Mr_H

I could use some advice in cutting through the massive amount of information out there.

I'm seeking to replace the headlight I have on my bike. Right now it's an 4 year old Nite-Hawk Phoenix. I'd link to it, but the companies website appears to be gone now...which can't be a good sign. Anyhow, it's served me well, but the light appears to be dimming and that's troublesome for my morning commute.

I would like to get something that is:
-In the $150 range (I could go slightly higher if it's a significant improvement)
-No external battery pack would be nice
-Needs to have a good, bright flood light effect, not just a spot light (I ride in some areas where there are no streetlights for miles, so the more I Can see, the better)
-Handlebar mount essential
-USB Recharge would be handy, but it's not a deal breaker.

I've seen people point out the NiteRider MiNewts and the CygoLite Expilion. Would those be the best all things considered, or is there something I'm missing out there in the piles of information?

Thanks...appreciate any help people can give

fietsbob

Any of these strike your fancy? https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.asp

I have a low cost 4AA battery 1w Planet bike 'super spot' , but find its lens spreads the light
more than the 2AA super flash, which is quite a spot..
but in Flash Mode on a familiar route It makes battery drain quite a bit slower.

Leebo

I have two of the minewt mini's 1oo's, work well and have a usb port. The new one's are self contained, no cord and now have 150 watts, recomendo.

ItsJustMe

I don't know of any all-in-one packages that are bright enough for me, so everything I'm talking about here has a separate battery.

The Dinotte 400L at $229 is above your price range but worth a look I think. It's a lot of light in a respected name.

I used to have their AA version and can't recommend it. The battery system is flaky. The light engine was solid though, and I'd bet that the LiIon version of it would be fine.

Personally I'm a cheapskate and a bit of a DIY'er and am very happy with my Magicshine. I think the new version of their light at about $95 is a great deal, especially if you also get a Y power connector and their taillight. You just need to bear in mind that the cables are susceptible to damage if you pull on the wires to separate them. I found that no matter how careful I was, I wound up pulling on the wires eventually, so I eventually set it up as in the photo below. The plus side is that replacement cables are about $3 for this light, so even if you damage them, so what?

10 Wheels

I use this one.

https://harriscyclery.net/product/bus...eries-2692.htm

Alan@TreeFort

I am a big fan of the NiteRider lights. I use the MiNewt 100 and has served me very well on dark, unlit streets and paths. The current lights start at 150 lumens and USB chargable, and for slightly more can get a 250 that is still cordless and USB chargable. Plus their warranty is amazing, should it ever be needed.

TheHen

Like 10Wheels, I use the Ixon IQ. However, when I'm riding down hills in the forest at night I either use two of them or add a Dinotte 200L. On the flats, one is more than enough.

hopperja

The best light for the money is the Baja Designs Strykr. Contact Shannon (a general phone number should be on the website) and see if he's still offering an upgrade (he was giving a $100 credit for the old light towards a new one, bringing the cost down to about $200). I have one and it's fantastic.

After BD, I'd seriously consider the DiNotte 400 and the Jet Lites A51. Of these two, the DiNotte is probably not as bright, but I bet it's of higher quality.

And, there's always Hahn Tronix's better front light. 1300 or 1800 lumens, depending on which LEDs you want. At $135 (without a battery, $190 with a battery), it's by far the most lumens for the $.

I've had a Nite Rider (Digital Evolution) and it was terrible. It wasn't reliable and put out a mediocre output (15w max). The warranty was terrible too. When I sent it in, - because it needed a repair under warranty - I had to pay their bench fee. It cost me to have it fixed under warranty! That would be like taking your car in to have it fixed under warranty, which they'll do free of charge. But only after you pay their diagnostic fee to figure out what's wrong with it. Their current lineup is overpriced compared to what the competition offers. 150 lumens, really? I'm surprised they even still make a light with that low of an output. If you only need 150 lumens, go get yourself the $25 Task Force LED flashlight at Lowes and strap that onto your handle bars.

Just my opinions...

TheHen

Well, not just your opinion. My spouse purchased NiteRider's top of the line light several years back. Not only did they charge him to "repair" it under warranty, but they didn't fix the problem. When he called to explain how "wonderful" it was to have the light simply fail while descending a forest road at midnight (the last thing we saw was a tree down across the road), they were unbelievably rude. That was several hundred dollars flushed down. I wouldn't purchase one of their products ever. I have heard from far too many people that our story is not unusual. In fact, two of our local bike shops stopped carrying their products because of the numerous failures and their refusal to stand behind them.

tarwheel 

It seems like you are unnecessarily limiting your options by not wanting an external battery. You could find many excellent lights using lithium batteries in your price range, and the batteries are small and light enough to attach to your handlebar, stem, top tube or bottle cage. I'm currently using a Light & Motion Stella 300 that I bought on eBay for about $180. I carry the battery in my front bottle cage. It puts out all the light I need even on the second-highest setting, and I can get 4-8 hours of run time depending on the setting I use.

For a more budget choice and no external battery, you might consider some of the LED flashlights. I've got a Fenix LD20 that runs on two AA batteries and puts out 200 lumens on high. I commuted with it as my only headlight for about two years, but moved it to my helmet when I got a brighter light. The Fenix only costs about $65 and you can find cheaper alternatives, and it runs on inexpensive rechargeable AAs.

Alan@TreeFort

Wow, I'm totally surprised about these issues. I have only been dealing with NR for the past year or so, so that is the limit of my experience with them, but during that time its been great. Cool on the phone and fix what needs to be done, and never experienced any kind of charges.

truman

I use the 500L model from here: https://www.trailled.com/catalog/light-kits

Locally made by a guy who started doing it as a sideline. Excellent performance and service after the sale for a very reasonable price.

DogBoy

I could have written this. I went from this to a cygolite HID that I really liked, to Dinotte AA, and now I'm on a B&M dyno light. Once you go dyno, you don't go back IMO.

Mr_H

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I'm narrowing down the list and doing some more research. I think right now I'm angling towards the Ixon IQ, the NiteRider MiNewt 250, and the TrailLEDs.

Some of the ones with Battery Packs attached do look nice, but the good ones are out of my price range

I'm intrigued by the TrailLED company, cause it seems like the lights are bright for the price, and I do love supporting 'the small guy'. (Although the wait time could be an issue as my other light is failing)

hopperja

I'm not sure why your experience is so different, perhaps it's because you're with a bike shop.

All I can say is I cannot figure out how Nite Rider stays in business with: 1- mediocre products that are 2- overpriced for what you get with 3- poor reliability and 4- terrible customer service. There are literally dozens of better options out there. I'd rather buy a no warranty MS900 with the defective battery from deal extreme than flush money down the toilet on another NR. Of course, my experience with NR was a few years ago. They fooled me once, they won't fool me again...

fmileto55

+1 on the IXON IQ

carlotta

+2 on the IXON IQ. It's my first "real" headlight so no point of comparison, but I feel good on the unlit MUP portion of my commute with it. I also got the fork crown mount (ordered it + light from Peter White) and that's a nice setup to get it off the bars.

K'Tesh

NiteRider's MiNewt 250 fits the bill. I use the older MiNewt X2 and MiNewt200, but got to play with a 250 for a few days. Nice Bright light w/decent run times. I'll admit, I had ocassional problems w/the older halogen systems, but the LED systems have been very reliable (and I've had them for years now).

ItsJustMe

I'd really love to see a side-by-side comparison of the Ixon IQ with something that a lot of people have seen, like the MagicShine 900 lumen.

10 Wheels

The IQ fills up the road in front with a rectangular shape. No hot spots

Not My pic:

Mr_H

For those of you with the Ixon IQ: Are the NiMH batteries & charger a 'necessity' for good lighting, or do you think you'd get the same out of regular AA rechargeable?

The Ixon IQ is looking like my best option, and if I shaved off the price of buying the batteries and charger, I might be able to afford two of the lights. If the batteries are recommended though, I'd rather not sacrifice lighting

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, it's really helped me out.

10 Wheels

One is enough for me.
I have only used the batteries that came with the light.
The charger is nice. It plugs into the light. No need to remove the batteries.
You won't go wrong buying the complete package.

carlotta

I use the NiMH batteries that came with mine and the wall charger which plugs into the light, no battery removal required, which I really like--I just plug it in next to the bike when I get home.

ItsJustMe

What do you mean by "regular" AA rechargable? NiMH *IS* the standard rechargable AA these days. NiCad is toxic and they have horribly low capacity, and I don't even know where you'd buy them anymore, you can get them online but they're not any cheaper. And the chargers aren't much either. I've found good smart chargers with 4 cells for > $20 locally.

chandltp

What lens configuration did you go with. Spot / flood seems to make sense to me, but I couldn't find any pictures.