the Blinder but I need something that's actually water/condensation proof, not something that says it is but actually isn't...

By the sounds of things this may have something to do with the amount of force you use to open this up and in general your wear and tear judging by the rest of the post.

My cherry bomb has been going strong for a couple of years now and has gone through many rain storms without any trouble. Famous last words.

It's not just me, my other half broke one in the same way. It might depend how often you open it up I guess. I wish they'd make a USB rechargeable version, that would be amazing. To be fair one thing I have never had with the Cherry Bomb is water ingress.

The other thing is I really want lights which have a built in bracket like the Knog. I have too many bikes to have brackets on all of them.

Re: Moons, I just read these:

How have people found the build quality of the Moon lights? Mine (a Meteor) has given to the ghost after getting a bit damp. Pretty unimpressed and chasing a refund. Gone for a Cateye Volt 300 pricematched down to 40 quid. Seems nicely made but I said that about the Moon.

Cateye brackets tend to give up before theirs lights in my experience.

My rear Moon comet died on me* which I had bought from cycle surgery; they replaced it with brand new Moon Shield. I find them pretty good tbh. Again if you want build quality you shouldnt be chasing any of this plastic crap, get exposure/hope/cnc alu lights.

• went completely unresponsive while charging so I am guessing something wrong with battery/usb connection.
  
  

:(

My moon shield is still going strong after several months of use. The rubber cap on the USB recharge port broke off and got lost a few weeks ago, but it continues to work fine even though I've been using it in the rain with the slot uncovered. It's on a seatpost mount with the recharge slot pointing down and protected by a rear mudguard.

Fox, I've still got that Joystick sitting around if you'd like it back. You've got the charger though so it's just a fancy paperweight!

Same cherrybomb here. This to replace it as inspired by hippy. I am not complaining.

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/smart-lunar-35-lux-front-with-1-2-watt-rear-light-set-id64043.html?gclid=CJna-t3cp7oCFfMQtAodc34AHA

^ But needs brackets on each bike. And AAA batteries which I'm not so keen on either.

Fox, I've still got that Joystick sitting around if you'd like it back. You've got the charger though so it's just a fancy paperweight!

Ah yeah, I'll get in touch to pick it up.

Maybe I should fit a red filter and point in backwards? I've always found it very reliable...

^^ and ^ Ludwig convinced me to get these and I'm sold - great for round town.

Had someone stop me and ask what backlight I was running last week as it was the brightest thing on the Euston Road that day.

Bought another set for my wife's Brompton within a week.

And have bought spare bracket for £3.14 from CR for my other bikes:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/smart-front-light-strap/rp-prod85975?_$ja=tsid:46412|cgn:Smart+-+Lights|cn:Chain+Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE|kw:333220UK_Smart+Front+Light+Strap&gclid=COn346zsp7oCFQrJtAod4X4AAw

Let's see how they last the Winter.

Ooh, I didn't know that bracket existed. So it turns that Smart into an, erm, strap on?

Hmm.

Nothing wrong with a good strap on

Got one of these yesterday to use as an extra light. Performed way better than any other ~£30 ones i've tested. Only 160 lumens, but has a great beam that easily lit up the road in front of me. Would recommend!

Ugly as hell though. But what matter does that make when you'll use it in the dark!

How much?

Got mine for £25.

Got the new knog road blinders. Incredibly bright lights considering it's usb. Really pleased with them. Not convinced by the clasp mechanism though.

^ Like the look of these but how long is the run time in real life?

And do they do the 'Surprise Darkness' trick that my rear Blinder does when not fully charged?

How does the rear for that smart attach? Can you fix it to a seat stay? Cheers

^ Like the look of these but how long is the run time in real life?

And do they do the 'Surprise Darkness' trick that my rear Blinder does when not fully charged?

Only got em a few days ago and I've not yet had that issue, nor do I intend to let the battery get low enough for me to find out! Though to be honest, it's never going to be an issue for me as I'm always near a USB socket.

First ride on the dark unlit lanes of surrey today though and cars were giving me noticeably more space when passing. Like, the whole lane to myself. It's fantastic. The front light gives ample illumination and the fact that you can have one of the LEDs constant and one flashing, simultaneously is really good too.

How does the rear for that smart attach? Can you fix it to a seat stay? Cheers

Should work with a few shims.

I bought a Knog Blinder....

This is where you went wrong. Knog lights are, and always have been shit. Worse quality control in any product I've ever bought. Stupidly I keep going back. And always regret it.

Anyone found a better way of mounting a Hope Vision one? Great light, shit mount.

it's never going to be an issue for me as I'm always near a USB socket.

I'm moving to Surrey. USB sockets have not been installed in the country or urban roads near me.

Anyone found a better way of mounting a Hope Vision one? Great light, shit mount.

This has not been resolved yet? What is wrong with this place?

Only got em a few days ago and I've not yet had that issue, nor do I intend to let the battery get low enough for me to find out! Though to be honest, it's never going to be an issue for me as I'm always near a USB socket.

First ride on the dark unlit lanes of surrey today though and cars were giving me noticeably more space when passing. Like, the whole lane to myself. It's fantastic. The front light gives ample illumination and the fact that you can have one of the LEDs constant and one flashing, simultaneously is really good too.

Is 200 lumens really bright enough for dark country roads? Ie for seeing rather than being seen.

hope distric 3

exposure lights flare or blaze

Got a pair of Exposure Flare lights as some of the autumnal driving was beginning to scare the shit out of me and I didn't think my old lights were up to scratch. They are really bright and confidence inspiring. Bit on the expensive side at £80 and the fact that they are really only good for being seen rather than helping you see is a minor annoyance. Worth the money I think.