Commuting - HID Light

I am getting ready for a HID head light, this paycheak is going to be over $500 and then I will have about $200 left from this pay cheak. I like NightRider, but my Digtal Revution just when back to the shop, it was acking up. I was thinking of getting the new 12hr battery. Is there any more HID other then NR? How do you like NR?

Thanks,

GEEK

I have a NR non-HID that I absolutely HATE! I have the cygolyte z-force HID and it has been great. Last winter I got 2 hrs burn time no problem, and it is MUCH brigher than my 15w halogen (the one I HATE).

My beef with the NR: Fuel-guage breaks, forcing the light to dim, crappy burn times (1/8 advertised), weak thin plastic clip to mount the light into the handlebar mount. I'm not sure how these would transfer to their HID. Anyway, cygolite and Light & Motion both offer HIDs that I recommend over the NR.

See http://www.mtbr.com/spotlight/lightshootout/

I love my Topeak, and the customer service reviews on BF have been outstanding.

I have 2 NR HID's and they work. I just got the optional LED tailights. These are serious commute lights, not for the recreational crowd. The only way to buy these is without a car, ie, your primary transportation light. I have a Cygolite LED headlight w/ h20 bottle battery I bought for approx $100 and its ok for light duty/ back up.

I'm seriously considering the 2006 Lupine Edison 10 (http://www.lupine.de/en/produkte/produkte.php). It's the brightest bicycle HID out there, but it's going to cost you $900.

I have the Cygolight NiMH. It lasts for about 4 hours and is really, really bright. My only complaint is that instructions say I should turn it off when the low battery light comes on to avoid damaging the battery. That means I need a backup light.

I have had good luck with my Light & Motion NiMh HID light. Nice & bright with 3hr burn time and quick recharge time (3 to 4 hours). The NiMh battery is larger and heavier than the Li-ion battery, but cheaper ($280 to $320 on eBay).

My only complaint is the pricing on the individual componets from L&M (like $250 for the Hid Lamp alone) that have prevented me from adding a light to a 2nd bike (I like the light mounted on the handlebar).

Another thumbs up for the Lupine Edison 10.

I saw one on ebay last month for 299 and bit the blokes arm off. Don't think I would pay full whack for it though.

The L&M Arc is also a very good unit. Not quite as bright in the centre but more defined on the periphery.

L&M makes really well designed units.
The NR HID with the 3 LED's is moronic, you have to cycle from HID -> LED on -> LED blink. That means on the short runs when I'd prefer to only have the blinkers on, I have to cycle the HID on first, seriously burning into the bulb life.