01-01-2007, 09:18 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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| | Re: What's the brightest dynamo light?
Gooserider wrote:
> I currently use a DiNotte Ultralight, which is a super light. It's bright
> and well designed. I would like to try a dynamo hub on my next bike, and I
> don't know what the hot light setup is. I would not have a problem running
> two dynamo headlights, as I want the most light I can get. The Shimano
> dynohub would be my choice. I know the Schmidt SON is awesome, but it's also
> three hundred bucks, which is three times the Shimano. So, what light(s)
> shouId I choose to get the most light?
Hmm. It may be that your question needs rephrasing.
Technically, the amount of light (i.e. lumens) you get will be
determined by the generator and the bulb (unless you're considering a
generator powered LED lamp). Where that light goes is determined by
the lamp's optics. I suppose that's what you're really asking about.
In general, the tighter the beam's focus, the brighter the illumination
of the roadway. But you don't want one tiny spot of super-bright
light. You need a beam of reasonable width and reasonable vertical
height. But with a limited light source, you can't spread the beam too
far, or you'll be too dim. So perhaps what you want to ask is "which
lamp is bright enough and wide enough for my riding application?"
One subtle point is that it's good to have the top of the beam bright
and the bottom dimmer. This lets you see far enough down the road
without having your vision washed out by an extra-bright road surface
close to the bike.
Anyway, some beam pattern photos are at these two sites:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/headlights.asp
and
http://www.fa-technik.adfc.de/Kompon.../vergleich.htm
- Frank Krygowski
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