Originally Posted by
Robert C
No, I haven't bothered. The reality is that when it is dark i turn on the regular light (the Magic Shine Clone). Once that light is on I cant even see the dynamo lights output.
The reality is that it adds nothing. I have to look down at it to even see if it is on (it is mounted above the fender). It is so dim that if there is much light out I have to put my hand in front of it and look at my palm to see if it is on. As I often describe it, it is a minimum legal light.
Some time soon I will take pictures of the two lights on the road so you can see the difference. The trouble is that dynamo lights are hard to get good pictures of.
You paid good money for your bike, and REI stands behind their products. The light is a low end unit, but from your description it isn't functioning or putting out as it should, and that's just wrong. I would want what I paid for.
Edit,
The OE B&M light that came with my Gazelle was the same output as the light on your Gotham. They are indeed minimum output lights that won't compare to a MS clone in any way, but it should provide enough light to ride 10 - 15 mph in the dark.