Compact light worthy of singletrack

[lukeheller]

I'd like to tap into the paceline knowledge bank on lights. I know dynamo lights for randonneuring but that's all I know. I want a light that's trail worthy but that easy enough to also throw in a bag on my rando bike as a backup.

I was going to settle on the Light & Motion Urban 700 (http://www.lightandmotion.com/bike/urban700c.html#) + helmet mount (http://shop.lightandmotion.com/helmet-mount/) until a friend chimed in and suggested the beam may be too narrow for trail riding at night. I really like this light for it's simplicity: small, no cords

Then I started looking at some others and it seems that China is providing us with some cheap options that many are having success with. I don't want to spend much more then $150 because I honestly don't plan on trail riding at night all that much.

So the MagicShine MJ-808E (http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-MJ-808E-Improved-Battery-1000-Lumen/dp/B0054TP3AE/ref=sr_1_15?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1381239030&sr=1-15&keywords=magicshine+mj-880) is an attractive package at $75 + $12 for helmet mounting kit (http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-Helmet-Mount-Kit/dp/B004QOVA00/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_z).

But then comes the CREE XML T6 Bicycle Headlight LED 3 Files 1200 Lumens (http://www.amazon.com/CREE-Bicycle-Headlight-Files-Lumens/dp/B006Y1FK18/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp1_pYhtsb0DS0AN3_tt). For the pricepoint, it seems almost worth trying. However, people recommend to also get the wide angle lens (http://www.amazon.com/Angle-MagicShine-Gemini-Lights-Headlight/dp/B004WLCLQY/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y) and I guess you still need the helmet mounting kit (http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-Helmet-Mount-Kit/dp/B004QOVA00/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_z) for that one too.

I'm not too excited about the 2 cheaper options, honestly. I would much prefer for the L&M to work because I trust the workmanship of L&M and love the compactness of the package.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these? Or can anyone offer up a better suggestion in/under the $150 range?

[christian]

I run a MagicShine MJ-808E on the bars and a L&M Urban 300 on my helmet. This allows me to run technical singletrack nearly as aggressively as in full daylight. Non-technical sections can be ridden as fast as you can pedal.

For riding roads, the L&M Urban 300 on 2nd highest setting is sufficient.

[sales guy]

I've been using the lezyne 500xl kit lately. I got an extra so I have one on helmet and one on head. Nice light. Lightweight, extra battery, extra mounts. The kit is nice and not overly expensive.

[christian]

FWIW, I would not ride tech singletrack with just the L&M Urban 300. The 700 may be different, but I really think a bar light and a helmet light are best for mountain biking at night.

The MagicShine produces silly amounts of light...

[fiamme red]

I'm using the Cygolite Expilion 700 on the road on low setting, but on high setting it should easily be bright enough for singletrack riding.

Here's a useful visual comparison of light beams: http://www.modernbike.com/light-comparison.asp.

[druptight]

I'm currently running the Cygolite Metro 360 for commuting on Boston's roads in the dark, which can be like single track at times - and it's great. I seriously have no idea if this is bright enough for MTB use, but it's really a great light if you wanted one for your head as mentioned above to use in conjunction with a brighter bar light. And it's $53 shipped w/ amazon prime. This one replaced the Metro 300 which is shown in the above comparison, so it should be some amount brighter than that one (although I haven't compared them side by side).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1NQ4P2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[DRZRM]

I use a Lenzyne 500 XL on my helmet and a L&M 500 (with an external battery) on the bars. All the light I need on trails at night.

If you can live with the external battery, the L&M Seca 750 would be great on your bars. On sale at CC here (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/light-motion-seca-750-light?ti=UExQIENhdDpMaWdodHM6MTozMzpjY0NhdDEwMDA0N g)

[jh_on_the_cape]

You really want one helmet and one bar light.
For one reason: redundancy in case one goes out.
The helmet mount shines where you point your head so you can see around but you lack some depth perception because the shadows line up with your sight. The bar mount gives you the depth perception but you cannot shine it exactly where you need it for tech sections, around corners, etc.

I have older lights and might get new ones this winter. I would go with an internal battery since most of my lights seem to have problems with the wire connections losing reliability. I will also get the same light for bar and helmet so same charger, etc.

FWIW, I would not ride tech singletrack with just the L&M Urban 300. The 700 may be different, but I really think a bar light and a helmet light are best for mountain biking at night.

The MagicShine produces silly amounts of light...

[FlemishCompact]

I have the CREE T6 light from Amazon. Also purchased the wide angle lens. The wide angle lens moves around in the slot making it a pain in the arse on bumpy roads.

They sell a very thin lens to fit behind the wide angle lens to prevent movement, but I opted not to spring for it. I tried to sandwich the original lens with the wide angle to prevent movement but the enclosure wouldn't tighten all the way down. Very worrisome in we weather.

The light itself is absolutely fantastic. FWIW, I think it might be equivalent to the MagicShine for a fraction of the cost. The MagicShine does come with a better batter holder, but that was not a deal breaker for me at all.