Review: Blackburn Flea light
After my less than positive experience with the Planet Bike light, I decided to try the Blackburn Flea light. I did a little test in the restroom of my LBS to see how the brightness compared to the Planet Bike Blaze 2W. I always have a little trouble with this, but it seemed pretty freaking bright, so I decided to give it a try, with assurances that I could exchange it should I find it unsatisfactory. In many ways it is similar to the Blaze with 3 settings; normal, bright and flashing.
The first thing I noticed is that it lights the periphery more than the direct beam of the Blaze. This took a bit of getting used to, but I find that I like it better as a part of my commute is a long winding downhill that is streetlight-less. Instead of only seeing directly in front of me, I could see the branches just off to the side and the squirrels contemplating making a run for it. I could also see my actual bike better, which I had never realized that I couldn’t really see.
Another feature that I was excited about is the fact that it is charged on a USB port. This means no more batteries! I hate batteries, as they cost $$ and are wasteful, esp when there are so many other ways to charge things (one day soon I will have a hub dynamo). I simply plus the charger into the USB port, attach the light and it charges. You know it is charging when it emits a low blinking light and it gets bright when fully charged. One complaint is that you don’t really have much of a warning when it needs charging; just goes dimmer and then is dark. This happened once on the aforementioned downhill and it was scary. However, with 3 hours runtime, I have only had to charge it 3 times since putting it on a month ago.
It is also easy to attach, with only velcro, but strong velcro indeed. I haven’t ridden in a downpour to know if the velcro will unstick when wet. I have, though, changed the light from one bike to another with little problem. Which I really like since I really don’t want to have to buy 2 lights!
All in all, I would recommend this light to anyone who wants something inexpensive and bright.
now THIS is a light!
http://www.geomangear.com
/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=138
i wish you guys would review this
though people already have
supposedly it;s as bright as car headlights
no $25 lights are really bright enough for going faster than walking or with streetlights
there is a “be seen” light and a “see to ride” light
this flea is really just a “be seen”
wle.
I look forward to an update after you’ve thrashed the light about a bit and gotten it sopping wet. My own experiences with a Blackburn Mars tail light weren’t totally positive, but it was a gift so I’ve got no complaints.
Is the light small and convenient enough to carry in a pocket as a spare?
“see lights” that let you really see well enough to ride are $$$
the faster you want to go the brighter it has to be
and the more $$$
people have $400 lights for a reason – they work better
though usually the point of diminishing returns is around $100
that is where you start to get lights that give you enough output to see at 20+ mph, and run for 3-4 hours – long enough to get somewhere
wle
Wle-as soon as someone sends me a light like that to review I will. Until then, I will keep reviewing the ones I can afford! Besides, I like that we review products that are in the range that nearly everyone can afford…
Steve-funny, I rode home tonight in pouring rain and it seemed fine. But I will certainly do a follow up when it has seen some major wear and tear. Yes, it is small enough to keep as a spare. And easy to attach.
I whanged my Planet Bike Superflash and it now sees the light reliably again.
I do not accept the proposition that only expensive lights are good enough to see by. My Cateye was $50 and I can see well with it. A light such as the ablackburn could do the same, though perhaps for a shorter period.
i like using rechargeable AAs. Plus, I can keep a spare on me in case the light runs out mid ride. Also, there is no expensive proprietary battery.
I just finished a review of the reviews I published on bike lighting that helps you see and be seen.
You may find something here useful.
http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/year-in-review-bicycle-lights/
I just bought this same light last week also after having been disappointed with my Planet Bike light – it rattled, doesn’t fit my new handlebars and is not bright enough.
So far, I love the blackburn. It is super bright even on the first setting, and the velcro allows me to move it from bike to bike without a screwdriver. The never having to buy batteries again is also a plus.
Cool blog! I like.
I agree that this is a good light for someone who rides the typical American bike. We use a disposable battery light on all our bikes.
I also think that an expensive city bike with generated lights is a better solution but not everyone wants that type of bicycle. It could be done as a custom option but once again not everyone wants to install a generator hub and light themselves, either.
I wonder how I would like that on my San Jose…
I couldn’t get this thing to stop blinking. For 6 nights it would keep flashing at random. So much that it would decharge itself and be useless as a riding light. I eventually just threw the thing out. Waste of $30.