Decent Quality Rear Lights

[Rob H]

Well it's that time of year again, time to buy a new rear light for the commuter, this time the micro switch has died meaning the only way to turn it of is by removing the batteries but it seems due to cheap build quality and parts rear lights rarely last more than a couple of years. Front lights are a different kettle of fish, I've got a Hope Vision one that I've had since the day they were released and it's pretty much as new, but that's no surprise as it seems to have been designed to last and build from metal with o-ring seals as opposed to flimsy plastic. Now the obvious choice would be to get a matching Hope rear light as I'm confident about the build quality. However Hope only have one offering the District+ which I don't like for two reasons; I really don't like external battery packs as it's more hassle removing and refitting them day in and day out (if I leave my lights on the bike whilst I'm at work they go walkies) also I'm a massive fan of lights that use AA / AAA batteries as I have that piece of mind that if I forget to charge them or they accidentally turn on in my bag & flatten the batteries I can buy an emergency set just about anywhere to see me home. So can anyone recommend a rear light that might actually last as to date my personal best was three winters out of Cateye TL LD1100.

 

[PurpleFrog]

Re:

I just did my own research and narrowed the choice down to two models, because they're the ones with the "This is lasting so much longer than my last rear light" reviews. These are the Exposure Flare and the Planet Bike Superflash/Superflash Turbo. The basic Superflash has a reputation for a wobbly switch on some lights, but comments on Amazon reviews say this is easy to cure.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

I've had a Blackburn Mars 3.0 for several years now, very bright and still going strong and now about half the price I paid: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Blackburn-Mars- ... _11459.htm