tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post6210982801418446014..comments2024-02-27T01:52:06.519-08:00Comments on Kent's Bike Blog: One Watt Tail Lights Compared: Planet Bike Super Flash Turbo vs. PDW RADBOT 1000Kent Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12906603746565831689noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-72040245363880034912013-10-08T02:02:48.663-07:002013-10-08T02:02:48.663-07:00A good compromise would be a bright solid light an...A good compromise would be a bright solid light and a less bright blinking light.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115941918048786551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-51703807208134862692013-07-11T05:37:34.862-07:002013-07-11T05:37:34.862-07:00Hi Kent,
I repeated the runtime tests for the upd...Hi Kent,<br /><br />I repeated the runtime tests for the updated superflash turbo (the one with the red on/off switch), and the runtime is much better, although the intensity tails off gradually with time, rather than being abruptly cutoff. It was still flashing weakly at 100+ hours. On steady mode, it will run 24 hours, although the brightness also tails off with time.<br /><br />http://jnyyz.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/planet-bike-blaze-micro-and-superflash-runtime-tests/jnyyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13651185690685651207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-29845546430018878372012-09-19T22:25:59.293-07:002012-09-19T22:25:59.293-07:00Should read "fellow 3000lb commuter"
A...Should read "fellow 3000lb <i>commuter</i>" <br /><br />Also, I suppose the 1W would be handy if you encounter a lot of fog where you live.Glennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-29263850068781855642012-09-18T21:08:29.984-07:002012-09-18T21:08:29.984-07:00I'm a bit of a light junkie too, but I'm m...I'm a bit of a light junkie too, but I'm more interested now in front lights since I got the superflash. I see the SF from 4 blocks away, they're visible in anything short of direct sunlight. Brighter strobes might be good for daytime use, but I could see it having the opposite effect at night. I've experienced difficulty determining speed/distance of oncoming bikes with super bright white strobes. A solid light allows better judgement of speed/distance. I prefer my fellow 3000lb make an informed decision. Bright blinking in the back seems somewhat less of an issue as you're both travelling the same direction, but it seems it reaches the point where it would mar the judgement of surrounding traffic as well. I tend to keep my front light on solid in low light situations and cloudy days. I'm tempted to do the same with my superflash on dark roads. A good compromise would be a bright solid light and a less bright blinking light. It attracts attention but allows better distance/speed judgement.Glennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-5517911913947551722012-03-18T00:24:29.127-07:002012-03-18T00:24:29.127-07:00Has anyone tried the MEC brand Cosmic tail light? ...Has anyone tried the MEC brand Cosmic tail light? It is almost as bright as the PBSF turbo with the advantage that it doesn't shut itself off without warning (like the PBSF turbo does). The MEC light is also a fraction of the cost of the PBSF turbo.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826945060566746194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-83091556835374587862011-12-26T19:23:16.210-08:002011-12-26T19:23:16.210-08:00My friend bought a car tail light and attached it ...My friend bought a car tail light and attached it unto his bike. It looks cool though.Projector Headlightshttp://www.x2industries.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-56869352141250722432011-11-04T08:21:29.751-07:002011-11-04T08:21:29.751-07:00OutsideTheLaw,
I've had pretty good luck usin...OutsideTheLaw,<br /><br />I've had pretty good luck using straps made from strips cut from old bike innertubes to mount lights to helmets. Lace the rubber strap through the helmet vents and the clothing strap on the light.Kent Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607372827627527450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-63310516270728283142011-11-04T08:15:14.370-07:002011-11-04T08:15:14.370-07:00I want to mount one of these on the back of my hel...I want to mount one of these on the back of my helmet, or get another super-bright rear light that will helmet-mount. Any suggestions?OutsideTheLawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17857244296305663678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-24904564035478070612011-10-01T07:33:51.161-07:002011-10-01T07:33:51.161-07:00KMXTornado,
Yep the 1000 uses a 1 Watt LED while ...KMXTornado,<br /><br />Yep the 1000 uses a 1 Watt LED while the 500 uses a 1/2 Watt. So while the 500 is not as bright, the batteries last longer. And, as you noted, it's a bit cheaper. When I was visiting PDW, I noted that the PDW guys use 500s on their own commuter bikes.Kent Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607372827627527450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-1259822198926509162011-09-30T22:11:01.484-07:002011-09-30T22:11:01.484-07:00What's the difference btw the Radbot 500 an Ra...What's the difference btw the Radbot 500 an Radbot 1000 other than $7 and the 1000 is brighter? Or is that it?KMXTornadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06680024984420240251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-52662853066508050782011-02-22T06:42:59.503-08:002011-02-22T06:42:59.503-08:00I have foresaken my Superflashes in favor of the R...I have foresaken my Superflashes in favor of the Radbot for the following reasons:<br /><br />PDW provides a rack mount that allows secure mounting/easy removal of the 'Bot from my bike. The PBSF required cutting a ziptie each time I remove it. Given this, the time required for battery changes is about equal. <br /><br />The PBSF's have consistently allowed water into the casing causing switch problems, including randomly turning on the light, which resulted in early battery exhaustion. Attempts to remedy this with tape around the shell joint were largely unsuccessful.<br /><br />The tape mentioned above was also necessary to keep the shell from separating and being lost when riding rough pavement.<br /><br />I like the added reflectivity of the 'Bot.<br /><br />Thanks for the comparison, Kent.David Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16270272727017605578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-67090297777583176192011-02-20T20:20:43.623-08:002011-02-20T20:20:43.623-08:00Re rechargeable batteries, in my experience, Sanyo...Re rechargeable batteries, in my experience, Sanyo are by far the most consistently reliable. Eveready are by far the worst.<br /><br />Re chargers, it pays to get a so-called smart charger, which can charge NIMH batteries slowly (which helps the batteries last longer) and that can "condition" batteries, which also leads to longer battery life.<br /><br /><br />Probably the best place to buy batteries is Thomas Distributing. They have Sanyos and a bunch of microprocessor controlled chargers.<br /><br />http://www.thomasdistributing.com/<br /><br />For bicycle light use, the Enlop batteries may actually not be ideal, because they have lower capacity, and high output bicycle lights tend to draw some current even when they're not being used--so the batteries will run down regardless of whether or not they are Enlop type (hold a charge longer) or normal NIMH batteries.msrwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16405671873250914126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-72038600776457922012011-02-20T20:05:14.661-08:002011-02-20T20:05:14.661-08:00Chatty Cathy (and others),
Folks who know more ab...Chatty Cathy (and others),<br /><br />Folks who know more about batteries than I do say very nice things about the Sanyo Eneloops. See:<br /><br />http://amzn.to/gdXsdQ<br /><br />In general the "pre-charged" cells (Duracells or others) are the low-discharge ones you want & compare the mAh ratings. Higher mAh means they have more capacity.Kent Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607372827627527450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-15117030967085767102011-02-20T07:54:28.087-08:002011-02-20T07:54:28.087-08:00kent witch rechargable batteries do u use? i want ...kent witch rechargable batteries do u use? i want to get off disposables but the last recharge bats i owned really sucked. witch is the best of the recharge bats+charger? my local staples has durracell that i thot bout getting. there are lots of choices on amazon (dont know where to start. thankx. im tired of throwing out bats!!!!!!!! to much waste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!chatty cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-17095802008659605742011-02-20T02:53:50.689-08:002011-02-20T02:53:50.689-08:00I would have hope for a better running time than t...I would have hope for a better running time than that to be honest.Scotthttp://www.cyclez.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-87210346636087506172011-02-18T16:10:40.642-08:002011-02-18T16:10:40.642-08:00Re how bright a tail light should be.....
I think...Re how bright a tail light should be.....<br /><br />I think the main advantage of super bright tail lights is to use the things during the day. <br /><br />With drivers texting and dealing with other distractions, having something on the bike that catches their attention, like a daylight visible blinking tail light, is in this era, a key safety expedient--vastly more important now than it might have been ten years ago.<br /><br />For use after dark, tail lights can easily be overly bright, and it's probably better to use a tail light that is somewhat less bright--or use the super bright lights on steady rather than flash mode.<br /><br />One other point.....<br /><br />With these lights being now so bright, a couple of AAA batteries is inadequate. The Dinotte tail light uses four AA's and can go for around 12 hours before the batteries need to be re-charged. I would argue that 12 hours of capacity would be a good target for most super bright tail lights, since that would probably allow most commuters to be able to change/recharge their batteries once a week. For that, with the two lights you've reviewed, an external battery pack would probably be necessary.msrwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16405671873250914126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-88572359127859119582011-02-18T00:13:32.239-08:002011-02-18T00:13:32.239-08:00I picked up 2 PDW lights on amazon.com when they w...I picked up 2 PDW lights on amazon.com when they were briefly on sale for $17 a piece. I love these lights. Who cares about battery life? Just go pick up some NiMH rechargeable batteries at Fred Meyer or something for $10. Done. Swap your batteries every other day, and you'll always be very close to optimally bright.<br /><br />I also like that the PDW lights come apart via screw, instead of the ghetto prying method of the SF.<br /><br />I agree with bsk that the SF tends to not do well in the rain, and the switch is way too flimsy for my taste.Bob Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15598368072366661638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-31345331695646752542011-02-17T14:31:22.389-08:002011-02-17T14:31:22.389-08:00Admittedly I live pretty rurally, and as a result ...Admittedly I live pretty rurally, and as a result I need to ride in a more stealthy mode at night. We have far too many Samsquantches and sightings of Slenderman to ride with searingly bright lights. Those will get one abducted and least, killed and eaten at worst.<br /><br />You folks must all be either very fast, or very brave.Apishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240664123564265935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-24994701948059056162011-02-17T09:16:55.241-08:002011-02-17T09:16:55.241-08:00I switched to the Radbot after having water seal p...I switched to the Radbot after having water seal problems with the PB. Each time I turn it on or especially off, my love for the Radbot grows. I wish all lights were as easy. I don't ever remove it from its fender mount , so haven't run in to the problem of it turning itself on. <br />DonnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-70210522601637871532011-02-17T07:30:21.033-08:002011-02-17T07:30:21.033-08:00Is the PB light regulated? That would explain the...Is the PB light regulated? That would explain the maintained light output AND the shorter burn time.<br /><br />I love my SuperFlash, but I see a lot of value in the build-in reflector on the PDW.. as back-up visibility AND to meet many municipal requirements.<br /><br />Thanks for the post.Pete Wituckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03259485788400853801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-87208900642094823012011-02-16T22:48:31.616-08:002011-02-16T22:48:31.616-08:00Thanks for this post, its great when people actual...Thanks for this post, its great when people actually get the products and give s a real testing situation. more please, love this site.mary Westmacotthttp://www.toptownbikes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-40411489773454209732011-02-16T21:44:13.137-08:002011-02-16T21:44:13.137-08:00"Think about not staring directly at these li..."Think about not staring directly at these lights. Think about Nazis opening the Ark of the Covenant in that Indiana Jones movie. That's about how bright these lights are."<br /><br />Which begs the question: On city and suburban streets with their ambient light, how bright does a bicycle light need to be? Should my bike lights be bright enough to hurt?<br /><br />Since transitioning to a hub-generator system on my city bike, I find that my single LED taillight and headlight are plenty bright enough for urban use; the stand-light feature allows motorists coming up from behind to see me in the dark for at least three to four full minutes after I've stopped at a light or stop sign. That seems bright enough for me.<br /><br />As for power usage on these uber-bright beauties, rechargeable batteries are a great idea. Ray-O-Vac offers batteries and a plug-in recharger that are quite affordable. If you local bike shop doesn't carry them, call Pacific Lamp & Supply in Seattle.bikelovejoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16141991025526354179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-91106973457624773692011-02-16T20:17:50.850-08:002011-02-16T20:17:50.850-08:00The Blackburn Mars 4.0 was (I think) the first aff...The Blackburn Mars 4.0 was (I think) the first affordable 1W LED taillight. I think it is the best of the bright taillights for clipping to something (flatter than the Superflash and the Radbot is too big IMHO), but the bracketry it comes with is a bit clunky. Any idea how it stacks up?Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05808276153808097407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-9988427023043575012011-02-16T17:41:02.057-08:002011-02-16T17:41:02.057-08:00I might consider buying a Superflash turbo, though...I might consider buying a Superflash turbo, though I'm guessing I'll still be running the regular SF for a long time. I change the batteries about 3-4 times a year, and I'm a daily commuter (~20-25 mins each way). I'm currently running two SF (one blinking, one solid) and am very happy with that setup. I looked into the 1W radbot, but was unimpressed with the flashing pattern. I like the seizure-inducing strobe of the SF because it's the texting drivers that I need to grab the attention of.GeekGuyAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16295251258659270861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-90756827137084386612011-02-16T17:40:02.700-08:002011-02-16T17:40:02.700-08:00Kent:
thanks for running this test. I'm glad ...Kent:<br /><br />thanks for running this test. I'm glad we got about the same numbers for the Radbot, which were much shorter than the claimed life. I'd bet that both lights cut off at a certain voltage, and so they might run longer on alkaline AAA's that start at 1.5 V, but I don't use disposable batteries anymore.jnyyzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13651185690685651207noreply@blogger.com