Been looking for some high end long lasting lights. I want something that last long on steady and is bright. I want people to see me coming, I currently have knogs and they aren't that bright but are descent. Ran across these https://store.dinottelighting.com/din...ight-p179.aspx Any info about these lights or others would be helpful..

I had Dinottes for a while. They're nice enough and not really overpriced given the rest of the market. However I eventually went to cheaper/brighter lights (MagicShine). I had low end Dinottes and really for me the MagicShine has been more reliable than the Dinotte - the Dinotte I had was the 4AA cell one and the battery packs corroded badly, leaving me reaching for my cheap flashlight backup on multiple occasions.

The MagicShine that I have is quite old and I had to fiddle with it a bit over the years, mainly just replacing frayed wires, and I'm on my 2nd battery pack now. I've used it 3 years and it's still working every day for me.

These days they've worked out most of the issues, especially with the battery pack. The 808 is a great starter light for $70.

Check here:
https://www.action-led-lights.com/collections/bike

Alternatively, for < $30 you can go the flashlight route, which I think would surprise you with how bright modern LED flashlights are.

Here's an old post I did on that. The prices are actually lower now.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post14043976

Delivery time from that source is QUITE long, 3 or 4 weeks, maybe even longer if stuff gets back ordered. Alternatively you can try a domestic supplier like ShiningBeam which is reported to have higher quality stuff anyway.

I have several Dinottes - 2 of the 200 lumen AA-powered (one headlight, one taillight), and a season or 2 later purchased 2 lithium-battery models - a 600 lumen headlamp (Dinotte has replaced it with a different model) and a 2nd tailight. I also have an Exposure Lights Joystick I use as a helmet light. The Dinotte light engines are well-made and hold up well to rain, and general wear & tear on the bike.

As IJM wrote, the weak point of the (older?) AA-powered models are the battery holder and 9V-style connector. The holders are easily replaced (Radio Shack and numerous online vendors sell the same item for a few dollars). They are easy to operate - the button controls to dim, switch between steady and blink modes, behave logically, at least for me - and the lights are QUITE bright. Dinotte's post-sale support is excellent (I had quick turnaround when one of my lights failed) and was able to purchase a new mount for my 600L light even though Dinotte has replaced it with another model. I can't tell from the web site if the new XML AA-powered light uses a different holder design than the 200L.

My least-favorite part is the helmet mount for the 200L units - I prefer Exposure's Joystick's helmet mount, and the Joystick is self-contained vs. Dinotte's separate light unit and battery. But the Dinotte buttons are easier for me to operate with full-finger gloves. The Joystick has longer run time vs. my AA-powered Dinotte, which is a function of the battery technology and not the light itself. The Lithium lights run longer and batteries hold up better in winter temps. The AA-powered lights have the advantage that they will work with ANY AA-size batteries (run time will obviously differ). I've used NiMH, Enloop NiMH, single use Lithium, and alkaline AA in a pinch. You can get AA batteries anywhere there is a gas station, convenience or grocery store; handy if on a trip or the rechargables you thought were fully charged when you started your commute weren't and die half-way home. It's easy enough to keep a 2nd 4-cell holder with single-use lithiums (for their shelf life) in a baggie so I have a back-up with me at all times.

Magicshines and flashlights have their place, but I think you do get compromises with cheap lights not designed to be out in the weather or used on the high-vibration environment of a bike. My experience with them has been dissapointing - poor quality, slow shipment, and miserable post-sales service. I decided a few winters ago that my safety, health, and life was worth the additional money to get well-made and reliable lights. I've had cheapies fail slowly and fail spectacularly, and it is no fun to ride a dark MUP or street by the light of a knog, or the occassional car or house light.

Dinotte makes great lights and their prices are fair. More importantly, their battery prices are great. You may have your light for years and years but you will replace batteries so that is an important cost to watch.

I've run Dinotte's stuff for years and it's pretty much bullet proof. Highly recommend them.

I'm not a big fan of the budget lights like Magicshine. That's where I started and when I got stuck out in the dark on a country road when the light failed on moonless night, I learned my lesson.

J.

Had my Dinnotte tail light almost 5 years.
They have GREAT Warranty Service.

Great Company and lights.

I think it's a mistake to take only one light anywhere where you will rely on the light entirely. I don't care if it's a Dinotte or a Lupine or what. I always at least have a 18650 flashlight and a lockblock in my bag.

That said, the only time the magicshine has failed me on the road has been when I forgot to charge the battery.

The Dinotte failed me on the road. I wound up going in to work using my red taillight in steady mode as a headlight going about 5 MPH.

Agree. Two lights are the right answer. I learned that lesson.

A sample of one is not statistically significant with regards to reliability. What worries me about Magicshine is how they handled (or, actually, didn't handle) their battery recall issue letting the US Distributor fall on their sword and close up over it. That's actually two issues, I guess - (1) handling product problems and (2) admitting product problems and warning customers.


J.

I've had both the AA powered models and the Li-Ion system. I recommend the Li-Ion over the AA. For me at least, I got longer run-times, and easier battery maintenance. I am currently using the 400L on my handlebars and a 140 tail light, both Li-Ion powered. In the two years I've had them, I have had zero issues. Dinotte's customer service is also first class.

I have never used the helmet mount, so I cannot comment to that. I do run a Princeton Tec EOS-bike on my helmet...highly recommend.

I have recently purchased a 18650 flashlight called the "blaze" from Shining beam. It is an awesome flashlight and so far has proven very good at being a bicycle headlight. it is really nice not having any cords to fuss with and batteries are plentiful. I keep an extra cell in my bag but so far I have not had to use it. Now if I can just find a version with a red LED to rival the 140, I would be set.

I'm another anti Magicshine person. I owned their 1000 lumen light and it died in the first 60 days of it's 90 day warranty, I sent back in and that was the last I ever saw the light or heard from them. Then a friend of mine had their newer 1200 lumen light and it died after just a year and half. And MS overrates their lumens because my Cygolite Mitycross 480 (480 lumens) was brighter then the 1200 Lumen MS my friend had! If you want a cheap bright light then get this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CREE-XML-XM-...item3ccb681fd2 At least for $38 or so you're not out much if it goes south!

I happen to love my Phillips Saferide which is brighter then my Cygolite Mitycross 480. The Phillips is my main light and the Cygolite is my helmet light. The Phillips puts all the light energy where it counts-on the road not in the tops of trees like other lights. See this: https://reviews.mtbr.com/2012-bike-li...pattern-photos Look at the light patterns on the grass and on the fence behind the swing set. The Phillips does the best job of lighting up the grass and the fence of any light under $500. The Phillips does not have a separate battery pack to fool with either, will run for 2 hours on high then switch automatically to low for another 3 hours, or you run it for 8 hours on low. It also has a very good side lighting that lights up the lane next to you, in addition a glowing ring that combined makes you really visible from the side.

I also agree on having dual lights, in case one dies on a ride you have the other.