Bike Light Vision Hack

Quite frequently I find myself using products that are either missing what are seemingly simple things that would make them easier to use, or they are not as easy to use as the designer intended.  I have one light on my bike that is designed in a way that makes battery removal very difficult.  Unless I have let my fingernails go for a while, I need to break out a small knife just to get the batteries out.  It's really annoying. 

Reader Peter has posted on Bike Hack before, and now he has a follow hack, for the same product no less.  I think Knog should hire Peter as a consultant.  Take it away Peter . . .

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Some of you may remember my solution to the problem of Knog lights that turn themselves on inside your bag or pocket causing the batteries to drain.

Well, there's another problem with batteries in lights like this, namely how to put them in the right way around. In the first picture, can you see the indications of which way the batteries should be inserted?

No? Well, nor can I without a strong light and/or a magnifying glass, as they are tiny, and white-on-white. So, to avoid eye-strain (especially when it's dark enough to need lights, right?)

I've simply marked the correct orientation of the batteries with a black marker pen, as in the second picture. On a dark-coloured plastic light I would use a dab of white-out (as I believe they call it it in the US) or Tippex (as we say in the UK).

This is a really simple and obvious "hack", but I think it could save some people some frustration or annoyance.

Comments

[gear]

Removing and reinstalling batteries leads to a problem spot in bicycling lighting systems.

Eventually performing this task innumerable times will lead to a failure on the battery holder.

I consider this an avoidable problem, I avoid it by purchasing battery setups that allow for the charging system to be plugged into the battery directly or battery holder and I don't purchase systems that require you to remove batteries.

[john]

BRILLIANT!!! but how nice would it be if it didn't matter which way the (-) and (+) went, so long as they were pointed in opposite directions?

[Ron Ablang]

I'd rather go with writing in the + and - symbols where the batteries should go because I don't believe all battery brands use an arrow to point to the positive.

[Chandelier]

Products that less efficient or impractical will not sold well in the market. Battery placement is very important because it has + and - end, incorrect placement would destroy the device.