View Full Version : How many lumens is enough?
First road ride with a new NiteRider MiNewt 350 this morning, started at 0520, done at 0645. Overcast and therefore pretty much pitch black until 0630.
The `350 has replaced a MiNewt 150. Riding solo, the `150 was adequate; it was enough to see with and, when combined with a white Cateye Loop set to blink, be seen with. Riding in a line, the `150 was not bright enough to power through my own shadow, caused by lights on bikes astern.
This is not a problem for the `350, so I'm a happy midnight rider, less likely to blindly lead the peloton off the road and into the woods. I'm sure a DiNotte 1400 is "better" but I'm doing OK.
rice rocket
11-04-2010, 07:50 AM
It really depends on the beam shape and scatter.
I have a 200 lumen light that's visually brighter than my 500 lumen light, all because it's much more focused.
Most bike lights have too much scatter in my opinion. 200 lumens in a 30 degree beam is probably plenty @ 15 mph, but most lights are probably a 120 degree beam, which is better suited for really slow riding. :p
The best solution in my opinion is something like this, that allows you to adjust beam to suit your riding speed. It's "only" 120 lumens, but again, beam shape makes a bigger difference than aggregate amount of light.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29385
Likes2ridefar
11-04-2010, 10:51 AM
I use a dinotte 200 for commuting. it's bright enough for that but for the most part it's to be seen. I've only a few sections where I'm without streetlights.
For roads that don't have lights I'd want at least twice that if wanting to be safe descending at high speeds. and not just twice as bright but something with twice the throw.
I have a 400L as well but gave it to my father. He rides in CT on dark unlit roads. He eventually decided to get another 400L and is quite happy with the combo.
jblande
11-04-2010, 11:04 AM
these days, the first hour of my early morning ride is in complete dark, with no street lights. i have the dinotte 800 lumen front light, and really would not want anything less. i would not mind having a 200l light for my helmet for descents and woods.
dekindy
11-04-2010, 11:36 AM
It really depends on the beam shape and scatter.
I have a 200 lumen light that's visually brighter than my 500 lumen light, all because it's much more focused.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29385
Which brand and model are you referring to?
rice rocket
11-04-2010, 12:16 PM
I wasn't referring to bike lights specifically with that comment. My 200 lumen light is built as a searchlight, it'll throw 3/4 of a mile.
http://imgur.com/vUAFV.jpg
http://imgur.com/vIuQ4.jpg
My 500 lumen light is a rather standard tactical flashlight w/ a SSC-P7 LED and a floody reflector, it'll throw maybe 500 ft, but have much better flood.
http://imgur.com/JEs21.jpg
For a bike, you'd want something sort of in between that, which is why I suggested the zooming one, so you can zoom to your riding speed.
Waldo
11-04-2010, 01:12 PM
I like Magicshine and its claimed 900 lumens as a helmet light. I descend fairly twisty roads in complete darkness at 30+ mph with it. I understand that the 900 lumen claim is inflated, but it's plenty bright enough for most riding at low and medium settings. I switch to high when I bomb descents.
xjoex
11-04-2010, 01:20 PM
One more for the Magicshine, I use it for mountain biking with an older NiteRider mounted on my helmet and it is an amazing combo. I barely have to alter my speed from day time. At $89 it is an amazing deal.
Review here: http://robonza.blogspot.com/2010/10/review-geomangear-magicshine-900-plus.html
But to the question asked, I was happy with my 200 lumen Light and Motion vega as a commuter light. But ever time a brighter light comes out, it makes mountain biking more enjoyable at night.
-Joe
jdhansen63
11-04-2010, 02:08 PM
How durable is the Magicshine. $89 for a 900 lumen light seems too good to be true. What's the downside? Anyone compared them to a Light & Motion?
Waldo
11-04-2010, 02:13 PM
How durable is the Magicshine. $89 for a 900 lumen light seems too good to be true. What's the downside? Anyone compared them to a Light & Motion?
I'm sure someone has but I don't know of it. That said, on my 5:00 a.m. road ride this morning, there were six riders, five were running Magicshines, with one of us sporting one MS on his bars and another MS on his helmet.
customer service and shipping for Magicshine lights and parts is excellent from geomangear.com
jlwdm
11-04-2010, 03:21 PM
I started two years ago with a NiteRider MiNewt x2 with 150 lumens. I thought I would use the light occasionally to get out early in the AZ summer heat.
I ended up really getting into night riding and early this year got a NiteRider Pro 600. It has been ideal with 600 lumens.
Jeff
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