I went by Lowe's this week, which is a bit of a trek, since it is in Midlan d, 50 miles away. I bought two of the Lowe's Task Force 2C flashlights pic tured, along with others, in the link that Kai posted:
http://www.nordicgroup.us/
The current version looks exactly like in the photos, quite classic looking IMHO. Takes two C cells (included). This is indeed extremely bright, by far the brightest flashligh I have ever used, on a bike or otherwise. It w as marked down from $30 to $25. The link mentions one should look for the CREE emitter version, not the Luxeon. The package didn't actually say CREE anywhere, but it was maked 60X as they mentioned. The only downside so fa r is it doesn't seem one can adjust the width of the beam.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
> From: Kai Hilbertz <khilbertz@googlemail.com>
> Subject: Re: [CR] Flashlights for Bike Lighting
> To: "CR List" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net
> Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 11:07 AM
> Jan. 13, 09
>
> Hello List,
>
> I'd suggest a modern LED flashlight with a classic
> shape, such as the AA size LED Maglite in silver:
> http://www.maglite.com/
>
> The best Maglite mount I know of is here:
> http://dkg-cnc.com/
>
> For alternatives to mounting on the stem, Paul makes a
> doodad here:
> http://store.paulcomp.com/
>
> Bruce Gorden makes a nice CNC "Tailight", more
> at:
> http://www.bgcycles.com/
>
> For further mounts, suggestions etc., check out:
> http://www.nordicgroup.us/
> http://www.instructables.com/
> tho)
>
> Of course, no Maglite or other flashlight will give you the
> optimal beam of a modern bike-specific LED battery head
> light. I personally like the Busch & Müller Ixon IQ :
> http://www.bumm.de/
>
> It's available in the US from Peter White:
> http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/
>
> The top of the page shows the older Ixon (without
> "IQ") in silver, the Ixon IQ comes in black. To
> quote Peter:
>
> "New in 2007, the Ixon IQ looks about the same as the
> Ixon, but has a brighter beam. It uses the same AA NiMH
> batteries and charger, the same mounts, and is compatible
> with the Ride & Charge. See below for the Ride &
> Charge. As with the Ixon, you can leave the batteries in the
> Ixon IQ, and with its charger, charge the batteries just by
> plugging the charger into the bottom of the light, even
> while mounted on the bike. Or, with the Ride & Charge,
> keep the batteries charged inside the Ixon IQ with a dynamo
> while you ride during the day.
>
> 5 hour run time at high power, 40 Lux
> 20 hour run time at low power, 10 Lux
> Ixon IQ without batteries or charger: $ 115.00
> Ixon IQ with 4 AA NiMH batteries and charger: $
> 147.00"
>
> Even better would be a nice dynamo hub, such as the SON
> 20R. I've got two of these, plus two SON 28's. But
> that topic's a whole 'nother can o' worms.
>
> Greets
>
> Kai Hilbertz
> Munich, Germany
>
>
>
>
> On 13.01.2009, at 16:00, Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote:
>
> > To raise a non-contraversial, if there is such a thing
> here, issue in connection with touring/randonneur bikes.
> Anyone know of currently available flashlights appropriate
> for use on such bikes?
> >
> > I asked Chris at Velo Orange when he would again have
> the flashlights he was selling a while back. His answer was
> that he does not currently expect to have them again.
> Evidently, the ones he was selling were made by small
> Japanese firms, and he tells me the deamnd is so strong in
> Japan, the the manufacturers have no interest in exporting
> to the US, as they can sell everything they make at home.
> >
> > Of course, in terms of producing light, most any
> flashlight will work, but one prefers something the will
> look elegant. I suppose many of us would define elegant in
> this instance as reminescent of the lights on French
> constructeur bikes before or shortly after WWII, although I
> must note that in the book (in French) Jan Heine is selling
> documenting the history of PBP, the photos from recent years
> show some competitors using flashlights that would strike
> most of us as distinctly un-classic.
> >
> > Surely there must be flashlights currently made in
> America, Europe or UK or in larger quanitity in Asia that
> would look suitable on a touring bike? Anyone have any
> suggestions?
> >
> > On a related issue, most flashlights, at least those
> available in USA, use C or D size batteries. I've come
> to prefer rechargeable batteries as a way to minimize the
> need to dispose of potentially hazardous materials, although
> even rechargeable batteries will eventually be discarded.
> Anyone know where to get the best prices on rechargeable C
> and D batteries and on chargers that will handle these
> sizes? I know such do exit, but they are not nearly as
> common as the AA and AAA size rechargeables that can now be
> purchased at most any drugstore or discount store.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Jerry Moos
> > Big Spring, Texas, USA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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