Lights with user replaceable batteries
Discussion
Any recommendations for decently bright rechargeable front and rear lights with user-replaceable batteries? I am fed up of having to throw away perfectly good lights simply because the wired-in batteries are dead and cannot be replaced.
Apart from the cost - which is negligible over the 3 or 4 yrs that most seem to last - it's the appalling waste of materials that irks most. We are constantly told how lithium etc is a strategic resource for the coming electric power revolution and yet mfrs force us to throw loads of it away because they make devices with fixed batteries.
Not after those MTB style separate battery pack mobile searchlights, just a reasonable set of lights for road use that are brighter than the cheapo Cateye type 2AA/AAA battery things. To replace a Lezyne 600 front and Moon Nebula rear which both now have kaput batteries.
Apart from the cost - which is negligible over the 3 or 4 yrs that most seem to last - it's the appalling waste of materials that irks most. We are constantly told how lithium etc is a strategic resource for the coming electric power revolution and yet mfrs force us to throw loads of it away because they make devices with fixed batteries.
Not after those MTB style separate battery pack mobile searchlights, just a reasonable set of lights for road use that are brighter than the cheapo Cateye type 2AA/AAA battery things. To replace a Lezyne 600 front and Moon Nebula rear which both now have kaput batteries.
jimmy156 said:
The Moon meteor storm pro has changeable intergrated batteries. And its chuffing bright. I paid about £70 on wiggle
I've got one of those too. Fixed to my MTB helmet now. Also has the option of a "remote control button". I have a "remote" on my handlebars on the MTB, and also one fixed to the side of my helmet so that I can turn it on/off while moving. I only really need a helmet light on single-track segments.The battery is usb charged in the light, but can be replaced if needed through a simple twist-off end cap. I suppose you could also buy a spare battery too, and keep a charged-up spare in your pocket to extend ride time. From memory I think it's an '18650' rechargeable battery. And it's a very well made light too.
Why can't the lights be repaired rather than thrown away?
I only ever buy cheapo chinese LED search lights for MTB'ing and am probably on my fourth year with them. An occasional clean of the seals etc keeps them water tight, and the cheap wiring occasionally fails so I splice in a new one. The lights themselves are fine. The wiring, followed by the battery construction are the weak links generally.
As you say its not the cost, but rather I like to keep things out of landfill as long as possible.
I only ever buy cheapo chinese LED search lights for MTB'ing and am probably on my fourth year with them. An occasional clean of the seals etc keeps them water tight, and the cheap wiring occasionally fails so I splice in a new one. The lights themselves are fine. The wiring, followed by the battery construction are the weak links generally.
As you say its not the cost, but rather I like to keep things out of landfill as long as possible.
In the usual PH style of recommending something completely different than the OP asked for...
If this is for regular use and you're not after the maximum amount of light from high capacity integral batteries, consider fixed lights and a hub dynamo. I have them on my commuter/town bike and they're flipping brilliant. No more needing to remember to take them with you when you set of in daylight, or remembering to take them off when you park the bike, remembering to charge them, etc. Modern LEDs are plenty bright enough for road use (not as bright as my Cateye Volt 800 but I don't find that an issue).
Obviously a bit of initial expense/faff as you need to rebuild the front wheel with a new hub, but a 3W hub is under £50 and decent lights are then around £20. The only downside really is the front light goes off when you stop, although the rear stays lit for a couple of minutes.
If this is for regular use and you're not after the maximum amount of light from high capacity integral batteries, consider fixed lights and a hub dynamo. I have them on my commuter/town bike and they're flipping brilliant. No more needing to remember to take them with you when you set of in daylight, or remembering to take them off when you park the bike, remembering to charge them, etc. Modern LEDs are plenty bright enough for road use (not as bright as my Cateye Volt 800 but I don't find that an issue).
Obviously a bit of initial expense/faff as you need to rebuild the front wheel with a new hub, but a 3W hub is under £50 and decent lights are then around £20. The only downside really is the front light goes off when you stop, although the rear stays lit for a couple of minutes.
bmwmike said:
Why can't the lights be repaired rather than thrown away?
I only ever buy cheapo chinese LED search lights for MTB'ing and am probably on my fourth year with them. An occasional clean of the seals etc keeps them water tight, and the cheap wiring occasionally fails so I splice in a new one. The lights themselves are fine. The wiring, followed by the battery construction are the weak links generally.
As you say its not the cost, but rather I like to keep things out of landfill as long as possible.
I agree, it's crazy. The back light is a totally sealed unit that cannot be got apart without breaking it as far as I can see. Had a good look and tried to lever it open to no avail. I only ever buy cheapo chinese LED search lights for MTB'ing and am probably on my fourth year with them. An occasional clean of the seals etc keeps them water tight, and the cheap wiring occasionally fails so I splice in a new one. The lights themselves are fine. The wiring, followed by the battery construction are the weak links generally.
As you say its not the cost, but rather I like to keep things out of landfill as long as possible.
The circuit board can be removed from the front light but extracting the battery from the board looks like a big job. Only one guy on YT has done it - an electronic engineer by the looks of it - with both more kit and more skill than I can muster!
RizzoTheRat said:
In the usual PH style of recommending something completely different than the OP asked for...
If this is for regular use and you're not after the maximum amount of light from high capacity integral batteries, consider fixed lights and a hub dynamo. I have them on my commuter/town bike and they're flipping brilliant. No more needing to remember to take them with you when you set of in daylight, or remembering to take them off when you park the bike, remembering to charge them, etc. Modern LEDs are plenty bright enough for road use (not as bright as my Cateye Volt 800 but I don't find that an issue).
Obviously a bit of initial expense/faff as you need to rebuild the front wheel with a new hub, but a 3W hub is under £50 and decent lights are then around £20. The only downside really is the front light goes off when you stop, although the rear stays lit for a couple of minutes.
Had thought about a dynamo, not a bad shout. Just had front wheel rebuilt tho, don't really want to do it again...If this is for regular use and you're not after the maximum amount of light from high capacity integral batteries, consider fixed lights and a hub dynamo. I have them on my commuter/town bike and they're flipping brilliant. No more needing to remember to take them with you when you set of in daylight, or remembering to take them off when you park the bike, remembering to charge them, etc. Modern LEDs are plenty bright enough for road use (not as bright as my Cateye Volt 800 but I don't find that an issue).
Obviously a bit of initial expense/faff as you need to rebuild the front wheel with a new hub, but a 3W hub is under £50 and decent lights are then around £20. The only downside really is the front light goes off when you stop, although the rear stays lit for a couple of minutes.
dontlookdown said:
Had thought about a dynamo, not a bad shout. Just had front wheel rebuilt tho, don't really want to do it again...
Yeah probably don't want to re-rebuild it, but its definitely something worth considering for anyone who's replacing/fixing wheels anyway, or buying new bike. I cycle commute all year and lights are now just something I don't even have to think about. I would definitely go for one on my next bike.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff