|   Light advice needed | bigval
Jan 31, 2003 1:43 PM | | I've been doing a lot of night SS riding on fairly technical single track and need some advice on a good handle bar mounted light system that won't break the bank. I'm looking to keep it right around $200...any advice? |
| I like my lights. | xrmattaz
Jan 31, 2003 1:55 PM | | I'm currently using the Cygolite Night Explorer.
Dual beam, 10/15/25 watt, water bottle type battery.
I have the handlebar and helmet mounts, all for less than
a hundred bucks, via Ebay. Been doing a bit of singletracking
on the way home from work in the eve, works great. |
| TurboCat! | GlowBoy
Jan 31, 2003 2:36 PM | | I have the basic S10 TurboCat model and love it. I have had mine for 5 years and it is in its third winter of heavy use. I've put it through well over 200 cycles (about the stated lifetime, I believe) and the original battery is only now starting to not put out the specified 2.5 hours of light. I have never had to change the bulb except once early on when I dropped it.
Very nicely and elegantly machined, and the feel and finish are substantially better than other lights I've seen in the price range. Mine cost $120, but with your budget you can step up to their top 6V model, the S25 (10/25 watts). 3 different battery configurations are available for the S25, two of which are $200 or under. Also, its MR-10 bulbs come in several different wattages and beam widths, in case you want to customize it.Highly recommended:
http://www.turbocatusa.com/config.html
- Dan |
| TurboCat Rocks! | TD
Feb 1, 2003 6:30 AM | | I've been running the S47 for years and have just added the TG15 helmet light to my setup. I highly recommend them. |
| THANKS nm | bigval
Jan 31, 2003 2:47 PM | | |
| I also have a Turbocat.... | xrmattaz
Jan 31, 2003 3:49 PM | | in 10 watt mode. Either one will suit you fine, IMO.
For less than a hundred bucks.
I can run the Cygo 25watt on the helmet mount, and the
Turbo Cat 10watt on the bars, and still be less than 200
dollas. |
| I also have a Turbocat.... | xrmattaz
Jan 31, 2003 3:50 PM | | Does the TurboCat battery last forever??
Mine is like 7 years old, now.... |
| re: does the TurboCat battery last forever? | GlowBoy
Jan 31, 2003 4:34 PM | | No. Mine would go the full 2.5 hours until pretty recently, but in the past month it has suddenly started dropping. The decline has been rapid - first it was down to 1:45, now about 1:20 - so obviously the battery is in its final days.
But I consider that pretty good. Like I said, I've had mine for 5 years, and have used it 3-4 times per week the last three winters. Overall it's seen maybe 200 cycles, which I think is what it's rated for. I have been reasonably careful with it, though, and to my knowledge it's only been fully deep-cycled once.
Now that it's nearing the end of my night riding season, my new mission is to limp along the next few weeks on this light with its weakened battery, plus other less-powerful lights, so I don't have to spring for a new battery until Fall.
- Dan |
| re: does the TurboCat battery last forever? YES | MellowCat
Jan 31, 2003 7:20 PM | | My one Turbocat is over 11 years old, still on the original battery and it lasts great still! Its Lead Acid(the large cordura pack). My newer TC light is 3 years old and it seems just as good.
GREAT product. Period. |
| dunno about forever, but my 2 are 10 years old and going strong | club
Feb 1, 2003 7:44 AM | | and I might add, Turbo's Tom Robbins (I think that's his name, haven't spoken to him for awhile) is the nicest guy in the bike light biz. Kinda the opposite of NiteSun's Tobin George in that respect. Rock on Tom, go bankrupt Tobin. |
| can't find Turbocat online retailer? | striker
Feb 1, 2003 5:27 AM | | Know anyone who carries them online? |
| Nobody | JRA
Feb 1, 2003 12:37 PM | | You have to go through a T'cat dealer. If you don't have one near you, the fine folks at T'cat will sell to you directly. I've got a 6W Stealth that I purchased back in 1994. Light is still going strong. I had to replace the battery once (its a SLA). Replacement batteries are dang cheap through T'cat. |
| re: Light advice needed | AK
Jan 31, 2003 4:46 PM | | I concur that the TurboCat S10 is a good system for under $200. Save up a little more and also pick-up a NightRider TrailRat light for your helmet. Both lights are fairly inexpensive and you get a lot of bang for the buck. Plus, night riding is a WHOLE lot more fun with both a handlebar and helmet mounted light. Swap the bulb in the TurboCat bar light for the flood beam. Ride on... |
| Nice TurboCat on Ebay! | xrmattaz
Feb 1, 2003 6:51 AM | | Check out item #2706162627.
32watt TurboCat system, starting price is only 85 bucks. |
| Check out the Marwi Night Pros | shiggy
Feb 1, 2003 6:03 PM | | Good lights and aebike has them at the lowest prices I have seen. |
| i agree, Check out the Marwi Night Pros... | mtnbykr
Feb 2, 2003 5:34 AM | | I've had my sets (helmet and hbar) for 4+ years and no problems that weren't user caused. (i ruined the hbar switch in a crash...) the customer srvice has been great and the light perform as lights should.
k |
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