[BigMike]

OK, I need a good headlamp. I've been looking at the nightrider headlamps, and cant decide what I should get There is the 10 watt Head Trip , The 6,10 or 15 watt Digital Head Trip for a little under twice the price, and there is the 40 watt equivelant HID Storm which doubles the price again.

I dont know how often I am going to use it, I plan on twice a week, but depending on how my school schedual goes, who knows. The Storm has a lot of advantages including faster charge time, faster run time, and MUCH brighter light. I just cant justify that much money on a light if I am not sure how often I am going to use it....

What do you all think? Should I just suck it up and spend the money to get a better product? or go with somthing not as bright with a much shorter runtime?

 

[reflux]

Congrats! I bought a headlamp last Summer and by far had the most fun nightriding that I had in a long time. In my opinion, I definitely think that the most important thing in a light is reliability. Runtime is also freakin important, but not nearly as having a light that you know won't crap out on you and leave you f'd in the middle of nowhere. That being said, I don't know where NR is with durability now, but I know that they had quite a bit of room for improvement some time back.

I have a non-HID headlamp and couldn't be happier. Unless you're riding trails under a forest canopy that'll let in no moonlight, an HID is probably overkill. If you have horrible eyesight, ride those kinda trails, or a gear whore, buy an HID. I used a friend's HID once and while it was nice, it didn't really offer enough of an advantage to give up my L&M.

 

[splat]

i generally use my homemade lights, halogen aand nI-cad batteries. reliability is definatly the most important thing. getting stuck out in the woods in the dark is no fun.

things to consider.

1) reliability , they must keep working , else you are screwed.
2) brightness they need to be bright enough to do the job at hand. LIghts for commuting on the road don't have to be as bright ( but it is nice ) as ones for riding off road
3) run time, if they don't last as long as you are out you are screwed.

as I said I have been using home made systems for 15 years , but 2 weeks ago I demoed an HID system at pedro's fest :love: now i think I may have to bite the bullit and in venst in one of those, it was nice!!!

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Ok i have ridden both the digital pro 6 and the HID, it just basically comes down to cost...I personally wont ride another halogen again its all HID from this point on. They are just so far superior to anything on the market it is silly. They light throw and run time are just amazing. So you can see what side I am leaning towards, but like you said the cost is an issue...hope this helps!

 

[riderx]

If you want reliability, my opinion is to stay away from Nite Rider. I've owned two of them and won't ever buy another. I have several friends who feel the a same. Now have a great Light and Motion HID. Expensive but unbelievable. If you can afford it, get it.

 

[Vermont]

reliability, run time and last of all for those of us who aren't bill gates...$$$$ cost.

I got the vistalight 25 system last year for about $170, i have a 5w on my helmet w/battery in camelback, a 5w and 15w on my bars. The 5w's last 3 hours and the 15w lasts an hour, they are 3 seperate systems so if any one fails i still have 2 other lights to get out of the woods...i also carry an extra battery jic. I have buds with $400 hid's and buds w/homeade lights, i prefer the light on my head and adjustability of two lamps on my bars. i usually leave the 15w off except for downhills and its great...good luck and have fun out there. jmho

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11532-225_VISC23-2-Accessories-35-Lights/Vistalite-Nightstick-Code-25.htm

 

[golgiaparatus]

Ive been running the same lamps for years. I have a 15 watt bar mount with wide focus and a 12 watt headlamp with narrow focus. Works great. In many areas I can ride at speeds near 100%. SOme of the HID's are so bright I imagine they work great but they are more than anyone needs IMHO, especially with that pricetag.

- JB

 

[BigMike]

Well, I'm glad that everyone says that the HID is overkill..... So now I dont have to spend so much money

Interesting though, how some of you say stay away from niterider. The other people I've talked to (non monkies) all love their niteriders

I have heard from my co workers and friends that niterider is a good company and they are realiable. (plus I can get a deal on them )

So between the 10 watt, and the adjustable 6,10, or 15 watt.. is it worth the extra money? and If i'm just gonna go with the 10 watt, why not just get a genaric brand?

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I have also had reliability problems with my NiteRider Digital Pro 6 - the bulb connector system is unreliable and god help you if you have to change a bulb on the trail (SAE allen wrench, tiny screwdriver, lots of parts to lose).

J

 

[stosh]

reliability, run time and last of all for those of us who aren't bill gates...$$$$ cost.

I got the vistalight 25 system last year for about $170, i have a 5w on my helmet w/battery in camelback, a 5w and 15w on my bars. The 5w's last 3 hours and the 15w lasts an hour, they are 3 seperate systems so if any one fails i still have 2 other lights to get out of the woods...i also carry an extra battery jic. I have buds with $400 hid's and buds w/homeade lights, i prefer the light on my head and adjustability of two lamps on my bars. i usually leave the 15w off except for downhills and its great...good luck and have fun out there. jmho

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11532-225_VISC23-2-Accessories-35-Lights/Vistalite-Nightstick-Code-25.htm

Damn thats a good price.

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

Get a nightrider HID, that is my recomendation! I worked at a nightrider dealer for 5 years, personally i feel they are the best on the market!

 

[golgiaparatus]

Well, I'm glad that everyone says that the HID is overkill..... So now I dont have to spend so much money

Interesting though, how some of you say stay away from niterider. The other people I've talked to (non monkies) all love their niteriders

I have heard from my co workers and friends that niterider is a good company and they are realiable. (plus I can get a deal on them )

So between the 10 watt, and the adjustable 6,10, or 15 watt.. is it worth the extra money? and If i'm just gonna go with the 10 watt, why not just get a genaric brand?

I have had 2 friends have trouble with NR... both of them with digital headtrip. Around here everyone uses Turbo Cat... I use Marwi, though I did have 1 of my Marwi lights catch on fire about a year and a half ago, it was repaired/warrantee'd and returned to me in perfect working order.

 

[Jozz]

though I did have 1 of my Marwi lights catch on fire about a year and a half ago

I have an image of a guy blazing downhill, pitch dark, with his head on fire, screaming like a girl...

now that would be 100% pure comedy!

BTW: I have a Digital Evolution 15W system, and I think power is plenty and got the advantage of fast charging compare to non digital system. HID are a bit overkill IMHO, kills the trills of riding at night. Never add any problems with mine, so far so good.

 

[Wumpus]

I have four halogen lights and when I can scrape together the money my next one will be a HID. If you are going to do offroad riding, that is what I would recommend. They have much longer burn time. Though, I will use the halogens on the the handlebar for emergencies.

One other thing, the HID bulbs are expensive.

Quite a few people around here have got this light --> Lume Light

 

[Wumpus]

I have had 2 friends have trouble with NR... both of them with digital headtrip.

I have heard of quite a few issues with the digital lights.

 

[Wumpus]

These are pretty good lights --> Jet lites


They will also rent lights for $25 including shipping if you want to try one or have a race.

 

[BigMike]

Get a nightrider HID, that is my recomendation! I worked at a nightrider dealer for 5 years, personally i feel they are the best on the market!

Well, of course you do!


I dunno.... Now I hear all these bad things about them.... thats no good. I trust all you :monky out there