Sorry I did not get lighting shots before. I just didn't have time. I'm so-so with this lights output and there is a good chance this is going back to MEC but going to do a little more light comparison while the weather is still spring like here before the mercury drops and it starts snowing. I've never seen a 5W or 10W halogen light before so I don't know the comparison to the halogen. One things for sure it's not enough light for me to 25kph on the lite streets as it washes out with the lamp lights. Then again, I used it in the helmet mount position then so I had more distance from the ground. The beam seems wider then the previous basic emitter NiteHawk sold that MEC had this year. You know, the one with the all in one headlamp/battery mount which was known to fall off. One things for sure that I like is this headlamp is NOT coming off with vibration. It has a spring clip and a tight positive "CLICK" as you put the unit in. I gotta go now to return some stuff tot he store but I'll post more pro/cons later tonight. I didn't like how you have to use a " + " head screw driver to change the position before you helmet mount but it's no problems there as the screw is tight and not loose tho it would have been nice if they made it toolless.

More pics to come. This is just a starter.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/4918487...7594413331487/


Zero_Enigma

I recently bought a Nighthawk 5W light and am returning it. There are too many shortcomings and I think there are better alternatives. Here are my thoughts:

1) Huge, heavy battery pack
2) Gangly wiring system.
3) Relatively expensive
4) High per light hour energy/battery cost
5) Heavy

If you want to upgrade to near solar power lighting, I think that better money is spent on a combination of bright LED lights. I posted a comparison of a $20.00 Nashbar 7 LED light with a Nighthawk 5 W light. The Nashbar 7 LED light put out more light at a fraction of the weight (LED= 3 ounces. Nighthawk = 3 lbs). Also the LED lights ran at a fraction of the battery per hour cost.

I think a much better solution is to get say four of the bright LED lights and mount them with an additional stem perch. You would have the equivelant of 20+ Watt of light at a total weight of about a half pound , with a 20 hour run time on $1.35 worth of batteries. Total cost about $90.00. You have the additional advantage of multi-beam, multi-directional focus.

That beats any of the Nighthawk lights (and probably all the other lighting systems) hands down.