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-   -   Best headlight under $100? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/262581-best-headlight-under-100-a.html)

greenstork 01-21-07 05:16 PM

Best headlight under $100?
 
I dug around in the lighting sticky for 10 minutes and most of the recommendations for good lights were for lights over $100. Giving in to my laziness, I'll just put the question out there. What is everyone's favorite headlight for under $100?

DataJunkie 01-21-07 05:23 PM

I have had 3.
1) Cheap bell headlight and tailight combo: $25--> slightly above worthless
2) Cygolite night rover --> Good. Except that I abused it to death
3) Cateye hl-el500 --> Barely adequate.

I replaced #2 with #3. My current thought is that I should have replaced #2 with the extra version and treated it better.

late 01-21-07 05:26 PM

I got this, it comes with a handlebar mount as well as the helmet mount
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...Front%20Lights

Zero_Enigma 01-21-07 06:04 PM

If you can drop the extra $25 bucks then this would be so far what I see a good product for the price. http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/items.asp?cc=CygoLite

http://www.cygolite.com/2-Products/1-DualCross200.htm Manufactuers site. Only difference from 200 and 300 model is the battery charger. The 200 is an overnight charger and the 300 is a 4 hour smart charger. IMHO I would go with the 300 for the smart charger. Next model up is Li-ion but most expensive. All models have the same functions.

For -$100 (assuming USD) I'd go with a NiteHawk AL-X emitter from www.mec.ca for $69 CDN/ approx. $57 USD. You have the flexiblity of AA batteries and two modes of power 10%/100% and the beam is a spot. Package comes with both helmet and bar mount so you have the best of both worlds if you happen to have another light in the future you can helmet mount or dual bar mount.


Zero_Enigma

daredevil 01-21-07 06:45 PM

I got the Cygolite Night-Rover NiMH Xtra 16 watt and it works very well. I've heard some people complain about the switches but that hasn't been a problem for me so far. I got it for $70.

OldBen 01-21-07 10:31 PM


Originally Posted by daredevil
I got the Cygolite Night-Rover NiMH Xtra 16 watt and it works very well. I've heard some people complain about the switches but that hasn't been a problem for me so far. I got it for $70.

I have had a similar experience with this light. I'm now working on a home brew lighting system. If you're willing to do a little work and don't mind the extra weight of a lead acid battery, you can get yourself a 20W halogen light for about $60.

GCRyder 01-22-07 07:15 AM


Originally Posted by late
I got this, it comes with a handlebar mount as well as the helmet mount
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...Front%20Lights

Chalk up another vote for the Planet Bike Alias. Bright light with thoughtful design features, NiHM battery and a smart charger.

flipped4bikes 01-22-07 07:18 AM

+2 for the Alias...

BIG-E 01-22-07 08:19 AM

Anybody had enough experience with the Alias to determine how long the bulb lasts being overvolted?

I've had good experience with the Marwi Nightpro, I think it's 12w. Usually just over $100. Early versions from 5 years ago had weak connections with the cord, but they're solid now.

GTcommuter 01-22-07 08:39 AM

I just picked up a Princeton Tec EOS headlamp for my helmet. It was about $30 and makes a great helmet/backup light for my Vega. I don't think I would run the EOS as my main light but it serves it's purpose very well.

daredevil 01-22-07 10:57 AM

One advantage of the Cygolite over the PB Alias is the run time.

recursive 01-22-07 11:27 AM

Cygolite.

I had a switch issue after a year or so, but the whole light was replaced no questions asked.

KeatonR 01-22-07 12:30 PM


Originally Posted by DataJunkie
I have had 3.
1) Cheap bell headlight and tailight combo: $25--> slightly above worthless
2) Cygolite night rover --> Good. Except that I abused it to death
3) Cateye hl-el500 --> Barely adequate.

I replaced #2 with #3. My current thought is that I should have replaced #2 with the extra version and treated it better.


I really like the el500, although I ride in town where the lighting's fairly good. I'd love to run two, but then that gets you right up to $100 and maybe into a different category of product.

BTW, I use mine with rechargeable NIMH batts, which have been great.

DataJunkie 01-22-07 12:34 PM

If I was entirely in town it would be a decent light. It has issues in low lit areas. Plus, with all the water and ice lately it just feels inadequate.

marqueemoon 01-22-07 01:36 PM

I picked up a Turbocat S10 brand new on ebay a year ago for $90 and am pretty happy with it. My gf got an S15 for just under $100.

To the OP - I think Counterbalance in lower Queen Anne carries these systems (though for more $$$) if you want to check them out.

greenstork 01-22-07 02:49 PM

Thanks for the recommendations all, it is much appreciated! That PB Alias light at $75 on sale from N***bar seems like a deal that's too good to pass up.

froze 01-23-07 06:12 PM

I think the Cygolite Night-Rover NiMH Xtra that Daredevil mentioned is the best deal out there.

This light has dual beams, a 6 watt flood and a 10 watt spot either or both (total 16 watts) can be running; and if you run just the 6 watt flood it will run up to 6 hours on a charge. The only problem with this light is that it doesn't come with a smart charger; but you can buy a cheap $8 lamp timer and estimate the amount of charge time you need; for example if you ran the light for 3 hours on low and it takes 8 hours to charge a dead battery then you need to charge for 4 hours-not rocket science. The battery is pretty forgiving so if you miscalculate the charge time and over charge by an hour or so you won't hurt the battery.

I have the cheapest Cygolite they ever made called the Metro (no longer made); and I've owned it for about 5 years and have had no issues with the switches, even after being exposed to rain on occasions.

Phantoj 01-23-07 06:32 PM

I saw a basic halogen Light & Motion NiMH single beam setup at the local REI Garage Sale for about $50. It got snapped up pretty quickly.

Daily Commute 01-24-07 04:26 AM

This $14.99 LED is the best buy, in my opinion. I use it as a backup to my HID. You don't want to barrel down a pitch-black path at 20 mph with it, but it has a nice diamond pattern for traffic cycling (spot in the middle, four spots in a diamond pattern around that).

Performance ViewPoint Flare 5 LED Light:
http://www.performancebike.com/produ...-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

badhat 01-24-07 08:47 AM

i have the nite rover xtra as well and i've been pretty pleased with it. its put up with some nasty wet wweather, sub zero (F) temps, me accidentally leaving it on the charger for a whole weekend, and seems unfazed by any of it. i've heard people complain about the switches too, i never touch them, i just un plug and plug in the light as needed and leave it on full power (morning commute in the dark is only and hour, and afternoon commute is daylit)

truman 01-24-07 08:58 AM

bst deal going right now on lights is this deal on a NiteRider HID light...$300 for a helmet mount setup complete.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...-Lights&cm_em=

A NiteRider HeadTrip 6v, 10 watt halogen system. $90. That's about the cheapest you're going to find for a new, decent light system. This stuff is suitable for offroad riding at night.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...-Lights&cm_em=

Be sure to click thru one of the Bikeforum links to Performance, if you decide to order.

bent-not-broken 01-24-07 11:04 AM


Originally Posted by greenstork
Thanks for the recommendations all, it is much appreciated! That PB Alias light at $75 on sale from N***bar seems like a deal that's too good to pass up.

I picked this light up from performance for $69 DELIVERED during one of their pre xmas $20 coupan and free shipping promotiions. It performs very well.

Bent

daredevil 01-24-07 06:12 PM

Believe me, I don't work for Cygolite but it might seem so. I too have used mine in rain, snow and very cold temps.

Additionally there is a gravel rail trail near here that includes tunnels. There is an outfit that rents bikes for that ride and they have dozens of these Cygolites and have had no complaints at all. I researched this quite a bit myself to be cost effective and the Cygo is what I came up with. I don't think you could go wrong.

Elusor 05-22-07 05:23 PM

so for cygolite night rover xtra, cygolite explorerr, or plenetbike alias, or for? http://www.arequip.com/Products/Cygo...20Explorer.htm

Eggplant Jeff 05-22-07 05:35 PM

Absolute best bang for the buck: Nighthawk Raptor. You can get them on sale at Performance for $35. 10W halogen. Only downside is the lead acid battery which is not "light" (as bicycle batteries go). Decent runtime though.


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