Mountain Biking - bike light, how strong?

Hello guys.

With the fall and winter seasons approaching soon, it symbolizes shorter days and longer nights. I get off work around 6-7pm, and more than likely, it'll be dark before I can hit the road.
Though I plan to do most of my trail riding during the day, if I do go and get caught in darkness toward the end of my ride, I'd like something to get me safely home.
I hope to participate in the MS150 (due to the persuasion of a couple of girls I know, who am I to say no!) so I plan to do a little road biking and would like a light strong enough for at least this.
I've been researching bike headlight options and have narrowed it down the Cygolite. Now comes the question I leave to you guys since I have no previous experience in this area. How strong of a light do I need?
I've looked at 3 basic Cygolite setups, each with a dual headlight setup.
Night Rover Xtra
6.3 + 10 = 16.3 total watts
Run time of 6/3/2 hours requiring a 15-17 hour charge NiCad Battery
or
Night Explorer NiCad
10 + 15 = 25 watts
Run time of 3/2/1 requiring a 15-17 hour charge NiCad Battery
or
HiLux 30 NiCad
10 + 20 = 30 watts
Run time of 3/1.5?/less than 1 hour run time with a NiCad Battery (not sure about charge time, but it's about the same)

Prices for each system runs about 70, 90, 110 - respectively.
My question, what wattage would I be most comfortable with that is most practical? I wish I knew someone with one of these light setups, but I don't, so I have no real basis of how bright each one can get. With the higher wattage, of course, they cost more and the run time gets lower and lower.

Also, I have noticed that Cygolight has also come out with a Nickel Metal Hydride in a 6 + 6 = 12 watts combo for about the price of the Night Rover Xtra
Please help!

Do not know anything about these lights, but I ordered this one. Its supposed to be one of the brightest non HID lights out there. You pay little more but you get good stuff like short 5 hour charges, smart battery with fuel guage and brighter lights that can be switched from 10 to 15 to 20 watts on a 20 watt version bulb or 8, 10, or 12 on a 12 version bulb.

Phantom I Jet Lite
or Phantom Jet lites


here are the reivews for both





http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_122246.shtml


and


http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_78289.shtml

ouch that's a lot of money!
I'm afraid that's a bit outside of my budget :(
But yea, I've heard some good things about that company, just can't spend that much

I figured you mentioned one light for 110 so for another 70 bucks you will have a good quality light IMO.

Take care.

PS my budget was around 100 bucks. And there is nothing worth getting for that amount and being happy with it.

Are you guys nuts!? Id never pay that for a light... i have a pair of £16 lights... Real bright... about 3 hour charge.... Ive left mine on over night by accident and the light is still going... its also rock solid... i threw it down my steps onto and wood fllor and it survived still working... thats how good this light is... consider the options of cheaper lgihts... that way if it blows or gets crumpled u havent just spent $100 on a light that is only now any good for the bin....

Well, Transparent-

Why not tell us a bit about your light- where you got it, what kind of light it is, how long ago you got it, what's the wattage of the light, etc.?

Thanks,

Koffee

Toothpic,
Buying lights is like buying a bike get the one that fits your purposes, your budget, and one that is easy to maintain and operate. The whole purpose of lights of course is to see so how much do you want to illuminate?
Check out some of my friends deals: http://www.thorusa.com/product9.htm

My light.... I got it from a place called Argos... dont know if u have them in AMerican though... I got it about 6 months ago.. Im not sure on the attage or type.. but its worked really well for me for 6 months and its blindigly bright... literally

I decided to go with the NICad Night Rover Xtra
For about 70 bucks, I couldn't beat the bang for the buck.
6 hours on low, 2 no high was just awesome.
I hope I won't need more than the max 16.3 watts.
Thanks for the replies guys.

For anyone interested, I found a couple of sites that helped me understand bike lights a little more and make my decision.

http://goodalesbikeshop.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=224

http://www.turbocatusa.com/tech.html

I'm not sure how bias those "facts" may be, so take each with a grain of salt.