Commuting - Vega or DiNotte Ultralight?

Ok, I hate doing those "this or that" threads, but I'm down to those two choices. I've read up a-plenty on the Vegas, but there's only one thread I found about DiNotte, and there wasn't that much in there. If anyone has experience with DiNotte, I'm looking for stories. If anyone knows how much of a light it throws out, how many feet, what it looks like in the pitch black dark, how it works against oncoming, blinding traffic, etc., any information would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

Koffee

Ok, I hate doing those "this or that" threads, but I'm down to those two choices. I've read up a-plenty on the Vegas, but there's only one thread I found about DiNotte, and there wasn't that much in there. If anyone has experience with DiNotte, I'm looking for stories. If anyone knows how much of a light it throws out, how many feet, what it looks like in the pitch black dark, how it works against oncoming, blinding traffic, etc., any information would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

Koffee

Our very own "AcidInMyLegs" has a writeup in his blog. (http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2005/12/dinotte-lights.html)

Unfortunately, he's not doing a review until Jan. :( But thanks!

Koffee

Well, you could PM him and just ask him about it.

Good idea. Who is he on these forums?

Koffee

Oops. I got it- he's the same name on the forums. I just sent him a PM.

Koffee

One thing to consider about the DiNotte light... what happens if you have a problem with it? What kind of customer service reputation do they have? L&M has a great rep for customer service.

Ahh... I did manage to find this superbly done review (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=1377408) on mtbr in the forums area.

Ohhh! This is a VERY cool way of doing beam comparisons!

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/516/234259/Trail_Shots.gif

Ok, those all work. Now I can make a decision and get my lights. Thanks!

Koffee

Hmmmmm... but I have to ask- what is that 3x Luxeon-III 12 W that's showing up in that picture? That's one bright light!

Koffee

Hmmmmm... but I have to ask- what is that 3x Luxeon-III 12 W that's showing up in that picture? That's one bright light!

Koffee

I think it's a light the reviewer built himself. Looks great though, doesn't it?

Hell yeah! I'm almost tempted to go out and get one of those lights (looks like one of those ultrabright police lights) and just velcro it to my bike handlebar. I am seriously tempted. Seriously.

Koffee

If you're seriously tempted, you're dead meat. At least I am, every time temptation rears its ugly little head. I have lots of will-power, but I'm real short on won't-power.

I'd love to say that the review will be done sooner, I know that January seems like a long way off, but I am still waiting on some manufacturers to get me sample lights. :(

Overall, the LEDs are bright, but don't offer much in the way of peripheral lighting. If they do try and spread the beam out, they don't throw light very far. They DO get noticed by on coming cars and such, however (this is the commuting forum after all). I personally like the small size and white light -- they make a great compliment light to a HID, e.g. a HID bar light with an LED helmet light -- coupled with fairly long burn times.

More later after I have a chance to photograph some beam comparison and shine them on a photovoltaic cell.

-James

Ok, I hate doing those "this or that" threads, but I'm down to those two choices. I've read up a-plenty on the Vegas, but there's only one thread I found about DiNotte, and there wasn't that much in there. If anyone has experience with DiNotte, I'm looking for stories. If anyone knows how much of a light it throws out, how many feet, what it looks like in the pitch black dark, how it works against oncoming, blinding traffic, etc., any information would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

Koffee

You're taking a step backwards Koffee!!

Somewhere in the "light selection guide" there are beam photos of the DiNotte I think it is in the last link to the beam comparison photos. Look at the beam shots carefully you will be VERY disappointed with that thing for the price. And the Vega is LESS light than that. Just get a 15 watt halogen light. Compare the beam shots and you will see what I am talking about. You can compare it to other lights on the same page. If you are going to these from the Cygo light expect to be disappointed.

Don't buy it Koffee !

Go here and click on the Vega, then the beam photo will pop up, then go below it and click on the L&M halogen light right below it. !!!!!!!! Look at the beams before buying something!

http://eddys.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=493


OOPS I was wrong it's the TWO 5 watt LED USE light in the beam photo. Not the ONE 5 watt LED DiNotte.

http://terrengsykkel.no/img.php?d=guide/tester/lykter2005&id=1424 It’s the last light on the bottom


The USE light in the beam photo comparison has two 5w LED’s The DiNotte has just one.

Look what you can get for $100, 20watts halogen for three hours 15 watts for four hours.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1373

sheesh... just save up and get a jet light... you got a job.

Yes, classic MERTON again... thanks for your most prolific prose- NOT!

Anyway, I'm thinking that since I have the performance bucks and they take it at Nashbar, I'll get an HID light instead. I'm saving up the money a bit, and I think I'll have enough to get some great lights by mid-January. Thanks to everyone (except MERTON) for your thoughts and suggestions!

Koffee

Yes, classic MERTON again... thanks for your most prolific prose- NOT!

Anyway, I'm thinking that since I have the performance bucks and they take it at Nashbar, I'll get an HID light instead. I'm saving up the money a bit, and I think I'll have enough to get some great lights by mid-January. Thanks to everyone (except MERTON) for your thoughts and suggestions!

Koffee

Excellent idea. The Cygolite HID is one of the least expensive. A friend just got a new one, it's a very nice
light, especially for the price.

Koffee chick, the bright 12W luxeon thing is similar to the cateye triple shot, which is only like $300 (comparable to the dinotte).
The dinotte seems a lot tougher and slightly brighter than the vega but the power settings and battery life lacks behind the vega though.
For that price, you can almost get a HID and $hit your pants when you turn it on.

Koffee chick, the bright 12W luxeon thing is similar to the cateye triple shot, which is only like $300 (comparable to the dinotte).
The dinotte seems a lot tougher and slightly brighter than the vega but the power settings and battery life lacks behind the vega though.
For that price, you can almost get a HID and $hit your pants when you turn it on.

What's the least she could pay for an L&M HID ? I mean not counting her coupons.

On ebay, $300.
About 250 for a NR HID.
I heard the cygolite could be had with coupons on performance for like $225.

That's probably helpfull info. for Koffee.

Koffee chick?

Sounds good. I will be going to performance. Unfortunately, the one out here sucks monkey balls, so I will have to tell them what I want, then make sure it's pricematched to the lowest priced one I can find on the internet at an internet store, then head over with my christmas money and performance coupons.

Thanks again!

Koffee

Koffee - I cannot and will not solicit here, but if you send an email to us on the website, I'll be happy to help you understand the differences of the lights objectively. Also - gear review.com and a few others have compared the two lights

Rob@dinottelighting.com

Wow nice.. I think this is a first here, someone in the industry participating.
It happens a lot over at head-fi but I don't see it here that often.

January 23, 2006


Here are a couple of links for night riding crowd...

Take a look at this web site for cheap LED flashlights..

http://www.szwholesale.com

http://www.axshop.com/products.aspx/category-63/

But if you want better quality.. take a look at this link for a review of a LED spotlight.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=99467&highlight=elx-6

If the link doesn't work.. just go to www.candlepowerforums.com and enter into the search area ELX-6.. This light absolutely "rocks" based on the beam shot. This inventor also has a ELX-12 now available.

Much obliged.
Nick

This $200 HID setup looks promising (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2377). Which is better for singletrack, the 6 degree spot or 12 degree flood?

This $200 HID setup looks promising (http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2377). Which is better for singletrack, the 6 degree spot or 12 degree flood?

You need the 12 degree flood for singletrack.

Thanks slvoid, now I have another site to waste time at...

Thanks slvoid, now I have another site to waste time at...

Well I wouldn't exactly call it "waste"...

Welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet.

You need the 12 degree flood for singletrack.

Thanks!

Welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet.

:lol:

like michaelnel mentioned about having will power but not won't power.... i ain't even going near that site. :p

anyone know how long that bridge is?