London Fixed-gear and Single-speed SJS Cycles

i got a test unit for review off these guys
http://thephotonshop.co.uk/page22.htm

and did a head to head with the Hope Vision 1 LED Front Light, because it is probably it's nearest rival.

it's well made, feels sturdy, yet is light enough to attach to a helmet.
only takes 2 AA's. you do have to buy the handlebar mount seperately though.

all the pics were taken from the same range, focusing on the same spot.
first pic is the hope in the dimmest mode
second pic is the Hope in high.
third pic, the Fenix in dim.
the fourth, the Fenix in high.
the fith, against a wall, Fenix on the left Hope on the right (dim mode)
the sixth, Fenix on the left, Hope on the right (high mode)

Handy resource, especially if the title gets edited ;)

The beam pattern for the Fenix is almost identical to those cheap Romisens. Floodier than the Hope, but less coverage in the spot.

I use a Romisen on my helmet for fast descents, or twisty sections, but otherwise switch it off.

I quite like running the Hope on medium and the Romisen on low for long-burn-time 'normal' rides (both bar mounted), as the extra bit of flood from the torch is nice to have in the immediate foreground. The same thing applies at higher speed (or if I'm on my own and getting scared), running the Hope on high, and the Romisen on high too.

I never use the Hope on max, as it doesn't add much to high, but reduces the burn time from 4hrs to 3hrs.

It's also reassuring to know you've got a second beam going if you suspect the Hope's batteries are running low - because they just cut out completely without warning.

[/nerd]

it's hip to be square

Sweet nice one murts, may just get that fenix for next seasons TNRC.

What are the run times murtle?

there are run times on the website.
will have to wait and see how correct they are. too early to tell yet.
the guy is also thinking of doing a good price on a group buy.

half the price
half the weight
half the batteries

Count me in ... I feel a list coming on.

1. arnold gostron (provided can do either 15% discount OR free bikemount).

fenix comes with several flashing modes too which is nice, discount on group buy might tempt me.

how can this
http://static.londonfgss.com/attachm...428-fenix2.jpg

be the same light as this
http://www.ecovelo.info/images/l2d-230.jpg

i took the first shot, the beam pattern is totally different. as you can see.

....the flashing mode should carry a health warning - it's epileptic!

it is.

i'm just sorting out now how the LFGSS offer will work - summary though - It'll be L2D, LD20 or TK11 plus a free mount.

(Arnold, Dylan your wish has been granted).

In for a group buy on these, I may even take two if the price is made even more appealing.

they are already half the price of Hopes

Excellent review Murts.

coming from you, that's great :)

Oh the price is already very good, I would definitely take one, but as soon as someone mentioned a group buy and further discounts my ears pricked up ;)

tightarse :)

you'll get a free mount worth a tenner

@murtleflaps

Tbf, bumfluff has way more style. I'd pay more attention to him than to me.

Weird though that we agreed on something. ;)

Good review.
I'm in for a group buy

ok, we have a code, to be used when ordering....if we get some numbers up.

it'll be a free mount worth 8.00

pictured


which is actually very sturdy.

more detail of the bits of kit in the offer:

http://thephotonshop.co.uk/page22.htm - LD20
or http://thephotonshop.co.uk/page23.htm - L2D
or http://thephotonshop.co.uk/page37.htm - TK11

comes with TWOFISH LOCKBLOCK BIKE MOUNTED TORCH HOLDER. from
http://thephotonshop.co.uk/page64.htm

standard and R2 versions of the TK11 will be included in the offer.

Note: Murtle tested the 'smooth for enhanced throw' reflector on the LD20.
Rather than the orange peel for enhanced spill.

the L2D is 'softer' with more spill by default.
the LD20 with orange peel is apparently 'between the two' - more like the Hope pattern of output but more[tm].

Win

:D

braker?? you pulled out?

Finally lfgss=candlepowerforums.

A sad day.

Soz, i was still considering the various models...

1.) braker: 2xLD20

i am not really too up on the terminology or what is considered best for different purposes

however i am unlikely to be off roading, so which of these lights would give the better beam for commuting and night rides on country roads

am sure that some facetious fucker will suggest i shove a fucking bright light far enough up my arse that I just have to look forwards and open my mouth to light the path in front...

but hopefully i will find a vaguely sensible response somewhere

no chance here

I suggest you shove a fucking bright light far enough up your arse that you just have to look forwards and open your mouth to light the path in front

Use the LD20, more girth.

when you add yourself to the list I will PM you your discount code. there. sorted :)

the procedure then:
1) wait for the PM from me - or prod me if you haven't received one.
2) go to http://thephotonshop.co.uk/
3) add to your basket the torch(es) you want.
4) put your discountcode in the NOTES section of the checkout page. OR email to the address I will send with the discount code and pay your bill. a free mount will be added to the order.
5) await postman.

The Photon Shop are the UK Distributor for Fenix and are your first point of contact for any issues etc. They're lovely to deal with :)

thanks to Murtle for the review
and thanks to The Photon Shop (http://thephotonshop.co.uk) for putting this together with me :)

IMHO: the default if you only want 1 torch, and AA batteries is probably the LD20 with the 'smooth reflector' lens. Good Spill, good throw (check the pix) and is the torch I've been using for night riding for a while. This is the one that Murtle reviewed and that I have (see pix for spill/throw)

if you go for 2 torches, you could consider 2 x LD20, one with the 'orange peel' lens (for wider beam = enhanced spill but less distance) and one with the 'smooth reflector' for distance 'enhanced throw' and powah.

'Choice of reflectors - smooth for enhanced throw, orange peel for enhanced spill.'
as it says on the site.

HTH.

alien,

2 x LD20 purchased as per your suggestion, one OP, one smooth.

Thanks for sorting out the free lockmounts.

and some more info ref your LD20 choices:

"There isn't a huge difference between LD20 smooth and OP reflectors, new model with clip comes in OP only, as a result. For the classic model, OP is recommended.
L2D offers more of a flood beam for those that want it."

so saying, if you check the spill of the test torch, it's pretty damn good anyway. so there we go.
But if you want real flood + distance maybe L2D + LD20 might do the trick. not tested tho, YMMV.

you're welcome :-)

Do they really sell that mount for £8?

:-/

I don't mean to take anything from those who've sorted a dsicount but have you seen what you can buy at dealextreme? Worth checking before rushing into this. I bought 2x 230 lumen (tiny) Cree torches, 6x batteries, charger and mounts for £40 inc postage.

throw it my way if you want it tested properly, I will drop it in sewage, throw it down derelict building stairs and generally abuse it. Trust me I get through torches like they are toilet paper

You wipe your arse with torches?

Your doing it all wrong!

lol nope but I use torches properly, long use underground.

Ever had to find the surface using just a camera flash?

I got lost in Shunt (London Bridge) after hours, it's a fucking maze. All I had was the dying flash from an Olympus XA

:P

I've had the LD20 ('orange-peel' reflector)for a year. Fantastic piece of kit. Also the Photon Shop chaps are a pleasure to deal with - top-notch service.

great Feedback for them, thanks Spiny.

*bump* offer still active peeps!

http://img210.imageshack.us/i/sscp7gardenbd9.jpg/

Sorry for duplicate posting.