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So the best rear light I've ever had has just failed (battery leak has corroded the battery spring which has broken).
Vistalite VL700 (total eclipse?). Looking at reviews is probably c20 years old. Had about 7 LEDs, only 3 modes (on, flash, wipe up and down), really well sealed and lasted ages - I can't find the specs but I think it claimed 200 hours on flash and maybe 20 plus on steady (on a pair of AAAs)
Since then rear lights seem to have got massively more powerful (enough that they do more to dazzle other riders than aid visibility) at the expense of battery life and quality. I've got a Blakburn Mars that still works but I know that the battery vibrate loose on rough roads and it turns itself off. And a Dosun that seems to last only a few hours on flash and it falling apart.
Any suggestions? happy to keep using rechargeable AAA's (which are less likely to fail from non-use than crappy Li-ion's IME). Long battery life, decent bracket > super bright. Money no object if it has a chance of lasting as long as the Vistalites.
Moon Pulsar sounds just up your street. I've got one on my road bike, coupled with an Exposure Tracer. The Moon is fine on it's own, but I like the redundancy of 2 lights, especially as the battery life of the Pulsar is so good.
It comes with a variety of sturdy brackets
If you click on the 'Lumen' button on the right hand side of this page, it will give you run time numbers
https://moon-sport.com/product/pulsar/
I've been using an Ignis for the last 2 years. Usb phone charger for the built in battery, faultless so far.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPX3WROF/planet-x-3w-ignis-20-lumen-rear-helmet-and-bike-light
Mu current rear light is the Giant Recon TL200 - had it a couple of years now.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/recon-tl-200-rear-light-2020
Lasts 6 hours on a really bright flashing setting and over 25 hrs on low flash mode plus USB charging.
Would get another if I lost this one.
I bought a hope district rear light mostly because it was cheap second hand and I hadn't spotted the size of the battery- it's an external pack of two 18?? Cells in size.
I lasted 12 hours at the weekend and had used one of 5 battery indicators.
It's mega bright and it now gets used all day as well as at night.
It only fits the long lasting bit of your criteria, but if it broke I'd hunt another one down 2nd hand.
Moon Pulsar sounds just up your street. I’ve got one on my road bike, coupled with an Exposure Tracer. The Moon is fine on it’s own, but I like the redundancy of 2 lights, especially as the battery life of the Pulsar is so good.
"Using AAA batteries the Pulsar is a compact, bright LED rear light with a maximum output of 25 Lumen and maximum run time of 68 hours constant beam or 150 hours on flashing mode"
that looks exactly what I want. 20lm sounds perfect
I used to run two rears when I was commuting all the time (as you don't notice a rear light has failed until you get home) but with that sort of life much less to worry about.
Compare that to the Planet X dogstar that I found this morning claims to be 100lm and lasts ONE HOUR on full.
£21.50 for two of these delivered from Fawkes cycles. and they're great - more than bright enough (too bright to look at in any case).
thanks
Great.
They are good lights!
Moon Nebula and/or Exposure Tracer here