Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Dinotte 400L Headlight opinions

Hi all,

After looking for a good light source for both nightime road and MTB riding, I came across the Dinotte 400L headlight which seems like a good idea since it can be used - if your order the proper accesories - with a headband, helmet mount or handlebar mount.

Has anyone had any experience with this particular light? I know Dinotte has an excellent reputation and I will most likely buy from them. I'm just not sure what model to get.

Thanks in advance.

Yea, I have one I bought about a month and a half ago. Short answer...Great light!

It replaced a pair of 200Ls that used 4AA batteries each. I get better run times with the Li ion and it is much simpler to use. Although a pair of 200Ls are technically the same amount of light of The 400L, it actually has more light when I tried them side by side. This is something that Dinotte confirmed to me as well. I think they downrated the lumens, but that is just my opinion. I use mine handlebar mounted and I have a Princeton Tec "EOS-Bike" on my helmet. On the plus side the mounting hardware is very secure and offers more adjustment than the O-Ring system does. Especially side to side. On the downside the O-ring system was something that could be moved from Bike to Bike very easily.

Dinotte has the best support in the business. They include two batteries, which is very useful and something no one else in the industry does.

I also have their 140L tail light... together these lights are an awsome system.

If you need any more info, just ask.

Thank you very much for your reply. I'll probably be using this light on two different bikes. Is it still possible to take it from bike to bike without tools?

I also have a 400L headlight and 140L taillight and couldn't be more happy with them. It's probably a little short on light for the 45+mph hill when I leave my house but I was kind of expecting that. Other than that they've been fantastic. I put a custom package together by calling them with the 400L and 140L. Actually, they forgot the optional lenses when they put together my shipment. I emailed them the same day I received the package and within about 2 hours I had an email in my inbox with the tracking number for the lenses, no questions asked. A+ service in my book.

You won't be able to swap the light between two bikes without a Phillips screwdriver unless your fingernails are abnormally hard. :p When I need to take it off I just unscrew the light from the mount and leave the clamp part in place. Probably takes 30sec at most. They also ship several clamps with the light so you should be able to put a mount on each bike, and then just transfer the light between each by unscrewing it.

Hope that helps some.

I have a 600L on the handlebars and a 400L on my helmet and the 140L tail light.

I bought the 400L with the extra set of lenses which spread the beam out, but I found I prefer the more focused light. I do only road biking. If you plan on doing mtn biking, you might want to order the extra set of lenses and give both a try. It cost $10 more.

The 400L is an awesome helmet light. I bought it to better see night critters and deer after hitting a raccoon 5 weeks ago. I've not regretted one penny of the investment I have made in lights this year. Dinotte lights are great.

Thank you very much for your reply. I'll probably be using this light on two different bikes. Is it still possible to take it from bike to bike without tools?

No, You will need at least a screwdriver. Probably the easiest way to move this from bike to bike is to use it helmet mounted. The 200L on my helmet was too much for me. So I know the 400L would be too heavy for my tastes. But you may like it. Dinotte does ship the light with two different clamps and a helmet mount, so you have several options. One clamp is for horizontal mounting and the other for vertical. If you plan on using this with two bikes, and you want to leave a clamp on each bike, then tell them when you order. I'm sure extra clamps are cheap..and maybe they will even throw them in for free.

FWIW ... The bolt pattern on back of the light is a standard reflector two bolt. I am willing to bet someone will find a quick disconnect that will work with the 400L.

I have a 600L on the handlebars and a 400L on my helmet and the 140L tail light.

Which do you find has more throw, the 600L or the 400L?

Which do you find has more throw, the 600L or the 400L?

The 600L. They also have the similar beam patterns. With the different lenses on the 400L, you lose that for a very wide, diffused light. Mtn /trail riders would probably like that.

The 600L. They also have the similar beam patterns. With the different lenses on the 400L, you lose that for a very wide, diffused light. Mtn /trail riders would probably like that.

Thanks for the firsthand report :beer: