[Closed] Front lights - 1000 Chinese lumens vs £100+ sets

THe Hope bracket is nice but the easier fix is to put a single wrap of cloth tape round the bar, for grip.

I've never liked the rubber O-ring type mounts for lights of any size. At best the light usually vibrates on uneven ground or even worse changes position.

If possible I've always converted to the Hope clamp or the Exposure mount. I won't buy a light now if it doesn't come with that type of clamp or can't be converted easily.

Duct tape's still pretty slippy. I use electician's cloth tape (loom tape, sometimes called), just because I happen to have it, works a charm. But the clamp is neater.

forzafkawi - Member

Isn't it strange how a lot of the popular Chinese lights are no longer available?

Specifically Yinding 900, NiteFighter BT21 and I just did a search for cruzcampo's Solarstorm XT40 and that's not available either.

Either they're too good or too bad.

The Yinding 900 is still available:
http://www.gearbest.com/yinding-_gear/

Solarstorm XT40 is also called the X6 I think and available here:
http://www.kaidomain.com/Search/SearchResult.solarstorm/0/2/20/rank?show=grid

I thought about the XT40 (X6), but thought it might be a little big for the usual mounts, so decided on the Nitefighter BT40S.

Shown side-by-side here:
[img] [/img]

The Yinding 900 is still available:
http://www.gearbest.com/yinding-_gear/

A lot of people have had all sorts of issues with GearBest (including me) so you are really taking a double chance if you choose to buy from them. I bought a BT21 from them and it was sent to totally the wrong address.

I had to pay extra for the courier to re-deliver it to me and GearBest didn't answer any of my emails. That seems to be about the level of customer service you can expect from them judging by the MTBR forums.

That seems to be about the level of customer service you can expect from them judging by the MTBR forums.

Do they suggest it's better with lightmalls/Kaidomain/dx?
I've never had a problem with any of them tbh.

I've ordered quite a bit from DX and Kaidomain over the years and never had a problem and haven't really heard of people complaining on other forums about them either. Never ordered from lightmalls or heard anything about them so can't comment.

EDIT: I just Googled "Lightmalls" and hit all sorts of people complaining about them so maybe they are a bit dicey too.

AlexSimon - Member

I thought about the XT40 (X6), but thought it might be a little big for the usual mounts, so decided on the Nitefighter BT40S.

Have you used it yet? Very curious about that one, it's the direct descendent of my old MJ872s but with 2 generations of LED upgrade in it so if it keeps the same awesome beam but adds power and efficiency, as it bloomin should, it'll be pretty ace. (depends how they're driven but the max lumen of the XPG2 isn't far off twice that of the old XPE)

Yes, used a friends - it was great. Didn't really analyse it too much. Quite floody, which is good on a bar-mount imo.
Seems well made (but then so did my BT21).
Neutral white is by far my preference.
I'm not sure it's much brighter than the MJ872 though. Couldn't directly compare. Haven't seen one in a while!

BTW Nitefighter have renamed to Revtronic

I got a BT40s this time last year (or was it the year before?). Teamed it up with a Torchy battery pack and it's the best light I've seen. Slightly yellow light and so much better definition than typical blue/white LEDs for my eyes. No reason to change but I always keep an eye on what's new. I team it up with a Joystick for my perfect combo.

Cheers guys, might as well order one then! I pick up a couple of cheapies every year just out of curiosity but I keep using the old MJ so it seems like a logical progression. Feels like maybe the XML dominion is finally passing.

As above this looks like my xt40 but upgraded, may get one to try out

http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S024183.SolarStorm-X6-4-x-Cree-XM-L2-U2-White-4-Mode-3000-Lumens-Bike-Light-Black

I also use a Hope Mount screwed into it underneath, fits perfectly and super secure clamp, with quick point down adjustments if hitting any roads

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Hope-QR-Handlebar-Mount_42115.htm

I built a quad XP-G a few years back and it's my go-to light for off-road work.

[img] [/img]

PS also very compact, handlebar for scale

[img] [/img]

Is 24 X-ML LEDs enough though!?

😯

I've never understood the point of a bar light. 90% of the time it's pointing in the wrong direction? That said I don't do long xc rides I like corners and jumps.

I'm still using my teapot/trout light I made from a kit off here about 6 or 7 years ago! You don't need a zillion lumen. I've a range of cheap torches but they are all shit. I'd really like a floody head torch without wires for about 50quid and 2 hrs runtime.

I've just noticed that Bright Bike Lights are doing the Solarstorm X6 for £49. I just bought an Ituo Wiz20 from there and Trevor is a really helpful bloke as well.

http://www.brightbikelights.com/solarstorm-x6-3000-lumen-light-set

Van Halen - Member

I've never understood the point of a bar light. 90% of the time it's pointing in the wrong direction? That said I don't do long xc rides I like corners and jumps.

Bar light is just backup, fill and shadow really these days. Used to be you used 2 mostly because lights were shit. Now you can easily have a single helmet light which lets you ride pretty much as quick as you want- but you do get weird shadows/depth perception issues sometimes because the light source is almost at your eye line, it flattens things. And it's tricky in rain and fog

But mostly, if you break it, and it's your only light, you will regret it.

Don't you find that with a strong bar light you get a weird strobe effect though the trees and corners and the bars are tuning, correcting line and slides? It hurts my brain! Anyway I have a low light on the bars for flat sections, push up, peripheral vision near the front wheel and getting home (no need for a zillion lumens) and a helmet light to see.

Similar set up here lezyne 600XL set to 250 on the bars and aldi "1000" lumen on the bonce. Pukka.

Wiggle are selling the 400XL for 23 notes

and the aldi is on slae at £20

so you could get a pretty sweet set up for £45 with UK aftersales support. Winner winner chicken dinner.

forzafkawi - Member
I've just noticed that Bright Bike Lights are doing the Solarstorm X6 for £49. I just bought an Ituo Wiz20 from there and Trevor is a really helpful bloke as well.

http://www.brightbikelights.com/solarstorm-x6-3000-lumen-light-set

Ebay £20 😀

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solarstorm-X6-4X-CREE-XM-L-T6-Front-Head-LED-Bicycle-Lamp-Bike-Light-Headlamp-/201424703729

I've been a serial bike light collector for a while. Just got a magicshine eagle m2. I'm impressed with it. I run a gloworm X2 on my helmet and on full the magicshine is brighter with a beam pattern. Quality feels good and it comes with a semi permanent bracket in that the lower part stays on the bars and the light unit detaches.( Minor gripe is that although it comes with different length straps none fit 35mm bars). Comes with a wireless remote so can swap beams and brightness with my thumb. As bright and flexible as I'm ever going to need.

I've never understood the point of a bar light. 90% of the time it's pointing in the wrong direction?

Aldi one seems to have disappeared, link goes to a 404 error and cant find it on the site, was hoping to get down there todsy and grab one, anyone see one on a shelf? Ideally in hove actually.

I'd hope the battery pack was better on the Bright Bike Lights version.
The 6 cell one is at least using Samsung cells.

cruzcampo - Member

Ebay £20

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solarstorm-X6-4X-CREE-XM-L-T6-Front-Head-LED-Bicycle-Lamp-Bike-Light-Headlamp-/201424703729

@ £20 it makes you wonder:-

a) If this really is a Solarstorm light
b) Where the UK supplier getting them from if he can afford to sell at that price including paying the eBay fees
c) How long the battery pack will last before going BOOOM!

Personally I would rather pay the extra and get from trusted supplier like Kaidomain or Bright Bike Lights.

@forza i'd just buy it for the headunit, and still go with torchy cells and battery box. My original XT40 only cost £20 from the bay and still going well.

I like the look of the Solarstorm x8. No separate battery packs, no wires. Not too bothered about the batteries that you get with it, I have good quality spares and a good mains charger. The rubber strap looks a lot better than the rubber bands too.

Toddboy - Member

I like the look of the Solarstorm x8. No separate battery packs, no wires. Not too bothered about the batteries that you get with it, I have good quality spares and a good mains charger. The rubber strap looks a lot better than the rubber bands too.

I can't find the Solarstorm X8, are you sure you have the right light?

Forza, it's on Aliexpress.

Cheers Toddboy, that looks like a nice light. I do love the claim for

"Max Output 5000 lumens" From 2 x XM-L U2? - LOL!

I just bought something very similar, the Ituo Wiz20. I had my first ride with it last night and agree that it's all the light you really need in a great, integrated package.

Isn't the X6 better with x4 xm-l u2?

Although I can see the attraction of no battery box and it takes 18650!

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2016-Newest-SolarStorm-X8-5000Lm-2X-XM-L-U2-LED-Front-Head-Bicycle-Bike-Light-Headlight/138437_32724785313.html

USB charging too, might have to try one of those.

Yeah, depends what you're after, selfcontained is a selling point and replacable batteries are handy too.

TBH it's going to depend a lot on the beam- oversimplification but XML lights tend to run towards the spotlighty, which isn't so good on a bar light. Looks quite roadbikey going by the PR shots?

I'm expecting it to perform like the x2, but just in a self contained unit.

Has anyone got one of these from Torchy ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291873209564?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Isn't the X6 better with x4 xm-l u2?

Although I can see the attraction of no battery box and it takes 18650!

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2016-Newest-SolarStorm-X8-5000Lm-2X-XM-L-U2-LED-Front-Head-Bicycle-Bike-Light-Headlight/138437_32724785313.html

that looks barely any different to my homemade troutlight! i might see if i can shoehorn some batteries in the housing... even down to teh mountain bracket i bodged out of old cateye halogens...

Toddboy - Member

I'm expecting it to perform like the x2, but just in a self contained unit.

Aye, that's probably pretty fair. Not what I want in a mtb bar light tbh but I can see me getting one for the commuter if the price drops a little

It looks like a copy of the fenix bc30, but that's double the price!

Whats wrong with an x2 as a bar light?

Just a bit too narrow beamed for my taste. I got on OK with it on the head though.

thepodge - Member

Whats wrong with an x2 as a bar light?

CheesybeanZ - Member

Has anyone got one of these from Torchy ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291873209564?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Rode with my BT40S last night.
Great beam pattern and plenty bright enough. Grippy to the bars too.
Only downside is that the low setting isn't very low. I don't think it's programmable. Not a problem for 2-3h rides, but might struggle with more.

Edit: Just bought another for my son as it's showing as £35 on gearbest as a full package! (with good battery cells according to reports)

Joystick - what's the closest you can get from china for light weight and beam? Even better if it fits the Exposure mount.

Can you get high quality velcro battery bags for 6-cell and 8-cell batteries from Hunk Lee?

TBH the only thing you really get from China that's like a joystick is a single-cell torch. They do tend to be heavier, though IMO being able to change batteries is an advantage. Pretty much all of them fit a joystick mount, with teh right amount of electrical tape wrapped round them.

My BL70 arrived- $32USD from Kaidomain for the head unit only, arrived in a week, pretty impressed at that. It's a lot bulkier than I'd envisioned, bigger than my X6 and 185g, I think that makes it a bar only light personally, I really feel it on my noggin. Just did a really quick test and power wise it's on par with the X6, it's a little whiter so doesn't seem as bright but for me is nicer to ride with. It's a little bright-spotty but the central beam is pretty wide.

I think it ought to give better battery life- the claimed burn times are similiar but IME the claimed burn time on the X6 is absolute bullshit. But we'll see. Decent light, anyway, haven't quite decided where it fits in.

SO I bought one of those Aldi lights - seems bright enough but not quite as bright as a friends cheap ebay solarstorm x2 type light.

I'm thinking it will make an ok light for the handlebars as it is fairly heavy for helmet mount. I'm thinking of a solarstorm X2 for the helmet but would like to know where best to get one. There are quite a few for around £20 on amazon with different brands/names which all look the same. Which (if any) of these is any good?

ichabod - I wouldn't buy an Solarstorm from ebay personally.
I would buy from somewhere that only sells brands and sell the full Solarstorm range.
Maybe Kaidomain.

My BL70 arrived- $32USD from Kaidomain for the head unit only, arrived in a week, pretty impressed at that. It's a lot bulkier than I'd envisioned, bigger than my X6 and 185g, I think that makes it a bar only light personally, I really feel it on my noggin. Just did a really quick test and power wise it's on par with the X6, it's a little whiter so doesn't seem as bright but for me is nicer to ride with. It's a little bright-spotty but the central beam is pretty wide.

I think it ought to give better battery life- the claimed burn times are similiar but IME the claimed burn time on the X6 is absolute bullshit. But we'll see. Decent light, anyway, haven't quite decided where it fits in.

ichabod - if you really want piece of mind, I would also be tempted to buy the head unit only and then add a battery pack and charger separately.
Battery packs:
[url= http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S024442.KBP-18650B2S2P-7_4V-6800mAh-4-x-NCR18650B-High-Quality-Rechargeable-18650-Li-ion-Battery-Pack ]KBP-18650B2S2P 7.4V 6800mAh 4 x NCR18650B[/url]
[url= http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S024443.KBP-18650B2S3P-7_4V-10200mAh-6-x-NCR18650B-High-Quality-Rechargeable-18650-Li-ion-Battery-Pack ]KBP-18650B2S3P 7.4V 10200mAh 6 x NCR18650B[/url]
[url= http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S024616.KBP-18650B2S4P-7_4V-13600mAh-8-x-NCR18650B-High-Quality-Rechargeable-18650-Li-ion-Battery-Pack ]KBP-18650B2S4P 7.4V 13600mAh 8 x NCR18650B[/url]

The charger for your Aldi light might be all you need.

Obviously I realise that this isn't now a £20 light, but it's what I would recommend.

Thanks thats interesting to know.. if I'm planning to buy a new battery anyway, are the cheapo ebay solarstorm head units ok?

I'm thinking of upgrading my bar light to an X6 (currently got an X3 that I'm underwhelmed by). On Kaidomain there are two head units listed (already got a decent battery):

XM-L2 3C and XM-L2 U2 - what is the difference between the 3C and U2 - price is almost identical?

AlexSimon - Member

The beamshot on the site looks really spotty. Will be interesting to see how you get on with it.

TBH, I've a feeling I'm not going to like it. But then I really like a smooth wide beam, it's why I keep coming back to my ancient MJ872s. So this new one does feel spotty (and that's not good, if the weight makes it a bar light) but it could be my personal taste. The comparison with the X6 is probably more important than how I feel about it I think.

Got an updated 4xXPG2 light on the way, that's more on the lines of the MJ which I'm hoping works out.

ianpv - Member

I'm thinking of upgrading my bar light to an X6 (currently got an X3 that I'm underwhelmed by). On Kaidomain there are two head units listed (already got a decent battery):

XM-L2 3C and XM-L2 U2 - what is the difference between the 3C and U2 - price is almost identical?

The 3C uses neutral white LEDs whilst the U2 is just white. Neutral White give a better colour rendition of foliage etc. which most people tend to prefer because it makes definition better.

The White LEDs will be slightly brighter but will wash out things a bit and making it harder to see. What you don't really want to be doing is mixing lights with different colour ratings if you are using a head and a bar mounted light.

Also, if you are used to one type of light, switching may seem a bit strange at first but you should get used to that after a while. Personally I prefer Neutral White but I don't think there really is a lot in it. The X6 will probably pump out more than enough of both!

Although I likes the look of the Solarstorm X8, I decided to buy a Vicmax A8 instead. Not quite happy with those rubber bands for fixing it though, so I might see if I can get a gopro type of mount for it instead. I will also probably change the battery for something more reputable.

ichabod - Member

Thanks thats interesting to know.. if I'm planning to buy a new battery anyway, are the cheapo ebay solarstorm head units ok?

I've got the BT40s and the only complaint I have is that the battery indicator is useless. Basically, cycles through to red very, very quickly. I know the C&B Seen battery back I have is good as it's works perfectly with the yinding that I use on my helmet.Anybody else find this with the BT40s ? Is it just voltage sag that I need to learn to live with.

I find my BT40s seems to last for ages

Nearly always used on low. I don't know how many hours it's on for, I use it most days for at least 30 minutes while taking the dog out, plus normal MTB rides of anything from 1-3 hours (which happen once a week, sometimes less if I'm busy)

Probably gets charged every few weeks? I use Keeppower 18650s, which are Panasonics, I think they're 3400mAh, they're definitely at least 3100mAh

I usually charge it when battery indicator drops to amber/yellow. The batteries get charged in a 4 bay charger

I find the light nicely floody. The main problem is the brightness of the battery indicator, it's way too bright. I fixed that with a patch of duct tape

Interesting - will look out for what you describe dougieb - I did think it went through the modes quickly, but I just assumed I'd had it on high a lot. Normally my Hunk Lee Panasonic battery lasts for aaaages.

I've got two BT40's packages and they do drop to red quicker than I expected but then stay on for ages afterwards.

Can anyone recommend a floody bar light to pair with a SolarStorm style helmet light? Already have a battery so just want the light unit.

craig24 - Member

Can anyone recommend a floody bar light to pair with a SolarStorm style helmet light? Already have a battery so just want the light unit.

Cheers, would you say its better than the Solarstorm? Also would I be OK running it alongside as its neutral white, or would I just be better with a second Solarstorm?

craig24 - Member

Cheers, would you say its better than the Solarstorm? Also would I be OK running it alongside as its neutral white, or would I just be better with a second Solarstorm?