|   Lights | Melman
Nov 27, 2001 11:31 AM | | Ok heres the deal. I want a set of lights for my bike. I want to get into riding at nite but dont want to go over board on lites if I end up not liking it. Please inform me of a good lite system for around 100 duckies and where they can be obtained. Any help would be great. |
| I have the Marwi torch.... | TNJED®
Nov 27, 2001 11:37 AM | | It was just over $100 and works just fine for me. It is very light weight compared to others in the $ range. It's 15W handlebar mount and burns for I believe 1.5 hours on a charge. I forget where I got it, but just enter Marwi into Yahoo, and it was one of those shops.
I think I'd probably go for a helmet light if I had it to do over again, but like I said, it works just fine. |
| A recomendation... | Ken in KC
Nov 27, 2001 11:47 AM | | Find someone with an extra set of lights. Borrow their for a ride or two and then purchase a set.
Most people get in to night riding exactly as you described. They buy a low end set of lights, try it, love it and immediately decide that they need a better set of lights. Come to think of it, I don't know one person who tried night riding and didn't like it.
I would consider buying a more expensive set to start, and if you don't like it, you'll be able to get most of your money back out of them should you decide to sell them. The more expensive lights retain their retail value better, and people are more inclined to take a chance on buying a higher ned set of used lights than they would a lower end.
I've used 3 different types of Nite Rider. I highly recomend their lights.
Vista Lights are ok, but lower end and not as durable. I broken a couple of Vista lights in my time.
Ken |
| Agree, spend a little more... | dante
Nov 27, 2001 11:56 AM | | Bought my NR, the Digital Headtrip II online (Bikeworld) for $170 + $10 for overnight Fed Ex (now they have it for $190 w/ free Fed Ex) and love it. 15 watts plus the advantages of digital, ie fixing a flat by a lower wattage so that you still have enough juice to get home. As for helmet vs. bar, that's a personal choice thing, a helmet light tracks better and enables you to hit steep stuff w/o your light shining on the trees 30 ft. off the ground. But it washes things out and "flattens" the landscape. But whatever you get, make sure it's good enough so if you really like night-riding all you have to do to upgrade is get a light with the mount that you don't have. Personally think that 15 watts (you can get the non-digital for cheaper) on a helmet is good enough, then you can get something else for the bar if you need to.
Dante |
| Lights... | JimC
Nov 27, 2001 11:49 AM | | amazing whatcha find on this site....
http://www.mtbr.com/spotlight/lights/
Your budget is low. You need good lights to see. Try to see if you can borrow a buddy's lamps? Don't waste your money on a $100 12 W light.
Jim <-- swear by Jet, have not tried any other. |
| That page is dated, but lots of good info there.... | CraigH
Nov 27, 2001 12:14 PM | | It is what I used to make my light purchasing decision.
I went with NR Pro-6 on the bar and a NR Headtrip for the helmet. Both non-digital.
I've been happy with them both. In fact just bought a used NR Trail Rat system for my commuter bike and spare parts.
If I had to do it over again, I would get a strap on battery pack (Night Owl?) instead of the bottle battery as my bike (Bullit) doesn't have a good bottle cage mount. I had to fab up one to bolt to my fork stanction. |
| Have tried others, and I second the Jets... | daveM
Nov 27, 2001 7:34 PM | | sold my niteriders a month ago, got two jets on the helmet, 20w each, with two of the new nimh batteries, they are ssoooo much brighter. I love 'em. |
| Trust me... | Bonee
Nov 27, 2001 12:15 PM | | You will like it, perhaps even LOVE IT. Borrow some lights to see if you like bar mount, helmet mount, or both (I use both, a Marwi Bar and a Light and Motion helmet).
I obssessed over my purchases of both systems but I am very happy with them. Combined they set me back about $400 - but well worth it. I started with the bar, added the helmet, but if I could only use one I'd use the bar. With both I am almost as comfortable with my speed and technical abilities as I am during the day.
You will get tons of opinions on what is the best system and if it should be bar or helmet to start. You really won't know what works for you until you go for it.
Only NiteRider is easily available in most LBS's, so consider looking at the review link provided above and ordering online. Really read the reviews and specs though before you buy. Stuff like the quality of the battery chargers, battery types, and burn times are the things that will probably make/break your satisfaction with a system vs. the lighting ability. In the end, 15watts is 15watts no matter who made the system.
Nite Rider seems to be having some quality issues lately and some sumor them to be near to going under. I do not know how accurate that statement is. |
| Dispelling the NR Myth..... | Ken in KC
Nov 27, 2001 12:38 PM | | NR isn't having any quality issues and they are not going under.
They can not keep their heads above water with the demand for the HID system. They are backordered by over a month due to the demand. They figured that the price of the system would limit the demand. NR figured wrong.
Every must remember that you are strapping a reasonably delicate piece of equipment on your head, or worse yet, your bars. Your lights will eventually break. When your light breaks depends largely on the amount of money you spend up front
Ken |
| Dispelling the NR Myth..... | Bonee
Nov 27, 2001 12:54 PM | | As you stated, I tend to believe that they are in fact NOT going under. They are the most established bike light company around. They would need a major product failure or horrible management to lose that competetive advantage.
I'm not so sold on the quality issues. When I was researching lights in the Product Review section before I bought lights, I was surprised at how many consumers were having trouble with NR. Granted, it was mainly the digital users, but trouble is trouble. It was tough to find anyone unhappy with Marwi, L+M, Jet, etc.
For me, that was enough to avoid NR unless they were my only option. 5 years ago that would probably be the case as NR has a good hold on LBS inventories. However, having the internet and these product reviews easily available, I'm of the opinion that buying a NR these days is a small leap of faith. Lights are expensive.
Anything will break if you crash hard enough, if its old, or you abuse it. But a battery that doesn't hold its charge or a system that consumers have to return 3-4 times to have repaired is poor quality.
Another school of thought would be that, since NR is the biggest, they will also have a larger number of customers who have problems. That could be true, but again, is it worth the risk to someone who is just entering the night riding arena? |
| I tend to disagree..... | Ventanarama
Nov 27, 2001 11:19 PM | | I disagree to some extent, they've had ongoing quality issues since the first digitals. They've definitely improved and they've always made good non-digital stuff, but they have definitely had their problems (even with the 2nd generation digitals). Haven't tested the new Evolution series (which look like a step in the right direction), but even the recent Digital Headtrip & NiteOwl II's in my experience are some of the least reliable systems on the market. I've had a total of 6 NR systems (2 originally which have been exchanged twice each for new stuff) and not a single one has worked the way it should on a long term basis. I know numerous other people who have had similar experiences. I also know that there's plenty of satisfied customers out there. But, why take the chance? Even if the new suff is better why risk it when you can buy Jet, L&M, or TurboCat, all of which in my opinion are better and more reliable than NR. I also think it's stupid that NR doesn't offer any single beam halogen systems with a 13.2v battery. You can get a Jet system for less money that has significantly more light output than the 15w NR digital.
Larry Mettler
www.mtnhighcyclery.com |
| I will agree..... | cburke
Nov 27, 2001 12:26 PM | | ...with the folks that say that once you get started night riding, you'll want better lights. That goes for everything MTB.
I disagree, however, that you have to shell out big bucks to get started. Assuming you will eventually want both a helmet light and bar light, you can buy one now and one later. It's tough to drop several hundred bucks on lights until you own and use them enough to know that thye are NOT glorified flashlights. Tha being said...
Performance has nearly all their lights on sale right now. Some "first step" suggestions are:
NiteRider Trail Rat (10w bar) - $90
NiteRider Pro6 (15w bar) - $121
Performance Single Pro (12w helmet) - $130
Performance Dual (12w+12w bar) - $130
Niterider Evolution Non Digital (10w bar or helmet) - $135
Performancce Single Pro (15w bar) - $140
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/subcategory.html?Cat_ID=14&Sub_ID=4320&TS=1&Sort=
Performance's house brand lights are actually very nice. A buddy of mine has a 2 year old 12w helmet mounted light that impressed me very much.
Speedgoat has the NR Trail Rat and Trail Rat 2 for $100, Evolution for $135, Head Trip 2 for $140 and the Night Owl 2 for $140, and those include shipping.
http://www.speedgoat.com/prod/store/category.asp?cid=18
I would avoid VistaLite. I have a ton of VL stuff and, although it works OK, it is not at all durable equipment. Further, they appear to be on their way out.
If I had to choose right now, I'd get a trail rat for the bar and spring for a $16 helmet adapter if you wanted to move it up there. Sure, 10 watts isn't enough to tear up the trails with, but it'll get you out there enough that you can justify more. |
| Performance stuff... | Bonee
Nov 27, 2001 12:39 PM | | is actually made by Marwi. These are great prices and an excellent way to start. Cburke is right. Buy one now to get started, and another later if you feel the need.
Just have fun! Night riding will change your MTB experience beyond belief. Don't worry about not having a nr partner. Most of my night rides are solo as my friends are SCARED! |
| I did not know that. | cburke
Nov 27, 2001 1:39 PM | | I always wondered who made their stuff. Also always heard of Marwi but never looked into them. One easy web search later, and voila'.
Quality stuff at reasonable prices. |
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