|   Which Light to Get? | Fisherrocks
Oct 22, 2003 3:31 AM | | Ive been cross country riding for a few years now,and I am looking at gettting into something different, and night riding would be perfect for me. I have narrowed it down to three lights the Niterider Digital Evolution, Light&Motion Solo Logic, and the Lume Vado. Tell me what yall think
Peace
JOhn |
| None of the above... | Metroid
Oct 22, 2003 5:06 AM | | Jet lights cost less, are much brighter and still have all the important features. My 20W Jet Phantom gets over 2 hours burn time, comes with the smart/fast charger. If you absolutely have to have the digital features, it is available with the intelligent light head for a bit more money.
The post below has pictures of actual light output with my Jet and the Digital Evolution.
Metroid "Nite Rider Digital Evolution vs. Jet Designs Phantom..." 12/1/01 3:09pm |
| Agreed... | crux
Oct 22, 2003 5:13 AM | | I agree with Metroid. Jet Design would be my first choice when it comes to lighting. |
| I second that thought | JimC.
Oct 22, 2003 10:31 AM | | 4 years of wet muddy Norshore abuse. I'm one of the few that has a good white light, with the exception of the newer HID very expensive ones. Not worth the bux, IMHO. Jet'll do you fine. Jim
20W flood bulb helmet mount, and 12W spot on bars for backup. |
| I third | cw
Oct 22, 2003 11:23 AM | | The UPS guy should be at my house sometime today to deliver my new Jet Phantom. It's not on Jet's website yet, but it's a model between the basic Phantom and the "i" Phantom. Three light levels, but no battery fuel gauge. Got it from Larry Mettler - Mountain High Cyclery.
Going to DIY a bar-mounted light to complete the set-up.
A while back I started a "which lights" type of thread and the Jets came up a lot cw "Lights: spot on head, flood on bar? or other way round?" 9/27/03 9:16am |
| If you want to stick with Halogens, consider Turbocat | Fett
Oct 22, 2003 6:49 AM | | Another brand to consider is Turbocat. They prefer to stay away from the bells and whistles, but every component they use is nicely machined and anodized and the lights just plain work and you can forget about them. Their website is www.turbocatusa.com. If you look at the reviews, I think you will find them as highly rated as anyone. |
| Thumbs up for turbocats | JoelW
Oct 22, 2003 11:59 AM | | I just got a 15 watt Turbocat helmet light recently. I looked at all the normal lights and after talking to my LBS I went with the TurboCat light.
15 watts and just under 2 hours of burn time for about $150 and the battery pack is tiny and light.
Had my LBS not stocked turbocats, I probably would have gone with Jet lites. They told me to take the light, use it and if it didn't work out to bring it back. Well I used it last night and it was tremendous. The 15 watt was noticeably brighter than everyone else's lights I rode with except the guy with a HID setup. There weren't any Jet lites there last night, but I've seen them and been pretty impressed with them as well. |
| don't go digital. You should have at least 2 lights anyway... | clary.
Oct 22, 2003 7:44 AM | | so what is the point of digital. With non-digital, to save on the batteries, when you can, when it's safe, alternately turn one off. Digital sucks up more power than it gives back in lumens when in the lower wattages. Non-digital is simpler, so is more dependable, and you can probably buy 2 for the price of one digital.
With halogen, either get one non-digital handlebar light, wide beam, 15 to 20 watts and one helmet light, 15 watt spot. Both require 4500mAh batteries each for about 2 hours of lighting (less time for 20 watts). Nothing wrong with having extra batteries or more powerful batteries to provide extra time.
or HID handlebar light with 15 watt spot helmet.
or HID handlebar light with HID helmet light.
NiMH are convenient for a helmet light since the battery is small and light to fit in the back pocket of your jersey.
Sealed-Lead-Acid or NiCADs do well if you want lots of wattage on the handlebars (over 15 watts), weigh more, but lots of dependable lighting is a good return for that extra weight. A 4500mAh NiMH pack will last about 2 hours with a 15 watt bulb.
Some go the DIY route and can build low cost high performing NiCAD or NiMH battery packs (good return for time invested) and light heads. Can also purchase retail lights and supplement with DIY battery packs. |
| don't go digital. You should have at least 2 lights anyway... | Carbnjunkie
Oct 22, 2003 1:57 PM | | i bought a use cyclops, ands its okay, light is descent, but the problem comes from the fact that the battery is just velcroed on to the top tube, and it kindas gos left and right, ruining the bikes geometry.
>Ankur |
| Go for the Lume Lighting Vado | Bobbster
Oct 22, 2003 8:22 PM | | Skip the digital stuff, especially from NR as they have had loads of problems with connection quality. I have both the Lume Lighting Vado and Strada lights and would highly recommend the Vado out of the three lights you are considering. For about $200 bucks you get a 20 watt light with helmet and bar mounts, nobody else gives both mounts. I don't have any experience with Jet lights so can't be any help there. |
| Go for the Lume Lighting Vado | Woudeddog
Oct 23, 2003 7:18 PM | | I love my Vado system. Amazingly bright and without question the most gorgeous product I have ever seen. Sleek design just spoows quality and I love the helmet and bar mount option. Priced just right as well.
- David |
| 20W on bar, 35 on helmet! | johnnydrz
Oct 23, 2003 5:33 AM | | This is a DIY kit I am still working on. 14.4V batteries on both. The 20W on the handlebar is a 24° beam. I've tried 10°, 24° and 36°. For me, the 24° is the one. With a 4500mah battery-pack, I get 2+ hours of burn time. On my helmet, I am presently using a 35W 36° bulb, with a 4200mah (2X12 AA batteries in parralel). I get a bit more than 1 hour with the 35W bulb, but I only turn it on in technical sections or on downhills. I will be switching the 35W bulb for a 20W spot (10°). I should get the same light output but in a smaller circle. This is plenty even for high speed. Next step is to find a 20W infrared OSRAM/Sylvania MR16 bulb (Handlebar one). They produce the equivalent of 35W of light while only consuming 20W of power. Driven with 14.4 volts, a 35W bulb is like a 50W on 12V system. I am really not jealous of all my friends who are all using HID's. They all use helmet lights only because of cost of HID. But know they're thinking of a DIY kit for their handlebars.
Johnnydrz |
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