Brightest rear light?

[fergus]

After doing some nightime MTB racing, I have some 4 LED lumicycle lights (x2) for the front, and one of their tail lights. However, when communting (38 miles each way), I want the best rear visibility I can get.

What do people recommend? I've seen some lights that rather than being steady state, or just random flashing, tend to increase their brightness and "burst" with a high intensity flash. Not sure what these are called though.

I don't mind either AA or rechargable lights.

Seatpost is an aero version, so may have to b@stardise the mounting a bit!

[vvill]

Exposure Flare is quite good. Bright and could probably fit your an aero seatpost.

It has either constant or strobe.

Only downside are the batteries which are CR123a. You have to buy an extra battery and charger.
http://www.exposurelights.com/product/000059/flare...

[Vladimir]

Mine is a Cateye 610LD (or something like that). Super bright, uses 2x AAAs which last aeons. Also very weatherproof. Under £20 I think. We have three on various bikes.

[Raven Flyer]

I just bought a Moon front light. They are very bright and do rear lights too.

[E38Ross]

I use a moon shield 60 for the rear as my commute has unlit NSL roads.

Trust me, it's more than enough. Absolutely fantastic light that inspires so much confidence. I bought the xp300 + shield 60 kit.

[Rofly Lollers]

"Smart Lunar R1 Rear Light 1 Watt" is incredibly bright. It's noticeably brighter than theit 1/2 watt version (I have both).
The brightest I have (and have ever seen) is the magicshine MJ818, it's like a fog light, probably visible from space. It uses a lithium battery pack which might be a negative for you, but the battery could last for ages before needing a charge (although I charge it after every ride).

Both Magicshine and Smart lights have flashing and constant-on modes. I use both lights in flashing mode and have a couple of dynamo powered LED lights which are constantly on.

[MadDad]

Smart R2 for me, 2 x 1/2 watt leds, can be set to single constant, double constant, steady flash, random disco flash and fade in/out. I always ride with a rear light on even in the middle of summer and the R2 can be seen from quite a distance in bright sunshine in the middle of the day. Gets my vote.....

[yellowjack]

Cateye TL-LD610... http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cateye-TL-LD610-Rear-Light... ...on my seatpost.

Lots of modes - solid, flash, random trace, and the KITT/Ceylon Warrior mode. As someone has already said, great battery life, and it uses AAA batteries, so you can carry spares.

Smart 1/2Watt LED RL318R... http://www.buyabattery.co.uk/smart-3-led-rear-cycl... ...on the rear of my saddle bag, clipped into the fabric loop.

Great flash mode on this one, a double pulse from the two outer LEDs, then a big, bright pulse from the central LED. In solid mode it uses only the centre LED, and it too is pretty damned bright.

Smart Lunar R1 Rear Light 1 Watt... http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p39824/Smart-Lunar-R1-Re... ...clipped onto the strap of my headtorch, at the rear of my helmet. This seems to run on a similar PCB to the Smart 1/2Watt, with similar flashing and solid modes. This light has been updated since I bought one - this from the sellers description:

*The brightest rear light on the planet just got even brighter

*Visible from up to 1 mile with a single 1 Watt Japanese LED & 2 further LEDs

*Constant , flashing modes and new group rider mode

*Up to 50 hours run time using 2AAA batteries (included)

*Tough construction withstands extreme weather conditions

*Limited lifetime warranty


I use all three as a rule when I know I'll be riding in the dark, but I'll leave the helmet mounted one at home If I'm only planning to be out in daylight. If I'm at all concerned that conditions are poor, I'll add a Smart 7 LED Rear Light... http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p50018/Smart-7-LED-Rear-... ...to the loop on the back of my rain jacket. It's not so bright as the others, but just adds the finishing touch to the 'Christmas Tree' effect.

All I've got to do now is to get some decent front lights, but I'm in control of how fast I ride, and can slow down if there's not enough light for me to see properly. I can't be doing with taking even the slightest risk with not being seen by following traffic.

[fergus]

Thks all. Food for thought.

[Brother D]

I always thought the fibre flares were pretty good at getting attention?

[Some Gump]

Op,
Check out the planet x sale.
I picked up:
Dual .5watt led for saddle bag (3 quid)
2 x .5w plus 2 led in case the clip ons weren't good (they are) (pound)
Knight rider style long sweeping led (pound)
2 backup dual led clip on jobs for chainstays (59 pee each).

So, for less than a tesco rear light, i'm lit up like a christmas tree. Combination of bright constant and dimmer flashrs should make me pretty visible without enraging the hard of thinking too badly.

[Raven Flyer]

The Moon Shield uses a CREE XPE LED. They are rated at 3 watts.

I am not sure people riding behind you will like it!

[E38Ross]

Raven Flyer said:

The Moon Shield uses a CREE XPE LED. They are rated at 3 watts.

I am not sure people riding behind you will like it!

it is chuffing bright i'll admit but i tell you watt (do you see what i did there.... ) it really does give me SO, SO much confidence at night.

as said, on my ride home (19 miles each way) some of the roads are quick roads where cars will do a good 60 (or more) single lane NSL roads and it's nice to know they'll see me for sure.

of the lights listed so far, i'm confident it's the brightest. but it's the most expensive too.

there certainly isn't any need for anything brighter, that's for sure.

[otolith]

Raven Flyer said:

The Moon Shield uses a CREE XPE LED. They are rated at 3 watts.

I am not sure people riding behind you will like it!

The strobe/flashing modes are only 40 lumens, the steady modes are 20/40/60 lumen.

[E38Ross]

otolith said:

Raven Flyer said:

The Moon Shield uses a CREE XPE LED. They are rated at 3 watts.

I am not sure people riding behind you will like it!

The strobe/flashing modes are only 40 lumens, the steady modes are 20/40/60 lumen.

Didn't realise that. I have mine set to flash (though I never have the front flashing.... Always steady and if traffic never on the full 300 lumens) and on flash it's bright enough for me. Wouldn't want anything less now though.

[Mr E]

I run a smart something. It's half a watt with various modes, one of which is the slow heartbeat that was mentioned.

[LotusMartin]

Blackburn Mars 4.0 Flasher Rear Light

Brighter than you probably need - side LEDs too.

[kiethton]

E38Ross said:

I use a moon shield 60 for the rear as my commute has unlit NSL roads.

Trust me, it's more than enough. Absolutely fantastic light that inspires so much confidence. I bought the xp300 + shield 60 kit.

I did exactly this......perfect for the application

[Bobley]

I thought I was happy with my Cateye 610 but I bought a Magicshine M818 to put on my sons bike. Its just ridiculously bright.

[Uriel]

I reckon that in real world use you'd be hard pressed to beat the Hope District.

http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemid=SPG408&am...

Plus they're a good, UK, company with amazing aftersales support, which counts a fair bit with me.