no1mad 

Looks like the Hotshot has some new competition. I own a NR Cherrybomb 0.5w and like it, so I 'liked' the company on facebook. They posted a link to a review of their new Solas 2w. Price wise, it appears to slot between the Hotshot and the Serfas Shield- look around online and should be able to find it just under $40.

Now which one of y'all early adopters are gonna get one and post up some pics and/or vids?

no1mad 

Bumping this thread as there are reviews starting to percolate on the webz.

I've been trying to find a comparo to the Hotshot- closest I could find was a comment on a blog review of the Solas. The commentor had ordered the Solas online and bought the Hotshot locally- tried them side by side (was close)- and returned the Hotshot. Then I hit upon a thread over on mtbr that the OP did a review and comparo of the Solas, a PBSF Turbo, and another PB light. That thread includes beam shots and day and night videos.

On a side note... anyone know what's happened to mechBgon? He hasn't posted in a while and being the early adopter that he is, I'm surprised he hasn't done a comparo yet.

Dunbar

A quick google search turned up this review with a demo video. I own a Radbot 1000 but I'm waiting for a <$50 rear light that competes with Dinottes for daytime visibility.

weshigh

What I really like about the Hotspot which I haven't seen on the other rear lights, is the pulse option. I think its Cygolite calls it zoom, but to me its really a pulse. Its not as annoying as a quick flash, but still catches your attention. Any of those other lights have that?

no1mad 

According to one blogger's review, one of the two flash modes appears to use a "pulse width modulation to fade in and out". If you follow the link in Dunbar's post, you'll see the videos and pics that I was referring to in post #2. A simple Google video search will not return any results for the Solas.

weshigh

Ha, thanks! I obviously didn't read the article , just looked at the graphic that said 2 flash modes.

BykOfALesserGod

Got mine today. HOLY CRAP this thing is bright and the "killzone" is wide. At 4 to 5 car lengths away he full brightness settings rival a motorcycle tail light. It makes my 1/2 watt Stinger look very feeble.

KenshiBiker

Just got mine. So far - very pleased.

One question: Anyone have instructions/manual for this? I got mine from Amazon, and it came in the original box, but there was no paperwork inside it. Nothing to indicate the different modes, or how long to charge, or what the different color lights mean when charging, etc. I think I figured it out (just keep it plugged in until the light turns blue, keep pushing the button until the desired mode is shown), but I was just wondering. Accessing the Niterider website turned up no manual for that model, and an e-mail to Niterider got no response as well.

Thanks for any help,

KB

BykOfALesserGod

That's pretty much it. Red light = charging, blue = fully charged. Push the go button until you get the desired pattern/setting.

Someone told me that my rear light was dazzling him. Erm, don't stare at it.

tupdegrove

Mode 2 (two presses) where the light fades in and out (with two quick flashes; from memory) is very bright. I really like the light.

1nterceptor

Solarforce L2 black body with extensions(U$19). 2 extension tubes came with the body, allowing me to use up to three 18650 batteries. Solarforce Red 5 mode P4 Cree Led Bulb(U$14). Manufacturer rating for lumens is 225.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qVXRuTyGBk

TimmyT 

Bumping this for some help.

I have a Niterider Solas USB rechargeable rear light. When I plug it in to charge it, the blue light comes on indicating that it is fully charged.

When I unplug it, and try switching it on, nothing happens. Has anyone else experienced this? I've had the light about a year.

fietsbob

This in your DUNK BAG on a boat ? SOLAS .. safety of life at sea.
https://www.imo.org/About/Conventions...AS),-1974.aspx

does it start flashing when it gets wet?

noglider 

TimmyT, that's almost a sure sign that the battery won't take a charge any more. When a rechargeable battery is in this state, it reaches full voltage after very brief charging. That's why you get the "charged" indication. It's a voltmeter, though, and it doesn't tell you how many watt-hours are in the battery. As you now know, you have pretty much zero.

A 2-watt tail light? Is a progressively increasing amount of overkill always a good idea? Jeez, my Cygolite Hotshot is pretty darned bright, maybe too bright. Do we really need something better?

tcs

Word: yes.

Bike lights are kilometers better than they used to be, but far from perfect.

Your Hotshot (which also has a 2-watt LED, BTW) wins brightness comparisons because of its narrow focus reflector. The unfortunate side effect, or lack of same if you'll pardon the pun, is it doesn't send much light anywhere but straight back. The Solas has horizontal axis defusing optics. It's actually not as bright straight back but it's far brighter off axis. It's not perfect, but it's incrementally better.

vol

Honestly, is it so hard to make a taillight that has side visibility? A semi-sphere dome shaped lens is not hard to make, is it?

noglider 

No, it's not hard, and there are many good tail lights available with a wide range of visibility.

Garfield Cat

That's why when using the Hotshot, you need to align it to the direction of how traffic will see you. Cars will hardly be directly behind you. More like to your left in the States. It's a compensatory move but every increment helps.

fietsbob

Quote:

is it so hard to make a taillight that has side visibility?

B&M has several ,, My 4D toplight add 1 LEDs on the edges to do so,
+ the whole rack mount taillight lights Up .. from the combination of 4 diodes

TimmyT 

Just a follow up: I contacted NiteRider with the problem. They are sending me a new unit, so they get 7 thumbs up for backing their product:

TimmyT 

Another follow up: I bought my first Solas 2W USB in November of last year. Since then, they have redesigned the board and have new features such as blinking leds to let you know the battery charge when you turn off the lamp. Also, they ship a stay mount as well as the seat post mount with the new product. That's great news.

sandieganLA

I have had two Solas now break completely off the bike under normal use. The mount on the light snaps off, the light goes AWOL, and you're left with a broken clip mounted to your seatpost. Product is a total waste of time.

SmallFront

I have the Solas (I went here because I thought there was a newer version, lol), and I haven't had that problem. However, I noticed when I first got the Solas, that the light's "fitting" sort of fit other mounts, but it is a tighter fit. With that in mind, are you certain you are using the mount that came with it, and not something else, but similar?

trackhub

Thanks for that. I was going to ask if it came with a seat stay mount. Thinking about trying one, as I'm a confirmed light geek. I do like Niterider products, but what about these reports
about break-offs? Some are pointing it out as a serious problem, others have been using the product since it came to the market, and have not experienced any breakage.

fietsbob

Looks like it clips onto Your clothing with your belt. not much in the way of the back side is offered to see.