Trail / Ultra Cycling Lights?

[wintermute]

Are there any reliable wider format lights you can find for sale? Most of the lighting I can find seems very budget focused. Wondering if there is anything other there to compete with outbound, exposure, magicshine etc to use for multi day races +/- dynamo compatibility?

[Tijoe]

I believe there was a thread less than 6 months ago that discussed numerous lights sold through Aliexpress.

I settled on this light after using several of the more expensive offerings on Aliexpress. Model QD-1301

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801127497663.html

Depending on what you want to use for powering or recharging lights,  6V dynamo hubs are the standard these days.  This means you can charge up battery banks or devices using 5V USB systems.   Based on this,  I have purchased a couple of 12V lights that require remote batteries. but the batteries can be charged by 5V USB cables.

M3 and M5 models.  (M5 is almost too much light, and is best on long high speed descents.) - So bright that it creates too many shadows behind objects in front of you, that at times messes with my eyes when I look away to the side.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806970501831.html.

I tried this one out that has a remove battery pack, 8.4V, and I did not like its optics as much as the ones above.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808281995594.html

[frenzen]

I believe there was a thread less than 6 months ago that discussed numerous lights sold through Aliexpress.

I settled on this light after using several of the more expensive offerings on Aliexpress. Model QD-1301

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801127497663.html

Depending on what you want to use for powering or recharging lights,  6V dynamo hubs are the standard these days.  This means you can charge up battery banks or devices using 5V USB systems.   Based on this,  I have purchased a couple of 12V lights that require remote batteries. but the batteries can be charged by 5V USB cables.

M3 and M5 models.  (M5 is almost too much light, and is best on long high speed descents.) - So bright that it creates too many shadows behind objects in front of you, that at times messes with my eyes when I look away to the side.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806970501831.html.

I tried this one out that has a remove battery pack, 8.4V, and I did not like its optics as much as the ones above.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808281995594.html

Wait so do you use Model QD-1301 and M3 a the same time? Could you show your setup, or you rotate between the two? Just curious on your process.

[Tijoe]

Wait so do you use Model QD-1301 and M3 a the same time? Could you show your setup, or you rotate between the two? Just curious on your process.

No.  They are all the lights I have played around with over the past 2 years.   I settled in using only the QD-1301 after testing numerous lights I purchased off of Aliexpress.  (Numerous <$20 lights), plus the ones the posted in the first text.   I ended up not using the M3 for Bikepacking.  I occasionally use the M3 on XC night rides when friends talk me into night riding local trails.

On Bikepacking trips I usually use a helmet light too when I know I will be riding into the night.    https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805832607711.html

I usually could send pics, but the bike currently has all of the Bikepacking accessories stripped off of it.  I'll look to see if I have a pic or 2 on my cell phone.