I'm looking for a lightweight, reliable, rechargable handlebar mounted headlight. I've got a couple and I'm not fond of either. One just isn't bright enough and the other is like a spotlight, doesn't light enough of the road surface.
From those reviews, I personally have bought and used a number of different units from Gemini Lights (https://gemini-lights.com/collections/lights) for myself and family members. I am a regular bike commuter, and these lights have been heavily used thru the long, dark and wet Pacific Northwest winters and have been great. I am now on my third set of batteries in about 8 years, keeping in mind I've uses the lights about 75-90 minutes every weekday for about 5 1/2 months of the year.
I went to REI and got a Cygolite and Night rider. Both great brands. I took the night rider back as the cycgolite had a great beam pattern (wider and more dispersed). I thought I wanted a long throw light, but wider worked better at 800 lumens.
There are a lot of good lights out there. What really makes the difference to me is how they mount. The Light in Motion is compact, strong, and light enough to mount to my helmet. But that silicon strap allows me to mount it to anything. To a traditional bar, to my flat "aero" bar, even to my helmet.
I also have a tiny 450 lumen light that is pretty integrated into my handlebar, and light enough not to really notice if I put in on my helmet. Again, silicon mounting strap.
I have two Light in Motion lights. One us the Urban 350 (I think) and the other is the Rando 500. The 500 allows for use while charging (on the low setting), which is one of the reasons I got it, aside from already being impressed with the 350. I ride a lot at night and I find the low setting on either sufficient, unless I'm on the trail or unfamiliar roads.
US made, great quality, incredible value. run time of about 3 hours at >2000 lumens, much longer at lower settings. batteries are inexpensive so you can have a spare. mount is excellent. i have nothing but great things to say about their lights.
