Best Phone Mount and Best Headlight

[Painkiller]

Well another year is passing us by, I like to try out different products along the way when building and setting up bicycles and thought i would share what i thought to be the best phone mount for the money and headlight for the money that i have tried out in 2024. Both come in @ around $30 or less and can be found on Amazon.
The phone mount I give 5 out of 5 star rating, all alloy cnc construction and can be had for less than $15. I have installed many this year and it is the best I have ever used period. Like most add on you can further the security of it by swapping screws with security screws to kick it up a notch. I mounted them on vintage stems and will work with most any style bar. Looks lean and compact and seems very strong with no worries of your $1000 phone flying out of it.
The model is GUB G-85 only pros and no cons on this product so far!
Headlights are crowded market with prices all over the map, probably the highest at your local LBS. This lightbar style that I give number one pick this year is a beast
with everything one would want in a light. the base model comes in around $30 for the 1800 lumen light, and they have a model with over 3000 lumens for under $50.
these lights are tactical to say the least. all alloy construction, usb c charging, 5modes, 2 to5hr runtime and about 5hr to charge. they bolt up tight and fit bars that are flat to highriser. If you are looking for a compact package with lights bright enough to run in the woods at night even and also inexpensive, weather proof even this is the light, the only con on this light is once installed it does not come off easily to charge and recommend a long usb extension cord to charge on the bike. Not really a con to me as it will be difficult to steal without breaking it especially using security screws on the clamps. Lights at your lbs with this kind of power and solid construction if they even have any at all would be upwards of $150, this light is a steal in my opinion and if it lasts a few yrs even better! The light brand is Suruid

[GirishH]

Thanks, @Painkiller.

I wish I had spoken to you earlier before ordering my phone holder. For my bikepacking trip, I researched and bought a phone holder that's more flexible because I wanted something lightweight that wouldn’t block the camera. I did consider the GUB G-85 type but decided against it since it’s less flexible in terms of setup.

My handlebar is already crowded with a handlebar bag, tent, and other gear, so I keep repositioning the phone holder, which makes it less secure. Unfortunately, I've started feeling uneasy about mounting my phone because the road conditions seem just right for it to fall out.

By the way, I checked out your headlamp on Amazon, it looks great but it didn’t have many reviews. Didn’t that make you hesitant? I rarely shop online, but when I do, I usually go for products with the most reviews. Not sure if my method is better or testing it out yourself seems much more reliable!

Thanks again for these pointers..

(12-24-2024, 03:45 PM)Painkiller Wrote:  Well another year is passing us by, I like to try out different products along the way when building and setting up bicycles and thought i would share what i thought to be the best phone mount for the money and headlight for the money that i have tried out in 2024. Both come in @ around $30 or less and can be found on Amazon.
The phone mount I give 5 out of 5 star rating, all alloy cnc construction and can be had for less than $15. I have installed many this year and it is the best I have ever used period. Like most add on you can further the security of it by swapping screws with security screws to kick it up a notch. I mounted them on vintage stems and will work with most any style bar. Looks lean and compact and seems very strong with no worries of your $1000 phone flying out of it.
The model is GUB G-85 only pros and no cons on this product so far!
Headlights are crowded market with prices all over the map, probably the highest at your local LBS. This lightbar style that I give number one pick this year is a beast
with everything one would want in a light. the base model comes in around $30 for the 1800 lumen light, and they have a model with over 3000 lumens for under $50.
these lights are tactical to say the least. all alloy construction, usb c charging, 5modes, 2 to5hr runtime and about 5hr to charge. they bolt up tight and fit bars that are flat to highriser. If you are looking for a compact package with lights bright enough to run in the woods at night even and also inexpensive, weather proof even this is the light, the only con on this light is once installed it does not come off easily to charge and recommend a long usb extension cord to charge on the bike. Not really a con to me as it will be difficult to steal without breaking it especially using security screws on the clamps. Lights at your lbs with this kind of power and solid construction if they even have any at all would be upwards of $150, this light is a steal in my opinion and if it lasts a few yrs even better! The light brand is Suruid

[Painkiller]

(12-26-2024, 02:09 PM)GirishH Wrote:  Thanks, @Painkiller.

I wish I had spoken to you earlier before ordering my phone holder. For my bikepacking trip, I researched and bought a phone holder that's more flexible because I wanted something lightweight that wouldn’t block the camera. I did consider the GUB G-85 type but decided against it since it’s less flexible in terms of setup.

My handlebar is already crowded with a handlebar bag, tent, and other gear, so I keep repositioning the phone holder, which makes it less secure. Unfortunately, I've started feeling uneasy about mounting my phone because the road conditions seem just right for it to fall out.

By the way, I checked out your headlamp on Amazon, it looks great but it didn’t have many reviews. Didn’t that make you hesitant? I rarely shop online, but when I do, I usually go for products with the most reviews. Not sure if my method is better or testing it out yourself seems much more reliable!

Thanks again for these pointers..

"By the way, I checked out your headlamp on Amazon, it looks great but it didn’t have many reviews. Didn’t that make you hesitant? I rarely shop online, but when I do, I usually go for products with the most reviews. Not sure if my method is better or testing it out yourself seems much more reliable!"
Good question, I am more hesitant spending more money than I need and ending up not liking a product. As far as reviews even those are hit and miss. And thus i do like to try other products out. I spend more time thinking about the application that I have to work with and how the fit up might be and what the end result will look like on the bike, just as important though is how it is built (or seems to be) with the available info that I have to work with. Most lights are plastic/resin and lever style bulky clamps and on the low side of lumen output, even big name ones like Bontrager/trek lights are very pricey and the prices skyrocket for one with higher output but still a lot of plastic, bulky clamps etc. I like a light to be effective, as much alloy as possible, the options of using security types of screws is also nice. and I like a sleek and tight set up without spending tons of money. This light fits the bill, this style also has a claimed 6500 lumen output version also, in reality if it only truly was 3000lumens that is still a beast of a light and at around $50 well worth a look I think. It will be next purchase to compare, also can even charge your phone if need be. If they do not last at least a year I would consider them junk, will have to find out what only time can tell me on that question. One thing for sure is no one will steal it without taking the whole bike and i plan to try and test out some gps trackers to help with that issue also

[enkei]

That headlight looks impressive! I use a Quad Lock when I want to secure my phone to my bike. It's super secure and really easy to use.

[GirishH]

@Painkiller, truly helpful reply..

As someone who rarely buys things online, I thought the best way to not go wrong was go with reviews. But, your explanations make a lot of sense. I have had a few misses even when I went with products with good ratings. Recent fail with a BioLite Headlamp is a sad and scary example..

Then, I hit jackpots with some products even when they had no reviews and I took a chance. My fatbike or the bags I use for my bikepacking trip are examples.

You helped me connect the dots..:-)

I will have to give GUB G-85 headlamp a second look especially if it can also charge phone. That's a great plus..

My one issue with GUB G-85 or such handlebar headlamps is that they get blocked by my handlebar bag, tent and other things. May be I need a handlebar extension.

What's your reasoning for handlebar vs head/helmet mounted headlamp?

Thanks and happy new year.

(12-27-2024, 10:16 PM)Painkiller Wrote:  

(12-26-2024, 02:09 PM)GirishH Wrote:  Thanks, @Painkiller.

I wish I had spoken to you earlier before ordering my phone holder. For my bikepacking trip, I researched and bought a phone holder that's more flexible because I wanted something lightweight that wouldn’t block the camera. I did consider the GUB G-85 type but decided against it since it’s less flexible in terms of setup.

My handlebar is already crowded with a handlebar bag, tent, and other gear, so I keep repositioning the phone holder, which makes it less secure. Unfortunately, I've started feeling uneasy about mounting my phone because the road conditions seem just right for it to fall out.

By the way, I checked out your headlamp on Amazon, it looks great but it didn’t have many reviews. Didn’t that make you hesitant? I rarely shop online, but when I do, I usually go for products with the most reviews. Not sure if my method is better or testing it out yourself seems much more reliable!

Thanks again for these pointers..

"By the way, I checked out your headlamp on Amazon, it looks great but it didn’t have many reviews. Didn’t that make you hesitant? I rarely shop online, but when I do, I usually go for products with the most reviews. Not sure if my method is better or testing it out yourself seems much more reliable!"
Good question, I am more hesitant spending more money than I need and ending up not liking a product. As far as reviews even those are hit and miss. And thus i do like to try other products out. I spend more time thinking about the application that I have to work with and how the fit up might be and what the end result will look like on the bike, just as important though is how it is built (or seems to be) with the available info that I have to work with. Most lights are plastic/resin and lever style bulky clamps and on the low side of lumen output, even big name ones like Bontrager/trek lights are very pricey and the prices skyrocket for one with higher output but still a lot of plastic, bulky clamps etc. I like a light to be effective, as much alloy as possible, the options of using security types of screws is also nice. and I like a sleek and tight set up without spending tons of money. This light fits the bill, this style also has a claimed 6500 lumen output version also, in reality if it only truly was 3000lumens that is still a beast of a light and at around $50 well worth a look I think. It will be next purchase to compare, also can even charge your phone if need be. If they do not last at least a year I would consider them junk, will have to find out what only time can tell me on that question. One thing for sure is no one will steal it without taking the whole bike and i plan to try and test out some gps trackers to help with that issue also