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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
Review for: Solidlights 1203d
Found at: http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php Cost: 155 GBP Note: TLDR summary at the bottom of article. For the last two years, I've been using a Lumotec Oval Plus and have been quite happy with it. Still, I can admit to a small amount of envy for my batteried brethren who spray the darkness indiscriminately with decawatts of light. On the other hand, no amount of shininess could compel me to use one again considering I often go on night time rides that last longer than five hours. While lurking in the uk.rec.cycling newsgroup I heard discussion of a company Solidlights that made LED dynamo headlights with dual LEDs. Dual 3 watt LEDs. Evidently the Audaxers and commuters who had stumped up the cash for it were delighted with it. A dynamo light with two 3 watt LEDs that ramped up as your speed did? A flashing and a solid mode? A five minute standlight using the same LEDs (thus making adjusting the beam angle much easier). With one thing and another, I finally decided to jump in and buy it July 1st. A short week later it had been shipped across the pond to sunny Seattle and was sitting in my grubby hands. I first attempted to mount it on the fork. Previously with the Lumotec mounting there wasn't a problem, even with cantilever brakes. Unfortunately with the lower boxier shape of the 1203d, the front brake cable was rubbing the power cable and would have sawed through in time. [1] A *loooong* fork mount bracket and a spacer later I was happier with it. I went on a ride with some friends that night that lasted until after midnight. I was quite happy with the light, though the limited stretches of darkness (it was mostly urban riding except for a short stretch) forbade a really good test. One thing to note is that at low speeds (6-8 mph) it cast a *much* larger degree of light than my old lights. Oh, that mounting bracket? It broke the very next day. Damn potmetal. Currently the light is attached to a handlebar mounting bracket, and I haven't had any problems with it. I went on a longer ride with more stretches of real darkness, and this is where the light really shined. When I was catching up with a lead group, one of them commented that he thought I was a car coming from behind [3]. The light outperformed every battery headlight I have used previously (including a dual 6w / 12w halogen system). It was definitely not better than some of the 20-25W HID systems I've seen, but I was certainly carrying the brightest light of anyone there. Ease of use: It has a sealed button on the side. Press once to turn on, once more to change to blinking, once more to turn off. Dead simple. Quality of construction: It's a box. A nice sealed, gasketed, sturdy box. I have a feeling it will last quite a while, though it will win no awards for style. It has a locking style connector leading to the dynamo, very nice. Mounting: Available with a standard fork crown mounting or set up for a handlebar bracket. Drag: When it's in blink mode, the drag is unnoticeable. This makes it particularly attractive for cloudy days and see-me urban riding. The drag is barely perceptible when on, though I have no doubt it's there. Theoretically at max speed, I'm losing approximately 12 watts [4]. It's probably a touch more. On the other hand, I weigh 200 pounds, and I'm only losing those watts when I'm already near top speed. Smaller riders might not be so sanguine about that. Some impressions: This is definitely the product of a small engineering company. The serial number on my light is 000214, so they're not many out there. On the other hand, the dynamo lights are evidently an outgrowth of their battery lights IIRC, so it is a tested design. Conclusion: I love the light, and really look forward to using it for my winter commute. It was expensive, but I'm very satisfied with it so far. I'll see if I can't write a followup review once the darkness has fallen over our fair city. TLDR [2]: Light is awesome, but expensive. It is the ne plus ultra of dynamo headlights. I would absolutely buy it again. [1] A side or bottom exit for the cable would have alleviated this problem. [2] Too Long Didn't Read [3] This was on a closed bike trail, so I think I scared him. [4] Shimano DH-3N71 - reputedly about 50% efficient -- Dane Buson - The party adjourned to a hot tub, yes. Fully clothed, I might add. -- IBM employee, testifying in California State Supreme Court |
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#2
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
On Sep 7, 12:55 pm, Dane Buson wrote:
Review for: Solidlights 1203d Found at:http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php Cost: 155 GBP Note: TLDR summary at the bottom of article. For the last two years, I've been using a Lumotec Oval Plus and have been quite happy with it. Still, I can admit to a small amount of envy for my batteried brethren who spray the darkness indiscriminately with decawatts of light. On the other hand, no amount of shininess could compel me to use one again considering I often go on night time rides that last longer than five hours. While lurking in the uk.rec.cycling newsgroup I heard discussion of a company Solidlights that made LED dynamo headlights with dual LEDs. Dual 3 watt LEDs. Evidently the Audaxers and commuters who had stumped up the cash for it were delighted with it. A dynamo light with two 3 watt LEDs that ramped up as your speed did? A flashing and a solid mode? A five minute standlight using the same LEDs (thus making adjusting the beam angle much easier). With one thing and another, I finally decided to jump in and buy it July 1st. A short week later it had been shipped across the pond to sunny Seattle and was sitting in my grubby hands. I first attempted to mount it on the fork. Previously with the Lumotec mounting there wasn't a problem, even with cantilever brakes. Unfortunately with the lower boxier shape of the 1203d, the front brake cable was rubbing the power cable and would have sawed through in time. [1] A *loooong* fork mount bracket and a spacer later I was happier with it. I went on a ride with some friends that night that lasted until after midnight. I was quite happy with the light, though the limited stretches of darkness (it was mostly urban riding except for a short stretch) forbade a really good test. One thing to note is that at low speeds (6-8 mph) it cast a *much* larger degree of light than my old lights. Oh, that mounting bracket? It broke the very next day. Damn potmetal. Currently the light is attached to a handlebar mounting bracket, and I haven't had any problems with it. I went on a longer ride with more stretches of real darkness, and this is where the light really shined. When I was catching up with a lead group, one of them commented that he thought I was a car coming from behind [3]. The light outperformed every battery headlight I have used previously (including a dual 6w / 12w halogen system). It was definitely not better than some of the 20-25W HID systems I've seen, but I was certainly carrying the brightest light of anyone there. Ease of use: It has a sealed button on the side. Press once to turn on, once more to change to blinking, once more to turn off. Dead simple. Quality of construction: It's a box. A nice sealed, gasketed, sturdy box. I have a feeling it will last quite a while, though it will win no awards for style. It has a locking style connector leading to the dynamo, very nice. Mounting: Available with a standard fork crown mounting or set up for a handlebar bracket. Drag: When it's in blink mode, the drag is unnoticeable. This makes it particularly attractive for cloudy days and see-me urban riding. The drag is barely perceptible when on, though I have no doubt it's there. Theoretically at max speed, I'm losing approximately 12 watts [4]. It's probably a touch more. On the other hand, I weigh 200 pounds, and I'm only losing those watts when I'm already near top speed. Smaller riders might not be so sanguine about that. Some impressions: This is definitely the product of a small engineering company. The serial number on my light is 000214, so they're not many out there. On the other hand, the dynamo lights are evidently an outgrowth of their battery lights IIRC, so it is a tested design. Conclusion: I love the light, and really look forward to using it for my winter commute. It was expensive, but I'm very satisfied with it so far. I'll see if I can't write a followup review once the darkness has fallen over our fair city. TLDR [2]: Light is awesome, but expensive. It is the ne plus ultra of dynamo headlights. I would absolutely buy it again. [1] A side or bottom exit for the cable would have alleviated this problem. [2] Too Long Didn't Read [3] This was on a closed bike trail, so I think I scared him. [4] Shimano DH-3N71 - reputedly about 50% efficient -- Dane Buson - The party adjourned to a hot tub, yes. Fully clothed, I might add. -- IBM employee, testifying in California State Supreme Court sounds like a winner, and thanks for posting this. it's kinda cool that they're simplifying things by making both schmidt and shimano versions, but i see there's no shimano version with a rear light output. could you just use the schmidt one for which there is a rear output and use a shimano connector? any idea how this compares directly to the other blingbling high output setups like dual e6s or dual inoled 20+'s? how much variance could there really be in drag between the different lights? (i really have no idea about these kinds of generator questions; i mostly just use the stuff.) |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
Dane Buson wrote:
Review for: Solidlights 1203d Found at: http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php Cost: 155 GBP TLDR [2]: Light is awesome, but expensive. It is the ne plus ultra of dynamo headlights. I would absolutely buy it again. What does the gasket look like? I hear too many tales of light failure, perishing gaskets and water ingress even on fairly new units to swap my E6 for one at the moment. |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
On Sep 7, 12:55 pm, Dane Buson wrote:
Review for: Solidlights 1203d Found at:http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php Cost: 155 GBP Note: TLDR summary at the bottom of article. For the last two years, I've been using a Lumotec Oval Plus and have been quite happy with it. Still, I can admit to a small amount of envy for my batteried brethren who spray the darkness indiscriminately with decawatts of light. On the other hand, no amount of shininess could compel me to use one again considering I often go on night time rides that last longer than five hours. While lurking in the uk.rec.cycling newsgroup I heard discussion of a company Solidlights that made LED dynamo headlights with dual LEDs. Dual 3 watt LEDs. Evidently the Audaxers and commuters who had stumped up the cash for it were delighted with it. A dynamo light with two 3 watt LEDs that ramped up as your speed did? A flashing and a solid mode? A five minute standlight using the same LEDs (thus making adjusting the beam angle much easier). With one thing and another, I finally decided to jump in and buy it July 1st. A short week later it had been shipped across the pond to sunny Seattle and was sitting in my grubby hands. I first attempted to mount it on the fork. Previously with the Lumotec mounting there wasn't a problem, even with cantilever brakes. Unfortunately with the lower boxier shape of the 1203d, the front brake cable was rubbing the power cable and would have sawed through in time. [1] A *loooong* fork mount bracket and a spacer later I was happier with it. I went on a ride with some friends that night that lasted until after midnight. I was quite happy with the light, though the limited stretches of darkness (it was mostly urban riding except for a short stretch) forbade a really good test. One thing to note is that at low speeds (6-8 mph) it cast a *much* larger degree of light than my old lights. Oh, that mounting bracket? It broke the very next day. Damn potmetal. Currently the light is attached to a handlebar mounting bracket, and I haven't had any problems with it. I went on a longer ride with more stretches of real darkness, and this is where the light really shined. When I was catching up with a lead group, one of them commented that he thought I was a car coming from behind [3]. The light outperformed every battery headlight I have used previously (including a dual 6w / 12w halogen system). It was definitely not better than some of the 20-25W HID systems I've seen, but I was certainly carrying the brightest light of anyone there. Ease of use: It has a sealed button on the side. Press once to turn on, once more to change to blinking, once more to turn off. Dead simple. Quality of construction: It's a box. A nice sealed, gasketed, sturdy box. I have a feeling it will last quite a while, though it will win no awards for style. It has a locking style connector leading to the dynamo, very nice. Mounting: Available with a standard fork crown mounting or set up for a handlebar bracket. Drag: When it's in blink mode, the drag is unnoticeable. This makes it particularly attractive for cloudy days and see-me urban riding. The drag is barely perceptible when on, though I have no doubt it's there. Theoretically at max speed, I'm losing approximately 12 watts [4]. It's probably a touch more. On the other hand, I weigh 200 pounds, and I'm only losing those watts when I'm already near top speed. Smaller riders might not be so sanguine about that. Some impressions: This is definitely the product of a small engineering company. The serial number on my light is 000214, so they're not many out there. On the other hand, the dynamo lights are evidently an outgrowth of their battery lights IIRC, so it is a tested design. Conclusion: I love the light, and really look forward to using it for my winter commute. It was expensive, but I'm very satisfied with it so far. I'll see if I can't write a followup review once the darkness has fallen over our fair city. TLDR [2]: Light is awesome, but expensive. It is the ne plus ultra of dynamo headlights. I would absolutely buy it again. [1] A side or bottom exit for the cable would have alleviated this problem. [2] Too Long Didn't Read [3] This was on a closed bike trail, so I think I scared him. [4] Shimano DH-3N71 - reputedly about 50% efficient -- Dane Buson - The party adjourned to a hot tub, yes. Fully clothed, I might add. -- IBM employee, testifying in California State Supreme Court Thank you very much for this review. I am planning to buy another light to supplement my 1W LED in the next year...I've been looking at the DeNotte (sp?) line, but like dynamos besides. (Dynamos, AA and D batteries are what I've standardized on in my life and bicycling life, so the DeNotte use of AA's is like a siren call to me.) Pureheart Aptos, CA |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
Dane Buson wrote: Review for: Solidlights 1203d Found at: http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php Cost: 155 GBP snip A dynamo light with two 3 watt LEDs that ramped up as your speed did? A flashing and a solid mode? A five minute standlight using the same LEDs (thus making adjusting the beam angle much easier). snip -- Dane Buson - The party adjourned to a hot tub, yes. Fully clothed, I might add. -- IBM employee, testifying in California State Supreme Court Apropos dynamos, do you have an opinion regarding the SON dynamo the quality of the bearings? If I were to convert to one it would mean giving up my beloved Phil Wood Hub which as served me well for many years (at least during my 'lighting season'). Do they come in 40 and 48H versions and do you find the quality adequate? (following up my own previous post) Pureheart |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
On Fri, 7 Sep 2007 12:55:16 -0700, Dane Buson
wrote: A dynamo light with two 3 watt LEDs that ramped up as your speed did? A flashing and a solid mode? A five minute standlight using the same LEDs (thus making adjusting the beam angle much easier). Thanks for the review. It sounds like the best light around for those of us who prefer to grind our own lumens. The website pics are impressive. Ugly or not, it sure beats a desk lamp or flashlight. -- zk |
#7
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
I saw several photos of bikes on PBP that had these weird looking square
boxed headlamps with two lenses. This is what those are. Too bad that the Web site doesn't include the beam pattern for this particular unit. It looks quite interesting. |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
Thank you very much for this review. I am planning to buy another light to supplement my 1W LED in the next year...I've been looking at the DeNotte (sp?) line, but like dynamos besides. (Dynamos, AA and D batteries are what I've standardized on in my life and bicycling life, so the DeNotte use of AA's is like a siren call to me.) Pureheart Aptos, CA --------------- I have a Dinotte, and the AA rechargeble's are the way to go. I tried Lithium AA's and they went dark way to quick. Sometimes the bumping will knock an AA loose, and you lose the light, but I solved it easily by putting a rubber band around the holder and the bats, so they can't shake loose. The only thing about the DiNotte light, is that it is a flood, and the spot doesn't go out very far. So you still need a spot way out front. I'm planning on getting a fenix L2d-ce flashlight, with a twofish cyclopblock to hold it, to put a spot way out there. Presently I use a cateye el-500 to get a spot, but that light is barely adequate in my opinion. |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
On Sep 8, 7:28 am, Zog The Undeniable wrote:
Dane Buson wrote: Review for: Solidlights 1203d Found at:http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php Cost: 155 GBP TLDR [2]: Light is awesome, but expensive. It is the ne plus ultra of dynamo headlights. I would absolutely buy it again. What does the gasket look like? I hear too many tales of light failure, perishing gaskets and water ingress even on fairly new units to swap my E6 for one at the moment. I used a fairly new one on PBP. It was ideal for that but the O rings were slightly perished, though the unit was new, and the unit got quite moist inside. It continued to work well throughout PBP and the ride home to Twickenham but failed a few days later while JRA. The company's service was superb and they had the unit repaired and back to me within 5 days, including a weekend. The included worksheet mentioned the water ingress and the perished O rings, now renewed of course, but also referred to an unspecied "unusual component failure". In spite of my disappointment at the early failure I still have confidence in the unit though not quite as much as previously, but the lesson is always to have a backup of some kind and not rely on a single lighting source no matter how good. So if using a Solidlight with a dynamo the backup should really be a battery unit of some kind as either the light or the dynamo could fail. -- Dave... |
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Review: Solidlights 1203d (long)
On Sep 9, 3:06 am, Tim McNamara wrote:
I saw several photos of bikes on PBP that had these weird looking square boxed headlamps with two lenses. This is what those are. Too bad that the Web site doesn't include the beam pattern for this particular unit. It looks quite interesting. The unit gives a general wash of light with a very bright central area. Best results seem to be obtained by angling the unit down far more than you would with most lights so the bright spot is 4 - 5 yards in front of the bike. The road beyond the bright spot will still be lit well enough to travel confidently at 30 mph, both verges will be plainly visible, and distant signposts will light up. With the unit angled down like this oncoming vehicles will not be dazzled but you will still get comments from people about how bright the lights seem. Because of the lack of a defined beam pattern the unit is much more impressive on very dark roads than well lit ones. Under good street lighting, and in a car headlight beam, the effect of illuminating the road almost disappears although of course you are still highly visible to oncoming traffic. In good street lighting I think it makes sense to switch to flashing mode, reverting to steady mode when ambient light is low. -- Dave... |
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