Best dynamo headlight for road riding

[Patrick Moore]

I was going to yank the Best Dynamo Hub thread onto a tangent to suit my own intents and purposes, but I forbore. So, a new question.

I have an Edeluxe I, have had it for 15 years or so, and it's a trooper, but it has 2 defects:

1. The beam is rather narrow compared to later lights (and to the Edeluxe II, I understand), and:

2. The standlight is a wimp: about 60 seconds before it turns into a glow-worm for another 30 seconds and then goes out. (The 2015 K-Lite by contrast still glows dimly after 5 or 6 hours; big capacitor.)

A few years ago I had a high-end (if there are levels, this was an upper-class level model) but now (I think) discontinued headlight on my Hon Solo that gave a brighter and broader beam than the EI, and had a normal standlight -- 3 minutes or so.

So, 2 questions:

1. The best headlight without regarding anything but brightness, beam width, and standlight longevity?

2. The best ditto made with a metal case? (For me, the metal case would be a purely cosmetic advantage, but I like pretty.)

Thanks.

Since I just talked about the K-Lite: that's a wonderful off road light -- 1200 lumens claimed on High -- but its beam does not have a height cutoff, and since it is so very bright, it's impolite if not criminal to use it regularly against oncoming bike traffic.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Patrick Moore]

The nice bright (plastic) headlight on the Dahon was a Lumotec IQ something or another, again, no longer made.

On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 2:37 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

...  A few years ago I had a high-end (if there are levels, this was an upper-class level model) but now (I think) discontinued headlight on my Hon Solo that gave a brighter and broader beam than the EI, and had a normal standlight -- 3 minutes or so.

[Brian Turner]

My only dyno headlight experience is with the Sinewave Beacon. I mention it because it seems to address your two questions. It ticks a lot of boxes for me, but after 2.5 years of hard use with it, I can't say it has lived fully up to the expectations I had for it.

Pros: Made in USA, waterproof, all metal construction, can be mounted upside-down, is tremendously bright, has a standlight that glows for hours, is pre-wired for a taillight, can be powered by a battery bank, can charge devices via a waterproof USB port

Despite all the pros, two things have disappointed me. First, the beam pattern is more suited for off-road riding. It just blasts a big round beam of light directly in front of you. No focused beam pattern for riding in traffic. Secondly, I'm not sure if my light is faulty, or if it's user error, but I find the USB charging capability pretty much useless. I can plug my phone into it and ride 20-30 miles at 12-14mph and the battery may only go up 1-2% from where it was when I plugged it in. I've heard folks say it is best used to trickle-charge a battery bank, but my battery bank is so large, and takes so long to charge up when plugged into a wall outlet, I don't think I would ever know whether or not the Sinewave was even charging it at all.

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[Jeffrey Arita]

Patrick,

My wife and I have experience with several different dynamo LED lights.  Edelux, Edelux 2, B&M Cyo, Sinewave Beacon, B&M IQ-X.  For us, at this time, the B&M IQ-X is the best for pavement riding.  It easily eclipses the Edelux 2.  I recall riding with the IQ-X on our tandem last summer on a night ride.  It lit up our entire vehicle lane.  Some folks do not like how there are dimmer spots and brighter spots from the lens.  I get it.  But we got used to it.  On a very dark night it is amazing.  Watch for Amazon sales for really good pricing

One really annoying thing (at least to me) is the IQ-X has an automatic feature in which it automatically turns on as a daylight or nightlight, depending upon how much ambient light the device senses.  Some might find this an invaluable feature, YMMV.  Every time one stops for a bit of time I have to remember to manually turn it off, saving those precious watts on those steep climbs (we are currently cyclotouring in SW Colorado).

Regarding the Sinewave Beacon: I agree - it could be *the* perfect light if it had an StVZO lens, IMO.  I did ask the owner of Sinewave a few years ago if he was going to use such a lens.  At that time he said no.  Despite that, the Beacon checks off a lot of positive features I wish other LED lights would incorporate.  Being able to power an LED light via a dynamo OR a USB battery should be standard, IMO.  Within the chassis, it also has electronics for a USB output - extremely critical for cnyclotouring.  I've had direct experience with the issue of charging a smartphone off the USB output: it is a measly trickle charge.  But, I think we have to remember that it isn't really the light's fault but rather the dynamo.  The dynamo outputs a nominal 3 watts.  With losses between the dynamo, wiring and USB device, it really is a trickle.  I have had excellent success in directly recharging GPS devices (Wahoo BOLT and ROAM) using the Beacon.  Since their batteries are relatively small, the Sinewave Beacon's USB output has recharged those devices within an hour or so of steady riding.  Allows one to start the next day with a full charge - perfect for cyclotouring/bikepacking.

Good luck,

Jeff & Lori Arita

Claremont, CA (currently in Silverton, CO)

P.S.: We Amtrak'd from Los Angeles to ABQ.  Took the Rail Runner (awesome) to Santa Fe.  Began pedaling from SF to Durango.  We loved the Rail Runner: when the train car's doors were about to close, the audible warning was the Road Runner's "Meep - Meep." ;)

[Patrick Moore]

Forgot to add: Jeffrey: Please post photos of your ride, if and when you can. Thanks.

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[Patrick Moore]

Thanks, Brian and Jeffrey. 

I'm afraid that the Sinewave Beacon is out; I need something with German-spec (or, generally, traffic-appropriate) beam shape. The S Beacon must be much like my K-Lite: wonderfully bright, but it just blasts the light out there.*

The B&M IQ X seems the darling: German beam, very bright, very broad, good standlight, metal case, and half the price of the Edeluxe. What's not to like? I'll be interested in others' opinions.

Really, the Edeluxe 1 is quite enough for night commuting along familar roads and paths, even in full darkness and with my poor night vision, but turning dark corners at speed is anxious-making. And I generally mount a good battery headlight for occasional use, which serves at the longer stop lights. Still, for now, the IQ X is at the top of the list.

Aside: I remember the IQ Fly: wonderful compared to my Sanyo and other bottle dynamos + incandescent headlights, but man! How weak compared to the Edeluxe!

OTOH, I did use a 12 volt very high end and very expensive ($300 20 years ago?) bottle + mating incandescent halogen headlight. This was as bright as many top line LED lights from 20 years ago.

*Last March I rode home from church at 8:30 or 9 pm in a sudden heavy snowfall. The K-lite just blasted photons out into the cosmic void and all the jolly wet big snowflakes cheerfully blasted them back at me. I could see almost nothing beyond the bar unless I rode with 1 hand cupping the top of the beam.

On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 2:39 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

The nice bright (plastic) headlight on the Dahon was a Lumotec IQ something or another, again, no longer made.

[rlti...@gmail.com]

I agree with others on the IQ-X. That is the best light I’ve used for road use. I like the looks of it but some don’t like the blue light on the button on the back. Mine is hidden from view by a front bag. The silver version looks like metal but I think it is plastic. 

I also have a Sinewave Beacon on my off-road bike. Great light but I would not choose it for road riding.

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 29, 2022, at 6:30 AM, Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Eric Norris]

Patrick:

I like the IQ X. It’s everything you say, and of course half the price of the Edelux. The trade-off is build quality. The Edelux’s front “lens,” for instance, is glass; the IQ X’s is plastic. I’ve never had a problem with my IQ X, but if you’re looking for the very best, most robust light, it’s probably the Edelux.

One advantage to the IQ X is that it’s easy to mount in different configurations. If you want to hang the light below the mount and use and Edelux, you’ll need an “upside down” specific model. On the IQ X, you just rotate the (plastic) ring so the mounting point is on top of the light.

Eric N

www.CampyOnly.com

Instagram: @CampyOnlyGuy

Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy

On Jul 29, 2022, at 10:20 PM, Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Ted Durant]

On Friday, July 29, 2022 at 8:30:02 AM UTC-5 Patrick Moore wrote:

1. The best headlight without regarding anything but brightness, beam width, and standlight longevity?

2. The best ditto made with a metal case? (For me, the metal case would be a purely cosmetic advantage, but I like pretty.)

I put the Supernova E3 Pro 2 on my newest bike, and I've been very happy with it except the stand light isn't as bright as I'd like. It's extremely well built, I especially like the mount that came with it, and the tail light is excellent, as well.

I've always been happy with my Edelux and happier with the Edelux II. I was riding a brevet at night with two others, all of us with the Edelux, and with three of us side-by-side you would have thought we had a car with high beams on. I agree the narrow beam can be a problem reading street signs. A helmet-mounted light can help with that (and with reading cue sheets!).

For charging, I set up my newest bike with coax wiring and quick-connectors. I have a Sinewave Revolution that I can attach in place of the lights. If you are powering your lights, you really don't have enough left to charge anything else, so I also carry a USB battery that can recharge any devices (phone, Wahoo) and can be recharged by the dynamo. While Supernova says you can't power the lights from a battery, I find that it works sufficiently - the headlight isn't full brightness, but it's enough to be seen. So, in theory, my setup allows me to charge a battery or device while running lights from a battery. Or, to run the lights by battery and not have the dynamo drag on a long uphill :-).  My power bank allows simultaneous use and charging, so I _could_ send the dynamo output to the battery and have the battery powering the lights, but that would be inefficient, and it's pretty cheap and not much weight to carry multiple batteries.  I haven't done a long trip to test this out, yet. 

Ted Durant

Milwaukee, WI USA

[Sam McDermott]

Another vote for the IQ-X. It's terrifically bright, well-shaped, well-constructed, and the standlight is quite bright and long-lasting.

A much cheaper option is a Herrmans (eg https://www.modernbike.com/herrmans-headlights), which I tried recently. I have an MR-4. It's actually rather bright and decently shaped, but the construction is shabby (the lens pops off entirely at the slightest provocation) and the capacitor must be tiny: the light flickers in a terribly distracting way at low speeds, and the standlight is very weak. The flickering problem is bad enough that I switch the light off when I have to walk it more than a few feet. But if you're "going" a lot more than you're wheeling (or riding below 5 MPH), it's a good value.

-Sam

[Alex K]

I just installed an IQ-X on my Atlantis, and hoo boy, is it bright, pretty, and well-made...  Did take some extra spacers to work with the Pass and Stow 3-rail rack, but I really wish I had known how great this light was before I bought the Edelux for my Clem.  From the conversations I've had with friends who get to bikepack more often than I, the IQ-X is, without a doubt, the favorite and most beloved.

A

[Pancake]

I was looking for something that can take plenty of weight and was focused on thenHollywood Sport SE (excellent) but ended up with the Swagman Current. It will handle two bikes at 60 pounds each, comes with a locking hitch pin, locking cable, and the hooks lock as well. Usually $100 cheaper than the Hollywood SE and more regularly in stock. Works well for my Cheviot, Gallop, Hillborne, Baby bike, and other step through frames. I’d happily buy it again. Much lower price and easier to hold fendered  bikes vs. 1Up. 

That said, I think the Current can be found for the same price as the SE these days.

Abe

[Philip Williamson]

IQ-X

I’ve got a black one and a silver one. The mini “mu” taillight is also quite cool.

Philip

Sonoma County, Calif

[Patrick Moore]

Thanks to all the others who responded. For them too, the IQ X is the majority winner.

The only thing that makes me hesitate is having to re-wire the lamp (wire runs from hub up forward fender/rack "arch" that holds lamp, and tail light wire runs back under fender to pop out just aft of crown to run through loops on right side of head tube to internal route thru top tube, thence out at seat tube to hole in rack to rear light at rack's rear end.)