Reelight SL500 Rear Taillight

Several years ago I was working in Japan and bought a bike for transportation. I wanted a taillight, so I bought one from a hardware store there for less than ten bucks which worked on the same induction or dynamo principle as this Reelight uses. It was far simpler, had a single magnet that attached neatly to the spokes, and the pickup and light were all in a single compact lightweight unit that mounted on the seat stay. Of course it never needed batteries. I loved that practical gadget, but can't find that type for sale anywhere now.This Reelight is too bulky, too complicated, tries to fit every possible bicycle, yet doesn't fit my ordinary bicycle at all well.There is no reason why the pickup coil unit needs to be so huge and bulky and heavy. It is ridiculous.I would much rather have the light built into the pickup, and let the light shine through the spokes to the other side. The "advantages" of mounting the light elsewhere do not make up for the additional complication, exposure to damage, and wiring hassles.The mounting straps for the pickup unit are so huge, so unnecessarily long... surely no bicycle on earth has frame stays so massive as to require this goofy design. The magnets are similarly designed with numerous extra screw holes to adapt to who-knows-what type of spoke lacing, yet don't really fit neatly in any one case.The manufacturer intends you to mount the light unit up on your seat post. Unfortunately, if you have a rear rack or basket with anything much in/on it, it will block the taillight completely. Jeez, I thought this was a PRACTICAL accessory... why not design it for PRACTICAL bicycles? So I wanted to mount the light at the rear of my rack, which has a cargo bag strapped on top at all times. Guess what? The wire is too short! Plus they do not include any mount to fit any alternate locations.It really irritates me to know that this whole thing could have been so much simpler, so much lighter, so much easier to install, so much more practical... and so much cheaper, to boot.

Great product. Rear led light flashes only when cycling via magnetic induction. No extra energy needed to generate electricity as there is no physical contact. Only need to carry the additional weight of unit. The flashing light is always on. I wanted something simple and did not opt for the more expensive backup/steady on model with a capacitor for the flashing light to stay on while stopped for a short duration.

Works great a definate must for all bikers. No batteries to worry about any time you ride. Feel safe that you are more visible to everyone.

This light flashes twice per revolution. A bit of work to mount, but no big deal, with some persistance and attention.

lights need longer wire, front wire would not reach up to the handle bar riser,back wire would not reach up to the seat post, both were unwound all the way, took some time and fiddling to get both mounted, generator and magnets were not too bad to install.

the idea here is to save $, well this dang light gets er done & works to boot. Down fall...no light at the stop lights!