[bluebug32]

Just saw that Nashbar's having a 20% off sale and I'm looking to pick up a light. I like the arc and am curious what people think of it. Where does it sit on your helmet? I had trouble with the NiteRider being too far up and too heavy on my head. Anyone know how it would compare?

Also, the NiMH battery is cheaper than the Li-ion. I know it will be heavier, but are there any other downsides to the NiMH? Does anyone use one? I know this light has a 3 hr. burn time.

Thanks!

 

[N8 v2.0]

Just saw that Nashbar's having a 20% off sale and I'm looking to pick up a light. I like the arc and am curious what people think of it. Where does it sit on your helmet? I had trouble with the NiteRider being too far up and too heavy on my head. Anyone know how it would compare?

Also, the NiMH battery is cheaper than the Li-ion. I know it will be heavier, but are there any other downsides to the NiMH? Does anyone use one? I know this light has a 3 hr. burn time.

Thanks!

I think these are really great lights based on my research last Dec.

 

[bluebug32]

I'm trying to figure out how much the light and handlamp mount weigh and I'm assuming that the NiMH battery will be okay too.

 

[robdamanii]

Li will have more useable cycles. You're looking at something in the neighborhood of 1000 cycles at 80% capacity, and maybe 5000 at 60% capacity.

NiMH will have around half the number of cycles at 60% capacity. You'll not burn out the battery any time soon (unless it shorts).

 

[DRB]

For God's sake buy a light already........

 

[robdamanii]

For God's sake buy a light already........

You should deal with it on a nightly basis, buddy.

 

[DRB]

You should deal with it on a nightly basis, buddy.

Either
a. buy her a set of lights as a present/surprise

b. tape her fingers together with duct tape.

 

[robdamanii]

Either
a. buy her a set of lights as a present/surprise

b. tape her fingers together with duct tape.

C. her mouth too? j/k

I think I'm going to pick up a nighthawk dual pro. 30 watt halogen, twin heads, helmet and bar mount...shouldn't be a bad deal. And reasonably cheap.

 

[bluebug32]

For God's sake buy a light already........

Ha! There's too many damn lights out there!

ok, ok I'll stop

 

[DRB]

Ha! There's too many damn lights out there!

ok, ok I'll stop

You do what I do about stupid stuff, stress about it for far too long. I typically end up with whatever I started with in the first place.

You've done enough research to know what's good. Now go buy it woman.

OR we are going to authorize robisgoingtoourhitmanifyoudontgetitgoing to "handle" this situation.

 

[bluebug32]

You do what I do about stupid stuff, stress about it for far too long. I typically end up with whatever I started with in the first place.

You've done enough research to know what's good. Now go buy it woman.

OR we are going to authorize robisgoingtoourhitmanifyoudontgetitgoing to "handle" this situation.

Alright, I'll **** or get off the pot. Just trying to figure out how many to order :biggrin:

 

[DRB]

Alright, I'll **** or get off the pot. Just trying to figure out how many to order :biggrin:

I can help you with that. Order one extra and send that one to me for testing in the more Southern latitudes.

 

[DRB]

PS check to see if any of the places you are looking use google checkout because you can get an extra $10 off.

 

[noname]

I have the arc ultra. Wonderful light. Bright, light weight, small battery, long battery life. Never had any issues with it, which is more than I can say for any other light I've had.

 

[bluebug32]

I can help you with that. Order one extra and send that one to me for testing in the more Southern latitudes.

Might give the emu one for x-mas if he's good

 

[def]

2 friends and riding buddies have that light. Its as bright as any other hid I've seen. It mounts ontop of the helmet there isn't the issue of too much weight in the front (as my 1st gen niterider hid). The battery is fine - just throw it in a pack. I can't comment on the durability, but both have made it through a few 12 hour races and have begun to get fired up again on a regular basis. Its the light I would buy if I ever break my old ass storm.

 

[splat]

Li will have more useable cycles. You're looking at something in the neighborhood of 1000 cycles at 80% capacity, and maybe 5000 at 60% capacity.

NiMH will have around half the number of cycles at 60% capacity. You'll not burn out the battery any time soon (unless it shorts).

Rob you have no idea what you are talking about

Li-Ion , is Lighter per Joule/gram , can charge faster, But a LI-ion , will not Like High current discharge. has A High temperature Discharge during both charge and Discharge. and tend to havea Low Voltagei in cold applications till they warm up. LI-Ion cells use a Switching technology , so THey tend to put cell in Parrelell -series , and charging a Li-Ion is much more complicated procedure , You must havea Smart charger. once charged a LI-ion will hold the charge Much Much Longer with out use. Li-Ion , will also have almost full voltage for the entire charge , however when it runs out of charge the cells Litteraly switch off.

Ni-Mh is heavier than LI-Ion, (but lighter than Ni-CD or Lead/acid) and does not hold as mucher enrgery per Gram , They tend to be a low temperature charge and discharge ( but will warm up) , and if the Cells do over heat they will be damaged. However NiMh can Put out much more current ( but not as much as Lead acid ) and they work well in the Cold ( but not as well as Ni-Cd) also a charer for NImh can use a very Basic charger ( but a Smart charger is recommended) and Nimh over time holds it voltage levels well, but as they discharge they do drop off, and slowly get very dim ( no shut off ) which is a plus and a Minus because you can tell battery is almost dead , but still ahve some light , but it is not good to deep discharge any cell!

I could get more technical on you.

Personally I'd go NImh , Because I'm cheap and the weight penalty I'm willing to deal with . if they were both the same price I'd take the LI-ion.

 

[loco-gringo]

Great light and good service, from what I see, but the mounts appear easy to break for a couple of friends. Buy the Lume dangit. You won't regret it.

 

[DHS]

i've owned this light since it first came out with the NiMH battery. still going strong. i've crashed on many times too. i think finally after 4years? i'll change the bulb. i've been using the fast charger with it every time aswell

 

[robdamanii]

Rob you have no idea what you are talking about

Li-Ion , is Lighter per Joule/gram , can charge faster, But a LI-ion , will not Like High current discharge. has A High temperature Discharge during both charge and Discharge. and tend to havea Low Voltagei in cold applications till they warm up. LI-Ion cells use a Switching technology , so THey tend to put cell in Parrelell -series , and charging a Li-Ion is much more complicated procedure , You must havea Smart charger. once charged a LI-ion will hold the charge Much Much Longer with out use. Li-Ion , will also have almost full voltage for the entire charge , however when it runs out of charge the cells Litteraly switch off.

Ni-Mh is heavier than LI-Ion, (but lighter than Ni-CD or Lead/acid) and does not hold as mucher enrgery per Gram , They tend to be a low temperature charge and discharge ( but will warm up) , and if the Cells do over heat they will be damaged. However NiMh can Put out much more current ( but not as much as Lead acid ) and they work well in the Cold ( but not as well as Ni-Cd) also a charer for NImh can use a very Basic charger ( but a Smart charger is recommended) and Nimh over time holds it voltage levels well, but as they discharge they do drop off, and slowly get very dim ( no shut off ) which is a plus and a Minus because you can tell battery is almost dead , but still ahve some light , but it is not good to deep discharge any cell!

I could get more technical on you.

Personally I'd go NImh , Because I'm cheap and the weight penalty I'm willing to deal with . if they were both the same price I'd take the LI-ion.

Ok, well seeing as how my father is a battery engineer, here's his take on the subject:

Lithium Ion is NOT temperature sensitive. NiMH is temperature sensitive by the chemistry of it. They don't work optimally when cold and fade fast in the heat. Charging a Li+ cell is no different from a NiMH cell: batteries require a BMS to manage the charging into each individual cell properly, otherwise you have a definite risk of the battery bursting into flames (which has been tested in his dryroom). It's unlikely anyone will be outside in temperatures that will affect the battery to that point, but that's the case (-30C to +60C being the ranges he's talking about).

NiMH does not have the useful life of a good Li+ battery. Bear in mind, we're talking actually WELL produced Li+ batteries, not that Thundersky sh!t that comes out of China.

Regardless, Li+ is a longer lasting system. It does have a problem that Lithium ion cells have a sloping voltage discharge - fully charged they are 4.2V and you stop at 3V, for an average of 3.6. 12V is a bit awkward - with 3 cells, that is a max of 12.6V, average of 10.8 and min of 9. 4 cells (closer to automotive) is 16.8max, 14.8 ave and 12V min. Different electronics necessary.

Two different applications...two different sets of limitations. I doubt L&M batteries are going to go into combat or go down to the Titanic, and I doubt the stuff he's building will make it onto a bike anytime soon.

 

[splat]

I doubt L&M batteries are going to go into combat or go down to the Titanic

Ahh They Might go down to the Titanic, L&M actually started out and still makes Dive lights and so dose Night rider.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Rob you have no idea what you are talking about

Li-Ion , is Lighter per Joule/gram , can charge faster, But a LI-ion , will not Like High current discharge. has A High temperature Discharge during both charge and Discharge. and tend to havea Low Voltagei in cold applications till they warm up. LI-Ion cells use a Switching technology , so THey tend to put cell in Parrelell -series , and charging a Li-Ion is much more complicated procedure , You must havea Smart charger. once charged a LI-ion will hold the charge Much Much Longer with out use. Li-Ion , will also have almost full voltage for the entire charge , however when it runs out of charge the cells Litteraly switch off.

Ni-Mh is heavier than LI-Ion, (but lighter than Ni-CD or Lead/acid) and does not hold as mucher enrgery per Gram , They tend to be a low temperature charge and discharge ( but will warm up) , and if the Cells do over heat they will be damaged. However NiMh can Put out much more current ( but not as much as Lead acid ) and they work well in the Cold ( but not as well as Ni-Cd) also a charer for NImh can use a very Basic charger ( but a Smart charger is recommended) and Nimh over time holds it voltage levels well, but as they discharge they do drop off, and slowly get very dim ( no shut off ) which is a plus and a Minus because you can tell battery is almost dead , but still ahve some light , but it is not good to deep discharge any cell!

I could get more technical on you.

Personally I'd go NImh , Because I'm cheap and the weight penalty I'm willing to deal with . if they were both the same price I'd take the LI-ion.

Ok, well seeing as how my father is a battery engineer, here's his take on the subject:

Lithium Ion is NOT temperature sensitive. NiMH is temperature sensitive by the chemistry of it. They don't work optimally when cold and fade fast in the heat. Charging a Li+ cell is no different from a NiMH cell: batteries require a BMS to manage the charging into each individual cell properly, otherwise you have a definite risk of the battery bursting into flames (which has been tested in his dryroom). It's unlikely anyone will be outside in temperatures that will affect the battery to that point, but that's the case (-30C to +60C being the ranges he's talking about).

NiMH does not have the useful life of a good Li+ battery. Bear in mind, we're talking actually WELL produced Li+ batteries, not that Thundersky sh!t that comes out of China.

Regardless, Li+ is a longer lasting system. It does have a problem that Lithium ion cells have a sloping voltage discharge - fully charged they are 4.2V and you stop at 3V, for an average of 3.6. 12V is a bit awkward - with 3 cells, that is a max of 12.6V, average of 10.8 and min of 9. 4 cells (closer to automotive) is 16.8max, 14.8 ave and 12V min. Different electronics necessary.

Two different applications...two different sets of limitations. I doubt L&M batteries are going to go into combat or go down to the Titanic, and I doubt the stuff he's building will make it onto a bike anytime soon.

Splat said "discharge."

 

[DRB]

Did we just witness a battery geek fight?

 

[McGRP01]

:yawn:

 

[N8 v2.0]

Did we just witness a battery geek fight?

next on When Nerds Attack....

 

[robdamanii]

Ahh They Might go down to the Titanic, L&M actually started out and still makes Dive lights and so dose Night rider.

I've actually seen some of the NR dive lights. Pretty impressive stuff. Not sure on the chemistry of them or the limits of the applications. Those applications are also not nearly as rough demand as some of the NASA applications being tested or some of the military applications being tested, or at least I'd think that's the case.

 

[bluebug32]

at least nerds are docile creatures

 

[brungeman]

I have seen the effects of an illfated charging of an LI-ion Battery. Took my friends workshop shed to the ground... started out as a slight explosive burst into flames that burned at what the "authorities" said was "wow close to 3000 degrees... huh huh" (I have no Idea how they knew the temp, but my friends fleet of RC airplanes was completely eliminated in the fire!)

 

[loco-gringo]

Last night when we rode an Arc wouldn't light up. My Lume was burning so I was all, "man, I am gonna get to give Beth crap tomorrow." But, it started and we had a great ride. Apparently L&M changed the start technique on their newer lights from two clicks and hold to two clicks, or something.

The light on the L&M looked solid. It would be my second choice.

 

[ktmsx]

You had to bring up a light conversation huh.!!!!!!...It took three weeks to get my new trail tech....I charged it Sat tryed it out Sunday night for a few minutes looked good.....Tuesday rolls and I am putting everything together I try the light and as soon as I switch it on POOOOOF a litlle bulb inside the switch catches on fire......MOTHER FU$%%$#$.....and SON OF A B$%$#CH..!!!!!...on top of that I could not find my cheaper one that I bought last year and just used last Thursday.......I think I left it at the trailhead.......

 

[bluebug32]

Last night when we rode an Arc wouldn't light up. My Lume was burning so I was all, "man, I am gonna get to give Beth crap tomorrow." But, it started and we had a great ride. Apparently L&M changed the start technique on their newer lights from two clicks and hold to two clicks, or something.

The light on the L&M looked solid. It would be my second choice.

haha...nice story Yes, you do have to hold them down. I think the light is so awesome though. It's nice and wide, but has a spot beam right where I need it. I definitely made the right choice!

 

[loco-gringo]

haha...nice story Yes, you do have to hold them down. I think the light is so awesome though. It's nice and wide, but has a spot beam right where I need it. I definitely made the right choice!

It is a nice light, but a plane's lights went out and he specifically requested my light to borrow to fly around with.




The L&M really would be my second choice. I did see an old helmet mount break pretty easily a while back, but it may be redesigned now.