reccomendations for a rear bike light

hi, im looking for a rear bike light, i had to lights each with 6 leds
from the 2 dollar shop, and both failed today on the main road in the
dark in the rain withouit me knowing- well, i knew one failed coz the
cover fell over and the batteries flew out, but the other one just
stopped. I only found out when someone pulled up next to my and told
me, very politely. nice of him. And i thanked him, not abused him,
ahem
So heres what i need, a bright bike rear light. I'm looking for
something brighter than ordinary, in the same way my 55 watt hedlight
is breighter than standard lights, which preferably flashes at an
approximately equal time on and off. i think xenon flashers may
attract attention but they dont necessarily show where you are if
thats all that is visible, since the amount of time they are actually
on is minimal. conversely, i think an always on light would fail to
get peoples attention from the reflectors on the ride of the road or
red lights in the distance or other vehicles brake lights.
Now your probably asking why doesnt this idiot use google, since i
have seen numerous threads about rear bike lights on this newsgroup
before. But heres the thing, I need my lights to be water resistant.
My last lights were closed except for the switch, but after off road
riding they'd spontqanoeously turn on, and be unturnoffable for aboujt
24 hours. similarly, i think the one failed today coz it was wet.
Also, permanent on lights arent much good for me., nor a xenon
strobes. In a pinch however, I think an always on combined with a
xenon strobe (what colour? I dont really give a **** about whats legal
or not, safety comes first.) would work. failing that i think a cold
cathode light on my rear light might work, but might be a little
fragile. I'd of course have to put some circuitry to flash it in
programed patterns ( aus.bicycle in morse code perhaps? but thats
hardly a problem. xenon and always on actally would be easier though,
im looking at the mini house alrm xenons.

Any advice as to the brightness and waterproofness of current rear
bike lights on the market, as well as comments on my ideas would be
appreciated.

In article ,
Arpit wrote:

Any advice as to the brightness and waterproofness of
current rear bike lights on the market, as well as
comments on my ideas would be appreciated.

I've got a standard cateye rear LED light, nice and bright
and water proof enough never to cause me any problems in the
rain, about A$30 from your LBS.

--
| Joel Mayes | /~\ ASCII Ribbon campaign
| Accordionist | \_/ stop HTML mail and news
| Musician | / \
| Music Teacher |

"Arpit" wrote in message
...
So heres what i need, a bright bike rear light. I'm looking for
something brighter than ordinary, in the same way my 55 watt hedlight
is breighter than standard lights, which preferably flashes at an
approximately equal time on and off.

The best one I've found is the Vistalite Super Nebula 5 led tail-light
http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category237_1.htm

Not the cheapest at around $30 but it is very weatherproof, has flashing,
fixed and oscillating patterns, and is one of the brightest around.

If you don't need a bolt-on fastening and a seatpost mount is preferred then
the Cateye LD600 5 led light is even brighter, but at a price premium of
$43.
http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category7_1.htm

Cheers
Peter

"Arpit" wrote in message
...
hi, im looking for a rear bike light, i had to lights each with 6 leds
from the 2 dollar shop, and both failed today ....

Why does that not surprise me??

Also, permanent on lights arent much good for me., nor a xenon
strobes. In a pinch however, I think an always on combined with a
xenon strobe (what colour? I dont really give a **** about whats legal
or not, safety comes first.) would work. failing that i think a cold
cathode light on my rear light might work, but might be a little
fragile. I'd of course have to put some circuitry to flash it in
programed patterns ( aus.bicycle in morse code perhaps? but thats
hardly a problem. xenon and always on actally would be easier though,
im looking at the mini house alrm xenons.

You jump from $2 shop, crap LEDs to xenon strobes, cathode rays and your own
circuitry. I haven't even seen xenon strobes as a tail-light - do they exist
commercially (by this I mean in the LBS)? Methinks I smell eau-de-troll.

Cheers
Peter

On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 22:39:41 +1100, "Peter Signorini"
wrote:


"Arpit" wrote in message
.. .
hi, im looking for a rear bike light, i had to lights each with 6 leds
from the 2 dollar shop, and both failed today ....

Why does that not surprise me??

Also, permanent on lights arent much good for me., nor a xenon
strobes. In a pinch however, I think an always on combined with a
xenon strobe (what colour? I dont really give a **** about whats legal
or not, safety comes first.) would work. failing that i think a cold
cathode light on my rear light might work, but might be a little
fragile. I'd of course have to put some circuitry to flash it in
programed patterns ( aus.bicycle in morse code perhaps? but thats
hardly a problem. xenon and always on actally would be easier though,
im looking at the mini house alrm xenons.

You jump from $2 shop, crap LEDs to xenon strobes, cathode rays and your own
circuitry. I haven't even seen xenon strobes as a tail-light - do they exist
commercially (by this I mean in the LBS)? Methinks I smell eau-de-troll.

eau-de-troll.? **** that, i had planned on bolting one of the small
xenon strobes as used in house alarms to the reflector mount at the
back of my rear rack, and powering it from the bikes 12 volt front
light supply. THanks for the other light reccomendations by the way
Cheers
Peter

Aqua X Lite.
100% Waterproof (red or white)
It's about the size and weight of a 20c piece
2 Long life lithium batteries (hearing aid type)
90 hours on slow flash
$20
Got one and I think it's great.
It's got a little groove on the underside and attaches to a bar with a
little elastic band and can be kept on a key ring and really is superbright.

Arpit wrote:

eau-de-troll.? **** that,

OK, if you aint a troll.
LEDs are the only way to go for rear lights. Any decent (ie not $2 shop)
ones are reasonably water resistant ant VERY visible.

One caveat: be sure that when you put the batteries in, it goes on
without hitting the switch. Because some time, maybe when its a bit
older, you'll hit a bump and break the connection. You don't want
the lights to go off. Cheap bike lights stay off. Good ones are
designed to start on for this reason.

P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

My dad owns the Vistalite Total Eclipse 7 Led rear light and it is VERY bright, good for such a compact light. Definetly recommended.
linky: http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category237_1.htm

I've got the cheaper Vistalite Super Nebula 5 led, larger but not a
bright. I have it mounted at the end of my rear pannier rack and as i
is so wide it took a fair whack when my bike fell over. Nothing brok
just the casing popped out and I was able to click it back in. Thi
wouldn't be a problem with the narrower 7 led Total Eclipse

Water/mud-proofing and battery life are very good

Don't just rely on lights, make sure you've got a fluro cycling jacke
or safety vest with reflectors


-

Mike:

Arpit wrote:

eau-de-troll.? **** that,

OK, if you aint a troll.
LEDs are the only way to go for rear lights. Any decent (ie not $2 shop)
ones are reasonably water resistant ant VERY visible.

One caveat: be sure that when you put the batteries in, it goes on
without hitting the switch. Because some time, maybe when its a bit
older, you'll hit a bump and break the connection. You don't want
the lights to go off. Cheap bike lights stay off. Good ones are
designed to start on for this reason.

P.S. Your speeling sucks bigtime. I hope English aint your first language.

"Aint"?
"Ant"?
"Speeling"?
"some time"?
"its"?
"start on"?

Improve your own poor grammar and atrocious spelling skills first before
you criticise others'.

Peter Signorini:

You jump from $2 shop, crap LEDs to xenon strobes, cathode rays and your own
circuitry. I haven't even seen xenon strobes as a tail-light - do they exist
commercially (by this I mean in the LBS)? Methinks I smell eau-de-troll.

Google strobe lights and you'll get inundated with internet shops
selling them, together with various mounting adaptors. LBSs aren't the
only ones which sell items commercially.

Strobe lights are extremely annoying and dangerous for drivers and other
cyclists though, because of their intensity. They are unnecessary; LEDs
are visible enough even in heavy traffic.