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12 comments
My phone flash in torch mode barely gets me down the stairs to the kitchen for my midnight protein shake, what exactly makes this Better Bike Light any “better”
Always carry a spare. I've learned this the hard way
I changed to a USB rechargeable one because of battery failure one day. At least with the USB as my commuting lights I can give them a top up once I get to work. I've also got another rear in the bag as a backup just in case.
But with spare batteries, you can change them mid-ride - not so easy with a dying USB light. In desperation, you can usually buy a pack of batteries at a garage or shop.
LED lights are so small and cheap these days, I've got into the habit of carrying 2.
Or just ask a passing cyclist with a working LED if you can shoot a three-second video of their one, flashing if preferred, and stick it on loop mode.
Nugatory effort. Better to download dashcam footage of a sharp left turn, put THAT on loop mode, and wait for the problem of airholes who tailgate you solve itself...
Oh dear. Words fail me.
why? If you need to get home and your lights die halfway. Frankly I’ll take anything.
Have been there... due to two punctures returned home much later than planned, in dark with no lights. OK, I had hi-vis... but still was $!£$ing myself.
Why?
1. The biggest advantage of having a mobile phone is that you can use it to - wait for it - make a phone call to ask for help (spouse/partner/mate/taxi cab). Using your phone as a light is going to drain the f*ck out of it, rendering it useless for its original primary purpose (yeah, I know, who phones these days? Mobes are for Strava and Snaptwitbook or something or so my kids tell me).
2. How do you mount the thing? If you use your phone as a GPS cycle computer and happen to have a mount on your handlebars which you might possibly be able to reorientate so the camera flash is facing forwards. Otherwise you're screwed. If you haven't already jerry-rigged a rear facing mount out of a clear pouch and a rear light as in Jack's photo above, you're screwed.
3. If you can somehow mount the phone at the front then why not just use the flashlight app on the phone?
4. If you can somehow mount the phone at the rear why not use the flashlight app combined with some red cellophane held in place with a couple of rubber bands - probably less of a drain on the battery, longer throw on the light output, and gives you a reason to carry some Cadbury's roses around with you just in case.
5. Or just carry some spares FFS.
You've posted more words in these comments than anyone else!
They failed me because I couldn't sum all that up in a pithy one liner.