I bought my HID for $197 with an online coupon. It runs for 4 hours.
I've had it since July and it's very bright. It's the 6 degree spot version.
Link:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=1395
Here's a youtube video comparing it to other lights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIn3OWG6YK0
Here's a directory of beamshots of it versus other lights:
http://pod.ath.cx/hid/
Now, some will tell you that the new generation of LED lights are getting competitive
with HID and this is true. However, currently the candlepower is either just under or
at HID light quality and the prices are exponentially more than what I paid for my HID.
The Niterider Trinewt is 486 lumens and I've seen it discounted to around $360.
The Cygolite TridenX is also competitive with HID for between $350-400 depending on who you ask.
Nobody seems to know the lumen output of this system but the advertising purports to be on par
with HID. Your mileage may vary.
The Dinotte 600L 600 lumen LED system is also $400 and runs for 3.5 hours.
You see? Right now the LED lighting systems are coming on the $350-400 range to
be competitive with HID which is now dropping in price.
All of the above systems are really the first generation of the "bright led systems".