Stallionforce

https://store.dinottelighting.com/sha...t=products.asp

This is a 200 lumen light running on 4 standard AA rechargeable batteries. Their chart talks about burn times for 2 cell Li-Ion, 4 cell Li-Ion, and 4 cell AA Ni-MH.

Could someone please describe the differences in these batteries to me?

Also, is this 200 lumen light powerful enough to see as well as be seen? If not, I may perhaps order it as a dusk/dawn light or as a helmet light.

It certainly has some good reviews.

Mr. Fly

The Lithium ion batteries are proprietary, in that you probably can't find a replacement except through Dinotte. AFAIK, the Li-ion batteries are lighter, have more capacity but are more expensive to buy and require a specialized charger. The 4-cell Li-ion pack has twice the capacity of the 2-cell Li-ion pack giving you double the run time; but the light output is the same.

The 4-cell AA version runs off a 4-cell battery pack. The holder Dinotte supplies with each light takes four AA size batteries. You can use any AA-sized battery with nominal 1.2-1.5V/cell but the Ni-MH offers the best run times. I get approximately 3 hours on high from a set of Duracell 2650mAh batteries. You can also build a custom four C- or D-cell battery pack which will extend run time considerably. The best thing about the 4-cell AA version is that AA batteries and their chargers are commodities and so are cheap.


The 200L is definitely at least a "be seen" light. It is adequate for seeing but I have to admit that the beam pattern isn't really too optimized for city use. Having a conical beam shape means there is quite a bit of wastage. Nevertheless, if your night vision isn't too bad, the light is adequate.

Cyclist0383

Here are two current reviews of the light.

https://gearreview.com/LEDs08_single_emitter.php#200l

https://reviews.roadbikereview.com/bl...ight-shootout/

Stallionforce

Thanks for the help guys. What are your standard off-the-shelf AA's? I take it they are not the same as Ni-MH.

Cyclist0383

Huh? Are you making reference to something?

Stallionforce

Pardon me? I suppose I expose myself in the follies of ignorance: I don't know anything about batteries. That's why I'm asking.

Can one buy a set of AA Ni-MH batteries with a recharger? If so, any recommendations as to models?

Any other people have an opinion on this light? I will be using it Randonneuring so I'm hoping it will suffice to get me down the roads at night -- I really need it as a headlight; I already have plenty of good front flashers -- so I can be "seen".

ebrady

I am considering this light because of this feature. However I have also realized that when you look at power output versus weight of the battery, one is better off using multiple sets of AA batteries vs creating a larger holder for D and C size. The technology for AA batteries is more advanced and offers a higher power to weight ratio then then that of C or D cells.

Disposable lithiums offer even better performance.

john bono

Word of warning when it comes to buying rechargeable C & D cells. The cells you buy at Walmart might say they are C and D, but they are really AA batteries with a sleeve, and they have boosted the price on the batteries as well, so you wind up getting the same battery but pay twice+ the price.

Cyclist0383

Rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries are the standard ones you find at any store. Dinotte also sells their lights with batteries and a charger if needed.

With alkaline batteries the light will have a very short run time. You should use rechargeables with a Dinotte light.

FWIW, I prefer to use Sanyo 2700 mAh batteries in my LED lights and low self discharge ones in things that sit around a lot.

Here is a site with a lot of info on batteries for lighting. https://www.candlepowerforums.com/

The Smokester

I would say yes, especially combined with another similar light. I use this light to commute with and combine it with a NiteRider MiNewt X2 (actually also about 200 lumens) with the X2 on the handlebars and the 200L on my helmet. I have had oncoming motorcyle riders shield their eyes with this combination coming at them. (Thought he was waving.)

Dinotte also make a 600L which is 600 lumens if 200 isn't enough.

The Dinotte AA light is supplied with 2000mAhr batteries and a charger. I also use Sony 2500mAhr (I think) batteries.

I am very satisfied with this light and like the option of carrying spare rechargeable batteries which is the reason this line of lights came into being.

InTheRain

I find the 200 lumen to be adequate for my commute. If I commute in the dark in the morning the route is slightly downhill and I keep my speed under 20 mph on an unlit MUP. In the evening if it's dark, I don't need to worry about limiting my speed... the hill does that for me... max is 13-15 mph and the light does an excellent job of lighting the unlit MUP.

I use 2650mAh Ni-MH duracells that can be recharged in 15 minutes. I get 2 hours on high power. I have two chargers... one at home and one at work. I'll recharge the batteries after each use. I also carry some low self discharge "hybrid" batteries as a backup. My tail lights also use rechargeable AA's. The AA's make this a very versatile light with low cost rechargeables and even alkalines are available at almost any retail or convenience outlet in a pinch.

I am so impressed with dinotte that it is very tempting to get the 600 lumen and light up the entire block!

KnoxBreezer

This is my main battery powered headlight for switching between my bikes that don't have generator hub/lights. I used it recently on a 200k when I got caught out after dark. Rode about 1.5 hours on dark dark country roads and it performed well. I did have to slow down a little on descents, but otherwise it was great. FWIW I use the Endurance model with the Lithium Ion rechargeable pack, it has a pretty stellar burn time.


Obviously it's not as bright as an HiD and some of the gen hub lights that have better beam patterns, but I like the little Dinotte lights, ESPECIALLY their bright @ss taillight!

ConstantRider

I have the Dinotte 200L that uses the standard AA batteries. In addition to using rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, you can also use disposable lithium-ion batteries. So far, I've gotten longer runtimes using the disposable lithium ions than the rechargeable Ni-MHs, but that's an expensive way to go. I'm sure you can probably buy the lithium ions in bulk on the web for a better price, but at Walgreen's they're like 4 for $10.

I opted for the the standard battery version of the Dinotte because I figured that for really long brevets or tours where you probably wouldn't have the opportunity to recharge the proprietary pack, you could just buy more AAs as needed.

But I was recently riding with my brother, who has the Dinotte 200L with the proprietary Li-Ion battery pack, and his light seemed much brighter than mine, even though I was using batteries that were, at least theoretically, fully recharged.

Now I'm thinking that at some point I'll upgrade to the 200L with the Li-Ion.

Stallionforce

Yeah I opted for the standard AA version rather than the pack. I hemmed and hawed a lot about the 200l Li 4c Headlight at about twice the price. It claims a burn time on high of 8 hours. But I would expect to have to carry two batteries. Recharging takes four hours.

dwainedibbly

I saw the same situation at Harbor Freight Tools the other day: D cell NiMH rechargables that were 1500 mAh. That's the key. If the mAh rating is in the same range as AA batteries, something is wrong. It's not just off-brand batteries, either. At least one of the big battery companies does the same thing.

Pedal Wench

I have two of the 200L with one two-cell Li-on and a 4-cell, so I can combine or mix and match depending on the ride. I use the two-cell on the helmet so I have the lighter battery in my pocket. I've only had a chance to use them twice, but I think they're quite powerful and I love the way they can quickly be removed. It used to be a hassle to swap lights on bikes, but this is so simple. I'm a huge fan of their customer service too. Order directly from their website and you'll get a much better deal than through REI.

ldesfor1@ithaca

The 200L with rechargeable 2600 mAH batts is my primary rando light. I used it last year on the low (100 lumens) setting and got 4.5 hours of well regulated light out of it in 40 degree weather. I had it mounted low on the fork blade, and i feel like this really improves the usefulness of this particular beam pattern. On dark roads with no other light, it is way more than enough light for 25 mph. when other lights come into play, it seems a bit inadequate, but manageable and still safe enough for me.
I love the light and would love to own a second one. currently a fenix L2D premium is my secondary light and i have a princetontec EOS on my helmet. A light, cheap and very redundant set up for around $225 retail.

The Smokester

How did you mount the Dinotte on the fork blade.

DogBoy

You should be able to find D-cells in the 11,000-12,000 mAh range. AAs come in the 2600 Ah range. I have a D-cell pack for my 5W 120 Dinotte used for commuting, and I think for LD cycling you are better off with 4 AA packs. I use the Ds so I don't have to recharge every night. One charge lasts all week (about 5 hours)and recharges very quickly, so I doubt I'm using anywhere near its capacity.

Regular off the shelf AAs are alkyline(sp) batteries. DO NOT use them with your light and expect to get decent run-time. The lithiums last a bit longer than the 2600 mAh AAs I've got, but those would get expensive fast on a long brevet.

Dinotte mounting is done with an o-ring, so it would be easy to just put the rubber band thingy around the fork instead of the handlebar. I'm not sure how you get the vertical aim correct though.

zowie

That's kind of a scary think to do unless you've got a braze on or some other fool-proof mechanism to ensure it can't slide into the spokes.

dwainedibbly

Get a "Minoura Besso" fork mount. Harris Cyclery has them here:
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/mounts.html

My bike has fork blade braze-ons for a rack, so I got a couple of longer bolts of the right threading and attached the Minoura mounts directly to the rack braze-ons. Perfect! the lights are down low and away from the spokes.

Stallionforce

well I ordered the Dinotte and I think I'll run it on the old cap. My buddy is a bit of an electronics geek and he forwarded me to this company and product:

https://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=2462

with this light

https://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=2850

He says for the 200 bucks I put out, I get the equivalent of a 700$ system from my LBS. Can't wait to get it and hook it up.

Mr. Fly

Yes, but don't.

The chargers that come packaged with rechargeable batteries are usually pretty crappy, and won't allow the batteries to perform consistently. My suggestion is to get either Duracell or Energizer brand rechargeable NiMH AA batteries from Target/Walmart/Cosco; they're about $20 for a 8-pack. Sanyo batteries also have a very good reputation if you can find them cheaply. Then get a nice charger like a Maha 204W, Maha C800S, or La Crosse BC-900. The extra money you pay for these advanced chargers will ensure that you consistently get the maximum charge out of the batteries. This is especially important when you ride long distance and demand consistent, predictable performance from your equipment.

vik 

You could use something like the mount below [made by Steve Rice from the Randon List] which will either mount to the end of your front QR or with a bolt through a mid-fork braze on if your bike has those.



A couple grooves in the mount where the light attaches would capture the Dinotte's o-ring and keep the light securely in place.



Dinotte sells the mount below for a rear light, but depending where you want to mount a front light it may work for that application as well.

Stallionforce

Good to know. I now have a second light system running off water-bottle shaped batteries that is freakin' unreal. So I plan to use the Dinotte helmet-mounted, and use it at dusk/dawn, and to read cue sheets and street signs, etc.