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Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:29 am
by rocklobstercat
Any recommendations on helmet lights? Not too heavy or ridiculously expensive?

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:39 am
by Cheeky Monkey
Exposure Diablo or Joystick. Whether they meet your criteria .........

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 11:56 am
by Borderer
Is it to see things with or be seen?

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 12:02 pm
by rocklobstercat
See things, to use in conjunction with bar mounted lights.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 12:03 pm
by ssnowman
Exposure Joystick for me. Not cheap but well worth it.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 12:18 pm
by Bearlegged
Another vote for the Joystick.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 12:38 pm
by sean_iow
Exposure have Mk13 Joysticks in their outlet store for £120

https://exposurelights.com/catalog/prod ... tegory/24/

I don't think it comes with a helmet mount so you'd have to buy one of those as well. Before I got mine I was hesitant to buy one due to he cost but since I've had it I couldn't imaging riding at night without it now.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:20 pm
by In Reverse
Joystick. Try to get a second hand one if budget's tight.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:35 pm
by Lazarus
Nothing can beat a Joystick as a helmet light

if gettng an old one be aware the really old models had failrly low Lumens compared to what you would expect now.
they are expensive but they seem indestrutable and its pretty clear what all users think of it


If you want cheap I would just buy a torch and improvise my own mount

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:38 pm
by jam bo
I have the axis. A little more grunt than the joystick, enough to use on its own without a bar light.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:42 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
... and yes, another Joystick user here too. Can't recall how old mine is but it's never let me down and I'll often use it standalone as long as I'm not riding owt too techy or with people armed with a million lumens.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:43 pm
by stevewaters
I have a Mk 14 Joystick and am very impressed. I think they are up to Mk 15 now. I use mine standalone.

On bigger rides I take a spare Joystick which doubles up as a power bank for topping up my Garmin.

You can also get a tiny "Redeye Micro" LED to plug into the charge port. This is surprisingly bright and this provides a great back-up rear light:
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/4644/ ... 20QAvD_BwE

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:06 pm
by shutupthepunx
i use this £7.44 delivered attatched to helmet wiith 2 zip ties. with a powerbank which i uaually have with me anyway. figured it saves me carrying a battery that can just be used for a light.

i just roll up the wire and jam it in a hole int helmet when i dont have the powerbank attatched. when i do have it attatched the powerbank lives in jersey pocket. cheap, effective. reliable? ...well so far so good.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:33 pm
by PaulB2
Yet another happy Joystick owner here (mk12 or 13). It's set to last 24 hours in low mode and I normally only run a be seen light on the bars for road use.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 3:22 pm
by Mike
A zerbra light for me on the helmet, similar size n weight to the joystick but has the bonus of more light and a battery that is removable so u can carry a spare incase. The burn times are same as js if jot a little better on lower light settings.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:30 pm
by RIP
PaulB2 wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:33 pm Yet another happy Joystick owner here (mk12 or 13). It's set to last 24 hours in low mode and I normally only run a be seen light on the bars for road use.
You sure you're happy with the 12 Paul? :wink: . The crappy rubber charging port cover on my old 12 wound me up so much I had to go as far as losing the whole light by mistake on the last Winter Event and replacing it....

So don't get a secondhand (or old new) Mk12...

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:07 pm
by PaulB2
RIP wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:30 pm
PaulB2 wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:33 pm Yet another happy Joystick owner here (mk12 or 13). It's set to last 24 hours in low mode and I normally only run a be seen light on the bars for road use.
You sure you're happy with the 12 Paul? :wink: . The crappy rubber charging port cover on my old 12 wound me up so much I had to go as far as losing the whole light by mistake on the last Winter Event and replacing it....

So don't get a secondhand (or old new) Mk12...
You’ve just reminded me of main flaw. The port did annoy me when I got it but I appear to have the knack now, not that I’ve done much riding in the last 6 months.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:35 pm
by RIP
I'm impressed - must involve some serious finger contortions!

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:56 pm
by Piemonster
My Exposure Joystick failed on me a couple of years ago

Was a MK1 mind you

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 12:51 pm
by voodoo_simon
MK 7 still working for me :-bd

Just got a Toro (not helmet mounted!) from these chaps https://sdjsports.com/, arrived within several days

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:19 pm
by Charliecres
I have a Moon Vortex Pro which was about 30% of the price of the latest Joystick and about 70% as good (a bit heavier, mount not as nice, beam not quite as bright).

I also have a new Joystick and I’d say buy that if it’s in budget.

If you’re on a budget then the Moon is pretty good.

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:35 pm
by jay91
Second hand joystick mk8 from the classified :-bd

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2020 7:54 am
by middleagedmadness
Exposure are very expensive and didn’t expect any issues but mine failed after 14months , called exposure sent it off and had it back in3days f.o.c and they reimbursed the postage so I guess it’s the old adage you pay for the service not just the light, trying convince myself now to get a maxxd (shouldn’t really need convincing as the above post says why they are expensive)

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:01 am
by ssnowman
Still using a mk 5 & 6

Re: Helmet Lights

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:06 am
by ScotRoutes
I have an Exposure Equinox as a helmet light. It's stupidly powerful in max mode but only runs for 30 minutes unless I use the Piggyback battery. It's very adjustable though and the remote switch makes it easy to change brightness as required. It also works well as a "get me home" light at this time of year if when the arrival of the dark evenings often catches me out. I use it with a clip-in adapter on the standard Exposure bar mount for this.