Headlight Shopping

[Becky]

In the interest of keeping information somewhat consolidated, I've elected to bump this old threadrather than start a new one.

I love our first-gen Mi-Newts. But neither DH nor I were comfortable with the idea of winter commuting (e.g. dark both ways) with them. We were outrunning them in the darkest sections of our commute last fall.

Solution? Buy Tri-Newts.

We took them out for a short spin around the neighborhood tonight. Holy macaroni are they bright! Mind-numbingly so. They're almost 500 lumens and 3:30 hours on high, 300 lumens and 7:00 hours on low.

I like that they're LED and Li-ion, and, to some extent, interchangable with our Mi-Newts. The extension cords, batteries, and chargers all appear to seamlessly work together. (If anyone has knowledge to the contrary, please let me know!) So I now have two extra chargers that can go to work with us just for back-up- a comforting thought. I've had good success with NiteRider customer service too, so that definitely played into the decision.

So far, the verdict is a positive one. About a month from now, it will be dark dark in the morning, and they'll get the true test.

EDIT: I'm not sure about the interchangeability (is that a word) of the batteries yet. I intend to call NiteRIder on Monday and will ask. The extension cord definitely works.

[Zen]

holy carp.
It better be a great light for that price.

[Becky]

holy carp.
It better be a great light for that price.

Hehe...working for a NiteRider dealer has its privileges.

[Becky]

Just in case anyone was wondering....

Per NiteRider, the Mi-Newt and Tri-Newt charger and extension cord are interchangeable. The batteries are not interchangeable.

[sundial]

I'm breaking out the NiteRider MiNewt for our evening rides and I still am pleased as punch with it. If you are still considering what's on the market, I read in Mountain Bike Action their review of lights and the NiteFlux won hands down for being the brightest--50 Lux! It's 12 watts/800 lumens.

www.niteflux.com

[Miranda]

Thx ladies for adding onto this thread. I'm still mulling over the the NiteRider lights.

I ended up going with two lights thus far, pros and cons to both. I got the HID L&M w/the cub ion battery for less $, and less run time trade off. Wow, is it bright. But, I think I don't like the weight of the lamp on my helmet. It's a beautiful product, don't get me wrong, but I have some neck/back disc issues and I can see it bothering me in this position after a while. Bar mount is ok.

I like the idea of the NiteRiders as they appear lighter (meaning more of a practical helmet solution in my case). I have a smaller multi-mount commuter light I bought off TE. It's pretty bright for the price, but not a HID obviously. I like it's lightness on my helmet, but recently used it camping and it's not bright enough in pitch black. Example: spinning the camp roads with fires burning = ok... traveling a cut through path between camp sections that's wooded, no external light except stars = not ok.

Also, I now understand what someone means about "making the light go where you need it". With bar mount, I found it bothersome in trying to turn my head to see and I could not. Like for a wild animal road side, dog, etc.

I wouldn't want to think too much about tipping my head down not to blind drivers with a HID on my helmet, so... I think I will do a combo as days shorten. HID on the bars, and lesser light on the helmet for the quick head turn. I've been doing more trail riding lately, and there obviously you don't have the issue of cars. I can see a bright helmount mount working there ok. For me, it's just needs to be pretty weight/light.

[crazycanuck]

Miranda, I used to use cateye double shots but hated the weight of the battery on my back. (someone stole the bar mount..)

Prior to purchasing our Ay-up lights, I had never come across any lights with light batteries. I don't have a clue about what's on the market in the US,but the Ay-up ones are getting rave reviews on an aussie site i visit.

Best of luck on your search!