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View Full Version : Mountain Bike Night Riding Lighting Test.


unreel2002
01-11-10, 20:51
Its been a while since I rode my mountain bike seriously at night. I used to regularly ride in the peak district with a conconction of home made halogen lights and battery packs, a number of years ago I went civilised and got a pre made light set. Hope HID, I recently upgraded to a nice set of Hope Vision 4 LED's they are seriously bright.

See below for the "Scientific" back street illumination test.

Dark = No Lights on - The visible lights are house lights

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg318/unreel2002/NoLights.jpg

Hope HID - These look rather blue like the HID fitted to modern cars and boy racers (Coiler) ( I'm wondering if they did need to warm up a bit longer they dont look so bright compared with the LED's )

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg318/unreel2002/HopeHID.jpg


Hope Vision 4 LED = Low Setting

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg318/unreel2002/HopeVision4Low.jpg

Hope Vision LED = Medium Setting

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg318/unreel2002/HopeVision4Medium.jpg

Hope Vision 4 LED = High Setting

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg318/unreel2002/HopeVision4High.jpg


Hope Vision 4 LED = Max setting

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg318/unreel2002/HopeVision4Max.jpg

Overall the HID lights which are a good 5 years old now are rather outclassed by the new LED version.

The light output from the Vision 4 on full is apparently 960 lumens double the output of the Hope HID. To put it in perspective my HD projector is 1600 lumens, so the Hopes are seriously bright for a battery powered lamp.

Any body in Manchester area up for some night rides this winter ?
watercooled
01-11-10, 21:26
nice how many batteries do they take lol
unreel2002
01-11-10, 22:04
nice how many batteries do they take lol

Light Source: 4 x High Power LED

Intensity: 960 Lumens - Max

Beam: 3 x Spot (+/- 5 Deg)
1 x Flood (+/- 15 Deg)

Mounting: Uni-Handlebar, Helmet, Head Harness

Battery: 7.4v Li-Ion 5200mAh

Charge Time: 6hrs

Weight: 415g, 540g (Endurance)

Power Levels: 4 (+ flash)

Burn Time: 2 HR 15 MIN - 35HR+
http://www.hopetech.com/webtop/modules/_repository/images/HOPE-2010---4-LED-025825.jpg
Aaron
01-11-10, 23:08
Thats some serious lighting for a bike!
PMM
01-11-10, 23:09
I've gone a bit light crazy of late modding a maglight

A Bike light is one of my next projects using a luminus SST90 led <cough> 2000lm <cough>

Once i've finished the Mag light mod 30ish watts out does a 120watt halogen light i'll get some pics ups once done.

This is not my pic but same led & lens setup as i am using to give an idea of what the output will be like ;)
its bright jim but not as we know it (http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7629/dsc0598kn.jpg)
Pancake
01-11-10, 23:15
You should rig up some sort of dyno charger for it
coiler
02-11-10, 09:07
mate that LED is insane!

WANTZ ;)

I've brought the fenix in so we shall commence the comparison later.
Hippo640
07-11-10, 20:48
I should really get mine sorted out. I even get discount by working at Halfords and I havn't got round to it lol
coiler
08-11-10, 10:10
I should really get mine sorted out. I even get discount by working at Halfords and I havn't got round to it lol

Do halfords sell any decent lights though? Thought it was all cateye fail etc?
Joey Propane
09-11-10, 21:17
I'm looking at the cheaper Hope models (the Vision 1, in red of course (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hope-vision-1-led-front-light/?referid=frogoog&source=googleps)) now it's dark when riding to and from the gym during the week.

I haven't got the minerals to go off-roading in the dark so it should do me fine.
coiler
10-11-10, 09:49
I'm looking at the cheaper Hope models (the Vision 1, in red of course (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hope-vision-1-led-front-light/?referid=frogoog&source=googleps)) now it's dark when riding to and from the gym during the week.

I haven't got the minerals to go off-roading in the dark so it should do me fine.

joey i'm buying some new pedals in red for the Heckler to go with the hubs/crown etc

Check these out! lightweight, wide, grippy (of shins love it fame LOL)

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=127

my DMR V12's are on last legs
Joey Propane
10-11-10, 12:59
Heard nothing but good things about Superstar products (especially their super cheap wheelsets) but my Mallet's are still going strong after nearly a year of clouting curbs, tree stumps and rocks. :D

I do however desperately need to invest in a pair of proper winter style MTB shoes, my trainers got absolutely covered last saturday when me and a buddy went up to Hadleigh Castle to check out how the Olympic course is getting on. :S
coiler
10-11-10, 13:03
i use cheapo nike trainers, the secret is Marino wool sealskin waterproof socks :D

Any cheapo trainers becomes 100% element proof and toasty!
Aaron
10-11-10, 13:06
Check these out! lightweight, wide, grippy (of shins love it fame LOL)
Pedal in the shin... One of the most painful but non lethal things known to man...
coiler
10-11-10, 13:09
Pedal in the shin... One of the most painful but non lethal things known to man...

the grub screws on my V12's would actually impact the shin, so you'd have to pull them off! did someone say scar! :cry
Hippo640
12-11-10, 17:34
Do halfords sell any decent lights though? Thought it was all cateye fail etc?


No idea :p Im in the car parts department