Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - 3 lights to choose from

I'm considering purchase of one of these three headlights, all are:
--$200-300 range
--led
--300gm weight range
--Li-Ion battery
--fast charger.

Hard to make this choice.

Anyone have any real-world experience with these or just have suggestions regarding these or similar models?

1-
CygoLite Trident 3xLED Li- Ion battery 290ghttp://www.cygolite.com/products/new/TridenX/TridenX_Lion.html

2-
NiteRider MiNewt.X2 LED Li-Ion battery 232g
http://www.niterider.com/prod_minewtx2.shtml

3-
Light & Motion Stella 180-L LED Li-Ion battery 300g
http://www.bikelights.com/Products/Stella180L.htm

Go for NiMH version of the Cygolite Trident. It's a few grams heavier but you get better runtime.

I have the MinewtX2 and don't know the others. It's about as advertised and I think I paid about $160 on sale. The battery cable is very short, requiring close mounting such as on the stem, unless you buy the expensive extender. The power button is hard to actuate with gloves. When the battery dies, replacements are very expensive ($150). The amount of light, while probably close to advertised, is not adequate for fast riding, old person vision, urban safety, etc, IMO. At night I supplement it with a 100 lumen headlamp and a Fenix 170 lumen flashlight, and strobe one or more lights. I thought about the Cygolite, as the advertised output seemed nice, but it was more money and not on sale.

For $150, you could get 2 FENIX lights, a good charger as well as the batts. Good enough for any riding situation. No cables to speak of, and with the velcro handlebar mounts, takes all of 2 seconds to unstrap the FENIX from your bike and drop into your pocket.

the dinotte's are really nice, have you considered any of them?????

http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=dinotte&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=233623683&Count2=150764107

For $150, you could get 2 FENIX lights, a good charger as well as the batts. Good enough for any riding situation. No cables to speak of, and with the velcro handlebar mounts, takes all of 2 seconds to unstrap the FENIX from your bike and drop into your pocket.

+1. I have Fenix and am glad I do. One on the helmet will fit most cyclists' needs and one on the bar will fulfill the rest.

I don't have Dinotte's, but wish I did. I have not been to their website lately, but the Li-ion version with dual 200L headlights and the 140L tailight used to be $429. Best value combination in cycling IMHO. This would be cheaper and better than what I eventually ended up with. Upgradeable, too.

The 3 lights you have listed all use "older" LED's. Don't use a flashlight. That is like bringing a knife to a gunfight! For less money you can get the very latest in LED technology. Up to ~520 lumens in a lighthead that measures only 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2". 173 grams total weight of lighthead and battery.

Amoeba bike light (http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=18547&cat=27)

I won this light set from Bike Journal.
The quality is unbeatable. 3 year warranty.
http://www.vetta.com/Product_Lights_MicroLux-tsl.htm

A 180 lumen Fenix flashlight mounted on your helmet will meet most road cyclists needs, period. It will light up both lanes of a 2-lane country road and has a bright center beam for lighting the way. A second one mounted on the handlebars makes an incredible combination. A buddy of mine is retired and has been riding all his life. He was not aware of the Fenix option until I showed it to him. He bought two and loves them. His budget prior to that was $300 to $400 for a new light set and was pleased that he could spend less than half that much, including a new battery charger. See the many previous Fenix posts for details on models and helmet/bar mount options. Solid 2-hour runtime on 2-AA batteries and it is easy to carry spares. I was skeptical at first but first hand experience convinced me. Seeing is believing!

Absent that, Dinotte is the most cost-effective and upgradeable quality bicycle light specific solution on the market with great customer service.

BTW - I have viewed the Dinotte's and Niterider and L&M options in person that you are considering and compared them and other models to the Fenix as well.

Pretty happy with my minewtx2.
Small, good runtimes, fast charging, bright enough for a main commuting light and a great helmet light for off road.

Review of that and the stella here (http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/lights-shootout-introduction/).

For $150, you could get 2 FENIX lights, a good charger as well as the batts. Good enough for any riding situation. No cables to speak of, and with the velcro handlebar mounts, takes all of 2 seconds to unstrap the FENIX from your bike and drop into your pocket.

Absolutely! I wish I would have gone this route long ago before wasting money on anything else. I use one on the bar, the other on the helmet.
Like dekindy says, an incredible combo.

For $150, you could get 2 FENIX lights, a good charger as well as the batts. Good enough for any riding situation. No cables to speak of, and with the velcro handlebar mounts, takes all of 2 seconds to unstrap the FENIX from your bike and drop into your pocket.

+1

They are useful around the house too.

I'm considering purchase of one of these three headlights, all are:
--$200-300 range
--led
--300gm weight range
--Li-Ion battery
--fast charger.

Hard to make this choice.

Anyone have any real-world experience with these or just have suggestions regarding these or similar models?

1-
CygoLite Trident 3xLED Li- Ion battery 290ghttp://www.cygolite.com/products/new/TridenX/TridenX_Lion.html

2-
NiteRider MiNewt.X2 LED Li-Ion battery 232g
http://www.niterider.com/prod_minewtx2.shtml

3-
Light & Motion Stella 180-L LED Li-Ion battery 300g
http://www.bikelights.com/Products/Stella180L.htm

Narrow down the choices even more if possible. That will help eliminate some lights and make the choice easier.
You will get some recomendations here that don't consider run time.

What do you need for runtime? This makes a big difference in what light you need.
If you will be riding in traffic, in the city with lots of ambient light, or in the rain, you need a bright
light. On a dark road with no streetlights you don't need as much.
If you have thin racing tires a bright light is more important than if you have big tough MTB tires.
If you really want to ride fast a bright light is a big help.
If you plan on lots of off road riding a light with lots of good side spill makes it easier.
Riding in very cold weather can reduce run time a lot. A water bottle battery keeps the battery warm longer if you really need it.

You might want to check out the new "SCOLO" LED bike mini-headlight at Candlepower forums. They're getting a lot of buzz for their performance and price. They use the latest Cree Q5 LEDs. A pair of 200+ lumen lights with harness, etc. will cost you less than half your target budget.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=174344

Scroll down near the bottom of the first page to see it mounted on a bike. Other shots show beam patterns and wiring options.

You might want to check out the new "SCOLO" LED bike mini-headlight at Candlepower forums. They're getting a lot of buzz for their performance and price. They use the latest Cree Q5 LEDs. A pair of 200+ lumen lights with harness, etc. will cost you less than half your target budget.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=174344

Scroll down near the bottom of the first page to see it mounted on a bike. Other shots show beam patterns and wiring options.

I could not find anything in that entire thread about run time. Did I miss it?

Look on the third page, post #77. 7 hours on high mode using 6 NiMH cells. There are several posts on different cells type and amp combinations. Some are using rechargeable RC batteries.

I'm going to contact the Scolo people. There seems to be a dearth of info in English on their website, like run time and weight. But the product looks good, and very reasonably priced. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I'm going to contact the Scolo people. There seems to be a dearth of info in English on their website, like run time and weight. But the product looks good, and very reasonably priced. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I would recommend a detailed comparison between this and the Dinotte. The Dinotte is tried and proven, offers great customer service, and they have provided an upgrade path for previous technology changes. There are a lot of separate costs to add up and Dinotte offers many bundled options that you can mix and match and determine the price immediately on-line.

I would recommend a detailed comparison between this and the Dinotte. The Dinotte is tried and proven, offers great customer service, and they have provided an upgrade path for previous technology changes. There are a lot of separate costs to add up and Dinotte offers many bundled options that you can mix and match and determine the price immediately on-line.

True, also...for a potential light buyer....

There are a few happy Dinotte owners, nightime beam shots, and info about them here in the forums.
It's as close as you can come to seeing one before you buy it.

Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

I like my Stella.

I like my Stella.

They must be running out of names. Stella, Betty, Wilma.......:D

Fred and Barney ?

I like my Stella.

Yes, yes you do, but this thread is about lights, not beer Chip.:D

I like my Stella.

How much did you have to give for it, Chip?

I see it has the same brightness as my Fenix with a substantially longer run time. I'm curious about the price comparison.

The 3 lights you have listed all use "older" LED's. Don't use a flashlight. That is like bringing a knife to a gunfight! For less money you can get the very latest in LED technology. Up to ~520 lumens in a lighthead that measures only 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2". 173 grams total weight of lighthead and battery.

Amoeba bike light (http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=18547&cat=27)

You obviously have not used a Fenix. It is by far the best value for a bicycle headlight. You will not find a better option in the same price range. You'd have to spend 2-3 times as much to buy a bicycle specific light capable of competing with the Fenix.

Checkin out the fenix. Much appreciato.

Just went on a RUN (no bike!) with my FENIX again with a new running group through Los Angeles, about 8 miles. Got dark, and EVERYONE was impressed as all heck with my killer light (strapped to my head), and everyone was asking where they could get it. I ran for 2 hrs, and the battery lasted all the way. Flash mode is also awesome at dusk, when you're least visible. Definitely my most useful sports-related accessory in my arsenal, from bike to run.

I carry dual Dinotte 200Ls, but I have a Fenix around the house. Though I haven't used it as a bike light, the beam is definitely comparable to the 200L, albeit, it's more of a focused spot rather than the spread pattern on the Dinotte that I find preferable while riding.

For the money, definitely check the Fenix. And also for the money, definitely check the Dinottes. :)

FWIW, I run one on the bars and one on the helmet down a few mile stretch of road pedaling mid 30s, at night, in the rain. While it's true that when it's a real rainfall, I'm wishing for more light, I'm pretty comfortable with the power of these lights. I might even say a Fenix could throw a little farther due to the concentration of the beam and could possibly help with dark rainy commutes like mine, but I haven't tested that. A 200L on the bars with a Fenix on the head might be gold!

You obviously have not used a Fenix. It is by far the best value for a bicycle headlight. You will not find a better option in the same price range. You'd have to spend 2-3 times as much to buy a bicycle specific light capable of competing with the Fenix.

I agree. Probably closer to 2 times if you have to purchase a battery charger and rechargeable batteries. But it is well worth it. Plus you have a good flashlight(s) for around the house.

I agree. Probably closer to 2 times if you have to purchase a battery charger and rechargeable batteries. But it is well worth it. Plus you have a good flashlight(s) for around the house.

But as far as I can tell, the Fenix uses non-rechargable batteries, and specialty batteries at that (CR123). So your costs would involve purchasing batteries all the time. Apparently they aren't that expensive, but still...

My system is all paid for now. I just charge the battery once in a while, but other than that it doesn't cost me a thing. At least until new emitters become available and I decide to upgrade again :D.

But as far as I can tell, the Fenix uses non-rechargable batteries, and specialty batteries at that (CR123). So your costs would involve purchasing batteries all the time. Apparently they aren't that expensive, but still...

My system is all paid for now. I just charge the battery once in a while, but other than that it doesn't cost me a thing. At least until new emitters become available and I decide to upgrade again :D.

The fenix both my wife and I use (180 lumens) uses NIMH AA batteries. They do make ones that will use CR123 as well as single triple AAA versions. Even if you don't have rechargeable batteries you could get away with probably $15 for an ok charger and 4AAs that will last you a long time. Fenix will eat alkaline AAs like mad and lithium last longer but are $$$.

But as far as I can tell, the Fenix uses non-rechargable batteries, and specialty batteries at that (CR123). So your costs would involve purchasing batteries all the time.

As others have mentioned, Fenix makes other models with the same lamps that take rechargeable AAs or AAAs.

Fenix lights are great for mountain biking but the conical beam isn't as good for road biking as some others', like the Busch and Mueller Ixon IQ -- a self-contained light with integral batteries (AAs) like a cheap 1W Cateye, but with performance more like a Fenix or Dinotte. Not cheap either ($125-ish), but perfect for some situations like commuting. Side by side with a L&M Vega, I thought the B&M was better.

As others have mentioned, Fenix makes other models with the same lamps that take rechargeable AAs or AAAs.

Which model would that be? I was looking at the website, the lights with high output seem to be the Fenix 3 series, which take the CR123. The Fenix 2 lights use the AA batteries, but throw a whole lot less light. Or do you need to upgrade the emitters or some such to get something usable as a bike light?

throw a whole lot less light.

aren't we only talking about 5 lumens or so between the AA and the CR123? I settled for a little less light to have the more common AA.

aren't we only talking about 5 lumens or so between the AA and the CR123? I settled for a little less light to have the more common AA.

According to the website, the Fenix 2S only puts out 45 lumens, and it has AA batteries, and 4 hours of runtime.

The Fenix P3D puts out 200 lumens in Turbo mode, and uses two CR123 batteries, and less than 2 hours of runtime.

What am I missing here? Am I looking at the wrong page on the Fenix website or something?

http://www.fenixlight.com/flashlight/fenixl2s.htm

With my Cygolite and upgraded emitters, I have about 450 lumens or so, and about 4 hours of runtime on high-beam. At dusk or in the fog, I use a flashing mode instead, and a much longer runtime. I think I only paid about $120 for the Cygolite, plus another 20$ for the new emitters..

Sounds like we're beating a dead horse here.

The FENIX is an excellent all-around, albeit very simple (for all you DIYers) solution for excellent low-cost lighting.

The L2D model is used by many, and takes 2 x AAs. Almost everyone uses rechargeable NiMH batts, and if you use 2000+ mA batteries (the ones that come one with the Lacrosse $35 charger are 2400mA, so they're not rare), you'll get 1:45-2:15 hrs of runtime with no overheating in turbo mode. I'm not sure how many lumens it throws out, but it's at least 140, and likely more. Whatever it is, you can ride in night-time traffic with one and still not have your beam washed out. On a dark unlit road with no traffic, you could definitely ride at near-maximum speed on roads. With two FENIX L2Ds, you've got all your bases covered for about $100 and nearly no hassle.

This has all been reiterated thousands of times on other posts - search 'em if you want to find more opinions and user experiences. There are fancier, more powerful, and pricier options, but wow these lights are simple, great and cheap, with nearly no compromise on performance.

Does anybody use rechargeable CR123As? I didn't think they existed, but they do if you look them up.

I use unprotected RCR123's on a Nuwai 3W.
I run it till it I notice it getting dim which is not that long, maybe 20 mins.
then I put it in the charger and pop in another one. this light is only used around the house.
been using it for over 2 years, no problems, no explosions.
I did have an AAAA cell from streamlight penlight explode in my bag.

Lots of good info here, thanks everyone. All these look like good options, lot of good hardware out there. I'd like to have one of each product, but I finally went with the Fenix L2D.

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_65&products_id=362

I got two of them and they really look cool mounted on the handlebar. They make a flood of light. Quick to mount, very hassle-free. Handy to use off the bike. I also bought a red filter attachment so one could be used as a tail light when need be.

The bummer here is that one of my L2D's got swiped from my bike the first time out! So I have to reorder. Having a good bike with good accessories means constant vigilance!!!!

I'm not sure how many lumens it throws out, but it's at least 140, and likely more.The L2D Premium puts out 180 lumens in Turbo Mode. Manual warns about excessive heat if the light is on Turbo for longer periods of time. On bike and during night time, I haven't found it to be an issue.

--J

The L2D Premium puts out 180 lumens in Turbo Mode. Manual warns about excessive heat if the light is on Turbo for longer periods of time. On bike and during night time, I haven't found it to be an issue.

--J

+1

No overheating problems here either.

Dude - NEVER leave items of any real value on your bike. Especially the FENIX - because it's literally effortless to unstrap the thing from the lockblock. Takes less than 1 second, and even better, since there are no wires, you can just drop it right into your pants pocket. I've never used anything more convenient for lighting - even those darn headlamps which are underpowered are a hassle compared to the Fenix.

... I might even say a Fenix could throw a little farther due to the concentration of the beam and could possibly help with dark rainy commutes like mine, but I haven't tested that. A 200L on the bars with a Fenix on the head might be gold!

This is what I do: Fenix on the helmet, DiNotte on the bars. Works great! At dawn and dusk, I can put one in flash mode (usually the DiNotte) and have the other solid; I often do this 30-45 minutes into my morning commute. For my commute home, it's usually daylight so I put both of them on flash mode. The combination works great in all lighting conditions. In case you're wondering, I only bicycle commute on Fridays.

I also use the Fenix for running. I typically run 4 to 6 miles, often in the dark; I do this 3 times per week. I cannot run too fast for the Fenix, even on poorly maintained roads. It works beautifully for this too!

Finally, I am in the process of transitioning to a career in law enforcement (it's a second career for me). I expect the Fenix will be a very useful addition to my duty belt.

Don't get me wrong: I love my DiNottes. However, if I had just one headlight it would be a Fenix. I use just one taillight: it's a DiNotte. I do have a PB Superflash, but I only use that when I run as it's not bright enough to be useful next to a DiNotte.