nhluhr

Got my wife this light and after the first one 'failed' exchanged it at the dealer for another then this one failed the same way.

We charge it until the light on the battery turns green and then unplug it from the charger. Then, mysteriously, the next morning, when we plug the lamp into the battery and try to use it, the LED just gives a brief bright flash and the charge indicator blinks red/green a couple times.

Each time, she has been able to use it at least a couple times before it 'failed'. I'm not sure if the battery is overcharged or undercharged and I can't find an explanation of what the red/green blinking on the lamp indicator light means.

Niterider has already agreed to send a replacement but I fear this could happen again due to something we may be doing wrong. Any ideas? Bad charger maybe? What I can't figure out is why it would turn and light up normally the night before and then seem dead in the morning. It's as if it is somehow discharging overnight.

seeker333

Sounds like you're doing nothing wrong, it's simply a bad light. Apparently a bunch of bad lights. NR must be taking these right off the boat and shipping to the LBS with very little QC inspection. I guess that happens when a company employs only a skeleton crew, and most are sales/marketing.

Get your money back, try a Dinotte.com XML-3. Costs about the same, more light, better warranty, better reputation IMO.

nhluhr

I've seen mention on mtbr of "battery lock out" that needs to be reset by placing the battery on the base. This light has no 'base', just a normal plug-in charger cord... Is it possible they kept the same 'safety lockout' (to protect circuitry maybe?) as other pro-series models but just forgot to include any resetting function?

seeker333

What does it matter? The light still doesn't work according to User Manual.

Hell, it's simple. Plug it in, leave on charger till light changes color to indicated charged. Connect to head, press switch to select desired output level. Hold switch for flash mode. Your NR works just like a Magicshine, and similar to most every light every made.

If it's missing a secret hardware or software feature necessary for it's operation, how is that the user's responsibility?

Would you prefer that I insist that you're not smart enough to operate a light switch, and that bike lights are almost never defective?

nhluhr

No, I am totally resigned to this thing just 'not working' due to whatever reason, but have moved on to figuring out the nature of the product failure. I bought it from a place with an unconditional refund/exchange policy so if the 3rd one isn't a charm, it's going back for a refund and I'll get one of the ones with a better track record for reliability.

It really is amazingly bright though (heh... when it's working). I just fear substandard assembly or integrated circuits.

seeker333

I don't know why you'd even consider a third trial. Two failures would convince me something is wrong.

Good luck finding a reliable bike light.

nhluhr

Yeah I know, shame on me... when I called Niterider this morning to ask how to make it work, they just went ahead and issued the replacement to swap out.