Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - DiNotte 400L Headlight - Initial Review

For the last year or so I've been running a DiNotte 600L headlight (http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?RowID=19&CS=dinotte&All=), mounted on the handlebars, along with a "be seen" Petzl Tikka XP (http://www.hermitshut.com/petixphe.html) 1/2 watt LED headlamp.

This combination works pretty well, but lately I've been wanting a little more light output from the headlamp.

So, I recently took advantage of a DiNotte sale, and picked up a 400L headlight (http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=dinotte&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=978450953&Count2=895591378) (I got a pretty good deal by deleting the charger and battery, which I already had).

https://store.nexternal.com/dinotte/images/400L%20helmet%20front1.jpg (http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=dinotte&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=978450953&Count2=895591378)

This evening was my first commute with the 400L headlight, and it was great! Rocking 1000 total lumens up front, with a 400 lumen beam I can aim from side to side, is fantastic. No matter how dark it is, or how much ambient light and car headlights I'm competing with, I know I'll be seen with this combination of lights.

I only had two minor quibbles:

1) Adjustment screw
After mounting to my helmet, the light was aimed too low. I tried to loosen the hex screw to adjust it, but my 3 mm hex wrench was too small, and my 4 mm was too large. It appears that DiNotte has used an SAE 9/64" hex head screw. This kind of sucks because who carries SAE hex wrenches while riding??

I've written to DiNotte about this issue...will advise when I get a reply from them.

2) Beam Pattern
Despite the two LED's in the 400L, the beam pattern seems a bit "tight" initially. By the end of half an hour of riding, this seemed like less of an issue. But if I had it to do over again, I would probably have spent the extra $10 to get the optional lens kit. The standard lenses are 10 degrees, while the accessory lenses are 25 and 35 degrees.

Just got my 400L too, and found the same issue with the helmet mount bolt. SAE???? c'mon. I too find the beam to be tight, but I use mine with a Minewt X2, both bar mounted and shoot the Minewt close and the 400L far to give a really nice pattern and good visbility at speeds up to ~ 30mph. Anything more and I could probably use your 600L... just don't have cash to put into another light.

My hope is that Dinotte will do a MC-E next year and still use the same battery/charger..... so I can do what you did and just buy the light head and get crazy light output.

What may prevent them is people who have already invested in a 600/800L may be pissed if Dinotte produces 800 lumens from a dual MC-E setup (say in the current 400L case) and is 1/2 the price.

I was considering buying another 400L light head and do a dual 400L setup.... but think I should wait till next year. LED tech improves too darn fast..... which is good and bad.

I got the 400 this year too, but I mounted mine to the handlebars.. Like ya'll I love it. I still use a Princeton tec "Eos-Bike" on my helmet. I just prefer something self contained and light on my head. Call me crazy :) I also have the 140L tail light ... The combination is awsome.

hey,

you should tell your girlfriend that she is really pretty, and could
cut back on the heavy makeup and go for a more natural look. I mean,
she looks almost wooden.

but she did match her helmet to her makeup palette very nicely.

I have a 400L on my christmas list this year. It will be my first ever, real light! I am very excited.

I was trying to hold out, as the lights get soooo much better each year, but I think I will be satisfied. I will always be able to get a second light later if I feel I need it.

I have a 400L on my christmas list this year. It will be my first ever, real light! I am very excited.

I was trying to hold out, as the lights get soooo much better each year, but I think I will be satisfied. I will always be able to get a second light later if I feel I need it.

I would call Rob to see how much longer the sale is going to be on for. $209 is a steal for the 400L and @ $279 its still worth it but just not as easy to justify.

I would call Rob to see how much longer the sale is going to be on for. $209 is a steal for the 400L and @ $279 its still worth it but just not as easy to justify.

Ok, thanks. I'll let Santa know.

I'm thinking about getting this light, but I can't tell from the Dinotte site how the battery mounts to the bike. Is it an O-ring?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj41BvteCCs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj41BvteCCs

Thanks!

Thanks!

No problem.

FWIW, I use a different method. I've taken an old water bottle, and cut off the top. It sits in the water bottle cage on the seat tube, and holds one of the larger (4-cell) DiNotte batteries. On the seat tube, above the bottle cage, I've zip-tied a DiNotte "Y-connector". The battery in the water bottle plugs into that, and then I can run both the front headlight (a 600L), and the rear tail light (a 140L) off of the same battery.

I'll try and post a photo in the next day or two...for now I'm off to a Christmas Party.

here is how I do mine. this way I can turn them off without unplugging them.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/transporation/dinote2.jpg

I ordered it today with the lens kit and 4-cell batteries. Thanks again.