Anyone got any recommendations for a front light, dynamo powered?
I'm looking for:
- Must form a beam with sharp cut-off i.e. meets the German regs.
- Ideally has a standlight
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Dynamo front light recommendations
(21 posts)- Started 6 years ago by neddie
- Latest reply from unhurt
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Posted 6 years ago #
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Budget?
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike-parts/bike-lights/dynamo-powered/headlightshttps://www.rosebikes.co.uk/b-m-lumotec-lyt-bn-front-headlamp-553800 is around the cheapest for "still complies with German road traffic regs".
I've had a couple of https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/b-m-lumotec-lyt-senso-plus-front-headlamp-450614, which have a standlight. I've found it safest to Araldite the supercapacitor for the standlight in place to stop it rattling free.
The beam is concentrated into a bright square within a less bright rectangle, which brightly illuminates a section a couple of metres wide at most at the maximal useful/non-dazzling forward-pointingness.
They're quite light and plasticky, so are easier to mount than something heavier and metal-bodied. Connection is by 3mm spade terminals. It has a sensor mode for automatic switching but the switch is quite flimsy so I just leave mind on. Mounting is either by the standard B&M fork-crown-fitting bent-metal bracket or a scrappy-looking combination of angle brackets and hose clamps.If you have unlimited budget then wait for @algo to recommend whatever it is he has, which has a USB charging socket on it.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I need one of these too, but it has to switch over to USB charging a battery pack / small devices and be essentially bomb-proof for long trips. @algo's device might be just the thing...
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have a couple of Lyts and a couple of Cyos. The Cyos are brighter and have a standlight for when stationary. The Cyo have a great beam pattern. Think of a capital D on its side with the straight line as the horizontal cut off. Then they have a bright strip in the middle of the straight line. The curve forms a nice wide scoop in front of the bike.
The Lyt on the other hand has a more square shaped beam, forming a 'glass' shape.
Cyo
___==___
\............./
.\______/.Lyt
------
\..../
.\../.
..--..I also have a Kemo Dynamo USB adapter (Linky) which sits in an Alpkit topbar bag. It takes in the dynamo output and outputs 'either' a lightfeed or a USB output.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have a Philips which is brilliant - but beware, the bracket it is mounted on is made of cheese (or it was a few years ago). Fortunately you can buy a sturdy wire bracket to replace it for pennies.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Cyo models are good as noted.
I've got second hand Son Edelux on my solo recliner. The light is really nice for scooting about town - refector innards are B&M designed. Cases is thing people like about Son as uses metal and has a vintage camera lense look about it. Like most things bike it's just fashion with some practicality thrown in ;-)On tandem we have the B&M Luxos. On holiday it produced enough power with li-on cache to keep Samsung working in OSM+ Can't really charge device and light road at same time though I reckon. it also has spade connectors in and out plus USB and control line. Rear dynamo light has green LED on back of light to show it is working. Has 90 lux brighter mode. Views are mixed, though tandemers crossing USA say their one has been great. Have a new Luxos for sale at shop if anyone is interested (forumers discount of course).
@sallyhinch - The Philips light was used and well liked by @Dave of forum. I think though they lost interest in producing.
Supernova is other brand of dynamo light - nice build quality.
Posted 6 years ago # -
https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/choose-best-dynamo-front-lamps-group-test
I have the Axa light on the Elephant Bike, although it's a cheaper version without USB or a standlight. It produces a good, well-distributed, light, but it is not a thing of beauty and the lack of a standlight is something I notice. All my other front lights are Cyo of various kinds, with standlights. The lack of a standlight matters when you are starting: you do the first 10m in the dark until the light has come to life.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I've had an Edelux for nearly 10 years. It just works. It's on its second Brompton.
In the spring I broke the B&M which came with a different Brompton. It was 5 years old. Broke at the mounting. I replaced it with an Edelux II.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Thanks all, for the advice.
Have gone with the B + M LUMOTEC IQ CYO PREMIUM T SENSO PLUS, basically because the beam looked great & a good price too.
To be paired with an SP Dynamo PD-8
I'll let you know how I get on...
Posted 6 years ago # -
@neddie - you will get on very well and will never look back... Dynamo lights are brilliant.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Neddie that's the exact set up I've been running since May good light and dynamo.
Posted 6 years ago # -
A year later, and I STILL haven't put a dynamo light on my dynamo'd bike.
What think we of this? (almost the same as what @neddie bought last year I think but with added USB capability I think)
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/b-m-lumotec-iq2-luxos-u-senso-plus-headlight-with-usb-connection-620047
Ugly but practical? I have regretfully decided the pretty & sleek SON ones aren't going to do it for me because I need to have a USB charging option for phone etc. So I'd then have to spend even more ££s on something like this https://www.kemo-electronic.de/en/product_info.php?cPath=52_67&products_id=692&ipic=1
and then engage in a whole lot of faffing...Posted 4 years ago # -
@unhurt - got two of these in stock at shop if you want have a look at. Will do for less than Rose. Model we have on tandem. Charge rate on USB works better with some devices better than others.
Is a good light though - nice field. Customers have used on their tandem on three trans continental tours to top up battery packs. Our ones are recent stock.Posted 4 years ago # -
For what it's worth, after losing my rear light on potholes I couldn't see, I started researching dynamo front lights for my Elephant Bike, but for a lower budget.
I shortlisted the B&M IQ Cyo N Plus and the B&M Eyc T Senso Plus, and would run it off a conventional AXA bottle dynamo. No USB though; I have that for the torpedo.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@LaidBack that sounds like a good offer - if you can save me the postage and match them that'd be grand. I have a mad week this week, but could you hang on to one till Friday AM when I have some time off?
@Arellcat hmm B&M sounds like the way to go (I do need USB though, I hate searching for plug sockets!)
Posted 4 years ago # -
@Arellcat. @Hartscyclery installed a dynamo on my EB, which works very well. We went for a Shimano Nexus with a roller brake rather than the obvious choice of an SA dynamo and drum brake, for reasons of price I think. It was a straight swap with what's there, built into a new wheel. The Shimano brake is a bit fiercer than the SA it replaced.
He had to bodge a fitting for an AXA light onto the fork-mounted light bracket, and this bodge got a bit wobbly after a while. I've since replaced it with some industrial-strength Velcro and zip ties and it's as solid as anything. The AXA light is a bit budget, and doesn't have a standlight. If I were doing it again I'd probably go for a B&M cyo.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I can confirm that my choices* made previously have worked well for me. Great beam and no one has shouted at me yet. Have left the light on permanently, even during the day.
*B + M LUMOTEC IQ CYO PREMIUM T SENSO PLUS paired with an SP Dynamo PD-8
Posted 4 years ago # -
For less than £20 you can get a decent AXA or B+M LED lamp with auto daylight sensing and stand light. Should be enough for most users. Spend a few quid more and you can beef up the lux rating to eye searing fog light intensity. £100 seems steep just for additional USB charging capability.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Lazy self-promotion...
http://www.darkerside.org/2013/11/luxos-iq2-u-dynamo-headlight-review/
https://www.darkerside.org/2017/02/bm-iq-x-dynamo-headlight-review/
Posted 4 years ago # -
Posted 4 years ago #
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Thanks - I shall read with interest.
Posted 4 years ago #
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