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Best light in the 200 dollar range?
I dont care if this is a repost:)
Ive been looking at the nite rider series of lights and am considering getting one. Before i jump the gun id like some opionions on them and if there are any lights in the same price range that can outperform them. thanks. Brandon. |
I if was you I would check out http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.905 save some money.
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Probably the Dinotte 400L at $229. It's almost exactly as bright as the MagicShine 900 at $85 (the MS may be a tiny bit brighter, I don't know), but if you insist on paying $200, it's a good choice.
The MagicShine reviews that say the battery isn't waterproof do not apply to the current generation (they made it much more waterproof in gen 2, totally waterproof(*) in gen 3). I have the original and the battery is CERTAINLY not waterproof. The other complaint is that the wires are not durable. They've apparently done something about this as well but we won't know until people have it on the road for a few months. Also the very newest version has a hard plastic shell around the battery with a backlit battery gauge. Here's the latest version: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.44459 I really like using GeoManGear.com as a source for MS lights - you get it in 2 days instead of a month, and they carry Lupine as well. FWIW, the MagicShine is a pretty close clone of the Lupine Tesla 4, which is a $370 light, if that makes you feel better about only paying $85. I have the first generation MagicShine, and while I'd love to upgrade to the latest version, the problems with it are really only a minor annoyance and are easily dealt with (I keep the battery in a ziplock bag, and I ordered a couple of extension cords from DX and replaced the connectors that failed after about a year's use. This took about half an hour and the new connectors look more durable). (*) OK, nothing's TOTALLY waterproof, not even submarines. But riding in torrential downpours with the battery strapped to the frame shouldn't be a problem anymore. |
The shear number of phtons a light puts out is not its most important quality. It matters a whole lot more *where* those photons are. The magic shine just projects a cone of light. That's less than useful; it blinds on coming traffic, and doesn't put most of the light where it's useful for road riding. If the magic shine people would build some decent optics, it would be great.
It doesn't, and frankly, I doubt they care. |
I would look at the MS 1400 light and you will still have money to get the taillight as well.. I have been using the MS 900 model for over a year and it is still working well, no issues with the battery, have not really had it in a downpour..
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...roducts_id=161 http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?...roducts_id=206 |
The Busch & Muller Ixon IQ @ ~$150 is one of the top lights under $200, you'd have to spend $250 to move to their next light the Ixon IQ Speed. Both have very well designed optics, with nearly all the light focused on the road in a useful pattern, and just enough spill light for other road users to see you.
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Originally Posted by dscheidt
(Post 11467519)
The shear number of phtons a light puts out is not its most important quality. It matters a whole lot more *where* those photons are. The magic shine just projects a cone of light. That's less than useful; it blinds on coming traffic, and doesn't put most of the light where it's useful for road riding. If the magic shine people would build some decent optics, it would be great.
It doesn't, and frankly, I doubt they care. Spending $200, $500 or $1500 still will get you a conical beam shape. B&M and some others build EU standard lights with proper beam shape and cutoff. They're not common in the US but you can find them. |
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11467826)
Unfortunately, almost all lights sold in the US produce a cone of light, including ones that cost $1000. This is because they are designed for off road use.
Spending $200, $500 or $1500 still will get you a conical beam shape. B&M and some others build EU standard lights with proper beam shape and cutoff. They're not common in the US but you can find them. Best light for $200? 2.2 Magicshines |
Yeah, I would prefer to be running a proper wedge-shaped beam, but I don't really think it's that big a deal.
Back when I was running an HID, it had a very wide conical flood pattern, and I had cars flashing their brights at me quite a lot, and I got some comments from friends who saw me on the street that my light was really kind of blinding. I have not had this problem at all with the MagicShine, it has a tighter beam with a better cutoff than the HID did. My $40 P7 flashlight has an even tighter beam than that. I think the MagicShine is just about right. I can aim it about 50 to 70 feet in front of me and the glare into an oncoming driver's eyes isn't any worse than low beams on a pickup. |
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11467284)
Probably the Dinotte 400L at $229. It's almost exactly as bright as the MagicShine 900 at $85 (the MS may be a tiny bit brighter, I don't know), but if you insist on paying $200, it's a good choice.
The MagicShine reviews that say the battery isn't waterproof do not apply to the current generation (they made it much more waterproof in gen 2, totally waterproof(*) in gen 3). I have the original and the battery is CERTAINLY not waterproof. The other complaint is that the wires are not durable. They've apparently done something about this as well but we won't know until people have it on the road for a few months. Also the very newest version has a hard plastic shell around the battery with a backlit battery gauge. Here's the latest version: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.44459 I really like using GeoManGear.com as a source for MS lights - you get it in 2 days instead of a month, and they carry Lupine as well. FWIW, the MagicShine is a pretty close clone of the Lupine Tesla 4, which is a $370 light, if that makes you feel better about only paying $85. I have the first generation MagicShine, and while I'd love to upgrade to the latest version, the problems with it are really only a minor annoyance and are easily dealt with (I keep the battery in a ziplock bag, and I ordered a couple of extension cords from DX and replaced the connectors that failed after about a year's use. This took about half an hour and the new connectors look more durable). (*) OK, nothing's TOTALLY waterproof, not even submarines. But riding in torrential downpours with the battery strapped to the frame shouldn't be a problem anymore. One drawback of the Dinotte 400l is the mount - it's not easily removable, it's attached with screws, at the same time you can snap the mount off with your hand so it's not theft resistant either. (I see the new Dinotte tail light claims to have a quick release option...wonder if they make a new one for the 400l...) One advantage of the 400l is that you can buy a lens kit with it for...$5? It's not going to give you a "cutoff", but it would let you change lenses to switch between a narrower and a wider beam. I personally like the beam pattern that was created with 2 400L's - the first 400l on high, the 2nd 400l on medium, one led on the stock narrow beam, the 2nd with the semi-flood lens. This was actually the first light / combination I owned that I felt was good enough for road riding on my road bike at night. (Not that that stopped me from always wanting more, lol...) |
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11467826)
Unfortunately, almost all lights sold in the US produce a cone of light, including ones that cost $1000. This is because they are designed for off road use.
Spending $200, $500 or $1500 still will get you a conical beam shape. B&M and some others build EU standard lights with proper beam shape and cutoff. They're not common in the US but you can find them. |
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11469632)
lol, based on your other posts I would also say the Dinotte has much better built quality. The wires have never frayed on mine, the light has always performed flawlessly in rain, Dinotte customer service has been like 9/10 (sometimes they're a little cranky, but on the other hand they let me exchange a light ordered 6 months later when they came out with a new one).
It depends to some extent what your tolerance for flakiness is. Personally I won't put up with lights that commonly fail in use, so the old flashlight I was trying to use got replaced; it changed mode on bumps. But I'm OK with a light that lasts a year and then has a small, easy to fix problem, if the light is less than half the price of one that would not have that issue. Also, as I said, it looks to me like the newer lights solve the problems anyway, or at least made an attempt. Given the price difference and given that I'm willing to spend a few minutes a year to save $150, I don't think there's any way I'd personally buy the Dinotte, but that's a personal decision. I also had the Dinotte AA versions, not the LiIon. I don't really like the AA solution - the packs are not waterproof and they rust and get unreliable. I'm sure the LiIon packs don't have this problem, but even Dinotte is not above making bad design decisions. They were trying to hit a price point with the AA versions, but I think they probably should just have skipped it and stuck with the LiIon design. |
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11470014)
The first generation (which I have) MagicShine does have some issues, but it looks to me like they've addressed those. Even the problems that I've had are not that big a deal if you know about them; the battery pack isn't waterproof; ziploc bag. The wires tend to fray and not work after a year or so; $3 for a new connector and 10 minutes to put it in, I'm good for another year.
It depends to some extent what your tolerance for flakiness is. Personally I won't put up with lights that commonly fail in use, so the old flashlight I was trying to use got replaced; it changed mode on bumps. But I'm OK with a light that lasts a year and then has a small, easy to fix problem, if the light is less than half the price of one that would not have that issue. Also, as I said, it looks to me like the newer lights solve the problems anyway, or at least made an attempt. Given the price difference and given that I'm willing to spend a few minutes a year to save $150, I don't think there's any way I'd personally buy the Dinotte, but that's a personal decision. Ditto with ordering and replacing wires that stop working. Even in college I wouldn't have done that, because I just know I'll keep putting it off and putting it off and then it will fail at some critical time. Plus who knows if the parts will be available next year, and how long it will take to actually replace them. Can't tell you many times "10 minutes of work" turns into "2 hours of work over 2 days, plus I missed a ride" or something like that. It's some a matter of personal preference. If the difference was $30 I be more in the "it's worth it for better quality, no question" camp. $3 every year plus all the hassle is worth something...though since the price difference is $140 ($90 to $230), even if you got the Dinotte on sale (for...$200?) twice as much money still makes it difficult. As people say, you can buy an entire second magicshine and keep it as a backup for that kind of money.
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11470014)
I also had the Dinotte AA versions, not the LiIon. I don't really like the AA solution - the packs are not waterproof and they rust and get unreliable. I'm sure the LiIon packs don't have this problem, but even Dinotte is not above making bad design decisions. They were trying to hit a price point with the AA versions, but I think they probably should just have skipped it and stuck with the LiIon design.
I agree though that for regular commuting the AA light is good, but the battery pack leaves quite a bit to be desired. Batteries can pop out when you hit bumps (had to use a rubber band to hold them in), not waterproof, have to remove the batteries every time to charge them. It's annoying. |
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11470163)
Yeah, it's like you say. You say that constantly placing the battery in a plastic bag when you ride is "not a big deal". I find it intolerable
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11470163)
- I spend the extra money for lith-ion version of the lights so I can charge the battery without taking it off the bike (now that I'm out of college and have a steady job), screwing around with a plastic bag every time is out of the question, lol.
Besides, all the current versions are already waterproof, so this whole discussion is moot.
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11470163)
Ditto with ordering and replacing wires that stop working. Even in college I wouldn't have done that, because I just know I'll keep putting it off and putting it off and then it will fail at some critical time. Plus who knows if the parts will be available next year, and how long it will take to actually replace them.
Mine did fail in mid ride, but I just reached down and flipped on my backup light. I would never, ever ride with only one light, no matter how reliable it is. My commute is on rural roads with 60 MPH traffic in pitch black, all seasons. I had my lights go out once with no backups; I was really scared every time a car came by, to the point where when a car got close I stopped and got way off the road. I'm not going to ever let that happen again. I ride with two headlights and four taillights (bright Magicshine down load, a Planet Bike Superflash on my helmet up high, two more superflashes pointing to the sides on the seat post) |
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11470163)
Yeah, it's like you say. You say that constantly placing the battery in a plastic bag when you ride is "not a big deal". I find it intolerable - I spend the extra money for lith-ion version of the lights so I can charge the battery without taking it off the bike (now that I'm out of college and have a steady job), screwing around with a plastic bag every time is out of the question, lol.
Ditto with ordering and replacing wires that stop working. Even in college I wouldn't have done that, because I just know I'll keep putting it off and putting it off and then it will fail at some critical time. Plus who knows if the parts will be available next year, and how long it will take to actually replace them. Can't tell you many times "10 minutes of work" turns into "2 hours of work over 2 days, plus I missed a ride" or something like that. It's some a matter of personal preference. If the difference was $30 I be more in the "it's worth it for better quality, no question" camp. $3 every year plus all the hassle is worth something...though since the price difference is $140 ($90 to $230), even if you got the Dinotte on sale (for...$200?) twice as much money still makes it difficult. As people say, you can buy an entire second magicshine and keep it as a backup for that kind of money. I don't agree that they should have "skipped" the AA version - that's the only reason I bought it in college. And in college it was really "good enough"...I didn't ride in the rain much. I agree though that for regular commuting the AA light is good, but the battery pack leaves quite a bit to be desired. Batteries can pop out when you hit bumps (had to use a rubber band to hold them in), not waterproof, have to remove the batteries every time to charge them. It's annoying. As a get real moment we have to acknowledge that the Dinotte is now an old design. There are now cheaper and I'd say brighter and more reliable options now available. Including the aforementioned Magicshine and ever the CygoLite Pace 135 LED which is now even cheaper than the Magic shine ($59.99). :D |
Originally Posted by Sirrus Rider
(Post 11470754)
As a get real moment we have to acknowledge that the Dinotte is now an old design. There are now cheaper and I'd say brighter and more reliable options now available. Including the aforementioned Magicshine and ever the CygoLite Pace 135 LED which is now even cheaper than the Magic shine ($59.99). :D
Please feel free to list these other cheaper, brighter, AND more reliable lights. The Magicshine is less reliable than the Dinotte. At half the cost the extra may not be worth it, but even the Magicshine supporters usually say the Dinotte's are better made. The Magicshine is brighter or cheaper, depending on the model, but a Pace 135 sure sounds like it puts out noticeably less light than a Dinotte. I don't see where you listed a light that's cheaper and brighter and more reliable. |
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11470751)
Not only is it not a big deal, it's completely a non issue - I simply bought a 1 meter extension cable and snaked it out of my bike bag. The battery is in a plastic bag down in the bottom of the thing, I haven't even seen it for months. I'm sure it's down there somewhere, because my light runs off it and my charger is charging something.
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11470751)
If you never take it off the bike, then there's no point in ever touching the plastic bag either.
Besides, all the current versions are already waterproof, so this whole discussion is moot.
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 11470751)
I ordered the parts months before it went bad.
Mine did fail in mid ride, but I just reached down and flipped on my backup light. I would never, ever ride with only one light, no matter how reliable it is. My commute is on rural roads with 60 MPH traffic in pitch black, all seasons. I had my lights go out once with no backups; I was really scared every time a car came by, to the point where when a car got close I stopped and got way off the road. I'm not going to ever let that happen again. I ride with two headlights and four taillights (bright Magicshine down load, a Planet Bike Superflash on my helmet up high, two more superflashes pointing to the sides on the seat post) |
Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11470867)
lol, well that's a pretty cool setup. However, I don't have a front bag on any of my bikes, some of my bikes that I need my light on don't really have a bag at all, and I need to switch which bike the light is on fairly frequently so that wouldn't work for me. Love your thing with snaking an extension cable out of the bag though. :-) I love laziness...I mean, efficiency. :D
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No reliability issues with my MS light, with about 150 hours of useage.. The battery runs about 30 minutes less on a full charge than when I bought it but same thing happened with my NR Trinewt and L&M Arc HID..
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I just got the MS 1400 a few weeks ago. It works amazingly well with the 3 lights. It lights the road really well in the rain or dry. It also goes on and comes off very quickly. If I paid $500 for it, I think it would have been great value.
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If it rains when I ride I put my battery inside my jandd stem bag..
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FSBR-S |
Consider this ... :thumb:
Fenix L2T 2 Level High Performance Cree LED Flashlight $34 http://bensbargains.net/deal/156514/ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001GAOOGO Amazon has the Fenix L2T 2 Level High Performance Cree LED Flashlight for $34 with free shipping. Features 152 lumens high output (2.4 hrs), 16 lumens low output (32 hrs), over 115 meter (377 ft) reach, waterproof to IPX-8 standard, 3 ounce aircraft-grade aluminum body, and runs on two 1.5V AA (Alkaline, Ni-MH) batteries. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...0L._SS400_.jpg |
Originally Posted by joshnc
(Post 11467175)
I if was you I would check out http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.905 save some money.
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Originally Posted by Ziemas
(Post 11472814)
Keep in mind that the quality of these lights is generally quite poor.
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why spend sooo much for a light...??
do it on the cheap flaslight and 2 clamps...low dough and JUST as good as those high $ lights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edikfIC-RJU or for u DIYers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKUss...eature=related |
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