Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

what do you think of cygolite?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

what do you think of cygolite?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-23-05 | 08:43 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
what do you think of cygolite?

What kind of advice does anyone have on the cygolite rover XTRA head light? I need a new light. My charger melted onto my old viewpoint connector this morning!

thanks!!
bike42 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-05 | 11:35 AM
  #2  
Gojohnnygo.'s Avatar
Burn-em Upus Icephaltus
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
I use one its a good cheap light.

My use of The Rover 3 years. I commute/ride in darkness around 300 plus days a year,
The down side of this light are the switches. I fiddle around with them and now they work great.
__________________
Sick BubbleGum
Gojohnnygo. is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-05 | 11:41 AM
  #3  
RT's Avatar
RT
The Weird Beard
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,554
Likes: 3
From: COS
I like mine. No complaints except the battery takes up a bottle cage.
RT is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-05 | 01:24 PM
  #4  
Thread Starter
Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thanks! Anybody else? Other suggestions?
bike42 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-05 | 04:26 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 1
You can fix your old Veiwpoint by rewiring the connections or by getting a new battery pack even. Check out a store called batteries plus for help. It will be cheaper and it work better than new.
tacomee is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-05 | 11:20 PM
  #6  
Banned.
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 3
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce

I have the cheapest Cygolite called the Metro, and I also commute and use it probably 200 days...or actually nights out of the year for the last 3 years and have had no issues with the unit even after being rained upon, the switches still work great too.
froze is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-05 | 11:29 PM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Actually I was able to separate the charger from the battery connection, so now I only need a charger. I am having trouble locating one, my charger output is 7.25VDC/500mA and the connector is a male type tube that inserts intot the battery connector. Any suggestions? thanks again
bike42 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-05 | 12:35 PM
  #8  
noisebeam's Avatar
Arizona Dessert
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ

Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex

The Cygolite Night Rover Xtra NiMH was relatively cheap ($70 on sale) but that cheapness is showing in the design.
After one year:
-The rubber power inlet grommet fell apart (new one sent for free)
-The switches are problematic (I first re-bent for better contact, but switch still arced, went dead. removed metal contact plates and sanded and bent, works OK, but hard to remove/replace parts in casing)
-The unit is not weather sealed, so water can get in and cause corrision, resulting in bad switches
-The battery unit seal dry rotted and the top of housing is loose and not longer waterproof (reseal with RTV needed). Noted that grey 'water bottle' case is quite a bit larger than batteries. I may repackage to save space.

Al
noisebeam is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-05 | 12:54 PM
  #9  
CPcyclist's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin

Bikes: Lemond Arrivee, Felt F1 Road, Tomac Revolver(full), GT race (hardtail)

I like them so far. Lost the little nut that tightens the Handlebar mount down and the rubber gromit on the light fell apart. A pair of replacements were sent for free for both things. I just sent the battery in last week as it stoped holding a charge. I think my kids played with the charger plug and removed the rappid/smart charger for the NiMH battery. I should know this week if I still feel the same when I find out about my battery. All in all a good company to deal with.
CPcyclist is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-05 | 11:59 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I use a Rover Cygolight on my handlebars and a Niterider Digital on a helmet mount. The nightrider's beam is longer and brighter. I've only used both lights in the rain a couple of times, but the Cygolight takes on water and turns dim. $200 for niterider and $60 for Cygolight. I'll probably use a cheap headlight next time it rains on the handlebars, and save the Cygolight. I am happy with the Cygolight, but the Niterider is definately a better quality lighting system.
outashape is offline  
Reply
Old 09-27-05 | 09:02 AM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thanks for the feedback!
bike42 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-30-05 | 11:11 PM
  #12  
Banned.
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 3
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce

Can't disagree that (hopefully) if you spent $200 for a lighting system it should be better then a $70 dollar one. But so far my cheapo $48 Cygo has had none of the problems the others have listed and mine is 3 years old and used about 160 days out of the year; the rubber grommet, and the switches still work great, it's even been in a couple of rains and no issues there either.
froze is offline  
Reply
Old 10-01-05 | 10:31 AM
  #13  
Banned.
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,016
Likes: 1
From: Home alone

Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000

I have two of the cygolite nightrover extra systems that i run together. It gives me 32 watts with all lamps (4) on. This provides very good illumination. One light isn't bad but i ride out into the black countryside on unpaved roads and i like to see all of the obstructions. One system just barely does that.

In town it is plenty of light. There is ONE MAJOR PROBLEM with these lights. To say that the switches are awful would be an understatement. They are cheap slide switches like you find on a 50 cent flashlight. What this means is that eventually they will quit making contact. You have to pop off the plastic switch covers and do a bunch of fiddling with the tabs to get them to make contact properly again. It can be a real headache!

I picked up both of my systems cheap on ebay and have around $100 in the whole deal. NOt bad for 32 watts of light! So for value I give them 4 stars out of 5.

For relaibility, i give them 1 star out of 5.
Portis is offline  
Reply
Old 10-01-05 | 12:38 PM
  #14  
Patriot's Avatar
Faith-Vigilance-Service
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,330
Likes: 1
From: Port Orchard, WA

Bikes: Trinity, Paradisus, Centurion, Mongoose, Trek

I have the Night Rover Xtra Nimh on my Centurion. Works great. I love the runtime, since I have a longer commute. I only need one water bottle anyway, so mounting the battery in the seat tube cage worked out well for me.
__________________
President, OCP
--"Will you have some tea... at the theatre with me?"--
Patriot is offline  
Reply
Old 10-02-05 | 10:31 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma

Bikes: Pake fixie. Klein Reve (for sale, https://www.theveer.net/gordons_klein)

Cygolite rules! I bought a Nite Rover NiMH Xtra from them. One of the bulbs burned out on the first day. I assume it was cracked during shipment. I called them and they shipped a free replacement on the same day. I hadn't yet sent in the warranty card or anything!

Since then the light has been great! I like having two bulbs for redundancy and control of how much juice I'm using. On bulb makes me visible. Two bulbs light the way on dark streets. In the dark of winter I use it about an hour a day. One charge lasts about a week. It has proven itself rugged and waterproof.

Go for it!
geog_dash is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.