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bluebug32
Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 406 Location: Red Hook
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:50 am Post subject: Suggest a light |
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Since you guys frequent the trails here at night, I figure you're probably the best to ask about lights.
I've done a lot of research and borrowed a friend's NiteRider Blowtorch and Lume Strada. For some reason, the NR really hurt my head and felt too heavy, though I liked the light it cast. The Lume was great on my head, but the beam pattern felt a little narrow.
I'm also intrigued by the Cateye double and triple shot (though the triple is bar only). Anyone have any experience with either these? I like the longevity of an LED and the price. I don't mind spending $200-300ish on lights. I just want something good that I'll have for a long time and that won't require expensive parts if it breaks. I also like the helmet mount.
What setups is everyone using? Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Beth |
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burtondogs
Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 633
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject: .. |
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I have not tried HID or LED yet.
Halogen seems to work good for me.
I use the Nightsun XC on my bars (10w flood / 35w spot)
and a Nightrider 10w helmet light.
I am very happy with this set up so far.
The helmet light is key, and was less then $100 bucks.
It feels heavy at first , but you get used to it. It helps to keep your helmet straps real tight.
I never really need to use the 35 watt spot , so the batteries last a while.
later
Jim |
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g60dude
Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1303 Location: Mid-town Lake Katrine
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Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Suggest a light |
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I use the Light and Motion Arc HID light on my helmet. I use to run Halogen Marwi Night Pros on my handlebar and helmet. The HID is more money, but DEFINITELY worth it if you plan on doing any amount of night riding. The one HID covers more area and is brighter than when i was running the two halogen. The HID is a little heavier than your standard light so i had to wear my helmet a tad bit tighter to keep it from vibrating. Another nice feature with the HID, it only takes about 2 hours or so to recharge where the Halogen one takes a good 12 hours. I ride all year round where at least once a week i will use my light. The HID was around $300. And Im seeing the Marwis on sale for the low $100,s. So it really just depends on what you want, how much you are gonna use it and how much you want to spend. Conclusion, both the Marwi hallogens and my new Light and Motion I was happy with. But like someone else mentioned , the helmet light is the key light.........want light where you head turns _________________ greg
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raybag
Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 450 Location: Somewhere far far away.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:47 am Post subject: |
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I use the NiteRider Classic Plus halogen handlebar mount. Three settings, 12W, 20W, 32W provide lots of light and plenty of run time. I have also used a NiteRider Storm HID helmet mount. Excellent light but a little heavy for my noggin'. I found that I had to really crank down my helmet and would give myself headaches. Having a helmet light would definitely be a plus along with the bar mount if it's light enough weight wise. Even though I lose a little light when going around turns I think that if your light is bright enough you could get away with just the bar mount. |
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bluebug32
Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 406 Location: Red Hook
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:47 am Post subject: |
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Alright, I finally made a decision after weeks of research and bugging everyone around me Nashbar has a 20% off coupon right now, so I bought the Light and Motion Arc NiMH. Should be good and that means I'll be contacting you Cats for a nightride soon!
Thanks again for your help.
Beth |
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Tim845
Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 3684 Location: Poughkeepsie
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:42 am Post subject: |
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Cool...I recommend HID, even though its $. Its so bright that its safer. Still need to carry a small light for back up or tinkering. |
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Bikegeek
Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 328 Location: Dropping in...
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Kevin
Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 1414 Location: Kingston
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Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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Just let everyone else buy HID's and bask in their light with your halogen. |
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bluebug32
Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 406 Location: Red Hook
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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Kevin wrote: |
Just let everyone else buy HID's and bask in their light with your halogen. |
Ha! I've definitely contemplated doing that! I just got a new job, so I thought it was time to spoil myself with some mega-lumens |
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shizzle
Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 73 Location: in a van down by the river
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:54 am Post subject: |
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I just purchased a cateye triple shot LED and also own a niterider storm light. The LED light throws about 3/4 of the lumens of the HID and it is a
white light similar to the HID. My HID has crapped out a couple of times on the trail with cable issues due to poorly engineered connections. The cateye has a solid twist in connection. I am comparing apples to oranges in a way here because the HID is helmet mount and the LED is bar mounted. But, dollar for dollar, expected lifetimes and weight, LED lights are the bomb |
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trekkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 432 Location: hangin with mini trekkie
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:35 pm Post subject: lights |
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just got a nightrider 10w LED
was'nt to many bills
works great
first time riding at night
gota love it
do you guys use helmet or handlebar mount or both
charlie _________________ Get out and ride..... you'll love it
group rides are the snizzle !!!!
"mom can you take off my training wheels i want to ride the skinnys"....mini trekkie FTF 2008 |
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bluebug32
Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 406 Location: Red Hook
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Woohoo! My light finally arrived and it looks really bright! I think I'll act deviant this weekend and sneak into Stewart for a night ride.
And, in response to the previous question, I like to use a light on my helmet primarily. |
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g60dude
Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1303 Location: Mid-town Lake Katrine
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:48 am Post subject: Re: lights |
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trekkie wrote: |
just got a nightrider 10w LED
was'nt to many bills
works great
first time riding at night
gota love it
do you guys use helmet or handlebar mount or both
charlie |
Ive never ridden with an LED before. Ive been told they are brighter than halogen and not as bright as HID. For me when I ran halogen I had lights on both my helmet and my handlebars. Now that Im running HID, i just have the one on my helmet. I prefer the light to be where im looking not where my handlebars are pointing _________________ greg
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