Thanks for the reply, I thought the wiring was directly connected to the light from the pictures - i was hoping it wasn't so!
If the SON is going to last many many years, and it significantly better than the shimano then I am prepared to lay out the cash for them.
Is there any particular reason you say to go for the regular tail lights over the wired ones?
Also I read that the E3 triple was blinding to drivers, if this isn't the case then I would prefer to get one over the E3 - when I first saw it I thought "WOW, that is my light!".
Thanks