Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Niterider Rage vs. Niterider Classic Plus

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mikewaters
08-17-07, 09:44 AM
I'm having a hard time getting data on the relative brightness/lumens of these two systems.

Which is brighter and would allow me to ride faster?

edit: I just found these two pages using a google domain search. Looks like the classic plus puts out more lumens to my eye, what do you guys think?


http://www.niterider.com/prod_classic.shtml
http://www.niterider.com/prod_rage.shtml

Classic +:
http://www.niterider.com/images/beampattern/Classic-32w.jpg

Rage:
http://www.niterider.com/images/beampattern/HID-LED-m.f.r.jpg

jsharr
08-17-07, 10:58 AM
Of those two I prefere the classic plus. lots of beam patterns in the the light thread at the top of this subforum.
PureBlue146
08-17-07, 05:00 PM
I have used both lights. I use the Classic Plus on bicycle patrol as a police officer and the Rage on my personal bike. If your looking for the brighter light go with the Classic Plus. The Rage is slightly dimmer but has a much better overall beam pattern. The beam is smooth and has a cool blue hue and gives you better periferal vision. Also the Rage has a much longer burn time and I find the battery is better that the Classic which develops a burn time memory. As far as which one is better for speed, there's little difference. My prerefence is to be able to better see the wider pattern of the Rage than the brighter smaller focal spot of the classic Plus. The police dept I work for went with the Classic before the Rage came out but even if the Rage was available, the dept. still would have went with the classic because of cost. A final word; If you get the Rage or another HID NightRider light be carefull you don't leave the HID on while stopped on at very low speeds. The HID does overheat and will shut down if there is not enough airflow around the light. If that happens several times it will damage the light. That happened to my Blowtorch (before I upgraded to the Rage) and I had to send it in for repair. Either way, both systems are very good. Good luck.

aliensporebomb
08-21-07, 08:44 AM
I believe PureBlue's comments regarding HID lights needing a certain amount of airflow to
prevent bulb damage goes for any brand and model of HID. I know that one night when
we had gusty winds I was able to use it while stationary but it would behoove HID owners
to have another smaller LED light in case of a flat so you don't have to depend on a
potentially damageable HID light.