Originally Posted by
brian@bain.org
I have a Dinoette headlamp and am thinking about getting the Lupine Betty X Pro because it's 1500 lumens versus the dinoette at 400 lumens. Has anyone used the Betty X? Is it really that bright?
Here is some info on lights
http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/lights-...-introduction/
http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/lights-...-measurements/
The Betty 14 and X Pro have 1500 lumens, claimed, versus 12's 1400 lumens. Not yet tested by mtbr.
Here is where things get interesting. We don't look INTO the light, we see the REFLECTED-OFF-OBJECTS light produced by our headlamps.
mtbr's reflected-light lux measurement showed 68 lux for the 12.
Now, assume the 14 /X Pro is 7% brighter than 12, or 73 lumens (1500 v. 1400 lumens)
How much does the DiNotte 800L reflect? 55 lux. It's not in Lupine's class, but for $449, you get 5 hours of light, versus X Pro's 3 hours for $1017.
Now, suppose you were to discover that an 800L bar light, with an 800L headband light (DIY, not offered by DiNotte, but not hard to rig), at 110 lux, which is way more than Lupine X Pro's likely 72 lux, were considered.
DiNotte double 800L minuses:
1) More than double the Lupine's weight to carry.
2) Somewhat heavier neck-load, maybe 50 gms.
3) Not as bright head-aimable light. Half the DiNotte output would aim with your handlebar.
DiNotte double-800L plusses.
1) Lower price for DiNotte double ($898). Even lower if you bought a couple combo special packages and sold the extra lights on eBay. For example, an 800L + 400L can be bought with 2 4C batts (5 hrs) for $469. Sell the 400L lighthead sans batt for $100 (a steal for buyers)=> $369 your net cost. Times two: $738.
2) Redundancy. If one DiNotte goes out, 800 lumens/55 lux will get you home at a pretty fast, if not full race, speed.
3) Waay more total light output, as measured reflectively.
4) Direct, fast dealing with the manufacturer. I had a batt go out at 5 mos. It took 6 days from dropping it at the post office to getting a new one. I paid $5.00 Priority Mail one way, DiNotte paid the return PM postage.
Outside of warranty period, your turnaround with repair is less than 2 weeks.
IF Lupine provides "loaners" to its US dealers, so while your unit is shipped back to Germany, you're back on the trail quickly, or if the dealers can do diagnosis and repair quickly here, that's great. If they make you wait, sans light for 1 month or whatever for Lupine to work on it, tough luck. Find out what they do, if downtime is important to you.
5) If cost is an object, also consider battery-replacement / or extra batt costs. Li-ions don't last as long as NiMH or li-polymer batts. Maybe 10-12 months with daily use? Nobody competes with DiNotte on battery prices.
6) What are upgrade policies? DiNotte is good on this.
If you get the Lupine, give us a review.
