Cateye Micro Halogen Headlamp Bike Light - Clear

great quality bicycle light and decently bright for conventional filament type bulb. Easy to switch on/off and directional too.

Pros: 3,000 candlepower. Simple, robust mount. Ingenious, no-tool disassembly (for changing bulbs).Cons: Non-dimmable. Shorter battery life. Somewhat bulky. Not bleeding-edge tech (design is quite old by 2011 standards). Doesn't flash. Replacement bulbs increasingly hard to find.Overall: Despite the cons, and despite the growing efficiency & popularity of LED lights, this light remains my all-time favorite. Eventually, I'll retire it for a slimmer Cateye light, such as the Nanoshot (Nov 2011), which puts out a 2000 candlelight beam via a self-contained, rechargeable (via usb & other means) Li-ion battery. There's also the Cateye Econom Force 540 battery-operated light that puts out 4,000 candlepower (also available in a rechargeable version), but that light isn't out yet.But here's the thing: a Nanoshot runs about $100.00. This 50% brighter light runs $17.00. For an additional ~$25.00, you can buy four 2300mAh AA rechargeable NiMH batteries & a recharger. What's more, by utilizing AA batteries instead of a built-in battery, this light gives you three options: 1) AA alkaline batteries 1.5v, 2,600mAh; 2) AA Li-ion batteries 1.5v, 3,400mAh; 3) AA rechargeable NiMH batteries, 1.25v, 2,900mAh. At 1.5v & 3,400mAh, the Li-ion batteries will throw the brightest continual light for the longest time (a true 3,000 candlepower), though Li-ion AA batteries aren't rechargeable & are expensive. The AA alkalines will also give a true 3,000 candlepower, but won't last as long as the Li-ion batteries. At 1.2v, the rechargeable AA NiMH batteries throw slightly less light (still very bright), but last quite a while and are very economical when recharged (which takes a very short time.)What does all that mean? Hell, I dunno. Except this: for riding on streets at night/early morning, I use NiMH rechargeables. It still throws a helluva beam that beautifully illuminates the street out to 15-20 meters, which is more than enough warning for potholes, drains, & other obstacles. The spillover light (the light that isn't focused) lights up road signs for a good hundred yards ahead. I've even had, on occasion, oncoming drivers flash their high-beams at me.Off the bike, the advantages are that, because it uses replaceable batteries, it makes an excellent flashlight. Loaded with Li-ion batteries, it's perfect for camping, especially backpacking, trips where weight & bulk is a consideration and recharging isn't an option.For $17.00 or so, this is a great bargain. I've had my light for over a decade and the bulb has yet to fail. That'll happen one of these days, but so far this has been the best bike light I've ever owned. Thanks, Cateye.

I bought the HL-500II in 1997. It is identical to this HL-EL500II in all ways except for color. Mine is all black. Light still works. In three years, it will be 20 years old. I think I'll be buying a second one myself.

this headlight for me is the best it makes drivers put on there bright light on there cars,only to realise its a bicycle love it.