You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I've currently got an old OpticFire helmet light (which is a complete unit like a torch) very similar to this:
Opticfire® LED USB Smart Bike Light Cycle Helmet Mount Lamp Head Light Torch 8438484227576 | eBay
Its showing its age and needs charging a bit more often, and feels heavy on my head.
I'm potentially looking at replacing it with one of these OpticFire Cyclops which has a separate battery pack that fits to the rear of the helmet.
Opticfire® Cyclops 2.0 ZOOM LED USB Bike Cycle Helmet Light High Power Lights | eBay
Has anyone gone either from a complete Light on top of the helmet to one that has a separate battery fitting to the rear of the helmet?
Or do you have both types?
How do they feel when wearing them for a couple of hours?
Will I notice much of a difference?
If there's any other helmet lights people recommend less than £60 I'd be interested to hear.
Thanks
Used to have a separate battery (but battery in my Camelbak, not helmet). Don't think I'd want the weight on the helmet and will never go back to having one in my backpack either.
Joystick all the way for me now
Yeah if the cables long enough you're able to fit it in your backpack.
I'd love a joystick but £££...which I can't afford at the moment.
Yeah if the cables long enough you’re able to fit it in your backpack.
PITA when you take your helmet or backpack off, but not the end of the world
Why not get the 1st one you mention? If it's as good as it sounds it should be good Joystick alternative.
Because its very similar to what I'm currently using which I find heavy, and it doesn't have any adjustment in spot width like the Opticfire Cyclops does.
Exposure Joystick is the answer you are looking for but yes, they are spendy. For balance the 12 year old Joystick mk7 that cost me an eye watering £90 at the time has just been upgraded to a new mk16 that I have every confidence will last me for the next 10+ years. When you factor in Exposures excellent customer service and repair service it becomes a no brianer. The old one is now repurposed as my walking/camping/glovebox torch.
There is currently one sat in the classifieds looking for a new home if you can't reach for a new one and older models are often about on ebay etc.
As a cheaper option you could look at the Halfords lights although popular consensus is the mount is shocking so would potentially need to factor in a replacement.
2nd hand Joystick in classifieds for £80, a tiny bit over budget but well worth it IMO
2nd hand joystick.
I had a Hope and a Moon previously
The Moon was ok but I destroyed the mount and helmet on a low hanging branch and lightly jarred my neck in the process.
Whatever you get make sure the mount is secure but not solid. If it's on your head you want it to pop off on impact not stay firmly in place.
Same reason I wouldn't want a go pro up top.
Personally having had a Moon Vortex Pro (old version with 900 lumens) I’d get one again without a doubt. New version with 1300 lumens is in the link below for £34. Proper uk supplied light with backup / warranty. £5 ish for the GoPro mount etc.
I now have an Exposure Axis, but in hindsight I wouldn’t buy it again. Been a bit underwhelmed by it. On the flip side I’ve been mega impressed with my exposure maxx d on the bars - the exposure lights are a solid bit of kit.
@joebristol thanks for the info and recommendation, the Vortex Pro sounds appealing, re the GoPro mount, I've just looked at ones on ebay and am confused as to what exactly I'd need to attach the Vortex Pro to my helmet. I don't want a load of unnecessary plastic and weight on my helmet waggling around.
Do I just need the sticky pads and mount like below?
Will I be able to fasten the band tight enough from the Vortex Pro onto the sticky pad mount?
Or do you somehow cable-tie it to the sticky pad mount?
Sorry if daft questions - just don't want to buy something that won't work easily and without a lot of tinkering to get it to fit properly.
danti has just bought my Joystick on the classifieds so will be posting it off to him today!
Let us know when you first try it out because it's great, and so nice not having to worry about external batteries and the like!
It's worth keeping and eye out for any clearance sales of previous generation Joysticks. Mine cost me £80 and was only 50 lumen down on the most recent version.
Ah good choice @danti there great lights i borrowed my mate but unfortunatley had to give it back.
When funds allow will be looking for one secound hand myself!