CYGOLITE Hotshot– 100 & 50 Lumen & 2W Bicycle Taillight Models– 6 Night & Daytime Modes– User Tunable Flash Speed– Compact– IP64 WaterResistant– Secure Hard Mount– USB Recharging– Great for Busy Roads

My daily fourteen mile rides begin around 4:00 a.m., so I want my bike to be as visible as possible. I will not spend time commenting on the quality and brightness of the Hotshot, because hundreds of other reviewers have said it all. It is BRIGHT, but it is also DIRECTIONAL, so you need to consider that when you choose where and how to install it. I could not put mine on the seat tube because I have a seat bag, so I decided to put it on the taillight hanger on the back of that bag. First, I adjusted the bag so the back-end was as close to vertical as I could get it. Then I slipped the Hotshot's clip over the bag's nylon hanger. To test it, I waited till dark and then put the bike's back-end a few feet in front of the garage door. From there, the Hotshot projected a one foot diameter beam onto the garage door. With the bike in the upright position (not on the kickstand), the light was straight in line with the bike frame and wheels (so no left or right adjustment was needed). I then moved the bike about four car lengths away from the doors and checked again. The left/right positioning was still good, but the light pointed down a little too much to be seen from a long distance by drivers (and I wanted to give them as much early warning of my presence as possible). So I attached a 3/4"x3" strip of Velcro hooks to the back of the bag, centering it right under and up against the bag's taillight hanger (so when the Hotshot was slipped on the hanger its bottom edge would be 1/2" or so below the top edge of the Velcro hooks). Then I cut two sets of 3/4"x2" pieces from both hook and loop pieces of Velcro, and glued the back of the loop sides to the back of the hook sides. Now I had two small pads to stick behind the bottom of the Hotshot's body to adjust the vertical angle of the light beam. I centered the first pad on the three-inch strip I had already glued to the bag (loop side toward the bag, hook side toward the light). Then when I clipped the light on the bag, the bottom part of it came to rest on top of the little pad, which pushed it out and caused the light to be aimed up a bit. Then I put the second pad on top of the first one, to aim the beam even higher. After moving the bike about sixty feet from the garage and checking the position of the light beam on the garage, I decided to go with just one pad. Now I am comfortable that drivers can see my light at the greatest possible distance because it is aimed at their windshields. BTW, I leave the Hotshot on Solid, on the brightest setting (it's adjustable, read the info with it), because that makes it visible at the greatest distance. Plus, I have two other lights almost as bright, one located at the top of one seat-stay and another light on the other seat-stay. Those two lights are set for rapid blinking and they are not directional so they can be seen from the sides, too). Because I use the Hotshot in the steady, brightest mode, I charge it after every ride so I always have max light.) BTW, the glue I use is a two-part epoxy with a five-minute cure time (which can be bought at any hardware store) Other glues might work, too. If this review helped you please click the button to say so, giving others a better chance to see it. Ride safe! Later: I called the company with a question and connected immediately with someone who was very polite and helpful. Quality product; quality support. [Later: I have now added a five-LED, Serfas light to the back of my helmet, using the same Velcro techniques--I'm beginning to feel well-lighted and reasonably safe (although, I keep a sharp eye on my rear-view mirror and always try to have an escape route in mind when a car is approaching--drunk drivers might not see me even if the bike and I both glowed brightly in the dark!)].

At last we have a daylight visible taillight for less than $100. I bought one of these for my daughter for Christmas and I was so impressed I bought one for myself.I've wanted a taillight that's bright enough to see in full daylight and I've also wanted a taillight with a rechargable battery. That way I can recharge the taillight before a ride just like I do the front light and know the battery won't die an hour after sunset. It also seems greener to me.This light fits the bill perfectly and I can't complain about the price either. It's very small for all the features it has - probably one of the smallest and lightest taillights I've owned. It's extremely bright but very directional. It has five flash patterns which can be sped up or slowed down (unique feature?). My only complaint about the flash patterns is that the 'random' mode sequence isn't long enough - I'd like to see a light with a truely random flash sequence. I think there's nothing that grabs a driver's attention like a large group of cyclists - except a police car.The bike mount is small and the screw that holds the mount together is smaller than average. One reviewer commented on this but it seems appropriate to the lightness of the light itself. As luck would have it, our first test ride started in bright sunlight and ended in a heavy storm. I can report the light is highly visible in direct sunlight except when the sun is directly behind the rider. It is also waterproof :-)Recharging is easy although most people will need to remove the light from the bike to recharge it which is a slight inconvenience. It comes with a USB charging cable but no charger. If you don't already have a computer or USB charger I'd be surprised.There appear to be two leds in the light. The main one has a focusing mirror/lens and is highly directional. You will need to align the light horizontally so the motorists approaching from behind can see it. If you do this, cyclists draughting you will not be blinded by the light. Don't make the common mistake of illuminating passing aeroplanes. The second led is dimmer and is flashing right now to tell me the light is charging.I have not yet tried this light at night. I'm curious to know if it causes problems for following cyclists after sundown.The mount was less than perfect. I really wanted to mount this on the seatstay because I often ride with a Carradice bag which blocks the saddle post. But there is no seatstay mount offered (what would this have cost, 50 cents?). I ended up salvaging a seatstay mount from an old, dead light. Mounting this light on a saddle bag or pocket is not an option.It seems each year the quality of bicycle lights improves dramatically. This light is currently leading that trend.Pros. Small, light, very bright, rechargableCons. Flash patterns, missing seat stay mount