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Comment by pcl | Hacker News Reader

> Just look at your average bicycle light set, even after I don't know how long we still can't make a set that lasts more than a couple of years.

You're probably right about the average bike lights. But the good folks at Light and Motion make some incredible products. USB-rechargeable, bright, easily removable, and pretty durable in my experience.

http://www.lightandmotion.com/

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Since we're talking about it, are there any decent brands still making dynamo bike lights (the ones that are powered by the turning of the wheels)?

There are quite a few, mostly German. For the hubs themselves look at Schimdt SON, Shutter Precision, or Shimano. For lights, Busch & Muller, Schmidt, or Supernova.

Most dynamo lights use a reflector (more like a car headlight than a normal bike light or flashlight) so despite the lower lumen output they can actually provide much more useful light on the road.

Thanks!

Seconding this, they make a rear light so bright my 94 year old grandfather can see it in daylight.

Which I have to say sucks for the rider behind you. If you demand that level of visibility get a high vis vest. Personally I err on the side of assuming every car will try to kill me. It's kept me alive in SF, London, and worse places where most people are scared to bike on roads for good reason (New Mexico).

For maximum visibility safety when riding alone, I turn on the maximum-output, blinking mode (which IIRC is actually illegal in some other countries). But when group riding, dim it down and turn it on to the solid-on mode.

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