Commuting - Cateye EL500 vs. Nitehawk Emitter/Gen3 Lights

I've spent a few hours reading what I could find on the web, but haven't found anything definitive about how these lights compare to each other. They are both LED lights that use a single LED. They are reputed to be significantly brighter than other LED-based lights. They both use 4 AA batteries for power. I believe both these lights use the same LED, and they both have specially designed lenses/reflectors to maximize performance. Apparently they both throw a fairly bright, but narrow, beam. I get the impression that the Nitehawk Emitter may give a little better light, but its seperate battery case doesn't seem like as good a design (some say the clips that hold it together seem like they might fail, and that the batteries rattle around on rough roads). It also looks like it would be more bulky to carry in a bag. I prefer the design of the Cateye EL500, but don't know if it provides performance equal to the Emitter. The Nitehawk Emitter also appears to be marketed by Performance under the "Gen3" name. It is available in standard and "digital" versions. The digital has more brightness options, and apparently has some sort of regulator that minimizes dimming of as the batteries are used (they maintain the same brightness until the batteries are almost exhausted instead of gradually dimming). Apparently these lights all provide outstanding battery life and adequate light for many riders (we'll be riding at fairly slow speeds on paved bike trails and lighted neighborhoods).

Has anyone compared these side-by-side? I'd really like to make the right choice and order a couple of lights for my son and me, but can't decide which to get.

Thanks

Doug

I have both and have used both in conjuction on recent Brevets. First brevet, the supposed 6 hr battery life on the gen 3 quit on me when I still needed it for 2 more hours. I hadn't changed my batteries in my EL-500 because I figured I had new ones in the gen 3 and plenty of time as I had only used 2 hours. Well guess what? The gen 3 batteries lasted about 3 hours and not even on the brightest setting most of the time. Lucky for me the EL500 is extremely thrifty on batteries and took me in even when the last store I passed was out of batteries.

I had the expensive gen3 model which has a shorter battery life than the cheap one but even if it gets twice the battery life it is still less than the EL500. I like the EL500 projection down the road better too. Anyway, that is my experience. one really nice thing about the gen3 is that it's mount lets it be mounted over the stem so you don't really lose much handlebar real estate.

Paul,

Thanks for the info - that does help. Have you noticed a difference in brightness between the Gen3 and the Cateye EL-500 when they both have fresh batteries? I looked at an EL-500 yesterday for the first time and like the compact design (it should be easier to carry and potentially use as a flashlight when its not on the handlebars). But I think I read a report or two that indicated that the Nitehawk Emitter/Gen3 seemed brighter (but I may be remembering incorrectly - maybe at least some of these were compared with other Cateye lights rather than the EL-500). I might be willing to sacrifice some battery life if the Gen3 is significantly brighter.

Thanks again

Doug

Paul,

Thanks for the info - that does help. Have you noticed a difference in brightness between the Gen3 and the Cateye EL-500 when they both have fresh batteries? I looked at an EL-500 yesterday for the first time and like the compact design (it should be easier to carry and potentially use as a flashlight when its not on the handlebars). But I think I read a report or two that indicated that the Nitehawk Emitter/Gen3 seemed brighter (but I may be remembering incorrectly - maybe at least some of these were compared with other Cateye lights rather than the EL-500). I might be willing to sacrifice some battery life if the Gen3 is significantly brighter.

Thanks again

Doug


When the gen3 is lit it is a bit brighter overall but it's bright spot doesn't project that much better way down the road. The slight benefit of a little more brightness is far outweighed by my need for a dependable light that lasts for a long time. For 3 hours I could just get a halogen light and get more battery power and a much brighter light, but my main need is a light that goes at least 9-10 hours on a set of batteries.

LED lights aren't at the point where they can compete with hids or halogens. Even the brightest of LEDS, i'd only trust as a to be seen light.

Doug, when I compared the Viewpoint Gen3 before, I compared it to my Cateye EL-300. I'll probably be getting an EL-500 to check it out. I was the one that said the clips holding the light to the battery compartment didn't seem that secure. I also notice that the batteries rattle a lot, even on semi-smooth roads.

For me, the nitehawk was MUCH better. With the Cateye, I would be struggling to see down a dark road. The nighthawk, no such problem..

While using my EL-500 recently along with a helmet mounted headlamp a cager flashed their lights at me. That made my day. I've used the EL-500 about 10 times for when I work a late shift and I'm happy with it. But I ride mostly on fairly well lit streets so I don't need a super bright front light. My rear light is the Cateye LD-1000 which I really like...it's outrageously bright. http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=41&catId=7&subCatId=4

My rear light is the Cateye LD-1000 which I really like...it's outrageously bright.
Yeah they rock, I have just got one of those, with a couple of 5w halogens & a cateye flasher up front. I feel like an exhibitionist, but at least I can be seen.

LED lights aren't at the point where they can compete with hids or halogens. Even the brightest of LEDS, i'd only trust as a to be seen light.

I've ridden 100 miles at night with just LED (EL-500 and Superspot) lights, Granted I prefer two of them together but even with two it still weighs less than a halogen system with a rechargeable bottle cage battery, or an HID, and lasts twice as long. The length of battery life is what is most important to some. If you are never out for more than a few hours at night an HID or a 20w halogen is the way to go, but if you need a light that will last all night, LEDs are the best solution I have found for road riding.