[BikeGeek]

I just got my tax refund and want to get a helmet mount light. Is the HID worth the extra $$$. Right now I only do the occasional night ride with friends, but I do want to someday try a 24 hour race.

Pros and cons of HID over a standard halogen?

Thanks.

 

[ohio]

Pros: lighter weight, much brighter, whiter light, longer run time.

Cons: fragile bulbs, expensive ($50) to replace bulbs. So bright that helmet mount can "wash out" shadows (handlebar mount is better but then the light doesn't necessarily go where you point it). Expensive in general.

I'd say if you think you're going to do some 24 hour races, it's worth it. The longer run time and lighter weight alone are worth it, plus a handlebar mount is fine for XC race style courses.

If you're really only just night riding, and it's on tight technical twisty stuff, I think you're better off spending the money on seperate halogen handelbar and helmet mount lights.

 

[Toshi]

Is the Stadium light considered HID? Hmmm, I don't think it is, but it's probably in the same class of light output. In any case, I picked up a Stadium III last year, and other than its weight, I have no complaints about it. I personally find a brighter light than normal (even a handlebar light) to be very helpful when simply riding trails at night.

 

[SpasticJack]

I would drop the loot and go for HID. The difference is in the efficiency of the lamp. Any reflector is designed around a theoretical point source of light. The reality is that filaments are much larger than that point and waste a lot of light. The arc in a HID lamp is MUCH smaller than a filament and produces useable light more efficiently. That is why you get a 10 watt HID lamp that makes light like a 40 watt filament one. All tech discussion aside, the longer run time at a consistant output is so much less hassle than managing the controller on a digital system to get the same burn time. I have both the Niterider HID helmet and the Digi-Pro 12E and rarely take the bottle system out anymore.

As far as I know, 3 companies are making a HID based system:

http://www.bikelights.com/Products/Arc.htm
http://www.niterider.com/products/bike_storm02.html
http://www.cateye.com/ph_0108HL-STADIUM.htm

I went with the Niterider system because they have support at most 24hr races and it's easier to get your stuff charged up.

 

[oldfart]

I bought the Niterider Storm last fall. Unreal. Makes halogen lights look like a Bic Lighter. But they are expensive. The battery for the Storm is a 12volt and is heavier than the Digital pro pocket battery. And the light head is also longer and heavier than the old digital pro. I think the new digital pros have a similar head. I think they are worth it.

 

[BikeGeek]

Originally posted by oldfart
I bought the Niterider Storm last fall. Unreal. Makes halogen lights look like a Bic Lighter. But they are expensive. The battery for the Storm is a 12volt and is heavier than the Digital pro pocket battery. And the light head is also longer and heavier than the old digital pro. I think the new digital pros have a similar head. I think they are worth it.

I'm still torn. I guess I'll have to see if I can ride with each light before deciding. I did see that the Digital Evolution (15W) weighs in around 560g and the Storm is around 960g, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that bad.

 

[syadasti]

I've had problems with Niterider support, as have my friends (and a whole crap load at MTBR - see Niterider reviews.)

Here is my review of the Digital NiteOwl and my dealings with the asses at Niterider:

Strengths: Strong casing, QR Mount, Weight
Weaknesses: Misaligned plug jack, dumb "smart" charger, lasted only one season. Terrible customer support
Similar Products Tried: Homemade, Performance, Digital Headtrip, Vista lights
Bottom Line: I have one of the early production Digital NightOwl units (it does not have the chip with the walk mode) I bought last fall. This fall the unit has been malfunctioning. I charge it the full 14 hrs, until the charger blinks green, and yet it only runs for 20-30 minutes until going into the 6W emergency (red blinking mode). This has happened every time I’ve gone out this year, 6-7 times so far. Luckily for me, I had a Performance NiMH Headlamp that I could still ride with, but not very well with it alone - its a flood, 12W (Marwi is the OEM for Performance - but performance has good support anyhow).

Nightrider was not very understanding of my problem. I've been without the unit now for about three weeks. Basically, it was worthless this season. I even offered to pay extra to ship me a new unit instead of repairing my old one. They said they couldn't do it, I guess they don't know what customer service is. My next light won't be a Nightrider.

If you are looking for a good light from a company that cares, check out Jet Designs, Light & Motion, or Performance.

END of REVIEW

Also see post from Niterider 2000 Interbike Booth - Starting with the thread by ed powers.

It took them 7 weeks to get me that unit back (basically my whole fall riding season in NY was done). It was because of the charger (so they DIDN'T REPAIR ANYTHING) - it wasn't a true smart charger and was killing batteries left and right. They finally sent me a new battery and 5 hr real smart charger that worked right. They DID NOT bother to recall all the units that shipped with this defective charger - my friend was having similar problems and was just going to buy a new lighting system until I talked to him. He had to argue somewhat with them and they confessed to him and did the same for him - it took him over a month to get his unit back too (he had the digital headtrip).

Last nightriding season in the fall, I too was torn for a HID helmet mount or Halogen. I went with a 20W halogen Jet Design NiMH helmet mount instead. It last for 2hrs, cost 1/2 as much, charges in 5hrs, low weight, and has great support (I got a spare part overnight for free). Its brighter than any other halogen system I've used and is bright enough by itself also with no handicap in vision(I hate it when I forget the batteries for the other one at home!).

If you do end up going with HID - go for the light and motion brand - I've heard great things about their support and product construction/design. Light and Motion Reviews - notice how the users of the new HID system like the ARC better than the Niterider models too.