HeadLight recommendations - Page 2

joeba · 08-22-2009, 06:29 PM

I've been doing some 24 hour races and I bit the bullet and got the Lupine Betty. BIG bucks! I do love it. However, niterider now has a light, the pro12 I think, that is as bright and half the price. Might give some attention to the Magic Shine, but not familiar with that one. I've learned one thing, you get what you pay for. Do your research and buy a quality product, and it should serve you well.

GeoMan · 08-25-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeba

I've been doing some 24 hour races and I bit the bullet and got the Lupine Betty. BIG bucks! I do love it. However, niterider now has a light, the pro12 I think, that is as bright and half the price. Might give some attention to the Magic Shine, but not familiar with that one. I've learned one thing, you get what you pay for. Do your research and buy a quality product, and it should serve you well.

I love my Betty!

Westy · 08-25-2009, 08:05 AM

I would avoid Niterider. I have an HID system, regularly borrow a friends for backup. I also have a MiNewt. I really only use them during 24 hour races but have had a problem almost every time I have used them. I think it is a problem with the connectors, when things get damp from dew or rain they just stop working. Don't know about you but I expect something built for mountain biking to be able to handle a little bit of moisture.

cycleguru · 10-28-2009, 05:48 PM

I have two NR Minewts, one on my bar and one on my hat. Haven't had a single problem in two years. I ride 3 (dark) mornings a week for about two hours, so they get used.

oldfart · 10-30-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

I would avoid Niterider. I have an HID system, regularly borrow a friends for backup. I also have a MiNewt. I really only use them during 24 hour races but have had a problem almost every time I have used them. I think it is a problem with the connectors, when things get damp from dew or rain they just stop working. Don't know about you but I expect something built for mountain biking to be able to handle a little bit of moisture.

I think you might have something else going wrong. I've been using Niterider stuff and other products for years in the rain and it's never an issue, nor for my riding buddies who use Niterider as well. I do find that the connectors get a little more loose with use but they rarely come apart.

One thing to keep in mind is that Lithium Ion batteries only last about three years whether you use them or not. I have been doing a little research into Li ion cells as I represent a computer manufacturer who has had some explosive battery failures.

The HID systems use a ballast and I have experienced a ballast failure nearly annualy for each of the systems have used.

**splat** · 10-30-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I.van

I just bought a Magic Shine 900 Lumen. I think it retails for about $90 USD.

So far I have been massively impressed in the intensity of light for the price.

http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...roducts_id=138

Did a Ride last night with Berkshire rider who had that Light and an HID on the LID and the LED lamp was brighter than the HID

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

I would avoid Niterider. I have an HID system, regularly borrow a friends for backup. I also have a MiNewt. I really only use them during 24 hour races but have had a problem almost every time I have used them. I think it is a problem with the connectors, when things get damp from dew or rain they just stop working. Don't know about you but I expect something built for mountain biking to be able to handle a little bit of moisture.

I have 2 Nighte riders , bit have given me lotss of problems with the Wireing , ther ewires suck. I have a Trail Rat that I got so fed up with I ripped all of NR"s wire out and put my own in. and I have an HID that need to be rewired plus the On off switch doesn't work any more either I plug the battery in the light goes on I un plug it to turn it off. It is really fun in the middle of a 24 Hr race for everything to go dark because of an Internal wire break.

Wumpus · 10-30-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfart

The HID systems use a ballast and I have experienced a ballast failure nearly annualy for each of the systems have used.

That's just crazy. I picked up a Lume HID and am going on my third(fourth?) year with it. Not a problem.

oldfart · 11-02-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wumpus

That's just crazy. .

Indeed it is so I won't use HID anymore. The newest LED's seem relally good so far. I 'm running a Minewt on my helmet and trinewt on the bar. I have neck issues so I can't handle the heavier lamp units on my helmet anymore. I am looking into finding a bright but lightweight LED headlamp though.

Westy · 11-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wumpus

That's just crazy. I picked up a Lume HID and am going on my third(fourth?) year with it. Not a problem.

That's because NiteRider sucks. My Minewts randomly get stuck in flash mode.

NuMexJoe · 11-03-2009, 02:01 PM

Another vote for the MagicShine from Geoman. Hey, at that price, get one for the bars and one for the helmet, and I think you'd have all the light you could reasonable need. Mine's been working fine for me this season.
- Joe