CREE Q5 LED Flashlight Torch w/ Holster and Bike Holder Super BRIGHT!!!!

After shopping around a lot, and considering our needs, this is the best value, at this time, for my wife, and for me.Pros:1) Brightness, I do not think you can get a similar-brightness bike light for less than $50.2) Zoom focus. Handy, especially if you do not know how wide or narrow a beam works well for you.3) Two functions only: On, or Strobing. The power button advances through an Off-On-Off-Strobing-Off sequence. Personally, I would have skipped the middle 'Off' setting, but that's a minor issue. 'On' and 'Strobing' were the only two functions I was interested in. And as you can see, more functions typically mean a more cluttered switch sequence.4) Mounting construction. It is plastic, with steel thumb-screws, and metal thread inserts. It is versatile, and gets the job done. It is not as rugged as a socket wrench, :-), And I'm sure any mischievous vandal, could grab it and break it, with a little force. But so what ? A vandal could kick your wheels and snap a spoke, but I do not see anyone asking that spokes be redesigned. I am satisfied with the quality of the mounting hardware.Neutral:1) I have no complaints with the bar-mount hardware. However the package came with an extra mounting plate and no instructions. So I have no idea what its function is.2) Zoom focus range. The beam can be focused down to a 3-inch square at 10 feet. It is not a circle, due to the shape of the CREE LED, but you won't notice this at anything but the tightest zoom.) Interesting function for a flashlight, but not of any added value for bike use. Instead, it would have been handy if the zoom could be expanded wider, as opposed to tighter. We mostly ride with the zoom at maximum width, all the time.3) Weather-proof ? I seriously doubt it, especially in the switch. As nice as the sliding zoom focus is for beginners, it is another way for water to get in. Engineering-wise, I do not think it can be helped. Just something to be aware of.-> Update:It does not claim to be weather-proof. After more experience, I suspect it will be fine, even if you get caught in the rain.Cons:1) Construction. I do not have high hopes that the switch will survive one biking season. End-button LED flashlights of this style seem to be notorious for short-life switches. And after a month of use, it has already gotten to the point of needing a wiggle or two, to get it to engage.2) Construction: 15 miles into my wife's first road trip, the lens fell out . And of course, rolled into the high grass, never to be found.->Update: Losing the lens was probably my fault. After receiving my second unit, I see that the glass lens is held in by a threaded metal ring. I probably loosened the ring when operating the zoom feature. (There is no twisting needed - the front slides in and out, to change the focus.)Conclusion: Still a great value, for a first, or second lighting purchase. I have purchased another one, with no reservations.->Update. I added a drop of threadlock to the lens keeper ring, just in case...-------------------------------------------------------------------------Two-year follow-up:--> I have changed my rating to '5 stars'.--> I have had no problems with these lights. I am rather surprised that we have not needed to replace the batteries, even after two years. Most conventional flashlights have a slight electrical drain, when the switch is off, but that does not seem to be an issue with these.My wife and I have been using them for two years, but we don't do a lot of night riding. We probably turn them on 4 or 5 times per year, and use the to less than one hour per time. The bikes are stored in our walk-out ground-level basement. We have been caught in the rain, several times. So we are relatively careful with the equipment, and have had zero problems.

First, to this sellers credit, all the issues I'm going to list below have been promptly and professionally responded to and resolved. All together I bought four of these.The quality of the flashlight is outstanding. I have a LedLenser I bought here on Amazon for over $100 (P7) and the LED flashlight that comes with this kit is 90% as bright as the P7. And that's not just my opinion, that's using a light meter bought here on amazon as well. The light is a nice bright white and as has a useful range of about 1/8 mile (660') (reflective range about double that.) The one down side is one of the LED flashlights had a defective battery holder, which was promptly replaced. The flashlights have a beam adjustment for range; short and wide or long and narrow or anything in between. At the long range, the light pattern is a perfect square. As you pull it back, it goes out to a round spot and the further you pull it back it goes to a wide flood. The switch goes low-off-high-off-high flashing-off. The high flashing mode is insanely effective if you want people to see you.Now the bike mount. It functions well, but I did have to use some old vinyl 7/8" tubing to act as a spacer on my 22mm handle bars. Its pretty easy to adjust and goes up and down and left and right. You may also notice it's "sloppy." If so, you pull out the little rubber pad and there is a screw in there that you can tighten to take up the slack. I had to tighten all 4 I bought.Now here is the problem. I bought 4 total, 2 of which broke. The seller is replacing both. One broke in the mail and one just broke on it's own. It was fine after a ride and then the next day I came out and it had snapped during the night. The problem is the plastic hinges seem to be a bit brittle. They broke right were the metal pin goes through them. It's really very thinly molded in that area. Two are still hanging in there and we'll see how the two new ones do. I strongly suggest only tightening the nut just enough to keep the mount from turning.I put two on each bike. One is focused long range and the other wide range. You can easily be seen a mile away, and with the two of them like I have them setup, close stuff is visible and long range is also very well lit at least out to 1/8th mile.Based on the price, (I paid $25 each) I don't see how you can go wrong. The flashlight is really equal to a $100 LedLenser P7 (okay 90%) and if the bike mounts hold up, then that's a bonus.