It's no secret that I use and like the stuff made by Planet Bike. Use the search function on this blog and you'll find me saying various nice things about various Planet Bike products. I was getting ready to write a review of the light I've been commuting with for the past month, the 2 Watt version of the Blaze, but when I checked Amazon a couple of other folks already said pretty much all the nice things I was going to say about this light. So click the link above and read the reviews there and then come back and I'll add a little bit.
OK, it's a nice light. It uses 2 AA cells and it works great with NiMH rechargeable batteries. It works fine for commuting but if I was going to ride all night on a brevet, I'd take some spare batteries just to be safe. I have good night vision and run it on the low setting most of the time and on low it'll run all night. The light uses the same mount as its 1-Watt
and 1/2-Watt
siblings as well as the Beamer 3
and Beamer 5
lights, something I find handy because I have several bikes and swap various Planet Bike lights between them.The 2-Watt Blaze project fairly tight cone of light with a bit of spill and as to be expected, on the low setting on the 2-Watt Blaze seems to be just about as bright as the high setting of the 1-Watt Blaze. LEDs seem to run more efficiently at lower power so the 2-Watt on low makes better use of the batteries than running the 1-Watt on high. Plus, it is nice to have the higher beam available for quick, dark descents.
In cold, wet weather I've noticed some condensation inside the lens of the light, but it hasn't caused any problems.
Finally, I prefer the sleek, Darth Vader black of the 2-Watt Blaze to the i-Mac white of the 1-Watt model.
Keep 'em rolling,
Kent
12 comments:
Thanks for the tip
I like that Planet Bike gives back to cycling through donations as well as making great products!
Nice review of the Planet Bike Blaze 2 Watt LED Headlight. Which taillight do you use to compliment this quality headlamp?
Kent, you state you like the black housing color of the 2 watt more than the white of the 1 watt. If you look you can find the 1 watt in black. I have one. Pretty sure I got it at REI.
I used two 1 watts for commuting for a couple of weeks. Two 1 watts, both on the high setting are just barely sufficient for the task for me. Actually, maybe 'almost sufficient' is more accurate. I really don't have bad night vision either.
I'll still get the 2 watt as a backup soon, but I've switched my commute light to an IQ Cyo.
rob hawks
449km.blogspot.com
I’m just making my rounds to all the blogs I visit to say Happy New years and wishing you the best.
I've got pretty bad night vision due to a stigmatism in my right eye...so this winter I decided to spend a bit more on a slightly higher priced light and bought one of the MagicShines that seem to be getting a lot of underground press. For $90, you get a ridiculously bright LED with a rechargeable pack. I've had good results with mine after 2 months of almost daily use. For my totally dark commute to/from work, it's been a life-saver.
But I do miss the simplicity of the Planet Bike 1 Watt. Used that all through the fall in dusk/dawn conditions and never had to touch the batteries. Definitely looking forward to the Spring when I can pull the bigger light off.
Not trying to derail the 2 Watt praise, just giving a heads-up to a moderately priced option if someone really "needs" the extra juice for their particular situation.
I have to say that the 2-watt blaze has become my go-to headlight. Combined with rechargeable batteries from Thompson supply I have an excellent and affordable set-up that works on every bike (I just swap over the light to one of several emails brackets). When used with a Superflash in the rear I have all the lighting I need for my transportation needs.
Nice LED Head Light. It is very usefull
Thanks for this post, i always prefer to use LED Head Light, and like this idea.
has anyone tried the cygolite bike lights? and do you have any feedback? in the market for a new rechargeable headlight
Nice review, I will put LED headlight too in my bike. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, what a bunch of losers posting faux comments here just to put up links to their own websites...
Thanks for the real blog Kent.
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