Got lights?

[Sheesh]

Great deal alert!

Mr. Sheesh and I just got home from REI. We were "just looking", but discovered a Night Rider MiNewt LED light for $106 (and because we're REI members, we saved an additional 20%). This light normally retails for $179 so we jumped on that deal. Night Rider just put out a newer version, so I think the deal is limited to stock on hand.

[uforgot]

Darn! I did look at the lights at my REI yesterday, but I didn't see this deal! I tried and tried to spend that 20%, but in the end I didn't.

[skyhand]

i just picked up the last MiNewt at seattle's REI. $106 - 20% = a steal... :)

[DebW]

I recently got the newer MiNewt X2 for $149. It's supposed to be 2 times brighter than the old one, according to the NiteRider web site. So you might want to compare the old and new versions and decide if the extra light output is worth it to you.

[Zen]

DebW- I take it that you haven't used that light yet? Give us a review when you do, please. I'm gonna get a light one of these days.

[divingbiker]

I "bought" the Minewt.x2 (remember I got it for free?). It's a very nice, compact, bright light, but for commuting I like to run my light in the flashing mode so I can be seen better and also save battery life. The Minewt flash was very fast--remember a few years ago when the Japanese kids were having seizures because the cartoon images were moving too fast? That's what it felt like. Waaay too fast a flash for me. If you're not running it in flash mode it would be a great light.

So I returned it and got a hitch rack for my car instead.

[skyhand]

the MiNewt X2 at REI was $189 while the MiNewt (regular) was only $86-ish after discount + sale, so it was worth the brightness hit for me. i don't do hardcore / long rides at night and mainly the flash mode with a headlamp combo. i figured i'd give it a whirl and see how it does — REI has a great return policy, so i've got nothin' to lose. :)

[DebW]

The MiNewt X2 doesn't have a flashing mode. It does have two brightness modes. I've tested it on my very dark hilly curvy street, and the light output is excellent. I did buy the helmet mount because curvy streets and handlebar mounts don't go well together. I picked up a much smaller light with a flashing mode to mount on the handlebars so I can be seen at dusk. The MiNewt will be for full-on pitch-black rides commuting home from work (no street lights around here).

[sbctwin]

[QUOTE=DebW;243195]The MiNewt X2 doesn't have a flashing mode.QUOTE]

I bought the MiNewt X2 from REI during their Labor Day Sale. It was $149. When I first turn my light on, it is in the flashing mode. I have to push the button again to get a steady light. If I push it again, I get a lower beam of light.

I like the light, but I am not sure that it provides me the strongest beam. It does light the road in front of me, but I liked the way my nite rider halogen light thru out the light. I had to replace that light because the cable leading into the battery was frayed and it finally wouldn't come on, even with me trying to 'jiggle' the wires.

I like the compactness of the MiNewt and the battery is so 'light' compared to my last light. I find it really takes me pushing the 'on' button for 10 seconds (which seems a long time) for it to come on and if I don't push the button hard enough, I have to start over, so I am not happy with the on/off function. I worry that I am not 'as seen' as I was with my halogen. I would occassionally get a car flashing their brights at me with that light, so I knew I was 'seen'.

I am sold on the size and the weight of the battery and that is why I will keep it.

[divingbiker]

The MiNewt X2 doesn't have a flashing mode. It does have two brightness modes.

Deb, if I remember correctly, to get the flashing mode on the MiNewt X2 you have to hold down the on/off button for a few seconds.

[skyhand]

i've gotta do the "few seconds" thing for last year's MiNewt to enter flashing mode too.

i dig how small and lightweight this light is!

[northstar]

Yesterday, my commute was nearly all in the dark. My handlebar light (probably $30) isn't cutting it. So, I think I am in the market for a heavier duty light...and I'd like to get one with a helmet mount. I'd probably leave the handlbar one on, and just run it on flash while I'd like a steady setting for the helmet mounted one. I ride on off-street paved trails for my commute, and it is not well lighted - lots of potential for debris/branches/puddles/sand washed onto the trail...so I need a light that will help me actually SEE, not just be seen.

Last night I spent a while at REI experimenting, but I don't want to go on the cheap and regret it...but I don't have a zillion dollars to spend, either.

What do people have and love? Or have and hate? I don't want to quit commuting before the weather forces me indoors (hopefully I have at least another month left!).

[TsPoet]

Yesterday, my commute was nearly all in the dark. My handlebar light (probably $30) isn't cutting it. So, I think I am in the market for a heavier duty light...and I'd like to get one with a helmet mount.
What do people have and love? Or have and hate? I don't want to quit commuting before the weather forces me indoors (hopefully I have at least another month left!).

I have a 5 w Dinotte. I've seen the MiniNewts. they are similar in size. I think the Dinotte is slightly brighter. The 3 w Dinotte is really more meant as a helmet mount, but the 5 w comes with a helmet mount, too.
IMHO - for a reasonably priced, reasonably small, reasonable good light - it's between these two.
The Dinotte comes with a neat battery setup - rechargeable AAs that are easy to get and charge and can be replaced with non rechargeable if you get out somewhere and need batteries.
Now if money isn't a factor and you are doing a lot of bike riding, some of the $$ halogen systems (Vega's especially) might be a good choice. Or, if doing randonnearing and need all-night light, a hub regenerator system.
Just saw this little business writup on WallStreet Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119094145555942114.html?mod=US-Business-News

[northstar]

My Dinotte 200L showed up at REI today. I got it home and mounted on my helmet, and boy am I ready to go! Such fun toys! (And costly ones too...yikes!)

I haven't been commuting by bike the past few weeks because our morning light had all but vanished. I'm psyched to get back out there!

[kfergos]

Has anybody tried out the (humorously-named) Down Low Glow (http://www.rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow)?

http://www.rockthebike.com/files/productimages/electra-rat-fink2.jpg

I've ordered one, but haven't tried it out yet (green isn't the only option, btw). But it looks like this is one possibility for getting drivers' attention plus illuminating your way pretty effectively.

[Voodoo Sally]

Wow, that is so cool!! I'd try that.

[Geonz]

I don't believe it handles weather too well. I get much the same effect with strings of LED lights ( http://www.save-on-crafts.com/chrisligandl.html )
... tho' they say indoor only, I've been drenched and they survived :)

I have a planet bike 'insight' that is also being phased out so if you can find it it's cheap. They don't keep big lights in stock at my LBS 'cause so few people want them... but that meant I could ask and we got out catalogs and I looked at all the brands in the world and got good advice about them.

On my main commuter bike, though, I have a dynamo hub. Bright light, no batteries.

[northstar]

I had the pleasure of commuting to school today with my new DiNotte! It's SO nice to have it mounted on my helmet. I was able to run it on medium most of the way, but switched it to high for the really dark stretches. I got the one with the rechargeable AA's.

It's good to ride to work again. It's not light here until after 7:00 a.m. now, and with my new light, I feel a lot safer. Yahoo!

[kfergos]

Got my new down low glow light -- it's SWEET! It's incredibly bright, lights up the road on the sides (http://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow/GSR-technology), just where you need light (but it doesn't cover the front at all). Cars gave me tons of room, even in the dark, and I felt totally visible at night. My husband verified that from a long distance I'm just a bright blue glow. It's amazing. If you ride in the dark, seriously consider spending this $100.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/1765644233_28053424da.jpg

Also, it's guaranteed waterproof and detachable (just uses Velcro and rubber attachments) from the bike. I have a couple other pictures online here (http://flickr.com/photos/kfergos/).

[northstar]

Got my new down low glow light -- it's SWEET! It's incredibly bright, lights up the road on the sides (http://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow/GSR-technology), just where you need light (but it doesn't cover the front at all). Cars gave me tons of room, even in the dark, and I felt totally visible at night. My husband verified that from a long distance I'm just a bright blue glow. It's amazing. If you ride in the dark, seriously consider spending this $100.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/1765644233_28053424da.jpg

Also, it's guaranteed waterproof and detachable (just uses Velcro and rubber attachments) from the bike. I have a couple other pictures online here (http://flickr.com/photos/kfergos/).

That is AWESOME!

[Geonz]

Wow, looks new and improved !!! (I looked at 'em a few years ago... and might have even gotten my memories confused with other stuff I was looking at.)
If I were more urban I'd prob'ly go for it. I'm afraid it might be too much for here! (When I wear my pig ears, people tend to drive over curbs...)

[Ebet]

I am a big fan of hub dynamo lights and now have them on all my bikes. My favorite are Busch & Muller D-Lumotecs, which havevery bright LEDs, almost like a mini-headlight on a car. They have a standlight feature so they stay lit for several minutes after you stop riding, and they can connect to a dynamo-powered tail light so you are visible from both directions. I love not having to deal with batteries. Apparently dynamo lights are very popular in Europe.

[Pedal Wench]

I gotta give a HUGE thumbs up for Dinotte as well. (http://www.dinottelighting.com )

I have two of the 200L lights -- one for handlebars and one for helmet, and I'm using the Li-on batteries. I LOVE them, and their customer service is extraordinary. Their lights are available at REI and Nashbar, but if you order directly from them, you get extra batteries and who knows what else they'll throw in. Rob helped me put together the exact package I needed.

[Geonz]

I"m a busch & muller fan myself, especially since they're within my price range ;) The engineering is **awesome** - the light gets bright fast, even at low speeds (it's bad when conditions are iffy, you slow down... oops, that's *less* light!) and the lens is really good at sending light to the right places.
Now, my bike shop man has to figure out how to make the on/off switch work... (I'm afraid it may be a compatibility issue with the hub itself).

[DaisySibyl]

The lights are excellent, I used to have something similar for my bike. Great work!