Just got my new dodgy Ebay light...

[Max5476]

Having previously been commuting with two cateye opticube somethings, I was forced to buy a new lamp when one of them filled with water during some heavy rain and stopped turning on. I decided to go for a cheap superbright ebay jobbie, on the basis it was worth a punt for less than £20. Could be posting you get what you pay for in a month though.

Being cheap ebay I had to wait 3 weeks for it to turn up, but it finally arrived today. I took a quick comparison photo with my phone, flash set to off, makes a massive difference in my dark garage

Old Cateyes


New Lamp


A night and day difference in terms of light output, but the keen eyed amongst you will have spotted its directed straight at other road users retinas - not good, and a particular pet peeve of mine. However, 5 minutes with some electrical tape




And it gives a sharper cutoff - more similar to a cars dipped beam



Pretty pleased with the result. Durability feedback to follow if / when I remember.

[dudleybloke]

My one of those is 2 years old and its still working perfectly.
If you want to light up the rear I can recommend one of these.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magicshine-MJ-818-Cycle-re...

[anonymous-user]

Looks like my Cree XL thing, has Natfire written on the lamp?

Yeah they are pretty good, i just run it on the lower setting all the time, the tape is a good idea but it might get a bit warm. The battery packs will lose their ability to hold charge over time, mine could go a week of commuting (5 hours) on high power after full charge when I bought it but now would only last two days on the same power setting, no real dramas, just a bit of a pain remembering to charge it mid week and not just at the weekend.

[Max5476]

Heat was a concern - shall see how it copes, can always upgrade materials or tapes. I might look at the Magicshine rear, currently relatively happy with my rear lights though, the cateyes that matched my front lights.

How long did you charge the battery for, or does it have an auto-off if I leave it plugged in all night. I did not have any instructions with mine. Only a 3 mile commute so battery life is not a massive worry.

[JustinF]

If the tape doesn't work, make a little shim/wedge from a wine bottle cork to go behind the mount so the unit points left?

[gazza285]

You can buy diffusers to fit these lights, just search for Magicshine diffuser and take your pick.

[broster]

The light output from them is great, i used to run two on my commute, mainly so I had a back up, when they fail then just stop working and leave you in the dark. Iv invested in a niterider light now

[TwistingMyMelon]

You can buy diffusers for a couple of quid

I run two on my unlit way home, one with a diffuser one with not, through a splitter on one battery that is kept in a waterbottle

The un diffused light wastes a lot of light, but really pierces through bad weather and goes a lot further on the off road sections where I only have to worry about blinding badgers!

Diffuser works well as it directs the light where you need it, but struggles a bit in poor weather

[AyBee]

I just use mine on the less bright of the 2 settings and point it down - not had any complaints to date...

[TwistingMyMelon]

Also if you hold the power down for circa 10 seconds, the on light flashes and you get 5 light options, instead of the standard 3

[louiebaby]

Been using dodgy eBay lights for a few years now. The first was crap, and died inexplicably after about 5 rides. The other two are going strong, one on the roadie, one on the commuter.

I have a spare old Cateye on the commuter for if/when I forget to charge the main one. I only get about 1 minute of notice before it shuts off. (Saves riding home holding up my phone with the "torch" on!)

If you're going to do it though, you really should go for the most Lumens you can:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252175768224

Although my favourite design I spotted for this post is:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311037712428

Note: Chinese Lumens may not be equivalent to regular Lumens, but this has been covered before.

[richardxjr]

My fleabay XML-T6 + diffeuser still doing great work my London Road gravel thingy, 3rd or 4th winter now, original battery and charger. Free mag gift 400lm USB Lezyne Macro doing flashing & back up duties.

Got a spare Solarstorm x2 now though (for if/when the above dies) as I've upgraded the mtb lights to neutral white Nitefighters from Gearbest.

[StarmistBlue400]

I have one too, I need to charge it every three days and its on its second winter now.

Great value for money. I have the battery pack fixed on with a couple of cable ties.

[uncinquesei]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Also if you hold the power down for circa 10 seconds, the on light flashes and you get 5 light options, instead of the standard 3

Ooh! Did not know that, something to try on the way home. I take it it's 2 more levels of brightness rather than an everchanging kaleidoscope of colours and X ray vision...