Mountain Biking - LED Headlights.

I am looking in to the new LED headlights and they look pretty promising, I wanted to see if any of you guys or your friends have them, If you do...what do you think about it when you compare them to the halogens or the HIDs?

Honestly, they're not there yet. They claim amazing Lumens but when you put them in flash mode they just don't throw the reflections backs off objects that HID's or Halogens do. JMO

Honestly, they're not there yet. They claim amazing Lumens but when you put them in flash mode they just don't throw the reflections backs off objects that HID's or Halogens do. JMO

I won't be using them for commuting, it'll only be for night time trail ride so I wonder how they are for that? I read couple of magazine reviews and they liked them but there is nothing like getting the real info from the people who actually uses them.

I've noticed on headlamps I use at work and a small flashlight i use at work...

LEDs flood really well...

but dont focus the beam really well...

I'm using Dinotte 600 L on bars and 200 L on helment. Works great, plenty of light for ripping on trails. Had about 2 seasons no problems, batteries holding up well. Took a little while to get over "spookiness" of solo night riding, now I love it. Riding with buds at night is big fun also. Honestly I don't know much about LED, halogen, brands, blah blah blah. I bought Dinotte because they're based closed by in NH so maybe I can help some Joe Smuckadelli put food on the table for his family. I LOVE night riding, plus I work 12 hr shifts so it helps with that. Go for it!

Thanks for the input guys, Victim your lights are bit to expensive for me but I found these and they look pretty promising.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16978-225_CYGR27-2-Accessories-35-Lights/Cygo-Lite-Rover-II-Extra-LED-Bike-Light.htm

I'm running the Princeton Switchback II on my helmet and Switchback III on my bars for commuting right now. There a few sellers with great discounts on ebay, the SWIII was going for $200/free shipping last week.

LED lights dominate bike lights, every serious manufactuerer has stopped making new HID lights, all are focusing on LED. Lighter weight, small size and longer battery life are the reasons they became a hit on bikes before some other markets (auto, motorcycle).

Honestly, they're not there yet. They claim amazing Lumens but when you put them in flash mode they just don't throw the reflections backs off objects that HID's or Halogens do. JMO

lol wut ?

todays LED systems blow away HID and filaments

I've been using one of these for a year now - best light ever. One on the head, one on the bars. Cheap, simple, light, bright enough (even for racing).
http://www.niterider.com/images/minewtminiusb.09.jpg

I've been using one of these for a year now - best light ever. One on the head, one on the bars. Cheap, simple, light, bright enough (even for racing).
http://www.niterider.com/images/minewtminiusb.09.jpg
Awesome that is also on my list but I didn't know how it would perform with a single light bulb, that's great to know thanks.

I've been using one of these for a year now - best light ever. One on the head, one on the bars. Cheap, simple, light, bright enough (even for racing).
http://www.niterider.com/images/minewtminiusb.09.jpg

that's great...but what is it and who makes it? It looks like a niterider...

That is Niterider. Mystolenbikes, if you're only going to have one light, I would recommend getting a helmet mount light. You want the light to go where you're looking and you get a better spread from the higher angle. In your pricerange, I would check out the Niterider Minewt mini-USB with helmet mount or maybe the Light and Motion Stella 120.

Also, the one you're looking at is fairly heavy, and you have to put the battery in a water bottle holder.

That is Niterider. Mystolenbikes, if you're only going to have one light, I would recommend getting a helmet mount light. You want the light to go where you're looking and you get a better spread from the higher angle. In your pricerange, I would check out the Niterider Minewt mini-USB with helmet mount or maybe the Light and Motion Stella 120.

Also, the one you're looking at is fairly heavy, and you have to put the battery in a water bottle holder.

Thanks again guys, Scracher I have a very very little night riding experience but last time I was out with my buddies I was wearing my hiking light on my helmet,(it was useless after any speed above walking speed but that's beside point point) I was ok until one of my buddies passed me on the way down, moment he passed me I went in to blinding dust cloud. It was like driving in to fog with your high beams on, I had to stop for a moment and let the dust settle. My other friends with their lights attached to the handle bars didn't have the same problem, It was more like the fog lights on the car bumper, lower your light is less reflection you'll get from the dust or the fog.

And yeah the other issue I was having was the water bottle battery design, well...my bike doesn't have a bottle cage so I was trying to come up with some kind of a pouch for the battery so with nightrider that problem has been solved plus nightrider has a better battery, it comes with Li-Ion battery instead of NiMH.
Well I guess I made my decision...Nightrider it is. :D

May I suggest going to candlepower forum and asking there. They are very knowledgeable about lights of all kinds and shapes.

As for me I am NOT normally riding in the woods, so my experience may be different. There are lights to see by and light so you are seen. I like headlamps to see by. Yes, they are an issue sometimes when in dusty conditions, but they always shine where I am looking. They are also useful in getting drivers attention because you can point it directly at them for a second and then they see you. I like blinkers also, but but consider them be seen light. I can not adjust my eyes to see when using a blinking light as my primary.

I used a Light and Motion Arc (HID) light for a while and liked it. Quit using it because, due to other riders filling the bike rack on the bus, I had to start locking mine up at the stop.

Recently I bought a Light and Motion Seca 700 for long-distance commuting. I wasn't sure about LED tech, but I'm now convinced it's viable. The beam spread is excellent, it starts instantly, and can be effectively dimmed. For trail use early in the morning, its 10% power setting is just fine. On the road, any time my conspicuity is questionable, I run it on full power so people see me.

I think it's too expensive, though. Were I to do this over again I'd go with DiNotte. I have their 400 taillight and it's excellent. They offer a headlight in the same package and two of those are cheaper than the Seca.

I use two headlights, they're good...Walmart has a page that shows you a view of their lights.

if you're only going to have one light, I would recommend getting a helmet mount light. You want the light to go where you're looking and you get a better spread from the higher angle.I have found quite the reverse in my experience. For me, just a helmet-mount light tends to flatten everything and skews my depth-perception. Yes it shines where you look but it does not accentuate trail features enough for me, particularly at speed.

here's a popular low cost LED headlight with the latest high power LED:
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_41&products_id=138

Thanks again everyone for your input I just purchased the exact same light from nightrider in the picture above it was on sale at REI for $95, I'll test it tomorrow night but I tested it in a dark room when I came home and it was great so we'll see.
Mr IGH that light sound great the one I bought is only 110 lumens and it's very bright, the one you posted is 900 lumens that is crazy. Well if the one I bought doesn't work tomorrow I am ordring that. :D

I'm just wondering how freakin' much light do y'all really "need"? I've been running a Nitehawk Raptor for 3-4 years.
http://www.mtbr.com/channels/mtbreview/Images/Products/product_360452.jpg
Yah...it's heavy, but it's only 1 bulb and seems to light up the trail enough for good fast runs. Why do people get so freaked out about needing more than one? (okay..."freaked out" is a little over dramatic)

Well Ed...since I didn't have a headlight to begin with I needed some kind of a light period. And dont worry light I got is also 1bulb and it's about size of my thumb. Plus aren't you glad that people got to answer a different question for a change? I think they were getting tried of answering the what hardtail should I get question :D

I'm just wondering how freakin' much light do y'all really "need"? I've been running a Nitehawk Raptor for 3-4 years.

Yah...it's heavy, but it's only 1 bulb and seems to light up the trail enough for good fast runs. Why do people get so freaked out about needing more than one? (okay..."freaked out" is a little over dramatic)

Did my old lady hijack this account? 'Cause that the same silly s**t she's always saying :roflmao2:

I'm working on a 600 lumen light that runs off a Shimano Dynamo hub, no battery, no charging :thumb:

I'm just wondering how freakin' much light do y'all really "need"?"Need?" "Need?" Hey, #1 I'm old and #2 I like to go fast . . . too fast. I'd have me a freakin' Cibie Super Oscar (http://www.cibie.net/super_oscar.htm) if they made some sort of fuel-cell flamethrower battery to drive it that only weighed a pound :D

Chelboed I'm shocked and saddened by the "need" post. This thread needs more pics. Woke up this morning at 4 AM after four night shifts and was jonesing for a ride...
My set up:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010385.jpg

Lights on!:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010386.jpg

Helmet:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010387.jpg

Trail head:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010388.jpg

Chunky goodness:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010390.jpg

It was dark, hot and humid:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010392.jpg

Break spot:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010394.jpg

Holyoke range and Pioneer Valley Mass. Camera braced on knees, no flash (I suck at photography)
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010393.jpg

Time check:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj234/victim_01095/P1010395.jpg

So I got my my ride in when I wanted to, saw 2 big deer, three or four rabbits, no hikers or people at all til my ride back and basically got my day of to a great start. Nice sunrise too. Oh, I could use more lumens!

Your light set up does look bright Victim, I may have to restract my earlier statement. I've never seen any in person that could hang wth an HID setup. Your's do look good though.

My 6 month old L&M Arc has died and been sent back for a multiweek repair. I may just request a refund.

I see that niterider has two new models a pro 600 and pro 1200. They are both painfully expensive, and painfully bright.

The consensus is that LED's have overtaken HID in effectiveness?

Maybe I'll just get a new LED light instead.

(For road use / training / then schlep home in the evening into night).

I have found quite the reverse in my experience. For me, just a helmet-mount light tends to flatten everything and skews my depth-perception. Yes it shines where you look but it does not accentuate trail features enough for me, particularly at speed.

Yes. With a head-mount I can totally overlook rocks if they're the same colour as the background.

But I ride with people who insist on a light on their head only.


Also: HID is dead.

The upside: closeout prices on them. Got a niterider enduro lith for $199 CAD last winter. They're probably even cheaper now.

Well, I'm about to head out and test my new Niterider Minewt X2 Dual (300 lumens) which is handlebar only. I'll report back.

My 6 month old L&M Arc has died and been sent back for a multiweek repair. I may just request a refund...Maybe I'll just get a new LED light instead...

Don't they make LED lights now? Maybe they'd swap you into one?

L&M does have an upgrade program. You can use your present battery and charger, if it's recent enough. I don't remember the cut-off year, though.

I think (suspect) the battery is the problem, and they don't make a LED w/ equiv lumens to the HID I sent back.

EDIT: Allow me to retract the part about not making a high power LED. I found the seca 700 and 900. I had been looking at the Stella.

Yes. With a head-mount I can totally overlook rocks if they're the same colour as the background.

But I ride with people who insist on a light on their head only.


Also: HID is dead.

The upside: closeout prices on them. Got a niterider enduro lith for $199 CAD last winter. They're probably even cheaper now.

I like to run both. When one or the other craps out it seems to piss me off equally.