Cree front lights

[Kell]

Spurred on by everyone talking about Chinese copy front lights last year, I ordered some from eBay.

They never came.

While I did get my money back, I was put off the idea of ordering any more.

However, as the nights are drawing in this year, and I've got a particularly dark (and full of potholes) spot on my route I'm thinking of taking the plunge again. My lights are fine for other people seeing me, but they don't light up the road.

Can someone recommend a light and a seller they've used and had no problems with?

[GarryDK]

I did the same ordered on the back of everyones recommendations. 1 eve with a huge down pour and mine has stopped working. It lasted 3 weeks. I wont be wasting my time or money on anymore of them.

[lufbramatt]

Magicshine are good. UK based importers of Chinese stuff, so you pay a slight premium but the service is very good. I've been using my Magicshine light with the uprated battery pretty much daily for a year in and no probs at all despite giving them a thorough soaking.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Ran two all through last winter, day in day out in horrid wind wet and mud, never had any issues at all and they were ace

If they ever went, I would be in complete darkness, I did enclose the batteries in a water bottle and use mudguards though which kept the spray off the front.

I also used them on the Dunwich Dynamo, had them on the lowest setting for 6 hours and they still work without needing a charge 3 months later!

BUT, they vary loads between sellers and even the same seller can supply 2 lights that look different

I got one of mine here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-Bic...

Going to dig them out soon for another winter

[gazza285]

I've got four sets in total, the newest of which is eighteen months old. I've had one broken mounting in all the time I've had them. Been out in all weathers and terrain without a problem. Only complaint is the low battery warning comes on about two minutes before I'm plunged into darkness, but I can work around that.

[Daveyraveygravey]

My two have been brilliant, the only problem I've had was the bag the battery sits in self destructed. I have "vaselined" the insides as far as I am able to, but that's probably worth doing with any bit of electrical kit on a bike out on winter roads.

[daddy cool]

I have two Magicshine lights - a big 2000 lumin for the front of my mountain bike, and a 400 lm one for my lid. Both are ace.

Just had a look on ebuyer - 1600 lm for £70
http://www.ebuyer.com/364222-magicshine-mj-856-4x-...
Same one on Magicshines own site: £110
http://www.magicshine.org.uk/mj-856-1600-lumen-6-p...

[Kell]

Thanks.

Ordered a set from the link above.

UK seller and 99.2% positive ratings, so fingers crossed it's a better experience this time.

[donfisher]

Mine has just started its third winter. It instantly fired up after several months of inactivity which is when other peoples lights have been known to fail.

As above I had to rebuild the case for the battery pack after it fell to bits. While I was doing that I wrapped whatever looked exposed in electrical tape.

And contrary to above I’ve also used it during some properly wet rides and it’s been fine. The battery pack and the mounting system can need a bit of bodging when they arrive but other than that they’re brilliant IME. Get the wide angle diffuser – they really improve the spread of light.

[Woody]

donfisher said:

Mine has just started its third winter. It instantly fired up after several months of inactivity which is when other peoples lights have been known to fail.

As above I had to rebuild the case for the battery pack after it fell to bits. While I was doing that I wrapped whatever looked exposed in electrical tape.

And contrary to above I’ve also used it during some properly wet rides and it’s been fine. The battery pack and the mounting system can need a bit of bodging when they arrive but other than that they’re brilliant IME. Get the wide angle diffuser – they really improve the spread of light.

Where can you get these from?

[littleandy0410]

I think I got mine from eBay, but I have heard of people ordering them fro C & B Seen:

http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/accessories/cables-o-r...

[Jonnny]

littleandy0410 said:

I think I got mine from eBay, but I have heard of people ordering them fro C & B Seen:

http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/accessories/cables-o-r...

I got mine from C&B seen, they're brilliant. Next day delivery, very good quality wiring and battery pack.

[Woody]

Thanks guys - might order a couple of lenses for mine.

[anonymous-user]

I got a cheapo Cree from Ebay, the build quality was very poor with poor fixings that made the light wobble and the battery bag fell to bits in a few days.

On the plus side it was incredibly bright with decent battery life, but ultimately it packed in after 3 or 4 months so I got a 'proper' light from MagicShine and the build quality is excellent and great customer service too (they supplied a better light for the same money when the one I ordered was out of stock).

[marting]

I was planning on doing this but ended up getting a good deal on a used Exposure Diablo.

Feels pretty robust for £40.

[ecotec]

I just use a tesco cree 2xAA torch - all metal £10
then cable tied securely to a smart front light bracket - you can buy these separately about £3

[anonymous-user]

my cree xml ebay specials are branded "Natfire", they are pretty good and show up the poor cateye lights running aa/aaa batteries when I catch them up and my light "floods" their light! i like them though the battery pack is a bit of a faff but i made a solution using an old saddlebag.

[tjdixon911]

I purchased the Cree ones from eBay, it said located in the uk but was sent from outside the uk, still arrived and just been charging them for the darker nights.

I have 2, one bike mounted, one on my lid (battery in bag) - bit overkill even in forests, I started running one on my lid only then a weaker AA powered one on the bike.

I was running both on this video;

http://youtu.be/G-QnGqNpLNg

[Shuttle Cock]

My Cree's are running fine, into there second season of use. Battery packs sit in a Topeak waterproof bento box/bag thing on the top tube, you can also stash a spare tube, tools or snacks in there as well.

http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/tri_drybag_2

Edited by Shuttle Cock on Wednesday 15th October 21:47

[Mr Gear]

My set has been good, they got used heavily last winter in all weathers.

Two things I'd say about mine:
- The battery lasts a long time, but they run out without warning
- The battery connector plug has become very touchy the last few weeks, so I will strip and change it.

I'm probably going to get a second small light for the front of my bike to share the work with the biggun', as I don't have 100% faith in it, although it is excellent when it is fully charged and the connector is behaving.