Winter 21/22 night-...
 

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[Closed] Winter 21/22 night-riding lights - what's cheap & good?

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Howdy,

I seem to have lost my charger to my Nestling twin-LED bar lights.  Like these but with a mains charger, rather than a USB charger:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nestling%C2%AE-Cree-X2-Flashlight-Rechargeable/dp/B0747MYNGF/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=nestling+bike+lights&qid=1631095753&sr=8-5

So, unless someone can point me to where I can find a charger, I'm considering getting a replacement.   I already have a Planet X light on the helmet, which is fine, but was thinking about an all in one unit for the bars, like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Headlight-Taillight-Combinations-Resistant/dp/B07CXLCRNS/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=nestling+bike+lights&qid=1631095975&sr=8-6   or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nestling%C2%AE-U2-Rechargable-Flashlight-Waterproof/dp/B01F8L4RK4/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=nestling+bike+lights&qid=1631095975&sr=8-8

Note: budget lights only, have limited funds and wont be doing that much riding, and pretty much exclusively on "mild" known trails, often solo.

Any recommendations from the Hive Mind?

Cheers,
Keith
(PS: I did look for an existing thread, but didn't have much luck - feel free to point me somewhere else!)


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 11:18 am
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Been using one of these with a Diablo head torch for the last 2 years, I’ve modified mine to have a go pro mount.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/lifeline-pavo-2000l-front-light/rp-prod161245?gs=1&sku=sku594408

The Pavo and Diablo in use.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 11:29 am
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You should be able to get a charger easily enough @keithb. A USB one is fine, just plug it into a charger you already own. But mains ones are everywhere too.

I'm pretty sure it's 5521 (5.5mm outer, 2.1mm inner), 8.4V, 1A. Try 233702074207 on ebay. It doesn't specify, but you should find one that does if you have trust issues with the sellers.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 2:35 pm
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@<span class="bbp-author-name">savoyad</span> - That's a good call for the charger - thanks, I may just get one of those and keep using the light I've got.

But this being STW, I was rather expecting a raft of recommendations from £5 Aliexpress jobs, to £200+ bespoke, hand-crafted, artisan lights! .

But no-one has any experience of the all in one units then?  Given the charger is likely to be cross- compatible, it'd mean getting a light for a tenner...
<div class="bbp-author-role"></div>

Obviously that's not how you quote someone's user ID....


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 3:09 pm
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But this being STW, I was rather expecting a raft of recommendations from £5 Aliexpress jobs, to £200+ bespoke, hand-crafted, artisan lights! .

Come on you only posted 3 hours ago, give it time and it will come


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 3:19 pm
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As I rode back in the dark last night with my mate I said to him 'I'm surprised there's not a "What Lights?" thread on Singletrackworld yet........ Ye ha! One of my favourite threads of the year.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 3:29 pm
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Very happy with my British hand crafted artisan light.
Bought it on 0% credit, £14pm.
Some internet people claim they still work after 10yrs of use and customer service is excellent.

Ive had to many bad experiences with cheap lights.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 3:33 pm
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I would recommend the Halfords 1600 all in one unit torchy thing
Nae wires and plenty powerful enough for proper pitch black through the trees shredding


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 3:33 pm
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I am so done with unbranded Chinese specials where I worry about burning the house down every time I charge them.

Now I have a Lezyne all-in-one (about 5 years old, replaced once on warranty) and a Moon all-in one (only a year old so can't really comment on durability). Both have annoyingly long lists of modes that require morse code with the on button to avoid, but apart from that are perfectly good.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 3:39 pm
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2nd hand Exposure. There, I said it.

Buy well, buy once 'n' all that.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 4:41 pm
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Come on you only posted 3 hours ago, give it time and it will come

Back when this was all coffee and cream. A "what lights" thread in mid September would have garnered pages of replies in the first 25 minutes!

Oh, and I can't afford to spend even second hand amounts of money on ax exposure, when perfectly adequate lights are available for <£25.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 7:54 pm
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Someone I work with has been using a Solarstorm (same as your first link) for three winters for his seven mile commute without issue.

Buy two of them, one on the helmet one on the bars, giving you two independent light sources with interchangeable batteries.

Charge them in a cool place, in non flammable surroundings & turn off when fully charged is sensible.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 8:30 pm
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Magicshine Ray2600 and RN3000 look canny at about £120ish.


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 8:45 pm
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SolarStorm.....hmmmmm

https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-gear/review-5000-lumen-solarstorm-bike-light-sub-20/


 
Posted : 08/09/2021 8:50 pm

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