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Submitted by
jasjin
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Emigrant Trail, Truckee | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | Directly from JET | | Strengths: | 3 stage light (low, medium, high), easily selected with a pop button on the light head. Fairly lightweight. Excellent battery life and illumination. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Nightsun | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper Disc, 2008 | | Bottom Line: | Purchased for two police bikes. Illumination is superb, battery life excellent. I like this system so much, if I ever do any dusk/night trail riding, this is the one I will buy. I would probably supplement it with a helmet mounted light as well to balance the shadows. Overall, worth the money and a good value. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frs1661
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | Very bright white light for a Halogen. Handlebar mount has proven durable through numerous crashes. Decent battery life as well. | | Weaknesses: | NiMH makes for a bulky and heavy Battery... but IMO a good place to compromise for value. Not int | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Marin Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I've never been disappointed by the performance of my Jetlite. Great light for the money. However, if you can afford it there are LED and HID lights that offer better performance and lighter weight. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ilker tunay
a Weekend Warrior
from st. louis, mo
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Strong light with good contrast and pleasing color. Good, screw in wire jacks. | | Weaknesses: | The "intelligent charger" went bust after about 1.5 years of occasional use, and since the warranty is only 1 year long now I have to purchase it again. There is no low charge indicator, except for the light turning "yellow", so you need to watch out for complete discharge, which can potentially damage the battery. | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn System X | | Bottom Line: | Good light, but the charger reliability is a serious problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Boudreau
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverside, CA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Any thing made of asphalt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$245.00 | | Purchased At: | on line | | Strengths: | Solid dependable construction | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Cygolite (original bulb lasted 15 minutes and so did the replacement), Cateye (led aa light. I carry it in my pack as a back-up and a flashlight. Haven't had to use it as a back-up) | | Bike Setup: | Giant OCR C2 Formula 1 with Bionx 36 volt lithium-ion battery and 350 watt pedal assist rear hub | | Bottom Line: | I commute to work 4 days a week. My commute starts at 5am. This is the brightest halogen light I have owned that is rugged enough to take the abuse that an 18.8 mph ave. commute can dish out. The pot holes and broken glass are as easy to see as if it were daylight! Traffic actually waits for me to pass and that is something that none of the other lights I have used would have caused. I have been told that the light is bright enough to be mistaken as motorcycle. My commutes are about 45 minutes so I always have plenty of battery. Crashed at 19 mph in March this year. Broke my neck, broke my wrist, broke my bike, but not my Jetlite. Want a light that is hassle free, dependable, and rugged? This is it. Think the price is to high? How much is your life worth? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Claremont, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | on-line | | Strengths: | I love this light! I use it for daily commuting and have never been dissatisfied with its performance. The beam stregnth, spread and adjustability are excellent. I've owned 4 OTHER lights prior to this, found faults with them all and would recommend this light to anyone. Why do I like it? Decent price point; easy on & off quick-release mounting; water bottle battery; great construction and machine work; strong battery-to-light connector; big on/off button that you can find with gloves on; great smart charger that none of my other lights had; looks good on the bike. If I were to use this light for mountain bike night riding, I'd recommend the 20 watt lamp, but the 12 watt is just fine for commuting. | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy a Jet Lite product again without even looking at the competition first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vic
a Weekend Warrior
from fairfield ca
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | auburn ravine and rockville park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | universalcycles | | Strengths: | very bright,well made,best connectors,long burn times, | | Weaknesses: | absolutely none | | Bike Setup: | specialized enduro expert | | Bottom Line: | these lights are absolutely as good as all the reviews you have read.my buddies and i ride in some of the most technical areas in the bay area hence the name ROCKville.we ride with the helmut mounted 20 watt flood light and the 12 watt spot on the handlebar.you dont really need the 12 watt spot but what the %#!!.we ride at full speed and there is nothing like it.it has made me a better rider also.the first time i rode with another friend who owns a dual light from the other company my single headlight was brighter than both of his on at full power.do yorself a favor and buy the best the name is Jet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Simmons
a Racer
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Townlake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 275.00 | | Strengths: | High quality construction, Brillance | | Weaknesses: | none that I can think of | | Similar Products Used: | Other brands of high intensity 12volt light systems | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Sequoia Elite for road use, Trek 4300 off road use | | Bottom Line: | I'm mainly a roadie, commuter & racer I've been using this light for nearly a year and have dodged many a pothole, debris & cars because of it. Motorists really do see you. Yes, at first I had a hard time swallowing the price, but I can think back on many occaisions where motorists simply wouldn't have seen me with lesser AA battery operated lights (sorry, not one of them is sufficient to get motorists attention) thus this light has saved my life many times. Something I'd easily sacrifice $300 for. Enough said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Portland, Or, USA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$295.00 | | Purchased At: | Jet Lites | | Strengths: | Light housing and handlebar mount are very well made; twist lock connector is foolproof; fuel gauge is accurate and a lifesaver; great all-round system. | | Weaknesses: | none that I've seen | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye, Performance ViewPoint | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hoss | | Bottom Line: | Jet Lites makes a great product. I have found no weaknesses. I've tried a few other lights, and the quality of construction on the Jet is far superior to the other stuff I've tried or looked at. If you don't mind dropping the coin, you won't be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Jet Lites | | Strengths: | This baby has saved my bacon time and again. It is rock-solid reliable. The build quality is outstanding. The handlebar bracket is nothing short of fine machinery, plus the design allows not only easy aiming-while riding but also quick changes from bike to bike, road or mountain. So glad I went with this instead of HID. The light is natural, the beam pattern lights up the way perfectly. Since I stop and go a lot, having halogen's instant-on technology is a big plus for me. The Smart Switch allows me to extend the burn time (plenty of light for most purposes at the lower setting, and good enough for being seen at the lowest setting), the Fuel Gage keeps me informed of remaining power. The Smart Charger is as good as it gets - I set up a recharge station in a room off the garage and just keep the battery plugged in all the time. I have the handlebar mount 12w 13.2 v flood version, which lights the way like it was day. I also have a 6v - 15w headlamp on my helmet, which is used as a weapon to ward off cars approaching from the side, and boy do they get the message. I'm working on a mirror attachment so I can ward off those trying to run me over from behind, too. As for customer service, a call to Jet Lites gets you the man in charge, who really cares about his roduct and customers. He is extremely helpful. | | Weaknesses: | At lower power settings, there is some squealing AM radio interference which sounds like Rush Limbaugh about to run out of his little pills. | | Similar Products Used: | Just an assortment of 4-AA lights, some of which were decent, but none of which are anywhere near the leage of these Jet Lites. | | Bike Setup: | Twenty different ones from K2 Razorback to 1964 Schwinn Super Sport road bike. | | Bottom Line: | If you want great light, great design, great quality, night after night reliability, then this is the light for you, whether road racer, commuter, downhiller, or just casual street rider - if you can pony up the cash, go for the halogen 13.2 v Jet Lites with Smart Switch and Fuel Gage, I promise you won't be sorry. And if you are looking to buy a cyclist who rides after dark a great Christmas present ever, Jet Lites is the way to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IronMac
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON. Canada
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Works as advertised! | | Weaknesses: | None so far and I don't expect any! | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye | | Bottom Line: | Today's the second anniversary of my review on this light and I am happy to report that things are just going great.
I've been using it constantly on my early morning rides (4 am) over the past two years and I feel incredibly safe using it. I look at others on the street using those little LED lights and I can't help but laugh. This light has gotten the seal of approval by at least one police officer who waved me through an intersection.
I'm also extremely happy that I went with the SmartSwitch option because of its versatility. I don't see how anyone can go wrong with purchasing this light.
All in all, happy customer here! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manuel Islas
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Monica, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Monica beach bike path | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$238.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountains Plus | | Strengths: | Very well designed unit. Excellent workmanship. Powerful beam. The wire connections screw together tightly, not loose at all. The quick release handlebar mount works great! Highly adjustable handlebar mount, doesn't move by itself, only when you want it to. Very high quality quick release handlebar mount. | | Weaknesses: | Smart charger looks a little fragile but works. | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye HL 500, Serfas LED light. | | Bike Setup: | GT Talera | | Bottom Line: | I was surprised at the high quality and the good design of the unit. Pay the extra 20 dollars for the powersaver head. If you can afford it, get the fuel gauge option, that way you can tell exactly how much juice you have left.
I have the 12 watt bulb, and for my use, riding on city streets, it serves my purpose well. The Cateye I also have is fine, but the beam is too much of a spot light and doesn't iluminate the road too much. I e-mailed Jet Lites twice with questions and Jim answered me the same day. Get this light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from cerritos, ca. usa
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | fullerton loop | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very reliable | | Weaknesses: | Old cables | | Bottom Line: | I used the lights for about one year. Everything was working fine then one of the cables were giving me troubles so I sent the lights in for service. Jim at Jetlites reccommended to upgrade all the cables to the new ones. The problem was they sent the lights to my old address and the lights were lost. To my delight, Jim just sent new ones at no cost. WOW! what a customer service, I reccommed this company because the lights work great and they back it up with awesome service. The new cables are far better then any other lights out there hands down. Great product and great service. Thanks JetLites | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Freddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Harbor City, CA USA
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Sullivan Canyon/ Backbone loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$265.00 | | Purchased At: | Jet Lites | | Strengths: | Very bright and clean 20 watt white flood beam, great handlebar bracket (think of the quality of a Salsa Flip Lock seat collar), 5 hour smart charger, power saver modes, and AWESOME customer service. | | Weaknesses: | None so far! | | Similar Products Used: | Nightsun Team, Light and Motion ARC HID. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight. Starfire is fitted to Answer Pro Taper riser bar with Thomson stem. | | Bottom Line: | I'm delighted with this Jet Lite purchase. HID "technology" is not for me. I sent my Light and Motion ARC HID back in for repairs twice for the same problem (and now the problem is back). The light sometimes will and sometimes will not reignite after turning it off. On more than one occasion, this gave me some serious stress 12 miles out on a pitch black trail. Look at the reviews and you will find that reliability(something that is most important for a light) is still sketchy with HID systems.
With 20 watts on the maximum brightness setting, my Starfire single beam definitely provides enough light for technical singletrack trails. And even if you run it at the maximum brightness setting, there is still a comfortable 2 hour burn time. Use the power saver modes and get up to 4 hours of burn time. With a Jet Lite you really don't need a dual beam setup and remember, dual beams do drain the battery more.
That said I think I'll probably still be adding a single beam spot with a lightweight 6 volt battery for my helmet. This, I feel, will give me the best possible setup. With that I can climb with the Starfire in one of the lower wattage settings and then flick the helmet light on and fire up the Starfire to the maximum brightness setting when things get really nasty.
One last thing I really want to mention is that Jim at Jet Lites (as the other reviewers have mentioned) is an awesome guy to talk to. He patiently fielded all of my questions and then sent out my light immediately so that I received it in just a couple of days.
It's so disappointing when you read or listen to the hype on a product and end up spending your hard earned dollars on something that genuinely sucks. With a Jet Lite you will never have to worry about that. What you will get is a solid, dependable product that is made by a no nonsense company. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Navin
a Racer
from Evanston, IL
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Jet | | Strengths: | Great light. I use it for my daily commute and early morning road rides in Fall, Winter and early Spring. Jim at Jet Lites answers all questions and knows what he's talking about. Excellent service, fast delivery.
- Excellent run time
- Fast recharge
- Bright, wide light beam (12W)
- Durable
- Easy to mount | | Weaknesses: | - Battery takes up a water bottle space | | Similar Products Used: | Nightrider (various) | | Bike Setup: | LeMond Wayzata (great bike for all-seasons commuting, by the way!)
12W bulb in my Jet | | Bottom Line: | After doing battle with two different NightRiders, I read the reviews here for Jet Lite, spent a couple of weeks trading questions and answers with Jim, and bought one directly from Jim and Jet Lites.
It has been an excellent light. I use it for commuting, some on very dark streets. The battery life has been "as advertised," a big change from my NightRiders which were forever shutting down early leaving me riding on busy, dark roads without a headlight. Recharge time is exceedingly quick so if you come home late, the light is ready to go the next morning when you're off to work.
Highly recommended. If you have questions, give Jim a call or drop him an e-mail. He responds quickly and provides plenty of great advice on which light best fits your particular needs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don McInnes
a Weekend Warrior
from Port Elgin, Ont., Canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$245.00 | | Purchased At: | by phone from Jetlites | | Strengths: | Quality, quality, quality.
I'm a road rider, using this light for commuting on dark country roads, so i need a good light. I have the 20 watt bulb. The ride is about 52 minutes one way, but the last couple of days I've gone on almost 2 hour rides (approx. 1h:50m), and the light has lasted the full time each day. This is a fabulous light, with great projection, as well as adequate peripheral light, so I can see off to the side a bit. The central beam is a consistent solid light, with no variation, and therefore doesn't trick your eyes into seeing something that's really not there. I'm also glad Jim talked me into the smart switch, which allows me to drop the beam intensity when I'm tucked in behind my cycling buddies, waiting my turn at the front.
I also really like the off-set light mounting arrangement; it puts the light right over the stem, and "cleans up" my bar, freeing more bar space for hand locations. The "no tools required" bar cam-lock mount goes on the bike in about 30 seconds; great.
A friend of mine bought a BLT in the summer for an "adrenalin" ride; he was supposed to get > 2 hours out of his light, and he gets < 45 minutes. Suddenly, my light doesn't seem so expensive; would you rather pay CDN $200 for crap, or CDN $400 for quality?
Oh, yeah, I also must say that Jim Taylor was very patient in answering my Emails, and phone calls (they have a toll-free number that works from 'way up here in the Great White North - bonus!). | | Weaknesses: | Cost. By the time I got it past my front door, it was over CDN $400, so it is not cheap.
Also, I would prefer if the connection was made closer to the battery, instead of close to the light. That way, I can take the battery off the bike quickly without removing the whole wiring set, too, if I am going for a daylight ride. | | Similar Products Used: | BLT, model unknown, also Nite-Hawk Dual Pro. | | Bike Setup: | Uh, it's a light, not a bike. OK, OK, it's on a 1997 Trek 5200. | | Bottom Line: | This is a fabulous light, and I don't regret buying this light at all.
I deliberated for quite a while about what light to buy, after my Nite-hawk went belly-up. The glowing reviews on this web-site about this light, as well as Jim's patience and explanations, finally convinced me that this was the light that I should buy. To this point, anyway, this light has not disappointed. All the reviews written below mine are bang-on.
Do you want a strong light? Get this light.
Do you want a durable, well-designed light? Get this light.
Do you want a light that'll provide an honest 2 hours at 20 watts, and more? Get this light.
Do you want a quality product? Get this light.
Do you want to regret your purchase? Buy something else.
It's true, you know; "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten." | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Salisbury
a Cross Country Rider
from Pacifica, CA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Almanor, CA & Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$255.00 | | Purchased At: | Sea Otter Classic, Laguna Seca, CA | | Strengths: | BRIGHT!
12/20 watts lamps can be used together or seperately. I use the 12 as a backup. | | Weaknesses: | Both lamps on my helment at the SAME time proved to be
sha-haaa-keeeey on rocky/bumpy courses. Okay on smooth trails. | | Similar Products Used: | None worth mentioning. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR: mostly cross country, some DH. | | Bottom Line: | Purchased in Mar '99, used about 20 times per year, Spring and Fall. Jet Lite is easy to rig, break-down and store. 20 W lasted between 60 & 90 minutes. Recharged overnight. Last used in Spring '04. Battery funeral: 5 Oct '04 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet site | | Strengths: | Great customer service. Holds a charge. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Nightrider, Cygo, Small Battery operated lights | | Bike Setup: | Mountain and road | | Bottom Line: | After several frustrating years of owning Nightriders, I finally did some homework and bought a Jet Lite. Wow, great customer service and a bomb proof product. It is a little pricey but 2-3 years later it has been worth it. This company is a well kept secret. Hopefully they will remain true to their original mandate of producing the best bike lights - regardless of price. I recommend this for anyone wanting his light to "stay on". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jane
a
from Albuquerque
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider HID, Niterider Road Rat | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 WSD | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to a review I left a few weeks ago. I contacted Jet about the short in my system and they had me send it back for repair. Additionally, for a mere 70 or so beans, they upgraded me to the newer i13, which has an integrated power saver and an adjustable lamp. It truly rocks!! After 2 weeks of using a Niterider Raod Rat (10 watt) as a back up, I am thrilled to have my 20-watt Jet lite back. It's far brighter and I'm literally back up to speed, after dragging around the much heavier Niterider battery. Also, Jim at Jet lite could not have been nicer or easier to deal with. If you're looking for a super-bright, dependable head light, go with the Jet. In my opinion, quality and customer service-wise, Jet cannot be beat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Churchill/Lysterfield | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Jet | | Strengths: | Very very Bright!
Nice wide beam. No need for a helmet light. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Home made halogen downlight with 12V brick battery. Bright but way too heavy! | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainier. | | Bottom Line: | This light is as bright as my home made 30W light and lasts at least 2.5hours on full beam.
Very easy to install and charges very quick. I would recommend this light to anyone that wants to blind anything in their path!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jane
a
from ABQ, NM
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Direct from Jet | | Strengths: | Durability, looks, strength of beam, ease of use | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider | | Bike Setup: | Trek WSD 8000 w/Hayes hydraulic | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Jetlite Starfire (handelbar mount) after the Niterider I had been using up and died one morning. I've been using the Jetlite for probably around 2 years now for early morning, pre-dawn rides and I love it. It looks great, it's incredibly bright, and it charges quickly. Also, I bought it directly from Jet and was impressed by customer service. I have absolutely no fear of being in traffic in the dark with this lite. The one thing that's happened lately is there seems to be a short somewhere in the system - occasionally the lite won't power up immediately or it flickers out during a ride and I have to tap the side to get it to come on. But it always comes back on and I think this is probably a result of having used it so much for so long. At any rate, I recommend Jet over Niterider. There's just no contest. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Moynihan
a Cross Country Rider
from Potomac, MD USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | direct from JetLites | | Strengths: | Rugged manufacture
Excellent battery life
Very small 'footprint'
Dynamite post-sale customer support! | | Weaknesses: | Battery size and weight
recharger is kind of flimsy (but it works) | | Similar Products Used: | various cheapos (both battery- and transformer-powered) | | Bike Setup: | Stock Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bottom Line: | Expensive, but the quality of the product and the safe riding it enables makes it worth every penny.
This light is a well-kept secret. It should be considered by any serious night cyclist (whether off-road, commuter or neighborhood peddler).
People are amazed at the brilliance of the 12W single beam.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Roswell, GA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bike Setup: | Ted Wojcik hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to a previous post.
I started out using this light with the 12W bulb, which does provide enough light and has a long reaching spot beam. However for my own personal preference I wanted a wider beam so I switched to the 20W flood bulb. I am a roadie so I like to see what is coming at my front wheel from every direction. The 20W gives more peripheral light and better coverage and puts out all the light I need. It is almost like having your own bubble of light to ride in.
I constantly get comments about the brightness of my JET light.
If you are considering purchasing a light, get a JET. It is the best light for the money.
BTW- the bulbs are so easy to change out.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Enrique
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin, CA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | El Moro | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$249.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Jet Lites | | Strengths: | Bright lite. Great mount. Long lasting battery. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar Team | | Bottom Line: | In my efforts to try to save $40, I ordered this lite from an internal retailer three weeks before my event. After numerous email exchanges and telephone calls, I learned two nights before the race that they could not fulfill my order. Panicking, I called Jet direct and they ensured me that my lite would arrive before the race. As promised, when I came home Friday after work, the lite was there. I spent that evening and night (I set the alarm to go off at 5 hour intervals), charging the batteries (two rentals). Saturday morning I was ready to go.
The race -- Inaugural Overland 122 Desert to Ocean Relay. 122 miles of running/biking form Borrego Springs to Oceanside, California. The bike is primarily used to shadow the runners in the remote sections of the runs. During the soon to become infamous Grapevine legs, I found myself leading a small pack of riders whose batteries had died from the cold or whose lites were inadequate for the terrain. Even at its lowest setting (20W bulb), there was sufficient lite to guide myself, my runner and the small pack safely to the next checkpoint.
Thanks Jet for the superior customer service and excellent product.
Enrique (Hank) Alonso
Team Captain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Ridge NC USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | direct from jet lites | | Strengths: | Quality of light is amazing, run time is longer than previous systems I have used. Easy to switch between different wattages. Very durable and an obvious high level of workmanship went into building and designing this system. Use it primarily for adventure racing, 24 hr racing, and the occasional night training ride. Glad that I bought both the helmet and bar mount. I use either depending on conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Can't find any | | Similar Products Used: | Used Nite rider and Planet bike systems.... | | Bike Setup: | Several ranging from a Fisher Sugar to a Bianchi DISS | | Bottom Line: | Great light. I spent alot of time investigating systems before I had my wife "give" me one for christmas this past year. Jet had the best combination of value, light quality, run time, and durability...no doubt about it after using it for 5-6 months. Also, Jim at Jet Lites has some of the best customer service I've ever encountered. Call or email him....you won't be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from ca
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ortega Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$235.00 | | Purchased At: | universalcycles.com | | Strengths: | Lightweight, quality feel, 20W of light, comes with all the upgrades such as smart switch, batery fuel gauge, battery in a bottle. Set up takes about 35 sec., New bulb is only $25 away. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Vistalite Nitestick code 15 | | Bike Setup: | NRS 3, avids mech., nice ride | | Bottom Line: | I want to compare this light to vistalite Nitestick code 15 (10W and 5W lights) since I used these lights a lot before I purchased this one.
The main difference is in the light delivery. In Code 15(two lamps), Each light has a narrow, focused,pattern with bright middle, the best way to use them is to direct every one in a slightly different direction. Think of a police flashlight kind of light. The Jetfire on the other hand comes as a one lamp unit that delivers a spreaded light that shines hundred feet ahead and 40 feet accross. Think about a car headlights. Of course, it is also much briter.
You really do not need two lights on the handlebar with this one. Smart switch is good to have(let's you adjust the intensity), but I like to go full power all the times. My nite rides don't take longer then 2 hrs and the light is always going strong till the end. I am the first one to turn it on, and the last one to turn it off.
I was a little worried about the mounting bracket, the lite was too easy to angle and I thought it will move while riding, but this was newer an issue. Fast downhils, some smaler jumps and the light did not move a bit. I noticed two smaller screws at the bottom of the bracket that can be tightened to give the aming of the lite more resistance, but so far I did not have to use it.
All and all, this lite makes a difference in night riding. i can go faster, I see more and better, and I do not worry about my lite getting discharged too soon. I did spend 240 on the light, but when you purchase quality that works, it always feels like a good deal, no matter the cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenwood,IN
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$230.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Jet Lites | | Strengths: | Very bright light and good pattern. The mounting bracket is well made and it tilts to allow for easy aiming of the light. My typical night ride is 2 1/2 hours and this system has plenty of battery. The lamp is easy to mount, easy to turn on and off. The cord that connects lamp and battery is heavy duty and the connections are tight. This is a first class product. | | Weaknesses: | No weakness in the product, but I was a little disappointed that a carrying case is not included or even offered as an option. | | Similar Products Used: | I have a helmet mounted Nite Rider Digital Headtrip that I run in conjuction with the Jet Lite. I have to "nurse" the Nite Rider to get about 1hr 45min of run time. That is why I bought the Jet Lite which I turn on at the beginning of my ride and then forget about it. When the Nite Rider craps out I will buy a helmet mount Jet Lite. | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Cannondale F700 and 2003 Santa Cruz Blur | | Bottom Line: | A great light. I bought mine based on these online reviews. If I had to do it all over again...I'd buy the same light! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Roswell
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Not overly expensive. Very bright, reliable | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first light. | | Bike Setup: | Ted Wojcik hard tail | | Bottom Line: | I was not sure how much night riding I would be doing so I did not want to drop a lot of jack on a light but I still wanted one that would do the job.
This light does not disappoint. The 12W gives enough light to ride at near daylight speeds. It is very reliable and the charging is beyond easy. I may replace the 12W bulb with a 20W bulb for more juice though.
The advantage of buying a Jet Light is that you can start small and add on if you need more power or lighting options later because it is a modular system. You do not have to go bankrupt to try night riding. If you decide it is for you, more lighting can be added later.
By the way, Jim Taylor at Jet rocks! He can tell you more about lighting than you ever wanted to know and get you hooked up with the right lighting system for your riding needs. Also if you order directly from Jet you get a 30 day money back guarantee and a shirt too. How could you argue with that?
I did a ton or research before I purchased a light and I kept coming back to Jet. If you are on the fence, buy a Jet. You will be happy with the purchase.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IronMac
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$229.00 | | Purchased At: | Directly | | Strengths: | Great customer service
Very bright
Fast recharge, very simple recharging system
Very light (no pun intended)
| | Weaknesses: | Poor manual...could do almost as well by simply imagining what each part of the bracket did and then putting it on.
Pricey
Still not too sure what the runtimes are. | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye | | Bike Setup: | Touring setup | | Bottom Line: | I have to admit that I used MTBR a LOT when it came to choosing a new light for my late-night (dawn) training rides. And it was very worrisome because the price was so high and because it was from a relatively small (unknown?)company. But, I figured that you can't go wrong with buying quality.
I emailed JetLites with a couple of questions before purchasing and was pleasantly surprised to find out that Jim actually answered all emails...and subsequent phone calls.
For those Canadian customers, choose the UPS Expedited option..not Ground...you will save some money this way because you will not be charged brokerage fees!
Installing the StarFire took about 10 minutes...7 of which was spent trying to decipher and make out the fuzzy pictures. Was really impressed with the quality of the components..especially the wiring and thick rubber switch.
The light works great...drivers and pedestrians really take notice of you. It burns really bright and very hot. I'd be curious to see how much steam comes off of it during winter rides.
I'm also glad that I purchased Jim's suggestion of a 20W bulb with a 3-way switch because I can try to stretch out the runtime as much as possible by using the middle or low settings. As I mentioned above, I'm still not sure what the runtimes are, so I may resort to simply recharging after every ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 245.00
