Headtorch and Bike light for Forest runs

Sleddogger

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Sep 8, 2018
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Hi folks,
I run Huskies on forest trails doing speeds of between 15 and 25 mph
I've currently got an original BD Icon that's seen better days
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And a couple of those cheap Solar Storm 3x Cree bike lights with the 4x 10865 battery packs that are stupid bright but those cheap batteries suck, dinky lay liner than a year and conk out after 30 mins leaving me blind!

Having decided I need to upgrade my set up I've found the tech has moved on massively and I'm a bit confused with it all so looking for some advice on what's best to get next.
My requirements are...
1) I need a main unit to go on my rigs handlebars with a lot of light and a decent throw so I can clearly see the trail for a good distance ahead and can see the corners before I'm on top of them. this needs to be able to last at least 1.5 hours.
2) I need a headtorch that can both be used for close up harnessing dogs, walking dogs, sorting gear round my van etc but also has the ability to throw a fairly good distance so I can spot wildlife and hazards up ahead.

A new headtorch is a must and I'm wondering if something like the Nitecore HC65 would fit the bill. Any other options around that price range that would suit me better?? I don't think these Turbo modes will work for my circumstances so that's not a necessity but I do need a good throw with a little side spill.

As to the bike light option, is there any reliable battery packs for these cheap Solar Storm lights that keep them really bright for over an hour or am I better ditching them and investing in something else?

Budget wise I could stretch to around £150 for both.

Cheers!
 
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archimedes

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Hello and welcome to CPF

Your post above has been approved, in lightly edited form

I think that Lupine make some very nice gear, but probably starting above that budget
 
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Sleddogger

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Sep 8, 2018
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Thanks for approving.
Yeah, The Lupine's are sadly quite a bit over my budget.
Been looking at the Nitecore HC65 but the Fenix HP30R also looks interesting with the two separate buttons, how are they to use with gloves on?
As to lights for the handlebars I'm not sure what to do at all! Keep buying rubbish battery packs for the SolarStorm lamps or get something else?
 

Keitho

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For times when weight and light pollution don't matter to me too much on my mountain bike, I put a big "beer can" light on my handlebar to flood all of nature. Pretty much any of these lights will be a multi-LED flood beam pattern with 3x or 4x 18650, plenty of power and runtime--I like it for giving me decent down-the-trail awareness, plus good peripheral vision. Well, truth be told, I mostly like it for showing off at the trailhead; any usefulness on the trail is just a lucky coincidence. My handlebar mount is heavyweight and ghetto: light rigging clamps that are meant for stage lighting (if you want something that looks like this, search for a clamp that matches the diameter of the flashlight's battery tube).






My favorite is an oldie but a goodie, the Noctigon M43, pictured above. There are lots of more recent beer can floodlights, but I keep going back to this one. I justify this setup to myself by saying that the light is very useful off the bike, because it is a flashlight besides being a bike light. I didn't really believe this justification before I started my collection of jacket-pocket-sized floodlights, but it turned out to be true!

None of this is to say that I recommend this setup to anyone--there are lighter, ready-to-use bike handlebar lights out of the box.
 

Sleddogger

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Sep 8, 2018
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Hey thanks Keitho,
I run in forests in the middle of the night, there's never any fear of blinding anyone. That's a neat idea with the M43, I had a look and it seems to be sold out everywhere checked, I like the look of the ROT66 and wondering if it would do the job...
You've now got me looking at flashlights as well as headtorches and bike lights! Gee thanks! :duh2:

On my possible headlight list so far is the Nitecore HC65 (or maybe the HC70), Fenix HP30R or the Olight H2R Nova. Just can't decide what'll work best for me.

Haven't found any dedicated bike lights in my price range that I like, so maybe a big torch like that could be the answer.
Do you ride rough trails on your bike, how does it cope with the bouncing over rough terrain?
 

Keitho

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Man, I'm really sad that the m43 run is over. I pre ordered the rot66 nichia version specifically to try on my handlebar in the woods, but the first light shipped was defective (warranty replacement on the way). It will be less runtime obviously.

My solution for cycling might not work for sled dog application-- I just need to see the 15' in front of me really well, but you need to see beyond the dogs. I'll be curious to see what eventually works for you.

As far as bouncing, heavy light with a burly mount is no problem on trails.
 

Sleddogger

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Sep 8, 2018
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Thanks, The M43 was back in stock but I've just ordered a Nitecore HC65 and the BLF Q8.
I looked at the newer Sofirn Q8 but think with the original being a bit floodier it'll suit my needs better. Got a couple of those lighting truss clamps for it too. Excited to see how it'll work.
Just gotta wait for the international shipping!
 

Sleddogger

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Sep 8, 2018
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I'm amazed by this light.
It took 8 days for delivery from Banggood
I opted for the Samsung 30Q's from 18650.co.uk and clamps from one of the many online lighting specialists.

Here's a couple of photos.
20181008_200744.jpg


20181008_205622.jpg



In comparison the Solarstorm light is so cold and weak (the camera doesn't show it but the edges of that light are practically purple)


20181010_201310.jpg



20181014_213744.jpg


UK Electricity pylons are 50m high and about 400m apart.
you can just see it lighting up the second one.

20181014_213954.jpg



20181014_214007.jpg


Now all I need is the headtorch to arrive from (not so) Fasttech. they've pushed dispatch time back to the end of this month...
 

Keitho

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Nice choice on the Q8 for your application. I like the tint on that light as well.
 

Bazar

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Colorado
As a cheap supplementary option, the Fenix tk09 is what I use for a thrower on my bicycles. For sledding it should reach past the dogs and give a good idea of things in its 400 lumen medium mode.
It has the advantage of running on cr123a, on colder nights this will give you reliability and comfort to know you can still work the light. Only about 60 dollars US.

I don't fully understand the need do that is my piece of advice. Fenix also sells handlebar mounts for any flashlight that has a normal single 18650 sized body.

I would go with at least 2 headlights, time has told me no matter what happens or how great something is it can fail. The TK09 from Fenix can be that second light.
 
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