Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Dinotte 800L / 600L combo review

This is a review for the 800L and 400L combo - not 800L / 600L - my bad. :o

Well, I decided that I wanted more runtime over what I was getting from my L&M ARC HID, so I bit the bullet and went with the DiNotte 800L / 400L combo showing as being on sale at the DiNotte webstore.

Delivery was very quick. I was surprised to see the lights arrive in a couple of days. :thumb:

Opening the package, I noticed there was a lot of extra hardware and mounts, but no directions or suggestions as to how to use them. STRIKE 1

I proceeded to remove the 400L from the helmet mount and replace the mount with an OS handlebar mount after determining how that could be done. Installation of the mount and the light on to the bike went well.

Next, I attempted to mount the 800L. I had some difficulty with this, as the mount was just a little bit too small in it's inner circumference to clamp on to the handlebar. Finally, it dawned on me that two plastic pieces within the mount could be removed. I did this and substituted a rubber strip in their place. Once again, some documentation about this would have been helpful.

Battery charging went well and without a hitch. :thumb:

Battery mounting went well. I decided to stack both batteries one on top of the other and hold them that way by using one of the provided velcro straps. I mounted the batteries on the downtube of the frame just behind and below the headstock. It was mounted low enough so as not to interfere with the rear brake cable, and of course, in a way that didn't interfere with either derraileur cable.

Just for sifts and giggles, I remounted my L&M ARC HID, too. THis is what everything looked like from the front:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DSC00780.jpg

TEST RIDE
I took the lights out on a century ride shown here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7821954&postcount=2436

Some of the roads on this century were pretty rough and just before the lunch stop the 800L started flopping around on it's mount, the hardware loosening up from the vibration. I monitored the situation closely, not wanting to stop because we were so close to the lunch stop in Glen Rock, PA, but upon arriving, I noticed that I lost a hex screw from one side of the mount anyway. :notamused: I tightened the remaining hex screw. STRIKE TWO

I remembered there were other hex screws in the package of hardware that came with the lights, so I wasn't overly concerned until I got home and found out that the hex screws used for the 800L's mount is bigger than the extras. :notamused: I guess I'll have to give DiNotte a call to see if I can get another one that goes with the mount. These screws really need a teflon patch on the threads or a lock or star washer to keep them from loosening up. :notamused:

THE REAL TEST
During the century ride, I used the 400L in flashing mode for high traffic areas of the route and only kicked in the 800L when dusk approached. The 400L's battery performed well during the 6.5 hours of riding. It was probably on for at least 75% of the ride time. The battery was still going strong when I finished the ride.

The combination didn't really get a good test, because it never got dark enough to notice the idiosyncracies of the pair. This was left to my morning commute to work this morning.

The first thing that I noticed was that the 800L didn't have nearly as good a "throw" as my L&M ARC HID. It had lots of "spill over" with a nice pleasing white light, but it just didn't project out. There was no "hot spot" when I had it set up like I had the ARC HID. So, I decided that I would probably retain the ARC HID for it's throw and use the "spill over" from the 800L. The 400L would be used for closer in "fill" light.

On the way in, I noticed that the 800L's mount shifted. The mount really sucks. They should take a look at what Lights & Motion do for mounts as I have never had much problem with their mount. Once at work, I checked the solo hex screw and found it still to be tight, so apparently the movement was from the portion of the mount that goes around the handlebar. I gave it a couple of turn on it's latch and had to use a bit more force to close the latch. We'll see if that helps.

Anyway, that's been my experience so far. I'm not as pleased as I had hoped for. I'm reserving STRIKE THREE for the next set of morning rides with these lights. Hopefully, with as much as I payed for them, I can get them to work to my satisfaction.

First, thats a 400L (not a 600) - Strike One
Second, I would slip the mounts under the brake cables so they are mounted firmly on the bar surface - Strike Two
I will reserve strike three as well.

Seriously, I understand what you are saying about the directions that DiNotte provides, but, to be fair it's not really rocket science to mount a light.

Try and remount the lights with the clamps on the bar ONLY and see if you have the same problem. I have a dual 400L setup on my commuter and they are so tight that I can't even move them when I want to.

First, thats a 400L (not a 600) - Strike One
Second, I would slip the mounts under the brake cables so they are mounted firmly on the bar surface - Strike Two
I will reserve strike three as well.

Seriously, I understand what you are saying about the directions that DiNotte provides, but, to be fair it's not really rocket science to mount a light.

Try and remount the lights with the clamps on the bar ONLY and see if you have the same problem. I have a dual 400L setup on my commuter and they are so tight that I can't even move them when I want to.

Thanks for your opinion, but I'm not going to unwrap my handlebar tape so that I can get a clean bar to mount interface. I didn't have to do it with the L&M ARC HID. I shouldn't have to do it with the DiNotte.

And, actually, you are correct. It's a 800L and 400L NOT 800L and 600L. My bad. Still, the 800L does not project as well as the L&M ARC HID, but I guess that's the price of longer run time.

No matter what, hardware should not be falling off the mount within a few hours of use.

Imagine not mounting directly on the bar and then posting on the internet complaining that the mount is not designed properly. I guess you do need instructions.:notamused:

Imagine not mounting directly on the bar and then posting on the internet complaining that the mount is not designed properly. I guess you do need instructions.:notamused:

Yes. You're right. Thanks.

I cannot believe that when one spends hundreds of dollars on a highly regarded light, the manufacturer does not include detailed mounting instructions.

I went to the DiNotte site and failed to find mounting info there.

I do not blame the OP for being a bit put off by this omission on the part of DiNotte.

Although I'm happy with my 600L headlight and 140L tailight, I was put off by the lack of instructions when I first received it.

In my opinion they should include model specific instructions with each order. It should include mounting instructions, usage instructions, and charging and maintenance instructions.

I got by without them, but I can imagine some not-so-gadget-savvy people having issues.

Imagine not mounting directly on the bar and then posting on the internet complaining that the mount is not designed properly. I guess you do need instructions.:notamused:

+1, mounts are *always* intended to be mounted directly to the bar and not over the bar-tape as the OP has apparently done. That it worked on your L&M is sheer luck. Properly tightened screws will not vibrate loose, so the lost screw on the century is user error not Dinotte's fault. That Dinotte provides extra screws at all is a bonus. I know of no other mnfd that supplies extra pieces FOC. But if you were worried about vibration issues, you should have used green or blue loctite upon installation.

I chalk up most of the OP's complaints to a simple lack of mechanical skill/knowhow. The lack of instructions on the mounting hardward is annoying I agree.

The reduced throw of LED's over HID is fairly well known and the OP's impression seems to reflect this.

Interesting review, I am sure that Dinotte will make the purhcase right. I don't own a Dinotte but know those who do and have talked to Rob on a number of occasions.

I didn't have to do it with the L&M ARC HID. I shouldn't have to do it with the DiNotte.

You wouldn't have to do it with the DiNotte either, if you didn't decide to put all three lights on at the same time. There's plenty of room for two of the three lights at once, at the very least. Clamping over the cables can cause cable drag and binding, too. Also, your bar tape is terminated by about 4 times as much electrical tape as necessary anyway, so kill three birds with one stone: back the bar tape off by 1cm on each side, use two wraps of electrical tape and don't spiral it sideways, mount the lights without clamping over your brake cable housings, and see if your brakes suddenly work better.

Actually, even without moving the bar tape, you could just put the 400L on-center and scoot the two bigger lights inboard 1.5cm each, and you'd be able to clear the cable housings.

Leave it to folks on BF to go off on the wrong tangent.

I DO NOT have a problem with my rear brake due to the light clamp being over top of the brake cable.

I DO NOT have a problem with running the lights as shown.


I DO HAVE A PROBLEM with:

- hardware falling apart on the very first ride

- undocumented hardware for undocumented mounting configurations

I know what most of this stuff is used for:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DSC00782.jpg

What I don't understand is why there are panhead screws thrown into this mix of hardware and how are they used for mounting. Nothing shown above and none of the lights have a place for these screws:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DSC00784.jpg

I have no vested interest in DiNotte. I love their 140L taillight--had two, still running one. I love their 200L, but it's not enough light for my commute. Those lights used rubber bands for mounting--no biggie. All I'm saying is that it would be nice that DiNotte documented some suggestions on how to use the hardware provided with the 800L / 400L combo.

By the way, this is a review. It's what I experienced over the past two days. Like it or not, that's what happened. I can't change what happened. I'm telling it like it happened.

I chalk up most of the OP's complaints to a simple lack of mechanical skill/knowhow.

Yes, well thanks, but I handle ALL of my mechanical work on my bike. I have enough confidence in my own work that screaming down the side of a mountain at 50 MPH is no big deal. I know what is important and what is not.

I completely agree with you on the loose screws included not having a place or instructions. I agree with you on the lack of included instruction on mounting, maintenance, and use. I disagree on your specific problem mounting it and it coming loose.

You may come to find out with this new 800L that the battery does not last as long as they claim it does. I am writing a review on my experience with them and you can judge for yourself.

Yes, well thanks, but I handle ALL of my mechanical work on my bike. I have enough confidence in my own work that screaming down the side of a mountain at 50 MPH is no big deal. I know what is important and what is not.

So many positive posts, you'd swear we were on the road forum. ;)

To continue the saga:

This morning, using the configuration shown above and after having tightened the clamp on the 800L's mount and adding some teflon tape to the remaining hex screw on the mount, the lighting was great. The clamp was very solid and neither the ARC HID or the 800Ls clamp interfere with any of the brakes as speculated.

The ARC HID is the finishing touch in my humble opinion. I have light everywhere that I want it, at the intensity that I want. I'm happy with the current system and I'm confident that I'll have enough light for the upcoming Monument to Monument ride from Baltimore city to the Washington Monument and back this coming Sunday.

Cheers.

Please keep us abreast of your whereabouts. I want to make sure I am not blinded into a head on, or dazzled to the point where I can't avoid the hardware and extra screws dropping off in your wake. :lol:

Wow how long till we start reading about a 800L/400L + Arc HID not being enough to see clearly and needing a 3000L to ride as a minimum and 12,000 if there are street lights. :(

It is kind of unfortunate that dinotte didn't at least provide a diagram or two showing how pieces interlocked and with such an expensive light put some threadlock on the tip of those hexes.

I think it is always a good idea to check on any new installations at progressively longer intervals after they are first installed.

Please keep us abreast of your whereabouts. I want to make sure I am not blinded into a head on,

Speaking of blinded, I rode past many vehicles this morning into work. Not a single one flashed their lights or communicated that my lights were too bright. I must have them correctly aimed. I tried to make it comparable to where a motor vehicle has theirs aimed for low beams.

Speaking of blinded, I rode past many vehicles this morning into work. Not a single one flashed their lights or communicated that my lights were too bright. I must have them incorrectly aimed. I tried to make it comparable to where a motor vehicle has theirs aimed for low beams.

There, fixed it for you.

Speaking of blinded, I rode past many vehicles this morning into work. Not a single one flashed their lights or communicated that my lights were too bright. I must have them correctly aimed. I tried to make it comparable to where a motor vehicle has theirs aimed for low beams.

Excellent! Too many HID Headlamp Hooligans do not wage their war on the night with sufficient restraint and proportionality on those little two lane bike paths. I'm glad that in this case, all that luminosity is in the hands of a responsible citizen :thumb: Enjoy the ride!

Yes, well thanks, but I handle ALL of my mechanical work on my bike. I have enough confidence in my own work that screaming down the side of a mountain at 50 MPH is no big deal. I know what is important and what is not.

My main point of contention with your post was your placement of blame on the product for the mounting issues rather than determining wheter it was actually installed correctly. As a paid wrench for 6 years I can attest that many people do their own work on their bikes and can safely say that only some of them actually do it right. This is not to say that you are not adept at working on your bike, you may well be. However, your use of teflon tape (a thread lubricant) as a thread locker leads me to believe that you may want to heed other's advice in this thread.

But, seriously...... I am jealous of your light setup..... wish I had something that nice.:thumb:

My main point of contention with your post was your placement of blame on the product for the mounting issues rather than determining whether it was actually installed correctly. As a paid wrench for 6 years I can attest that many people do their own work on their bikes and can safely say that only some of them actually do it right. This is not to say that you are not adept at working on your bike, you may well be. However, your use of teflon tape (a thread lubricant) as a thread locker leads me to believe that you may want to heed other's advice in this thread.

I have a Dinotte 600L. I did not read the admittedly sparse instructions thoroughly (as I do most other user manuals...I believe in RTFM), but I still managed to get my light mounted on my handlebar without any fuss and without it slipping or losing parts. The orientation, fitting and adjustment of the mount isn't too hard to figure out with a bit of experimentation. I'm certainly not a genius wrench; if I can do it, others must be able to too.

Hiroshima was too nice to say directly that you may have overestimated your capability in wrenching. As mentioned, by using Teflon tape as a threadlock, you've unfortunately confirmed this assessment. Read this. (http://www.apa.org/journals/features/psp7761121.pdf)

I am also unclear why you stated "Leave it to folks on BF to go off on the wrong tangent." Your entire post was mainly to complain about the trouble you're having with the mount with a bit of light performance comments thrown in. When others indicated that perhaps the mounting was done inadequately, then it's not going off on a tangent. Am I missing something?

by using Teflon tape as a threadlock, you've unfortunately confirmed this assessment. Read this. (http://www.apa.org/journals/features/psp7761121.pdf)
Ha ha ha!

Pardon me going off on a tangent, and in that I mean I am not referring hereafter to the OP or the misc wrench assessments. But that link is an absolute keeper!! I may have to hang on to that for upcoming performance evals, etc. For all those who have not yet clicked on it, and have an arid sense of humor, click away.

Now if only there was a handy way to make a record of that URL so I could go there again...

Speaking of blinded, I rode past many vehicles this morning into work. Not a single one flashed their lights or communicated that my lights were too bright. I must have them correctly aimed. I tried to make it comparable to where a motor vehicle has theirs aimed for low beams.

Vehicle headlights are biased. Not sure you can really emulate that with any of the dinotte headlights properly. Or any headlights at all. But it's good that they aren't blinding motorists. I mean really.

Why mount all 3 lights to the bar? Even if you are only riding roads a helmet mounted light can come in handy. I think 1,875 lumens is a pretty good start, but you should add more.

Hmmmm, an interesting review.

I just ordered the 800/400 setup and am looking forward to receiving it. Because I ordered a different one prior to hearing about the 800 engine, I called Rob and asked him about the options. Just like during the first conversation I had with him a few months ago, Rob was about as helpful/flexible as I could have hoped for.

So, why don't you give Rob a call if you have issues with the setup. I am sure he can help you out. I also believe he would be open to critical comments regarding his products as well.

Figure if I have angst over the setup, I'll just have to 'lighten up'!
Good luck,
Bob