Portland Design Works Danger Zone Tail Light

Built with two powerful 0.5-watt Nichia LED bulbs in red, the Danger Zone Taillight from Portland Design Works defends you and your bike against rear collisions with three eye-catching modes. Running with two AAA batteries, the Danger Zone offers runtimes of up to 50 hours depending on the mode. The Danger Zone's precision Euro reflector, meanwhile, maintains your visibility even when the LED is not illuminated. The Danger Zone comes complete with a backpack clip as well as a seatpost and seatstay mount so that it is easy to secure to your bike or your person. Built to withstand all weather conditions, the Danger Zone carries a lifetime warranty against defects from Portland Design Works.

The The Danger Zone attaches to your seatpost or seatstay with included mounts.

Specifications:

Two Nichia brand 0.5 watt red LEDs
Modes: zZz, a-HA!, and rock steady
Runtime: 50 hours
Euro reflector--conforms to EU standards
Rack, seatpost and seatstay mounts
Backpack clip
Power: two AAA batteries (included)
Weight: 60 grams

What's in the Box?
Danger Zone Taillight, two AAA batteries, backpack clip, seatpost and seatstay mounts

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I had three Tail Lights on my Bike (NiteRider CherryBomb, Planet Bike Superflash and the Blackburn Mars 3.0). I needed to upgrade so I got the Portland Design Works Danger Zone Tail Light to replace the Planet Bike Superflash as the main center seatpost Taillight. On night rides and night bike commutes, the Danger Zone tail light is a nice choice for being seen. This is a bright light in a small package, and is helpful for making sure you get distinguished as a Bike from behind at night. It is the same size as the NiteRider CherryBomb, Planet Bike Superflash, and the Blackburn Mars 3.0 Taillights. Includes 2 cheap Chinese AAA batteries, and a seatpost and seatstay mount. It is noticeably brighter than my Planet Bike Superflash and a bit more brighter than the NiteRider CherryBomb, which only has one 1/2 watt LED light. The CherryBomb is quite a bit brighter than the Planet Bike Superflash. The CherryBomb's beam pattern is wide, thanks to the collimator, so off-axis visibility is pretty helpful for a stand-alone taillight but to get it aimed level is so hard, the beam is often off-target, therefore I needed another bright tail light. The Danger Zone has Two 1/2 watt LED's with three light settings. Flashing mode #1 - Very slow Flash but very bright - (top LED light, bottom LED light, then both LED lights, etc). Good for dark residential streets or bike paths or locations comparatively free from heavy car traffic. TWICE the brightness of Flashing mode #2 but not as fast or "Super Flash" bright attention getting. I'd use with another bright tail light as it's Very slow. Flashing mode #2 - Super crazy, Flash bright, attention getting for 1-2 seconds then Slow for .5 seconds then Super Flash, Slow, etc. (top LED, bottom LED, then both LEDs in a crazy Super flash pattern). Great for commutes at night in heavy traffic or for a stand-alone taillight. Steady mode #3 - On bright steady-on. The flashing modes are different, but Flashing mode #2 is the most attention getting. I also like Flashing mode #1 since it's TWICE the brightness. This light has a bit of side-spill and is still visible when looked at off-center. Like more or less all LED taillights, this one is highly directional and should be aimed level. I mounted it on my seat post with the Planet Bike Superflash brand of holder. The mount is completely identical to the clip mount used by the Planet Bike Superflash. I couldn't see the bottom LED light due to my rear tire, so I mounted it to my left seat stay (the seat stays connect the top of the seat tube to the rear fork ends). I had to mount it upside down to fit and have more of an angle adjustment. Be sure to secure the Light in its mount with an audible "click". It works well there. I'm also to get a Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 1W LED Tail Light as the main center seatpost Taillight. It also has a rear reflector. The Danger Zone light itself is a basic design (cheap Chinese plastic etc). My only criticism, and it's not that big of a deal, is that I don't like how to change the batteries. You have to "pry" it open (light lens from plastic). I can see it cracking after 30 times, it's also hard to pry open/put back. NiteRider CherryBomb on my seat post top (turned horizontal to fit - Flashing mode). Radbot 1000 on my seat post main center (On bright steady-on). Danger Zone tail light on my left seat stay (Flashing mode #1 - Very slow Flash but very bright). Planet Bike Superflash on my right seat stay (On bright steady-on). I feel safer having 4 good Tail Lights. Finally, I recommend using SANYO eneloop rechargeables for these lights and using an ANSI compliant reflective vest. A reflective vest is a necessary safety device for all bicyclists who hit the roads with rude cars. The Danger Zone light really draws attention for night time city commuting. I'd recommend this light for anyone that rides on the road, bike paths, commutes, or in heavy traffic. **UPDATE October 22, 2010: I also got the Radbot 1000 Tail Light. I like the Danger Zone tail light better than the Radbot 1000 since it has 2 light lens (more visibility - top LED light, bottom LED light), has a "Flashing mode" and not a Pulse mode (Radbot 1000), and is a bit smaller. The Radbot 1000 is a bit brighter than the Danger Zone Tail Light by only 8 - 15%.