+1 for the Lezyne Strip Drive. Bright, water resistant, aero, easy on and off, great battery life, decent price.
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Have both the BONTRAGER FLARE RT and within the last year I added the Garmin Varia RTL510 on the rearā¦ 
Noticed a difference straight away with the Bontrager, how cars slowed and gave me more room when passingā¦ space seems to have increased with the Varia, the fact it changes itās flashing mode when sensors the car makes a difference in their behaviour tooā¦ or maybe its just me being aware of them and moving in more.
Wouldnāt go out with out either of them, both day time and night time, battery is best on Varia, hardly ever feel like I charge it and both ANT+ controllable.
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I have this on my TT bike in the UK where rear lights are compulsory even in day time racing - 300 lumens - still visible on a sunny day - the Four4th scorpion is even brighter but is a pain to mount on ISM style TT saddles which I use.
Great light but after 2 winters on the 3rd winter it would fail to hold charge and power off no warning.
I use the Exposure TraceR light. Its well made, I think rather aesthetic and they supply a variety of mounts (including one which sits nicely on the saddle rails).
Fantastic battery life and brightness.
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Hey all,
the vario radar is really great, no more surprises on the road!
BUT, if for some reason you donāt want it: The Lupine āRotlichtā is the best āpure lightā I have ever owned: Lupine Lighting Systems Rotlicht REDLIGHT Bicycle Tail Light
(They also make GREAT lights for Moutainbiking and the such).
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I have the Knog Blinder V Kid and find it brilliant. Itās a little bit long if youāre shorter like me. These is not so much seat post for that and saddle bag but they do a little square blinder too. Will go back by default when I need to. Been using mine for commuting and long rides for 3 years now and has never let me down.
I use this for graval rides to get to the gravel on dark morningās too.
Another big fan of the varia for the radar, but the rear light is weak. I donāt have the version they just released, so maybe the new one is better. It would need to be much better to be considered acceptable in my opinion.
Iāve been using dinotte lights for many years. Pricey, but they are flame throwers. Downside - If you are riding in a group, nobody is going to allow you to run it on flash. That said, Iām not sure Iād go with Dinotte today if buying a new light. They are still really good, but there are a lot more viable options at lower prices compared to a few years ago. The performance gap between decent lights and good lights has narrowed.
https://store.dinottelighting.com/2020-quad-red-taillight-with-built-in-battery-p111.aspx
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When my Lezyne failed after considering a few I opted for the Niterider Sabre 80. I liked how it indicated the battery status, my previous Lezyne would fail no warning (not ideal for a rear light you canāt easily see from the saddle). I liked it so I bought one for my other bike.
https://road.cc/content/review/229983-niterider-sabre-80-rear-light%3Famp
yup the 1st gen Varia has dim LED lights and therefore requires a separate (flashing) rear light. I bought the Bontrager Flare RT because it is a bright light and can be controlled via ANT+ using my Garmin headunit.
Iāve got the RTL510, which I think was 2nd gen. I just checked, and the new RTL 515 is rated as the same light output, so Iād say itās still inadequate as a rear light.
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Yeah I really like mine too. The strap broke instantly and Knog did nothing, but itās a relatively inexpensive light so I used two garmin bands, slid over the seat post and use them to secure the light. The blinking pattern is useful without being overly harsh. Iām not buying another light until I kill this thing, seems to last a long time.
The DiNotte is a bright little beastie
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Rotlicht.
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Thank you all for the excellent recommendations!
Revisiting an old thread in case anyone finds this searching for tail light info-
The battery life on my old Dinotte taillight has dropped off quickly over the last few months and now dies after ~4 hours run time. So it was time for a new tail light. After a bit of research and the great experience I had with the last one, I decided to go with another Dinotte. And coincidentally, they just released a new model that is supposed to be even brighter with more battery life (overkill on top of overkill). They also have a trade in program where I saved $40 if I traded in my old light, so that takes the $ sting out a little.
These lights arenāt cheap, but I still have never seen another tail light on the road nearly as bright as these and I feel like Iāve gotten my $'s worth. Iāve been running the light night and day for over 9 years for all my road riding (at least 3,500 hours). Hoping the new one is just as good and reliable. No affiliation, etc., just a happy customer.
Iāve got a varia and also run a couple different knog rear lights, they are all amazing, impossible to miss. I had a issue with where the rubber strap broke on a bike and they sent me a new light, customer service is awesome.
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I have mainly used a cheaper rear light for gravel riding after my mate lost his Varia but for anything else its a must for me (I will still use the Varia for a gravel bike commute).
Too much road in between Gravel here - I have a tether on my varia radar. About the only reason I wouldnāt recommend it is because I wouldnāt ride without it now!
How long is long lasting? I ride Audax/Randonneuring and Ultra so this is a big issue for me. My rides often go through the whole night, sometimes several.
The biggest problem with rechargeable/USB is the put crap batteries in them period, they are out of sight and no body sees them, even top brands! Minimum capacity, and after 18 months you wonāt be getting a full charge. The best comparison i know of is one light, which i use. I cones us 2 versions USB or AAA battery. The usb last 10 hours constant light and the AAA 40 hours (80 flashing) on a single battery, you get about 30 if you charge your own AAA. No charging time and new batteries if needed at every gas station! I have 2 one on each stay at the back.
Topeak Redlite Aero.
The Garmin Radar is fantastic, the 515 has the best battery, and if you have a garmin headset. you can turn the flashing light off and use a topeak instead. This can add 10 hours for the radar.
Lots if people say, you dont need it, you should always look etc, and yes they are right you still need to look. But its an extra layer and i love it. With near silent electric/hybrid cars, wind, unexpected traffic in the small hours on a Sunday morning, tired, distracted, navigating, coaching or just making a mistake. Its a great tool