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bluebug32

bluebug32

Asshat
Jan 14, 2005
6,141
0
Floating down the Hudson
It's getting to be that time of year again and last year I actively avoided having to research and shell out the cash for a light. This year, I want to keep going, but I need help. What lights ($250 or under) do you guys love? What features etc. should I look for? I want a helmet rather than a handlebar mount. I'm looking for something durable with a lasting charge and in my price range.

Also, I'm leaning toward HID vs. Halogen. Any brands that have stood the test of time?
 
Toshi

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,767
8,762
my Cateye Stadium 2 (3? i think it's 2) has served me well for quite a few years now. it did eat a battery, but that was after 3? years of use.
 
Toshi

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,767
8,762
nope, it was among the first crop of HIDs way back when. bright, white-blue blinding light :drool:
 
Reactor

Reactor

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2005
3,976
1
Chandler, AZ, USA
I've got a niterider blowtorch and a storm HID. If I were you I'd seriously consider the niterider enduro HID partsbara mentioned. I've never had a problem with either of my systems, and the light is amazing.

Edit: I've never had a halogen system that I liked, and I've had three.
 
Wumpus

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
I've been happy with my Lume Strada

$279 with the overnight charger.

I don't like the nite riders because they mount on the front of the helmet and an HID balast(IN the light head) is quite heavy. The Lume and others allow you to mount it more on top of your helmet.
 
bluebug32

bluebug32

Asshat
Jan 14, 2005
6,141
0
Floating down the Hudson
Wumpus said:
I've been happy with my Lume Strada

$279 with the overnight charger.

I don't like the nite riders because they mount on the front of the helmet and an HID balast(IN the light head) is quite heavy. The Lume and others allow you to mount it more on top of your helmet.
Click to expand...
A little pricey, but it looks good

What do you guys ride with, handlebar mount, helmet mount or both? Pros/ cons? I'm thinking of going with the helmet, but want to watch the weight etc.
 
Wumpus

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
With the HID I just run it on my helmet in the woods.

Depending on my mood and the ride I'll mount it on my bars sometimes for the road.

If I'm using halogens, I have one on my helmet and one on the bars. The Jet Light(phantom?) is the only halogen I have found that I feel comfortable running by itself.

If you go with the one light method at least have some type of backup -- minimag and duct tape, cheap LED bar light etc. I have an old niterider trailrat that I put on the bars for emergencies.
 
The Toninator

The Toninator

Muffin
Jul 6, 2001
5,436
17
High(ts) Htown
partsbara said:
if i had a lazy 250 or so to drop on a light i d have one of these

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LS410A00-Niterider+Enduro+Hid.aspx

... ridden the previous years version, it was sick... more than enough light for my little SS adventures in the dark german woods during oct-nov...

HID is the go for sure...

if money was no object i d love to rock a light and motion arc li-ion...
Click to expand...
I have the storm and used it for years. like years. awesome. if it's the same that's the one i'd get.
helmet mount.
 
McGRP01

McGRP01

beer and bikes
Feb 6, 2003
7,793
0
Portland, OR
robdamanii said:
I'm looking at either of these two for some beginning, every now and then night/twilight riding. Opinions?

http://www.rei.com/product/48016678.htm
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LS503A01-Blackburn+System+X3.aspx
Click to expand...
Rob, if you're looking for an affordable light, look into this... I have had one for 2 years with no issues. Used it at the 24-hour race this weekend. I think for the price it's a solid unit.

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/ACLIGHT/LT7513

 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,813
2,132
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
I too vote for Niterider. I have a Storm or a Blowtorch (can't remember which) and I run it as a helmet mount. I used to run a halogen on my helmet and my bars, but I have found that the HID on my helmet is plenty. That enduro looks like a good buy too!
 
douglas

douglas

Chocolate Milk Doug
May 15, 2002
9,887
6
Shut up and Ride
I really like my '05 Niterider storm, I have both helmet & bar mounts.
3-4 hour burn time. 2.5 hour charge.
I let keith use it this w/e at churnnburn and after every night lap he came back saying how freaking great the light is

My one issue is with the helmet mount, you need to put it pretty far forward so it can push the front of your helmet down if you dont have your helmet's straps real tight

I want to get this light (5 hour burn time!!)
 
moff_quigley

moff_quigley

Why don't you have a seat over there?
Jan 27, 2005
4,402
2
Poseurville
Jet Lites Phantom. You should be able to get one with a 20w bulb and the "smart switch" (for 3 light levels) for under $250. 2hr burn time at 20w. Probably one of the brightest halogen systems on the market. Love mine. Someday I'll probably get a bar system to match, but the helmet light works just fine for my needs right now.

Make sure you compare the color of the lights if you can. The HID systems that I had seen at night really freaked out my eyes.
 
K

ktmsx

Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
527
0
CT.
ahaa... nevermind I thought this was HID...that makes sense know..looks like a pretty good deal still....
 
llkoolkeg

llkoolkeg

Ranger LL
Sep 5, 2001
4,335
15
in da shed, mon, in da shed
The day I spend more than a hundred bones on a bike light again is quite distant indeed. I did that with my ViewPoint Digital Pro 6 and it promptly died after one Winter of use. Now, I only buy lights on clearance and if I was going to pick up an HID, it certainly wouldn't be for biking purposes.
 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,813
2,132
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
douglas said:
I really like my '05 Niterider storm, I have both helmet & bar mounts.
3-4 hour burn time. 2.5 hour charge.
I let keith use it this w/e at churnnburn and after every night lap he came back saying how freaking great the light is

My one issue is with the helmet mount, you need to put it pretty far forward so it can push the front of your helmet down if you dont have your helmet's straps real tight

I want to get this light (5 hour burn time!!)
Click to expand...

You need one of Sq-Earl's special modifiers!
 
jacksonpt

jacksonpt

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2002
6,791
59
Vestal, NY
If you decide to go the more economical halogen route, I've got a Light and Motion Solo (13w) that I'm really happy with. I got it for about $115. Works well enough for me.

For you 24 hour folks... the charge lasts about 2 hours but has a very long charge time (12 hours, IIRC). I think you can get a fast charger for it, but it was pricey.
 
Westy

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
56,016
22,047
Sleazattle
douglas said:
I told him I'd give him beer or $$ if he made me one
Click to expand...
I don't know what SqEarl's special modifier is but I just shim up the back of my light mount with a chunk of neoprene cut from an old mouse pad. Lets me mount the light on the top of the helmet.
 
jacksonpt

jacksonpt

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2002
6,791
59
Vestal, NY
BigMike said:
I am a huuuuge fan of the light & motion stuff. very well built, great run time. I'm gonna pick one p for commuting this winter
Click to expand...
I've been very happy with mine - didn't get much use last year, but it's getting put through the ringer so far this season...
 
bluebug32

bluebug32

Asshat
Jan 14, 2005
6,141
0
Floating down the Hudson
I used a friend's Lume HID last night and also tried out her Nightrider Blowtorch HID. Very nice! I was thinking about getting a halogen, but now I'm not sure. It's just a matter of how much I actually will use it.
 
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