From an email I just got!

DiNotte Lighting USA
Hampton, NH 03842
http://www.dinottelighting.com
sales@dinottelighting.com

Greetings customers and friends.

We'll be officially announcing the 400L shortly, but since it leaked out, we figured we'd make our first announcement of it to our customers and friends who like to hear about our products.

In a nutshell, the 400L headlight IS the coolest helmet mounted light on the market. It can also be bar mounted quite well and a headband mount will be available before labor day. The 400L DOES NOT use the O-ring style mount. The 400L lights have about 2X the brightness of the 200L and it's run time is about 2.5 hours on high using a 2 cell battery. Essentially it's about 2/3 the run time of the 200L products, and more than 25% more than the 600L products.

The 400L taillight solves all mounting issues because it comes with several size mounts and can be oriented horizontally or vertically.

Because many of our customers already have DiNotte Lithium ion headlights (or taillights) each product is available with the battery and charger deleted. THE 400L will not run with AA batteries, it's strictly a lithium-ion product.

The 400L headlight and taillight may be seen by going to www.dinottelighting.com , then click on online store and finally on li-ion endurance series.

In the beginning the 400L will only be availble through our online store while quantities are limited. We also wish to determine the customers preferred battery choices before releasing beyond our store.

We only have limited quantities of the headlight and taillights, until we get our next run of metal which is due shortly, so the product availability is on a first come, first served basis. Because it is new, orders might take an extra 2-3 days to ship, but if it's on the store, it is available.

Thank you
DiNotte Lighting USA.

https://store.nexternal.com/dinotte/images/400L_HELMET_2.jpg
https://store.nexternal.com/dinotte/images/400L_HELMET_KIT1.jpg
http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?RowID=90&CS=dinotte&All=


https://store.nexternal.com/dinotte/images/400L-TAIL_1.jpg
https://store.nexternal.com/dinotte/images/400L-TAIL_KIT.jpg

http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?RowID=91&CS=dinotte&All=

oooh yea I got that email too. I'm ordering the tailight this week.

oooh yea I got that email too. I'm ordering the tailight this week.
Definitely! You can also order it without battery if you already have the Li ones.

Hmmm! :) I wonder where they positioned the control buttons.

The whole reason I like the Dinotte lights is their ability to use AA batteries. It's a shame they don't want to put out a AA version of their new productions. :-(

I mean, what would it take for this light? It even looks like it's got 2 bulbs - you could wire it up so with 8 AA batteries, 4 of them went to one bulb and 4 went to the other.

They must have realized, like all the other companies did, that selling proprietary batteries at $50 a pop (that's what they cost) is more profitable than letting you buy your own replacement batteries for $10. :-( I certainly hope that they prove me wrong and release a AA version of this light - would be nice.

Hmmm! :) I wonder where they positioned the control buttons.

They probably use the same circuit ass'y as in 200L/140L, and have the multi-mode indicator/control button in back of the assembly. Their previous button served as an indicator of run time left and function selected, truly inuitive. I doubt if they would have changed such an advanced feature.

They probably use the same circuit ass'y as in 200L/140L, and have the multi-mode indicator/control button in back of the assembly. Their previous button served as an indicator of run time left and function selected, truly inuitive. I doubt if they would have changed such an advanced feature.

That makes sense, but at the same time, no previous DiNotte had a two-bolt mount coming in the rear, either. Maybe they'll post a pic of the rear of the light head. It's a tempting deal, at any rate. I've already got two 4-cell and two 2-cell batteries, so it's nice that they offer it without batteries or charger.

I don't have one of these lights yet (I have to save up for something this expensive) but I prefer AA batteries. They are the most common and easiest to come by of all batteries. Great for commuting, touring you name it.

When will Dinotte have its next $100.00 sale?? =)

oooohhh, i cant wait for pics and reviews/input from the first to have it... So if you get it, post up about it!

I don't understand the point of doubling the light output of the rear tail lights. I believe just one 140L tail light in flashing strobe mode is quite effective even during the daytime hours.

I'm a satisfied owner of the Dinotte Day and Night Visibility package set (with amber, red and white lights).

I ordered the 400L taillight this morning with express shipping. I have a Light & Motion Vega for the headlight so this should make for a stellar lighting combo. I'll post some pictures once I get it charged and installed.

I don't understand the point of doubling the light output of the rear tail lights. I believe just one 140L tail light in flashing strobe mode is quite effective even during the daytime hours.

Haha (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=413833).
Wondered how long it would be before the 140l tail light owners started questioning the 300l tail light. :roflmao2:

Looks like Dinotte bulkordered a well known clamp that's been used on blinkies for a long time (I have 3 blinkies using the same exact mount).

The headlight might be useful, the taillight is downright stupid and idiotic.

The headlight might be useful, the taillight is downright stupid and idiotic.

You might feel differently if you rode in an environment where you needed that level of power. Thick fog while riding on a narrow highway comes to mind. We don't get thick fog here too often, but when it happens, wow, stuff can seem to appear from nowhere :eek: Are there bicycle-mounted flare launchers available...?

They must have realized, like all the other companies did, that selling proprietary batteries at $50 a pop (that's what they cost) is more profitable than letting you buy your own replacement batteries for $10.

If you're fretting about $50, then, you're going to go ballistic when you see how much NiMH ones cost. :eek:

Is the headlight really twice as bright or did they just effectively slap two 200Ls together?

They must have realized, like all the other companies did, that selling proprietary batteries at $50 a pop (that's what they cost) is more profitable than letting you buy your own replacement batteries for $10. :-( I certainly hope that they prove me wrong and release a AA version of this light - would be nice.

They are not proprietary, you can still use AA, get a 6 AA holder and the correct connector and you won't have to use Li-ion. The Li-ion for the Dinotte is a simple 7.2V, the same voltage you get for 6 AA in series.

The switch is on the front, between the two emitters.

You might feel differently if you rode in an environment where you needed that level of power. Thick fog while riding on a narrow highway comes to mind. We don't get thick fog here too often, but when it happens, wow, stuff can seem to appear from nowhere :eek:....

You are spot on there!

I thought my rear light (only a recent big Cateye, also AA, which I much prefer) was pretty good until last winter I went out during daylight & the fog thickened after I left. I stopped on a country road, as I wondered what my tail light looked like from a distance. I propped up the bike, walked back about 30 yards, & it was barely visible! If I can find the photo' I snapped, I'll post it.

I'm definitely interested in a seriously bright tail light after that!

Boooyah!! :twitchy:

It's pretty damn bright when you see it in person. My wife said I looked like a motorcycle with the M&L Vega & the 400L combo I got going. Don't make fun of my mount job ha! I can easily see motor vehicles giving the light some respect, I know I would.

I'll get a video of it on the net soon.

I don't understand the point of doubling the light output of the rear tail lights. I believe just one 140L tail light in flashing strobe mode is quite effective even during the daytime hours.

I'm a satisfied owner of the Dinotte Day and Night Visibility package set (with amber, red and white lights).

So am I (I have white 200L and 140L). When a driver is barreling around a curve or is far away and coming up on you fast, the brighter the taillight is the greater chance you'll see it dead-on or reflecting off of something else. You can never have too bright a taillight; except when riding with other cyclists, of course!

Dang. I really need a headlight. *sigh* I'm tired of getting hit by cars at night. Okay I got hit once. And then there was a near miss.

.....Don't make fun of my mount job ha! I can easily see motor vehicles giving the light some respect, I know I would.

I'll get a video of it on the net soon.

Thanks for the pic's. Mounting looks fine.

Any idea on the distance in "outside5.jpg", & rough idea on battery life please?

In reading the 400L product description I began to wonder whether the 400L's real improvement is in the choice of two lenses. That is, I assume that pair of the alternate lens is "flood" and the other "spot". In that case the rider has the choice of matching the light to his riding. Many of the threads concerning which light would be best have the caveat that one must try it out to know which will be best for you. Now, with the 400L's lens option you can buy and adjust as you meet your needs. :thumb: Your choice, two flood, two spot, or one of each . . . helment or bar. Caveat: I am reading between the lines here. Dinotte does not explicitely state that you have this kind of choice. IOM it is the only way to make sense out of their having a lens option.

Does anyone else provide this level of versitility?

Boooyah!! :twitchy:

It's pretty damn bright when you see it in person. My wife said I looked like a motorcycle with the M&L Vega & the 400L combo I got going. Don't make fun of my mount job ha! I can easily see motor vehicles giving the light some respect, I know I would.

I'll get a video of it on the net soon.

For the love of god that thing is bright!:eek: I can see the point of a really bright tail light in certain situations like heavy fog, but that seems way overboard for around town in normal circumstances. From the looks of the pics it seems like you would be completely blinding cars coming up behind you. Maybe the camera just makes it look brighter than it is. I wouldn't be surprised at all to have the local PD pull me over with that tail light set to high. I have never seen a car with tail lights anywhere near as bright as those appear to be so I wonder if it is even legal to use that on the road? Again, maybe they just seem brighter than what they actually are, but I don't know. Seems like you could light up a whole gymnasium with that thing lol.

Thanks for the pic's. Mounting looks fine.
Any idea on the distance in "outside5.jpg", & rough idea on battery life please?

Here's a quick google map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=29.574875,-95.543879&spn=0.004451,0.009398&z=17&msid=102540384329914063774.000452608cdd0ab17a499) for the distance for the "outside5.jpg".

As far as battery life, I won't know from personal experience until next week when I actually use it for commuting but here is excerpt from the email Dinotte sent.

The 400L lights have about 2X the brightness of the 200L and it's run time is about 2.5 hours on high using a 2 cell battery. Essentially it's about 2/3 the run time of the 200L products, and more than 25% more than the 600L products. Maybe the camera just makes it look brighter than it is. I wouldn't be surprised at all to have the local PD pull me over with that tail light set to high. I have never seen a car with tail lights anywhere near as bright as those appear to be so I wonder if it is even legal to use that on the road? Again, maybe they just seem brighter than what they actually are, but I don't know. Seems like you could light up a whole gymnasium with that thing lol.

The camera does kind of exaggerate the lighting but it's still bright as hell. I'll be testing it out next week on the road in the early morning so I'll see what type of reactions I get and go from there. I'm not out to blind anyone or anything like that so I'll be facing it somewhat downward. Before the weekend is up I'm going to get my wife to ride the bike while I drive behind her. If it's too bright on the highest setting then I'll lower it maybe play around with the optional lenses.

The camera does kind of exaggerate the lighting but it's still bright as hell. I'll be testing it out next week on the road in the early morning so I'll see what type of reactions I get and go from there. I'm not out to blind anyone or anything like that so I'll be facing it somewhat downward. Before the weekend is up I'm going to get my wife to ride the bike while I drive behind her. If it's too bright on the highest setting then I'll lower it maybe play around with the optional lenses.


Good idea aiming them down. Don't get me wrong though, I like bright lights as I run 2,000+ lumens up front, but I don't use them on high until I get to the trail as oncoming traffic doesn't like it too much nor does the local sheriff that came to a skidding halt in a cloud of dust on the side of the road when he accidentally got a blast. I had just come out from a trail and didn't expect any vehicles to be around so I didn't dim my lights right away and low and behold here comes a sheriffs car barreling around the corner:)

Is the headlight really twice as bright or did they just effectively slap two 200Ls together?

This is my main question, and what is the expected price of the unit? This is actually a really nice developement if they've priced it properly. I'd like more light than the 200L but really don't want to pay $400+ for the 600L when there's HID for less.

And thank god they got rid of the stupid o-ring mount. But it also doesn't look like you can swivel it at all...

Am I the only one who can't access the OP's dinotte links?

Huh? Just go to the Dinotte store..don't bother with any links. The current price for the base model is C$271.69 so I think that this is much better value than the 200L.

Huh? Just go to the Dinotte store..don't bother with any links. The current price for the base model is C$271.69 so I think that this is much better value than the 200L.

Hmm... $271 vs $400 for the 600L. Hmm.

This is what two DiNotte 140L-AA tail lights looks like in action. I shot this a few months ago.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IeBhnFglE4

And thank god they got rid of the stupid o-ring mount. But it also doesn't look like you can swivel it at all...



What's the matter with the o-ring mount? I know that before I bought it I worried about it, but in practice it works great. I've been using mine 3 times a week for months with no problems. It's easy to adjust up and down while riding.

What's the matter with the o-ring mount? I know that before I bought it I worried about it, but in practice it works great. I've been using mine 3 times a week for months with no problems. It's easy to adjust up and down while riding.

You shouldn't have to adjust it up or down while riding.

The O-ring mount is also susceptible to being moved left or right after you lean your bike against a post. Given the importance of accurate "aiming" for LED lights, these are significant problems (IMO).

The O-ring mount is also much more susceptible to theft if you have to park your bike outside.

The new 400 mounts look to resolve some of these deficiencies.

What's the matter with the o-ring mount? I know that before I bought it I worried about it, but in practice it works great. I've been using mine 3 times a week for months with no problems. It's easy to adjust up and down while riding.

It's not up and down i'm worried about, it's the fact that you have NO adjustment side to side. For example if I don't wish to blind cars with my light, i'd like to at least point it a bit to the right side of the road.

I have a bright light, but I don't want to be an ******* and blind other road users. Which i'm sure at least some dinotte users are doing. The O-ring mount isn't helping the situation at all. You are at the mercy of your bars.

It's not up and down i'm worried about, it's the fact that you have NO adjustment side to side. For example if I don't wish to blind cars with my light, i'd like to at least point it a bit to the right side of the road.

I have a bright light, but I don't want to be an ******* and blind other road users. Which i'm sure at least some dinotte users are doing. The O-ring mount isn't helping the situation at all. You are at the mercy of your bars.

Exactly how is there no side to side adjustment? If you mount it on the seat post as intended you can swivel it any which direction you please.

Exactly how is there no side to side adjustment? If you mount it on the seat post as intended you can swivel it any which direction you please.

Yeah I love mounting my headlight on my seatpost.

For the love of god that thing is bright!:eek: I can see the point of a really bright tail light in certain situations like heavy fog, but that seems way overboard for around town in normal circumstances. From the looks of the pics it seems like you would be completely blinding cars coming up behind you. Maybe the camera just makes it look brighter than it is. I wouldn't be surprised at all to have the local PD pull me over with that tail light set to high. I have never seen a car with tail lights anywhere near as bright as those appear to be so I wonder if it is even legal to use that on the road? Again, maybe they just seem brighter than what they actually are, but I don't know. Seems like you could light up a whole gymnasium with that thing lol.

They are not as bad as the camera makes it look. Beam shots can't really be used to judge anything because it is so dependent on the camera's exposure settings.

While the dinotte taillights are a gazillion times brighter than any other taillight, they are most certainly not overkill. If you haven't seen one personally in action it's hard to describe it to you. They work way better than any other light for their intented purpose -- to be seen.

Hi did anyone mention the neat battery level function, it lets you check a battery when its connected to the light head press the button once then a mix of green & red leds lets you know how much charge is left. Neat eh.

Jon

They are not as bad as the camera makes it look. Beam shots can't really be used to judge anything because it is so dependent on the camera's exposure settings.

While the dinotte taillights are a gazillion times brighter than any other taillight, they are most certainly not overkill. If you haven't seen one personally in action it's hard to describe it to you. They work way better than any other light for their intented purpose -- to be seen.

I almost bought a 140l tail light, but I really can't justify the purchase at this time as I don't have much traffic around here to deal with and I always run two superflashes at least and sometimes another 7 led flasher too. I can go out on a night ride around here and only encounter a couple dozen cars in a 2 hour period so I don't sweat it. You guys who live in some busy areas and are riding at busier times of the night might really need a more serious light like the Dinotte though.

I almost bought a 140l tail light, but I really can't justify the purchase at this time as I don't have much traffic around here to deal with and I always run two superflashes at least and sometimes another 7 led flasher too. I can go out on a night ride around here and only encounter a couple dozen cars in a 2 hour period so I don't sweat it. You guys who live in some busy areas and are riding at busier times of the night might really need a more serious light like the Dinotte though.

How do you deal with a car on your tail thats going to rear end your bike?
It Only take one car or truck to ruin your ride.

How do you deal with a car on your tail thats going to rear end your bike?
It Only take one car or truck to ruin your ride.

If someone is unable to see you with two Superflashes then a 140l isn't going to help.

If someone is unable to see you with two Superflashes then a 140l isn't going to help.

I disagree...on my commuter bike, I run the 140L and 2 PB Superflash. While the Superflash is very bright and eye-catching (and the best value for those on a budget), it simply doesn't have the power of the 140L.

Part of my commute is on a narrow road with a fair mount of traffic travelling at speeds of 45-60 mph. The 140L's light can be seen half a mile away, and alerts overtaking drivers to my presence long before they would be able to detect the Superflash. With all the distractions that drivers have, and the speeds involved, I want them to think "Bike Ahead!" (or, "WTF?") a long ways before they get close to me. The 140L seems to do well in this respect.

FWIW - during most daylight commutes, I only run the 140L. If it's hazy, raining, or near sunrise or sundown, I'll run the Superflash units in addition to the 140L

I disagree...on my commuter bike, I run the 140L and 2 PB Superflash. While the Superflash is very bright and eye-catching (and the best value for those on a budget), it simply doesn't have the power of the 140L.

Part of my commute is on a narrow road with a fair mount of traffic travelling at speeds of 45-60 mph. The 140L's light can be seen half a mile away, and alerts overtaking drivers to my presence long before they would be able to detect the Superflash. With all the distractions that drivers have, and the speeds involved, I want them to think "Bike Ahead!" (or, "WTF?") a long ways before they get close to me. The 140L seems to do well in this respect.

Exactly. The SuperFlash is a great light for the money, but if the goal is to forcibly get "on the radar" of fast traffic from >1/4 mile away in daylight conditions, so they have time to make wise decisions instead of last-minute decisions, two SuperFlashes are nothing compared to a 140.

Set your SuperFlash on a guardrail, ride 1/4 mile, and see how well it shows up in sunlight. You'll see the SuperFlash if you're looking for it, sure... but the DiNotte will force the issue ;)

I disagree...on my commuter bike, I run the 140L and 2 PB Superflash. While the Superflash is very bright and eye-catching (and the best value for those on a budget), it simply doesn't have the power of the 140L.

.....

Likewise, & I agree that the Superflash is value for money. Here in the UK it's marketed under a different name I think. In fog particularly, Superflash & Cateye Ld1100 are not good enough, so your views along with mechBgon's are steering me to an overdraft to buy the Dinotte ;-)

I disagree...on my commuter bike, I run the 140L and 2 PB Superflash. While the Superflash is very bright and eye-catching (and the best value for those on a budget), it simply doesn't have the power of the 140L.

Part of my commute is on a narrow road with a fair mount of traffic travelling at speeds of 45-60 mph. The 140L's light can be seen half a mile away, and alerts overtaking drivers to my presence long before they would be able to detect the Superflash. With all the distractions that drivers have, and the speeds involved, I want them to think "Bike Ahead!" (or, "WTF?") a long ways before they get close to me. The 140L seems to do well in this respect.



A. Maybe you should rethink using the highway for your commute?
B. The response was to the "someone on your tail" which does not mean a 1/4 or 1/2 mile away.

So does anyone actually HAVE the 400L and would like to share with us a mini-review/pics?

How do you deal with a car on your tail thats going to rear end your bike?
It Only take one car or truck to ruin your ride.

Well I haven't had too much of this kind of problem, but I have bunny hopped up onto sidewalks to get out of some idiots way. I don't ride a road bike so I can get away with some craziness. :)

A. Maybe you should rethink using the highway for your commute?
B. The response was to the "someone on your tail" which does not mean a 1/4 or 1/2 mile away.

Unfortunately, there are no alternatives for me - I have to ride the narrow high-speed road for 1/4 mile or so coming and going (thankfully, the rest of my commute is very mellow).


As for "How do you deal with a car on your tail thats going to rear end your bike?" - in that scenario, no light will help (unless it's a disabling 1 Gigawatt laser :D).

So does anyone actually HAVE the 400L and would like to share with us a mini-review/pics?


Anyone? Anyone?

hi Brabus
am in a comp at the moment will do you some pics later on

jon