Finding Cycle Lights That Work For You

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It is getting closer to the season for riding bikes in the evening and cycle lights are taking on more importance. Having the proper lights is vital any time of year, but during the riding season night time riding is more prevalent. There are so many bike lights out there, it is no wonder that folks get totally confused about what to buy. What lights are the right ones for your situation?

There was a time not so long ago when you could actually buy a halogen bulb bike light. Other types were around as well before the LED took over. LED bike lights are the only game in town now, however, as bike lights require everything that LEDs are in spades. They are (now) inexpensive, small and they last forever. They don’t break down and they come in a million different shapes and designs. Virtually every light out there is LED powered, so you really can’t go wrong unless you buy some really older models. The key is making sure your bike lights actually fit in with what is required by law.

Without boring you with insane details, I will simply say that your front lamp should be white, centered and visible from the front. It needs to be a steady light to EC standard or a blinking light that emits 4 candela.

Your back light must be red and in the center, visible from the rear and a steady light of EC standard. If blinking it needs to also be 4 candela.

You should also have reflectors in the rear and four pedal reflectors as well. These will help to keep you safe and visible at night and during low visibility times.

Light standards are actually designed with the old bulbs in mind. Today’s LED lights are usually compliant and more than enough to cover the standard expected. If you doubt this, then you should check with your local area. Not every state even has specific lighting laws that are enforced. This is changing but it is not always enforced.

The primary factor for picking lights after the law is determined by what you are going to use the lights for. Are you only concerned with daytime driving or are you planning on riding at night? Do you take shortcuts that go off road, or are you a city only type of rider? Do you want a narrow field of light or a wider beam? All of these types of questions can help you ensure that you get what you really want. Without them, you are simply shooting in the dark.

How do your lights mount to your bike? Are they going to be moved between several bikes and if so, how hard are they to take apart and move? Do they have a ton of wires or are they battery operated? How long will the batteries last?

Having battery powered lights that give out half way through the trip can be a nightmare of epic proportions. The last thing you need is to be riding at night, in the dark with only reflectors to show cars that you are there. This is a vital question to ask before making your purchase.

What types of lights are there?

Emergency lights are usually powered by button cells and are designed to get people’s attention. These lights are awesome back ups for riders to have when they are caught unaware by their primary lighting sources. Some common types are Electron Backupz and Knog Frog lights.

Flashers are bigger and stronger and they are usually capable of putting out light in many different ways. They are fairly cheap so many riders carry more than one. Rear lights are commonly considered flashers and are very long lasting.

Torch lights are the biggest category of lights and the come in all sizes, shapes and power. You can literally use them in a million ways and they are very dependable bike lights to own. It does a great job of not only letting others know you are there but also to keep your own line of sight clear and illuminated. You have to have at least one torch light to be riding at night. This is particularly true in the woods or back country.

Head Lights

Just like the name implies, the head lights are attached to the head. They are lights that you affix to your helmet and ride without the concern of seeing what is in front of you. I do not like them as replacement lights for your normal ones, but as additions they are fantastic.

Rechargeable batteries are common as well, and they are essentially battery systems that can be charged over and over again. These can save you a ton of money over time, and particularly so if you are riding a great deal. These systems can be rather expensive, but at least you will always be assured of good lighting on the roads.

 

 

 

 

What do you need to know about dive lights?

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Dive lights are the one accessory that gets forgotten it seems. If a diver is going into the ocean during the day, they usually bypass carrying a light. What a mistake this is! There are numerous areas of the ocean that need lighting even during the daytime. Heck, underwater strobe lights can save your life if you get lost. When you dive down deep or to your favorite reef, what are the odds it will be illuminated in every crack you want to look in? Slim to none, right? The point is, lighting is nearly as important during the day as it is at night. Here are the basics of what you need to know about dive lights:

Dive lights come in all sizes, but you want to try to fit the light to what you are planning on doing. Night dives means you will be getting far less visibility and cave dives means you will have even less. For this reason, you want to consider the size of what you will be lugging around, how much light it puts out and whether you will be able to carry it comfortably enough. You also will want to know how long that light is good for. The last thing you need is a light to go out in the middle of a cave dive with no emergency plan in place.

Many people like the small mask lights that you can buy that simply clip onto your dive mask. These are great for basic diving, but they don’t allow for much flexibility. The best kind of daytime lights aside from your emergency underwater strobe lights are pen lights. These tiny pen shaped lights can fit in your pocket and light up a large enough area that you will be good to go in open water dives. If you are cave diving, you obviously will need some specialized lighting and size. Whatever the case, be sure to use the least amount of light you can to still serve the purpose intended. Underwater creatures will be skittish of the light if it startles them as large lights sometimes do.

Another key is battery life. Dive lights need to last long enough for their intended purpose and generally speaking, the bigger and brighter the light, the shorter the battery life. There are exceptions to this rule, but this is generally accurate. Pick out the longest lasting light you can that will still give you the safety and convenience that you need.

Speaking of convenience, how the light is carried is important too. You need a dive light that you will not be slowed down by. If you are night diving or cave diving, you will probably get a dive light that is carried like a gun grip. These are called pistol grips. Others prefer the mask clip, and some even prefer to have lights that clip to their belts. Whatever you want to use, make sure it will keep you safe and provide plenty of time underwater.

As you can see, the biggest key to picking out dive lights is knowing what type of dives you are going on. If you are searching a wreck, exploring a cave, open sea diving, coral reef diving or simply exploring around in your local bay, you need lighting that will take care of specific needs. They all can require totally different lighting, so it is good to accumulate different dive lights for different occasions.

The Finer Points Of Underwater Lighting

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Most divers that spend time in the ocean during the day never give lighting much consideration. Cave divers, wreck divers and night divers are a bit more likely to ensure they have proper lighting, but daytime divers somehow think they do not need it. The truth is, a nice underwater lighting system can enhance your dives a great deal and they could even possibly save your life someday. The uses for a good underwater light system are immeasurable, but here are some interesting thoughts about how you might use them during the day:

If you are into coral diving, you will know that colors do not keep their color the deeper you dive. What looks to be grey down deep in the water is actually green or blue or red when you shine a light on it. All of these colors come rushing back in a rainbow of excitement when you illuminate them properly. Good underwater lighting can do that for your dive and enhance your experience a great deal.

This is not to say you should bring a huge light along for a daytime dive. Having a great big light is a hindrance when you don’t need it. Simply bring along a small light that you can fit easily in your pocket or clip to your dive suit. This will allow you to shine a light on the things you want without having to light up the entire eastern seaboard.

Without one of these underwater lights, you will never be able to look underneath these oceanic ledges and deep crevices. That is where all the action is people! When you peek into these various areas, you are sure to see things that you will not see without a light. Huge oysters, lobsters, eels and even the occasional fish will come to life before your eyes so that you can experience sea life that you otherwise are missing. Still think you don’t need underwater lights during the day?

What if your life hung in the balance? Many people get separated from the boat or the fellow divers and find themselves wishing they had an underwater strobe light. Most people assume that you can’t see lights during the day. This is so far from the truth. Even if you are very far away, these strobe lights will signal boats with a glint if nothing else. You have a far better chance of being found with these strobes than you would otherwise, so why not equip yourself with them?

These are far from the only uses for underwater lighting during the day. They are, however, more than enough reason all by themselves to carry them. As a matter of fact, it is downright foolhardy to dive without at least the strobe lights to signal in case of emergency. Consider this the next time you decide to dive without them.

What lights do you need for your bicycle commute?

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When it comes to riding in traffic, being seen is of the utmost importance. With more people turning to cycling as a means of transportation these days, more riders are popping up in our cities and urban areas. Cars and bikes have to find a way to coincide without anyone getting hurt. This is entirely dependent on knowing where we are at all times and acknowledging and respecting one another’s space on the road. Having the proper bicycle lights is one huge step in that direction for the cyclist.

Get to flashing!

One huge mistake beginner cyclists make is assuming that if they can see the cars and the road clearly, then the cars can see them. The truth is, you might see perfectly in an urban area but be virtually invisible to passing motorists. This is why you need to have blinking LED lights. These bright lights will flash at the speed you choose and are required by law to bike at night in many states. Whether your state requires them or not, you would be very wise to get them. Get a red set of LEDs for your seat post and a white set for the front of your bike. These are the best way to ensure that traffic sees you.

What about your own vision?

We all know that lights are needed so that others see you, but what about your own vision riding the streets at night. Even in areas with plenty of street lamps, you still need to have some illumination on your bike or helmet to serve as headlights. Would you drive your car without the lights on? If not, then why would you drive a bike that is even more susceptible to pot holes, rocks, bumps in road and other such obstacles? It would be silly, right?

To that end, you should purchase lights to be mounted on your handlebars or on your bike helmet to keep the road ahead illuminated. This will also help to make you more visible to cars around you as a bonus. You still need the LEDs, but this will add to your safety alongside them.

Will they last?

Most people don’t consider battery life when picking out a bike light. LEDs are popular because they provide long life without compromising on brightness. Both are excellent in LEDs. Just remember that as a rule, the brighter the light the more battery consumption it will require. If you are willing to carry around extras or can recharge the lights, then go for the super-bright options. They are the safest to be sure. If you are like most cyclists, however, you will want as little carry on materials as possible when you ride.

Another consideration is bringing along a super bright flashlight for repairs and issues you could run into during your night ride. Having a light is a lifesaver when you have a bike repair on a dark street late at night. Most people are quite satisfied to bring an extra flashlight along, so packing one is a great idea.

How Underwater Strobes Could Save Your Life

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Underwater strobes are a very important part of any diver’s safety gear. Without an underwater strobe, you are diving without important safety gear that could save your life. Some divers heed this warning while others go on without them. This article is to show you why it is so important to have strobes for emergencies and other important uses underwater when you dive.

So what is an underwater strobe?

An underwater strobe is a little device that flashes every few seconds a bright light that can be seen underwater. As a matter of fact, these lights are rumored to be seen from the moon’s surface. (I kid, but they are really bright guys). All joking aside, these lights can even be used to see during night diving. They really are super bright and noticeable underwater. This is not their intended purpose, however.

What are underwater strobe lights used for?

These underwater lights are really designed to save you in an emergency. Strobe lights are unbelievably bright, and they can be seen for vast distances. This comes in handy on a night dive when you lose track of the boat and find yourself off in the distance a bit. You can show your strobe light and the boat will see you instantly. This is the primary purpose for having an underwater strobe light, but not the only use. Other common uses include:

  • Lighting the anchor line when you dive at night (or during the day)
  • Marking any ocean spot that you want seen from a distance
  • Low light help when you dive in darkness

Why not use my whistle or other emergency gear to signal for help?

If you ever find yourself in need of help, you will quickly understand why strobe lights are extremely handy. Whistles are woefully inept at getting people’s attention on the ocean. For whatever reason, the sound of a whistle blends right in with the sea, and many people can get lost entirely though they are very close to a boat. These underwater strobe lights are literally beacons that can be seen for long distances rather easily. The fact that they blink incessantly will be instantly noticeable to passersby and your boat alike. If you are lost, you will want to have these lights in your gear somewhere.

Invest in some underwater strobe lights if you are going to be diving in the ocean. There is simply no good reason to ignore this inexpensive and potentially lifesaving piece of equipment.

 

 

 

The Bike Light That Can’t Be Stolen

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Cyclists have always been up against the wall in trying to safe on the roads of most cities. The general nature of mixing cars and bikes says that a cyclist is going to get second hand treatment. Even when cities attempt to make the roads safer, the accidents are nearly impossible to avoid entirely. Riders are going to have some problems now and again in the best of circumstances.

All the usual problems are bad enough, but now theft seems to be rearing its head more often. Nice bike lights are easy targets for would be thieves and leaving your bike locked up outside is now an invitation for some criminals. If someone can make money on something, criminals will eventually find a way to steal it. That said, there is now a bike light out there that is equally adept at preventing theft as it is in keeping you safe on the road at night.

Lights are stolen all the time. Some studies have shown that one in three have lights stolen from them at some point off their bikes. One in three! Is that not insane? What if you could have bike lights that actually prevented theft and worked just as good as the other bike lights that are easily taken?

A bike light has been developed by Brad Geswein to do just that. He and Slava Menn experienced the problem first hand and now have developed a product called The Defender. This light locks on the bike securely and it looks somewhat like a gun.

Operating on AA batteries, you get 100 hours of battery life. It has ultrabright LEDs and is made of aluminum so it is strong and sturdy. It was designed by Tsor Design. In fact, they say it is nearly indestructible and virtually impossible to remove once it is secured to the bike. The only method of taking it off is to use the special screwdriver that is included when you buy The Defender. This special tool is unique to the product.

Running around $70, the light goes from steady to blinking mode depending on your riding situation. It is also waterproof. If you worry about having your lights stolen, this bike light is perfect for what you are looking for.

Bike Lights: When Do You Need Them?

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Wouldn’t it be awesome if we always had the perfect riding conditions as cyclists? Having bright, sunny afternoons day after day would certainly make riding a much easier affair. Unfortunately, we cyclists are not that lucky most days, and there always seems to be something going on with the weather when we want to ride. We also have to ride at night sometimes to get our training in. Given these factors, having the proper cycling lights and reflectors is very important. Biking in the dark demands it.

Keep in mind that as cyclists, we do not need total darkness to need lights. Lights are necessary in many situations. Because we cycle in all types of light levels and weather situations, it is very important to know when lights are needed.

Most cyclists only consider actual darkness as the only real time that lights are needed. The Uniform Vehicle Code says that any time visibility is restricted to 1,000 feet, it is considered darkness. This means that in times of fog, snow, rain and even dawn and dusk, darkness can be technically a problem even though the sun is up. This distinction is important for cyclists to remember because we like to bike in all types of weather.

The lights that are required are totally dependent on the states that you plan to be riding in. If you cover lighting completely, you will be fine no matter where you ride. Most states require reflectors and active lights as well. Both types of lighting serve you in different ways.

Reflectors are not only required by law, they could save your life someday. These “passive” lights allow you to signal to those around you that you are there without your having to actually do anything. They simply serve as a beacon in the darkness of sorts that you are there. During the times mentioned above such as poor weather and visibility, the reflectors are actually required by law. They are also required at night. Most bikes have these reflectors already, but those that are missing them should have them added before riding the bike at night. Cyclists can’t afford to ride otherwise. They would be risking their wallets and their lives.

Reflectors are also good to be worn on your clothing. Very few states allow you to have clothing reflectors only, but it is still wise to put them on your bike. When you have an accident and you are missing the right reflectors, you will be held accountable in all probability. The reason is because the other rider or driver can always say they never saw you. Without the right reflectors, you have no chance of winning that argument. Accidents happen all the time, so don’t think you will be immune. Get those reflectors!

The best reflector set up includes front and rear reflectors (clear in front and red in back), yellow pedals and clear on the sides of the bike.

These reflectors are great and all but they are not nearly enough. What about your own personal lighting? Without a nice bright light for your driving the bike, you can easily have a bad accident. If visibility is poor, how are you going to see various road hazards and other problems on your pathway? The brighter light you can get, the better. This will serve you and the cars around you as well to know that you are there far in advance.

The law says that you need a front white light. The back light is optional by law but if you do have one, it has to be red. Most serious cyclists like to have a rear light because it helps them to be noticed from behind. You can be given a ticket for running the wrong color so make certain you use only red in the back. The bright front light is a necessity, however, as it illuminates your pathway and signals to others that you are around.

The law actually requires very minimal standards and responsible cyclists should never meet only the minimum where safety is concerned. These lights are not terribly expensive and the potential pay-off is tremendous for those of us that are riding all the time. Spend some money and invest in a good set of lights for the bike. You will be very glad that you did.