Need waterproof flashing front light recommendation please

[danfoto]

Apologies if the solution to our problem has been discussed recently, but a search on "front light" failed to turn up what we're after.

Both my wife and I cycle year-round as our only means of transport, and both our bikes have good front lights powered by hub dynamos, as well as two separate rear lights. However, we'd like to add handlebar-mounted flashing front lights in order to increase the "be seen" factor at night and particularly in bad weather. All we need is a simple unit that takes either AA or AAA cells, gives a good flashing light, is waterproof and is good value for money.

Any recommendations please?

[vandjq]

See this website for good advice on buying lights:

https://swhs.home.xs4all.nl/fiets/tests/verlichting/index_en.html

But he doesn't like flashing ones:

On a rainy night I encountered someone with a strong flashing front lamp ca. autumn 2008, and I blurted out 'gek' (idiot, or better translated probably 'nutter') to him as this is perfect to blind oncoming traffic. It's hard enough to see anything in the rain, without some idiot coming with a (strong) flashing headlamp that kills your night vision. Manufacturers who make flashing front lamps need to get a reality check and people who use them need to get some education as to why this is bad. And again, flashing front lamps are illegal in e.g. the Netherlands and Germany.

My own experience is that they tend to make me focus on the light instead of watching out for all the other stuff going on around me on my commute.

[Valbrona]

Smear Vaseline around the battery cover to reduce chance of water getting in.

[MarcusT]

If you are interested in a USB rechargeable:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/vioo-clip-5 ... 02869.html

It's cheap, it can be used for front or rear (white and red).
And is not too bright to be a distraction for drivers

[danfoto]

Thank you gentlemen but I've now found this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-femto-dr ... led-light/ which has to be worth a punt ...

[rmurphy195]

Have a look at the Cateye Omni 5 , I find these very effective and easy to mount on the handlebar stem (using the mount for the rear seatpost version of the lamp), saving room on the bars. Decent angle of view, can be seen from quite a distance http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-omni-5-front-light/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=512046&kpid=512046&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mckv|sbyNbyb4Y_dc|mcrid|295269794859|mkw||mmt||mrd|512046uk|mslid||&mkwid=sbyNbyb4Y_dc&pcrid=295269794859&prd=512046uk&pgrid=64996676331&ptaid=pla-520648652616&gclid=CjwKCAiAlvnfBRA1EiwAVOEgfEc5bIhLaUKt10jfEhsevULdwVTQz8r-zET83gQbeSTeeFaqSBJQChoCvqUQAvD_BwE

[Sweep]

Thank you gentlemen but I've now found this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-femto-dr ... led-light/ which has to be worth a punt ...

mm

Got to say I avoid any light powered by those batteries.

Omni 5 as suggested in the thread far better in my opinion.

Am a great fan of a vaguely similar looking/size light from Cateye which uses a single AA - forget its name.

Now discontinued but perhaps still available from some places.

The rear had a tendency to bounce its front off on rough roads but have had no problem with the front. Its superb. Battery lasts well, no cell balancing issues (only 1 cell) seems waterproof, as bright as you need, small for popping in pockets/luggage, uses the very common standard cateye mount.

[danfoto]

...Got to say I avoid any light powered by those batteries ...

And I've got to say we've had several Cateye lights over the years, none of which have proved waterproof, which is why we won't now buy anything with "Cateye" on it

[elPedro666]

I'm a fan of the Aldi Bikemate lights; they've survived being blasted with water very well until some exceptionally bad conditions for four fours yesterday which has left a fair amount of water inside the lenses, however all four are still working!

Currently they're drying out in front of the truck's heater vent...

It really was exceptionally harsh yesterday, I'm still very impressed with them, especially for the money (£13).

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my CLT-L09 using hovercraft full of eels.

[elPedro666]

I should add, they charge over USB (so I usually use the truck cigarette lighter and pay nothing for electric or batteries) and they last for ages. And I'm passenger, not driver just now! [emoji6]

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my CLT-L09 using hovercraft full of eels.

[Sweep]

...Got to say I avoid any light powered by those batteries ...

And I've got to say we've had several Cateye lights over the years, none of which have proved waterproof, which is why we won't now buy anything with "Cateye" on it

Fair dos, different experiences

The light I referred to above (for anyone else interested)

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cat ... -prod64504