Headlight comparisons
 

I've been looking at Blackburn X4 and Nite Rider MiNewt X2 lights for road commuting in the Pacific Northwest. Has anybody got comments one way or the other on these two light systems?

Thanks!

check out the electronics sub forum.

Just strapped on a set of the minewt x2 duals, I'm in love... My old nightsun team with a huge battery pack has nothing on these... Bought a second charger to leave at work so I can run full brightness each way on my 16 mile ride. It almost makes it both ways, actually it does but a lot of the ride home, the low power light is on, stays bright though... low power both ways and no reserve... That's two 50 minute rides and low is really bright. Quality seems great, mounting is simple and nice, weight is next to nothing... Paired mine with a Superflash in the rear...

Could you make it both ways on low? Is it true that low isn't much less light then high?

I'm looking at the minewt x2 duals but I've got about 5 miles in the morning (MARTA assisted) and then 30 miles on the way home. I'm afraid the battery life just isn't good enough.

I think I'll go either with the minewt or a dynohub.

I put a minewt X2 sytem on my bike. I commute 26 miles each way to 12 hour shifts which is pitch black each way. It is like driving a BMW at night. Never used the high setting. This was after breaking ribs shedding about 2 lbs of skin after hitting a land scaping rock at 30+ MPh. Also had to purchase 2 new wheels. because of same. Definately would have been cheaper to use this terrific lighting than the broken parts alone. I ride about 1.5 hours each way and I simply take my charger along and plug in once at work. Never ran it out of juice and the light is unreal.

MiNewt is a great light...
 

I have one on my helmet (I strongly recommend a helmet mounted light as part of your lighting setup) and one on my handlebars.

I also recently invested in a TriNewt. The battery pack is about the size of a Ford pickup truck, but the illumination is...breathtaking.

Please check out this bike portland thread for some insight as well. Some point out that a home made system with rechargeable batteries might be a good way to go.

I still prefer the P7 over anything else.
it's simply unbeatable on that price range, and lumen output

I bought a tri-newt, it does well. Most of the time I have it on low for my suburban commute. The battery is large, but that means I can just charge it once a week for my short AM commute.

I ride with the NiteRider MiNewt X2.Dual on the bars of my commuter bike. In the winter when it's most needed, the battery life is reduced by cold temperatures. Be aware that when the time comes, the light will (snap!) turn off to complete blackness with no dimming or blinking as a last warning.

I typically expect to see a total of 100-110 minutes on high for a single charge. If I split that time between two rides with a warm period in between, it works out to just about my normal winter commute. That's too close for comfort when it gets especially cold. To avoid that, I carry my charger with me to the office and top up during the workday.

It's best to have another light running at all times and I use an Amoeba spotlight on the helmet. Its battery gives me around 4 hours, so it's never a problem, even in the coldest weather.