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#1
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entry level lights to see by
Around the cusp of the dark solstice... It *was* going to be a shootout: Planet Bike Blaze 2-watt vs. Portland Design Works Cosmic Dreadnaught 110 - head-to-head, side-by- side on opposite sides of the handlebar stem. First impression (of the combo w/ Dreadnaught): These two lights - with many remarkable similarities and differences - got together and *complemented* each other. We know how I have used and generally like PB Blaze headlights for what they are - except for that *enormously* disillusioning (disilluminating?) rain experience: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.b...052e6335b836c8 So when I saw the PDW headlight, purportedly "Built to withstand rain... " and seemingly priced to compete with the 2-watt PB Blaze, my interest was piqued. Unfortunately, PDW did *not* see fit to sponsor me a light; but when I saw it on Amazon for thirty-some bucks and free super saver shipping, I sprung for it (so now they'll get the totally unvarnished review). As noted, the similarities are remarkable: Compact LED self-contained 2xAA "folded penlights", either can snap on to the other's bracket. (The PDW guys are former PB guys.) MSRP about exactly the same. High, low, and blinking modes. For such similar products, the differences are remarkable. PB button switches low, high, blinkety-flash, PDW high, low, blink-blink. PB blinkety-flash mode is crazy attention-getting (SuperFlash (TM), PDW goes blink, blink, blink. (Well, those are piddly differences, but wait... ) PB has a nice (I think) round, far reaching spot with useful attenuated spill (?) spread outside the spot. PDW has a more squarish/ rectangular beam and gobs of side spill through two side windows much bigger than the PB side windows (which I've kind of obscured anyway with my Saran wrap waterproofing mod). PDW spills relatively bright light onto the handlebar, the fork crown, water bottles, my legs... kind of distracting (bright enough that looking down can cause my eyes to need to re-ajust when looking back up). Probably better for "being seen" from off center, I guess. The PDW produces pretty good light to see by - even on low. So did the PB. The PDW actually looks brighter, but I know this can be very much a peak battery thing, and all my NiMH's are pretty old and of suspect capacity, so not sure yet. But... the two of them together both on high are pretty awesome (complementary). Must break in here with a huge difference: The PB is a snap to change batteries (well, used to be a snap before the snap catch wore smooth and doesn't "snap" anymore - but it doesn't fall open either, so... ) Anyway, the PB is easy to change batteries, twist the head and it pops off to dump spent and drop fresh batteries, twist and go. The PDW has a friggin' *screw* holding the fiddly cover, over a more typical lay- in battery tray. This would be understandable if it weren't for the fact that the PB battery compartment never had a problem with wetness. (Must be a patent thing.) In light of (ha-ha) the huge difference in battery change convenience, and the bracket slide-on compatibility, it occurred to me that the PB light could be a primary daily (nightly) headlight, with the even more compact (barely bigger than a spare pair of batteries) PDW stowed in the messenger bag as backup - maybe with some sort of batteries with less tendency self-discharge when installed. Well, getting long for initial impressions. But anyway in a world where the next class of bike headlights seems to jump in price about 3x, these two ~cheap little lights together - at less than a hundred bucks total - produce a lot of light - or ~adequate light for longer runtime and a variety of modes separately or combined. |
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#2
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entry level lights to see by
On Dec 29, 12:40 am, Dan O wrote:
Around the cusp of the dark solstice... It *was* going to be a shootout: Planet Bike Blaze 2-watt vs. Portland Design Works Cosmic Dreadnaught 110 - head-to-head, side-by- side on opposite sides of the handlebar stem. First impression (of the combo w/ Dreadnaught): These two lights - with many remarkable similarities and differences - got together and *complemented* each other. We know how I have used and generally like PB Blaze headlights for what they are - except for that *enormously* disillusioning (disilluminating?) rain experience: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.b...052e6335b836c8 So when I saw the PDW headlight, purportedly "Built to withstand rain... " and seemingly priced to compete with the 2-watt PB Blaze, my interest was piqued. Unfortunately, PDW did *not* see fit to sponsor me a light; but when I saw it on Amazon for thirty-some bucks and free super saver shipping, I sprung for it (so now they'll get the totally unvarnished review). As noted, the similarities are remarkable: Compact LED self-contained 2xAA "folded penlights", either can snap on to the other's bracket. (The PDW guys are former PB guys.) MSRP about exactly the same. High, low, and blinking modes. For such similar products, the differences are remarkable. PB button switches low, high, blinkety-flash, PDW high, low, blink-blink. PB blinkety-flash mode is crazy attention-getting (SuperFlash (TM), PDW goes blink, blink, blink. (Well, those are piddly differences, but wait... ) PB has a nice (I think) round, far reaching spot with useful attenuated spill (?) spread outside the spot. PDW has a more squarish/ rectangular beam and gobs of side spill through two side windows much bigger than the PB side windows (which I've kind of obscured anyway with my Saran wrap waterproofing mod). PDW spills relatively bright light onto the handlebar, the fork crown, water bottles, my legs... kind of distracting (bright enough that looking down can cause my eyes to need to re-ajust when looking back up). Probably better for "being seen" from off center, I guess. The PDW produces pretty good light to see by - even on low. So did the PB. The PDW actually looks brighter, but I know this can be very much a peak battery thing, and all my NiMH's are pretty old and of suspect capacity, so not sure yet. But... the two of them together both on high are pretty awesome (complementary). Must break in here with a huge difference: The PB is a snap to change batteries (well, used to be a snap before the snap catch wore smooth and doesn't "snap" anymore - but it doesn't fall open either, so... ) Anyway, the PB is easy to change batteries, twist the head and it pops off to dump spent and drop fresh batteries, twist and go. The PDW has a friggin' *screw* holding the fiddly cover, over a more typical lay- in battery tray. This would be understandable if it weren't for the fact that the PB battery compartment never had a problem with wetness. (Must be a patent thing.) In light of (ha-ha) the huge difference in battery change convenience, and the bracket slide-on compatibility, it occurred to me that the PB light could be a primary daily (nightly) headlight, with the even more compact (barely bigger than a spare pair of batteries) PDW stowed in the messenger bag as backup - maybe with some sort of batteries with less tendency self-discharge when installed. Well, getting long for initial impressions. But anyway in a world where the next class of bike headlights seems to jump in price about 3x, these two ~cheap little lights together - at less than a hundred bucks total - produce a lot of light - or ~adequate light for longer runtime and a variety of modes separately or combined. Second ride impressions: The PDW is kicking the PB's ass in terms of "brightness". When starting one and then the other the PDW light swamps the PB. I think it may have much better batteries in it; we'll see when I start swapping. ISTR the PB giving brighter light when loaded with good, fresh batteries, but isolated subjective impressions... The PDW seems to be holding "brightness" longer than the PB did, though. However, I call it "brightness" in quotes because it's just subjectively... well, "bright" (could be color, or intensity, or... ) The PB by itself seems just as good to see by (maybe better, since I'm not noticing the light itself so much as the illuminated road ahead). And in fact, when I rolled up to the kitchen door, the two lights (both on solid high) were reflected in the kitchen window and the reflected PB light looked maybe a bit brighter. The handlebar mounts are not good for lateral aim adjustments (about all you can do is tweak at them), and last night while riding on the paved shoulder, I noticed that I was getting plenty of illumination across the fog line onto the road (where there is not going to be anything to watch out for), and not as much as I'd like off the road edge to the right (will work on lateral aiming). Internet reviewers seem to like the screw clamp PDW thing better, but I like the PB cam clamp, which is easier to adjust on the fly (good for aiming down as the batteries weaken). The cam clamp *does* occasionally come open inadvertantly, but doesn't fall off when it does. I might have to look at mounting on the front rack. I sometimes pass another guy who apparently commutes in the opposite direction on part of my route, and he's always had a very bright headlight. I passed him again last night, and it looks like Santa brought him a pair of new retina burners. He had one mounted on his head. I thought the aliens were coming. |
#3
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entry level lights to see by
compare to similar priced Cateyes ?
helmet lights are essentail to see where ura goin noit where the bike is headed. try one on the lower fork ? maybe yellow ? |
#4
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entry level lights to see by
On 12/29/2012 12:40 AM, Dan O wrote:
The PDW produces pretty good light to see by - even on low. So did the PB. The PDW actually looks brighter, but I know this can be very much a peak battery thing, and all my NiMH's are pretty old and of suspect capacity, so not sure yet. But... the two of them together both on high are pretty awesome (complementary). While more slightly more expensive than the PDW Spaceship, the $28.20 UltraFire SH-3AA Cree XM-L T6 800LM 5-Mode is what I've switched to. It uses three AA batteries (side by side, not linearly). They claim 800 lumens, but I doubt that this is the case, 200 lumens on high is probably more accurate. But you don't need it on high very often, the low and mid settings are usually enough. It will run on three AA batteries or one Li-Ion 26650. A 26650 is about 5000mAH at 3.7V while three Sanyo Eneloop NiMH batteries will give you only 2000mAH at 3.6V. You could also use an 18650 battery with an adapter sleeve and get about 3000mAH at 3.7V. The big advantage, IMVAIO is that I can use a better mount. I want a "grab and go" light where the mount has no moving parts to remove the light, AND where the clamp can be rotated side to side as well as up and down (because some of the bicycles that the light is used on have curved handlebars). Mount: http://nordicgroup.us/s78/images/IMG_0303.JPG (not the Ultrafire light in the holder). Light: http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-sh-3aa-cree-xm-l-t6-800lm-5-mode-memory-white-led-flashlight-w-strap-3-x-aa-1-x-26650-124061 |
#5
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entry level lights to see by
On Dec 29, 3:41*am, Dan O wrote:
Second ride impressions: *The PDW is kicking the PB's ass in terms of "brightness". *When starting one and then the other the PDW light swamps the PB. *I think it may have much better batteries in it; we'll see when I start swapping. *ISTR the PB giving brighter light when loaded with good, fresh batteries, but isolated subjective impressions... The PDW seems to be holding "brightness" longer than the PB did, though. However, I call it "brightness" in quotes because it's just subjectively... well, "bright" (could be color, or intensity, or... ) The PB by itself seems just as good to see by (maybe better, since I'm not noticing the light itself so much as the illuminated road ahead). And in fact, when I rolled up to the kitchen door, the two lights (both on solid high) were reflected in the kitchen window and the reflected PB light looked maybe a bit brighter. I wonder if you're reacting to what you described as a greater amount of spill in the beam of the PDW. I see elsewhere that both lights have spot beams, which is kind of a shame. (IME shaping a beam to fit the road is much more effective than pumping more lumens into a spot.) But perhaps the spill of the PDW gives some of the same effect? The handlebar mounts are not good for lateral aim adjustments (about all you can do is tweak at them)... ...*I might have to look at mounting on the front rack. I think mounting at a height just above the front wheel works best, giving an optimum combination of throw and pothole shadows (which you need). If you have a front rack, you could buy or fabricate something to hold the light there, and take care of your aiming issues as well. A couple more comments: You mentioned the snaps on the PB battery case getting worn. I'd strongly consider reinforcing that with a rubber band cut from an old inner tube, if possible. I used to lead a lot of night rides, and I've seen several (other brands) of lights pop open and lose bits when riders hit bumps. If you get a chance, compare your setup with a with a modern LED generator light that fits German beam specs. The difference can be amazing. - Frank Krygowski |
#6
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entry level lights to see by
On Dec 29, 9:52 am, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Dec 29, 3:41 am, Dan O wrote: Second ride impressions: The PDW is kicking the PB's ass in terms of "brightness". When starting one and then the other the PDW light swamps the PB. I think it may have much better batteries in it; we'll see when I start swapping. ISTR the PB giving brighter light when loaded with good, fresh batteries, but isolated subjective impressions... The PDW seems to be holding "brightness" longer than the PB did, though. However, I call it "brightness" in quotes because it's just subjectively... well, "bright" (could be color, or intensity, or... ) The PB by itself seems just as good to see by (maybe better, since I'm not noticing the light itself so much as the illuminated road ahead). And in fact, when I rolled up to the kitchen door, the two lights (both on solid high) were reflected in the kitchen window and the reflected PB light looked maybe a bit brighter. I wonder if you're reacting to what you described as a greater amount of spill in the beam of the PDW. Nope, I don't think so. I think I'm assessing the pure brightness of the spot. The exorbitant "spill" of the PDW I was talking about is all over the bike right under me, and only noticed when I look down at it; the spot is way up the road. The "swamping" is like this: When I turn off both lights, then turn on the PDW, then turn on the PB, I don't even notice the spot of the PB hit the road. When I turn off both lights, then turn on the PB, then turn on the PDW, the PB spot disappears and is replaced by the PDW spot. I see elsewhere that both lights have spot beams, which is kind of a shame. (IME shaping a beam to fit the road is much more effective than pumping more lumens into a spot.) These are little battery penlights. They need to pump as much light into the spot as they can. (Impressive as it is, it's still arguably inadequate.) But perhaps the spill of the PDW gives some of the same effect? I am already familiar with the PB, so comparison is greatly biased at this point, but I really like the PB. The spot is pretty bright but not glaringly so, is pretty good sized (not pinpoint) well up the road ahead, and is surrounded by attenuated light that speads all around the spot, with modest "local" spill that gives a faint shadowing of the front rack on the road right in front of me. The PDW (which I'm not accustomed to yet) gives a very bright spot (maybe relatively glaringly so) - less round but no more useful IMO, and this brightness actually detracts from the effectiveness of whatever surrounding spill. The *local* spill (right around the headlight itself and on and near the bike) of the PDW is downright disconcerting to me (when I look down and see it, and I suppose it's always there in my peripheral vision). Out in the country where it's actually dark, I am generally less concerened with what's on the road ahead and to the left than with what might be laying on the shoulder or getting ready to pop out of the ditch. The handlebar mounts are not good for lateral aim adjustments (about all you can do is tweak at them)... ... I might have to look at mounting on the front rack. I think mounting at a height just above the front wheel works best, giving an optimum combination of throw and pothole shadows (which you need). If you have a front rack, you could buy or fabricate something to hold the light there, and take care of your aiming issues as well. The front rack is a Surly Nice Rack, with a top platform and even a braze-on at center forward. The chief drawback consideration is that I'm accustomed to switching the light between modes while riding (can sometimes even get an oncoming car to lower their high beams by flashing them). If I ever get a serious lighting system with wires, I think I'd like to mount the headlight on the front rack, and wire a switch up to the handlebar. A couple more comments: You mentioned the snaps on the PB battery case getting worn. I'd strongly consider reinforcing that with a rubber band cut from an old inner tube, if possible. I used to lead a lot of night rides, and I've seen several (other brands) of lights pop open and lose bits when riders hit bumps. I've had a headlight fly apart a couple of times, but both times it popped off the mount first (may have been my own failure to fully secure the catch each time) and then blew apart on the road (one was then run over by a bus and destroyed as I waited to retrieve it). I've assessed the worn PB head attachment, and don't especially like it; but it's not prone to undoing itself (yet) (requires a twist), and I do like the ease of access to change batteries. If you get a chance, compare your setup with a with a modern LED generator light that fits German beam specs. The difference can be amazing. I've no doubt it would be, and would like to get such a chance. (Didn't want to turn this into a debate about penlight vs. *real* bike lights, and appreciated the tone of your response very much.) I have found the improvement from the lights of yore (2xC cell 'T' head leg strap incandescent flashlight, and bottle dynamo driven incandescent) with these amazing LED's. I know there are much better solutions, but the PB 2-watt has worked great for me, and the PDW seems on the march to ever brighter LED output - at thirty-some bucks delivered with batteries included. |
#7
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entry level lights to see by
On Dec 29, 7:40 am, SMS wrote:
On 12/29/2012 12:40 AM, Dan O wrote: The PDW produces pretty good light to see by - even on low. So did the PB. The PDW actually looks brighter, but I know this can be very much a peak battery thing, and all my NiMH's are pretty old and of suspect capacity, so not sure yet. But... the two of them together both on high are pretty awesome (complementary). While more slightly more expensive than the PDW Spaceship, the $28.20 UltraFire SH-3AA Cree XM-L T6 800LM 5-Mode is what I've switched to. It uses three AA batteries (side by side, not linearly). They claim 800 lumens, but I doubt that this is the case, 200 lumens on high is probably more accurate. But you don't need it on high very often, the low and mid settings are usually enough. It will run on three AA batteries or one Li-Ion 26650. A 26650 is about 5000mAH at 3.7V while three Sanyo Eneloop NiMH batteries will give you only 2000mAH at 3.6V. You could also use an 18650 battery with an adapter sleeve and get about 3000mAH at 3.7V. Sounds intriguing (though I had the impression that the PDW Spaceship was not in the league of light output to see by that I have with the PB Blaze 2-watt). How does it fair in the monsoon season? snip |
#8
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entry level lights to see by
On Dec 29, 12:21 pm, Dan O wrote:
On Dec 29, 9:52 am, Frank Krygowski wrote: On Dec 29, 3:41 am, Dan O wrote: snip The handlebar mounts are not good for lateral aim adjustments (about all you can do is tweak at them)... ... I might have to look at mounting on the front rack. I think mounting at a height just above the front wheel works best, giving an optimum combination of throw and pothole shadows (which you need). If you have a front rack, you could buy or fabricate something to hold the light there, and take care of your aiming issues as well. The front rack is a Surly Nice Rack, with a top platform and even a braze-on at center forward. The chief drawback consideration is that I'm accustomed to switching the light between modes while riding (can sometimes even get an oncoming car to lower their high beams by flashing them). If I ever get a serious lighting system with wires, I think I'd like to mount the headlight on the front rack, and wire a switch up to the handlebar. More important than signaling oncoming cars to dim, I like to be able to switch to attention-grabbing "SuperFlash" mode as I enter e.g. trafficky situations where I may want to, um, grab attention, then switch back to solid when I escape the gauntlet for darker neighborhood streets. snip |
#9
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entry level lights to see by
On Saturday, December 29, 2012 8:40:32 AM UTC, Dan O wrote:
Well, getting long for initial impressions. But anyway in a world where the next class of bike headlights seems to jump in price about 3x, these two ~cheap little lights together - at less than a hundred bucks total - produce a lot of light - or ~adequate light for longer runtime and a variety of modes separately or combined. I enjoyed your test, Dan, but this last bit is misinformed. If you had a hub dynamo, for a hundred bucks you could get a BUMM Fly or Cyo at the front (or perhaps even a Phillips Saferide, which is a superior lamp) and a BUMM Toplight Line Plus at the rear, and then you would have what many consider the best lamps in the world, with no further cost for batteries. Here's my installation of specialist versions of the lamps I mention, complete with light-throw piccies: http://coolmainpress.com/BICYCLINGbuildingpedelec5.html Your installation would of course use a hub dynamo and the 6V version of these lamps. Andre Jute |
#10
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entry level lights to see by
On Saturday, December 29, 2012 8:47:33 PM UTC-5, Andre Jute wrote:
On Saturday, December 29, 2012 8:40:32 AM UTC, Dan O wrote: Well, getting long for initial impressions. But anyway in a world where the next class of bike headlights seems to jump in price about 3x, these two ~cheap little lights together - at less than a hundred bucks total - produce a lot of light - or ~adequate light for longer runtime and a variety of modes separately or combined. I enjoyed your test, Dan, but this last bit is misinformed. If you had a hub dynamo, for a hundred bucks you could get a BUMM Fly or Cyo at the front (or perhaps even a Phillips Saferide, which is a superior lamp) and a BUMM Toplight Line Plus at the rear, and then you would have what many consider the best lamps in the world, with no further cost for batteries. Here's my installation of specialist versions of the lamps I mention, complete with light-throw piccies: http://coolmainpress.com/BICYCLINGbuildingpedelec5.html Your installation would of course use a hub dynamo and the 6V version of these lamps. Andre Jute The advantage of Dan' lights is that they are easily transferred to different bikes. Cheers |
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