downwinded

I would like feedback from some folks with experience regarding the USB rechargeable batteries that some of the headlights have. Most interested in the Cygolite Metro 300 and 420 at the moment. The ExpiliOn series seems like they might be a good choice as well. The NiteRider Mako series is also considered. My concern is that the batteries do not seem to be replaceable. The ExpiliOn batteries may be replaceable. If they last a couple of years, or longer, it may not be that big a deal, either way.
The NiteRiders are also available that run off of AA batteries. I really don't want something that requires a separate battery pack. 200 to 500 lumens is really all I think I need. Comments?

making

My niteride is 5-6 years old. No problems. I ride in the dark all the time, but I dont think much about my light if I can see and it works well, and I never think about my light. I dont know how many lumens it is.

downwinded

Is it a usb rechargeable?

making

Yes, I recharge my battery with a cable to my computer daily. I am not a real techno so I just wanted to make sure that is what you meant by USB rechargeable. I am a pretty dedicated commuter and the light was not expensive (I dont remember how much) and it has served well for years.

downwinded

Ok, thanks for the reply. I am commuting almost every day. We have not been getting much rain! LOL! Honestly, I'm leaning towards the Metro. I was just concerned about the batteries. I am assuming the technology is similar in both lines. The reviews are good for both brands.

Spld cyclist

I got a Serfas True 500 recently and really like it. It is USB chargeable. The battery is replaceable and it's substantially cheaper ($25) than the Expillon batteries ($40). The mount is excellent (except it takes a fare amount of force to separate the light from the mount, but that might be a good thing). The mount only costs $3.00 from Serfas if you want to buy extras to leave on multiple bikes. That is way cheaper than the other manufacturers. I have multiple mounts on my bikes for an older light, which makes things super convenient. I'm going to get more of the Serfas mounts for the same purpose, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. That and the relatively affordable batteries tipped me towards Serfas.

I think 400 - 500 lumens works well for my commute, although I supplement with a helmet light. The Serfas beam is neither too narrow nor too wide for me - just right. It seems very solid.

The Lezyne Superdrive is another one to consider. It takes standard lithium ion batteries, so they're cheaper and you're not locked into a proprietary replacement.

There are several self-contained lights in the 400 - 500 lumen range that I researched. NR, Lezyne, Cygolight, Serfas, and Light and Motion. They all got good reviews and are priced within $20 or so of each other. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them....

Chris516

I have the NiteRider MiNewt 600(https://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbo=d&...w=1600&bih=799). I has helped tremendously, when I got caught in the dark. NiteRider stopped making that model. They replaced that one in their product line with, the Lumina 650(https://www.niterider.com/lumina-650-2013/).

The MiNewt 600 is still available, just not from NiteRider any more. That is why I did the Google search for you. The Lumina 650 looks just like it. If you want even brighter possibilities, NiteRider has headlights that go up to 3600 lumens. I have no idea why a cyclist would need 3600 lumens. I have the MiNewt 600 and I get motorists' honking at me, about how bright it is.

weshigh

I have a NiteRider MiniNewt 600. It is USB rechargeable. I was wondering about battery life and replacement. This is what I got back from NiteRider when I asked.

I've had this light for a little over a year I would say and use it 5 days a week, charging it once a day. My commute is about 1hr10min long, so I run blink in the morning when its light and full on the way home, so needs to be recharged once per home and back. So far I've had zero problems with battery failing and if it does, seems easy to replace.

agent pombero

You can't go wrong with Cygolite. I own two headlights and 4 taillights by them. They're top notch products at affordable prices. And MADE IN THE USA!

downwinded

Thanks for all the replies folks! I have read until my eyeballs are bleeding. At least I have put my fears of the batteries holding up aside. Kinda leaning towards the Metro still. Mod Bike has it for $50.xx with free shipping. Did I mention I was cheap... eerrr I mean THRIFTY!

KirkBeiser

An alternative would be to simply get a AA/AAA USB charger like this. I'll get this since battery commonality is convenient to reduce the number of spares that I need to carry.

https://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-...neloop+charger

tjkoko

As I already own several rechargeable batteries, AA's and AAA's, is there a compatible bike light that'll use those rechargeable batteries and give the output of a Cygolite Expilion 700??? I only do short hauls in the city and am not doing trail riding. I'd probably use the light around 1 - 4 times weekly and 1/2 to 1.00 hour max. And I don't mean to hijack this thread. sorry should I post a new one?

no1mad 

^^Doubtful. Only one AA powered light that I'm aware of that puts out a decent beam pattern is the Saferide- not as bright, but doesn't waste near as much of it either.

Burton

LOL - but that's a good recommendation and the output is functionally just as bright!

no1mad 

I was going to mention the Dinotte line of AA powered lights, but I just think that the Saferide is of a more practical choice given the posters requirements.

curbtender

I get 4 half hour days out of my cygolite before the red light flashes. When I get less I take the battery out and clean the contacts. I haven't replaced my original in 2 years. I use the provided charger, not my computer, because I've heard of issues with the usb port.

zacster

The issue with a lot of USB ports is that they don't provide enough power. Even my iPad won't charge off of my iMac. I need to plug it into the wall with the charger.

What I'm still trying to figure out is how the Tesla car is supposed to charge. If it takes overnight to charge my iPad, or 6 hours to charge my single 18650 powered light, how will a car charge enough to go 300 miles as they claim, and then be able to continue the trip without needing an overnight stop?

Looigi

Have you figured out yet why it takes overnight to charge you iPad or 6 hrs for your 18650?

no1mad 

Tesla FAQ on charging.

A lot of older computers do lack the oomph to charge via USB (depending on configuration); most of the newer models might be able to handle it- dunno, not an expert on hardware

hubcap

I recently picked up the Lezyne Powerdrive 400lm light. It charges via a usb cable like the others mentioned here. But the reason I chose it over the other brands was that it uses a standard 18650 battery that is removable, as someone mentioned above. I have a handful of 18650 batteries already and they can be purchased cheaply.

sch

NiMH and Li ion batteries have standard form factors and thus the batteries in rechargeable lights will be one of these standard forms. NiMH will be AAA, AA, subC C D and 9V rectangular. Specialty
forms exist but are rarely used by consumer equipment because of $ sensitivity. Li Ion forms are cylindrical and designated by diameter and length in millimeters so an 18650 Li batt is 18mm in diameter and 65 mm long. These form factors for Li are subtly different but close to AA sizes, more or less. They are not drop in because Li batt are 3V where alkaline, NiMH and NiCd are all 1.5-1.6V.
Li batteries are very sensitive to the voltage to which they are charged or discharged to. They can be damaged if the discharge cycle voltage is taken too low or if the charger runs the battery
voltage too high, run it high enough and it may combust, hence all rapid Li chargers and some Li batteries have a built in ckt board that moniters battery voltage in charge and discharge and disconnects the battery when the too high or too low is reached, hence all those little blinky lights. An Li battery can be trickle or rapidly charged if the charger is sophisticated enough to moniter the battery voltage to prevent damage: which is why my Bosch drill with 12V battery (probably 4 of those 18650 cells) can charge in 20 minutes where my L&M headlight (likely not sure one 18650 or 16650 cell) charges in 4-5 hours from the USB port which is milliamp limited. The protective chip is inside the light and assumes a low amp input. A different chip might allow a 20 minute charge for the light off a cigarette lighter car plug or 110vac wall plug. Li batteries have a somewhat lower number of charge cycle lifespans than NiCd or NiMH in theory but in practice seem to last a lot longer, ie degrade
more slowly. Since Li batteries have a standard form factor, if you can figure out how to open the case in a fairly nondestructive fashion the cell could be replaced.

Burton

Of course now that Lipo batteries are being as closely controlled as firearms - we might see a renewed interest in generators and AA lighting.

Garfield Cat

See if you can get the package deal: Cygolite Metro + Hotshot.

Chris516

+1

no motor?

My Viz360 lasts about 2 - 3 hours, but doesn't put out enough light to be used as my only light. I've only had it about a year, and it's still going strong. The ability to carry the short cable used for recharging makes it easier to plan when I'm going to recharge the battery too, it's a lot easier to recharge than the Magcishine or my flashlights.