| Re: Busch & Mueller "Big Bang"---the ultimate bike light?
"Chalo" <chalo.colina@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1170294630.152830.64860@v33g2000cwv.googlegro ups.com...
> Pat Lamb wrote:
>>
>> Thinking about this on the way home last night; OK, your normal HID light
>> seems to run around $500. Is the precision optics for this really worth
>> another $500?
>
> I think it's very hard to justify even the minimum price of an HID
> light, considering the relatively short lifespan of HID bulbs and
> their high replacement costs. High flux LEDs like the Luxeon K2 and
> Cree Xlamp XR-E are beginning to offer HID-like intensity at equal or
> better efficiencies-- along with outstanding robustness, unprecedented
> longevity, and inexpensive driver electronics. I believe that these
> LEDs combined with lithium batteries (like those in the latest
> generation of DeWalt cordless power tools) and built-in smart battery
> management systems will characterize the next generation of high
> performance bike lights.
>
> As the performance of LEDs rises to the point that 2-4 watts really
> does produce enough light for a satisfactory headlamp, there may be a
> resurgence in the use of sidewall generators and dynohubs. Active
> power management and ultracapacitors for standlight capability would
> make such generators more useful than ever before.
>
>
Funny you should mentioni that. DiNotte, makers of very nice 3W and 5W
Luxeon lights, have been looking at developing a model for use with a
dynohub. I emailed DiNotte about this and they said it was do-able, but that
the price for the light would be very high.
Mike
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