Submitted by
Khal Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Alamos
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2010
Strengths: Very bright, white light. Good central spot. So bright I usually use the low (550 lumen) beam except when travelling full speed.
Weaknesses: Mount likes to rotate. If I tighten it any more, it will break. Beam seems more like a flashlight than a directed, optimized beam for a road bike.
Bottom Line:
I am a regular bicycling commuter living in a small city. I ride on roads with and without streetlights at nighttime speeds of up to 35 mph in traffic. I need to see as well as be seen.
This was a sale purchase two and a half years ago from Nashbar. I was deciding between a Trinewt and the L&M HID lamp and this one was on sale. It meets all of my needs. On high beam, I can ride almost full speed.
The mount is weird--it is set up to rotate and I find myself often adjusting the light to point straight ahead. The optics majors at Light and Motion could have designed a more directed beam; this seems more like a flashlight. But its got great bang for the buck.
With the current LED lights now being cutting edge, at some point I will buy one rather than worrying about the high costs of comparably fragile HID bulbs.
Bottom line? If you are a regular bike commuter, you should never cheat on lighting, and a strong light is a lot cheaper than an emergency room visit. I have dodged pieces of firewood that bounced out of trucks, avoided glare ice, and avoided potholes and Construction Ahead signs in the bike lane. These are probably now deeply discounted if you can find one. If you are on a budget, its a good choice.
Weaknesses: Battery, battery, battery. Never lived up to battery life claims and it has progressively got worse.
Bottom Line:
I only ever ride in the pre-dawn darkness and I looked upon the high cost of this light (A$700 at the time) as a good investment in safety. It does give a great light, way ahead of the halogens I used before. But I use this light 4-5 times a week and it wasn't long before the battery life began to decline which I lived with for a while before contacting the supplier who "tested" it and told me they could get three hours out of it which had to be untrue because I was only getting two hours max. No new battery, no suggested solution. Since it was so expensive, I lived with it for a couple more years, charging more or less every day until it stopped working altogether. A new battery costs an incredible amount in Australia and they won't deal direct with you from the US. I feel let down that the battery has been a consistent underperformer and the only solution would now be to buy a >A$300 battery. Their profit margin on the battery (which is just a 9 cell NiMh) must be enormous! So after about 4 years, this is heading to the bin. I'll be replacing this unit but not with anything made by L&M, sorry to say.
Similar Products Used: Various halogens prior to this.
Bike Setup: Road bike
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Westford, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2009
Strengths: car headlight for bicycle
Weaknesses: didn't include helmet mount, but those are cheap enough.
Bottom Line:
it is a super bright light, I'm hoping it'll be good for the old pueblo. So far I've used it to get to school and ride in some local trails at night. It lights up the trail very well, and the road as well.
Buy one if you can find one for cheap, and you need to see. Dont buy one if you just need to be seen.
Bike Setup: 2004 gary fisher marlin. bontrager race lite wheelset
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Submitted by
truehiker
a Cross Country Rider
from Steamboat Springs
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2008
Strengths: Cheap and bright! Nice secure bar mount
Weaknesses: Came without helmet mount. Slight change in light color when you go over bumps. A bit on the heavy side
Bottom Line:
I got this light online for a pretty good deal. Very easy set up that puts the battery on the frame and the light on the handlebar. The only issue I had was that the light "shimmers" while going over bumps on the trail. The color goes from a white to an orange, but only on realy rough trail. Overall I like the light. It is very bright and about a 1/4 of the price of the high end products. I had no problems going my normal day speed at night. I would recommend this light. Use the money you will save and get a spare battery so you can ride all night long!
Weaknesses: Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery is heavy - but if you are worried about it, get the Lithium Ion Battery.
Bottom Line:
This is a great light for daily two hour night rides and the battery can be upgraded to Lithium Ion Ultra for 6.5 hours of light if needed. The beam is strong enough that I can ride almost as fast as with daylightand the cost is significantly cheaper than the lighter Lithium Ion Bettery.
Bike Setup: Turner Flux 08 with XTR, King, Thompson and the rest of the high-enders.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2008
Strengths: I have used this light for around 4 years, probably around 150 charge cycles, and have been completely satisfied. It is very durable, and the battery still gives >2 hours per charge (not sure of the exact amount, but probably worth an experiment!). Extremely bright, gives great visibility both on the road and trail. Has both low and high beam, but low is more than enough. Spot is extremely clear, but also has substantial diffusive light to be have good visibility outside of the spot. I have tried both helmet and bar mount, and I strongly recommend the helmet mount for 3 reasons: (1) RF output will interfere with wireless speedometer; (2) Wherever you want to look (forward, side, etc.) you will have light, unlike with a bar mount, and; (3) You won't blind oncoming cyclists, unlike the bar mount! Just look away slightly, and the other cyclist will be fine.
If you ride at night, this is as good as it gets.
Weaknesses: I have an older model that doesn't have the low power indicator, but this problem has been taken care of.
Bottom Line:
If you like to (or have to) ride at night and want to have great visibility in a durable package, this is a great choice. In a few years the LED's may match this light in lumens/$, but not currently.
Trailriding at night with this light is great, but the appearance of bumps, rocks, etc. in the trail takes some getting used to - kind of like going night skiing after only having done daylight skiing!
Weaknesses: Short battery life before replacement required. Very abrupt and scary shut-down sequence when out of power. Very expensive. VERY SHORT BATTERY PACK WARRANTY - THIS IS A SCAM - WATCHOUT! It was used perhaps 25 times over a 9-month period - very light use.
Bottom Line:
Overall very disappointing and unreliable. i FEEL VERY DECEIVED AND RIPPED OFF. This light was advertised to be highly reliable for night riding. No one should buy it.
Strengths: Super bright & wide. Light weight unit.
Weaknesses: Heavy battery.
Bottom Line:
Superb penetrating wide beam light. I prefer the white light given off bt this than the yellow light from some others. I've been stopped by a farmer, thinking I was on a motorbike, it's so bright. I now have two (helmet + bars) in readiness for Dusk til Dawn overnight race.
Submitted by
bog
a Cross Country Rider
from Surrey, B.C.
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2008
Strengths: Nice light when it works. The beam pattern is good although not quite a piercing as my Nite Rider. Plenty adequate for any night riding whether it is in the
Weaknesses: 1. The bulbs are very fragile. My died on my in short order with no bumps or bruises. Light and Motion charged me $80 to replace it and sent it back to me with the bulb in crooked! They then wanted me to pay for shipping to have them straighten the bulb!! Needless to say this is total BS and I'd rather ride around with the light head pointed to the left and the light beam straight ahead. That's what I call lousy customer service.
2. The mount is very fragile. I broke the little mounting disc once simply by adjusting the light head while I was riding. It was a long cold hike out that night.
Bottom Line:
Wouldn't buy from Light and Motion again. They didn't back up their product two times in a row even when they made a mistake after I paid them to install a new bulb!
I'll give them 2 overall because the light is OK when working. The value rating is a 1 because no light should have a bulb die after 40 hrs with no impacts.
Favorite Trail: JYD Race Course, 7th Secret, all of Galbraith Mtn
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At: -
Similar Products Used: Nite Rider HID. Much superior product and definitely better customer service. My battery packed it in after a while and they sent me a new battery along with a postage prepaid envelope to send the old one back. After that I was so impressed with Nite Rider I went and bought a TriNewt (which has been fantastic so far).
Bike Setup: Trance X0 with a Fox F120RLC, XTR drivetrain, Crossmax SL wheelset, Avid Juicy Ultimate brakes, & Thomson stem/post.
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Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Malta
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2007
Strengths: Very bright indeed and very wide, much wider than I expected from reading these reviews. Positive fitting, adjustability and very well constructed. Relatively light when compared to competition. Excellent customer service.
Weaknesses: Of course, like all halide systems they don’t come cheap.
Bottom Line:
Probably technically superior to the competing halide systems, with the exception of the Lupines and maybe supernovas, however these alternatives cost waaaaay more. I have done my fair share of research before shelling out the money and the light and motion are the best value for money IMHO . A sound investment. They mean that in the dull winter season I am not longing for spring or summer – after a day in the office I can enjoy myself in the countryside on my bike – this is PRICELESS to me! Neither do I have to rely on the weekends or take leave to ride my bike, only to have sh**** weather then and stay inside! Night time mtbing gives a new, welcomed change to those familiar trials and sort of spices every ride up. I have had a issue with my light and light and motion solved the problem in no time. They have by far exceeded what I would expect to be a good service. Andreas from light and motion has been a real pleasure to deal with. I am fully satisfied with my lights and bless the money I ve spent on them.
Bike Setup: Giant Anthem 2 2006, XT, Manitou's with Panaracer Fire XC pro's and risers
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Submitted by
Jereme
a Cross Country Rider
from Eau Claire, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2007
Strengths: -Bright as you would ever need (or perhaps brighter). -Comes with multiple mounts, extra hardware in case of crash breakaway, turbo charger---none of this "sold separately" BS. -Produces bright spot while still putting out plenty of flood. -Bar mounts are quick and easy to use. -Up/down adjustability works great -Compatibility with other L&M products. -I got a good deal
Weaknesses: -Battery is a bit heavy. -Battery mount doesn't work well with my Marin's non-round, triangular top tube, so I have to mount it on my seat tube. -Left/right adjustment is a bit loose, occasionally moving away from center (probably a simple screw tightening I need to do).
-Really, any weaknesses are minor and nitpicky. This is an awesome light.
Bottom Line:
Ignorance is bliss, so I was content with my Solo Logic and had no desire to spend $400 on a HID system. Sure, I had to be cautious and a bit of a prude with just the Solo, but it was a nice light. At least I was able to get out on the trails after the sun went down.
It was only because I found a used ARC selling for $200 that I decided to go with an HID, and now the difference is (pardon the pun) like night and day. Now I can ride as fast and nasty at night as I could in the daylight. The trail is LIT UP. Do I need this kind of lighting power? No, but dang it's nice. Pairing this up with my L&M Solo is just icing on the cake (though ARC completely washes out the Solo, the Solo is good for looking into turns).
Excellent product. Only 2 chilis for value, though, because I think all HID systems are ridiculously overpriced.
Similar Products Used: Light and Motion Solo Logic (13W halogen). I was using the Solo as my only light prior to buying the ARC, and it worked fine for tight, twisty, FAMILIAR singletrack, but not for descents or high-speed straightaways over questionable terrain. Now, I've got the Solo paired up with the ARC (Solo on the helmet, ARC on the bar).
Bike Setup: Marin Pine Mountain, Gunnar Ruffian, Gunnar Sport
Strengths: Light battery. Short charge time. Bright light.
Weaknesses: Helmet mount is weak. Must remove mount when removing light. Mount occasionally loosens while riding. There is no way to see the battery low indicator when the light is on your helmet.
Bottom Line:
I realized that I don't like such a bright, white light. It's just too much, when mountain biking. When commuting, though, the brightness is helpful. When mt. biking, the brightness takes away from some the "peace and quiet" feeling of being in the woods. It's like having the stereo on full blast. Not to mention that it is annoying to your riding partners. I'm going back to halogen.
Similar Products Used: NiteRider Classic. Cygolite Night Rover NiMH.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Granby, CT
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2007
Strengths: BRIGHT - So bright you have to be really careful riding with a group that you don't blind your buddies - really. The advertised times are conservative, I get over 3 hours on high. There is a bright center spot with a HUGE cone around it. Everything is lit from the ground at the tire to the markers on the trail.
Weaknesses: The color of an HID light is very blue. I'm blue color blind, and it tends to (maybe it's me) flatten out the colors somewhat. This is a minor gripe, but it's all I could think of.
Bottom Line:
If you can find one of these on sale it is well worth the money. I can ride technical trails at night at the same speed as the day. I have not seen a light on the trail I would trade for. Now that the days are getting shorter again it's time to find one.
Strengths: Very bright. People jump out of the way on the hike/bike path when they see us coming. Plenty of burn time. I haven't found out just how long it'll last yet, though. Great beam pattern. Kind or pricey. I don't know where some of you are finding this light for under 300 or even near $200. Cheapest I've ever seen it is $390 when it was on sale at Colorado Cyclist last November. Perhaps those reviews are for the NiMH version or for a used light?
Weaknesses: As at least one other poster has mentioned, after 3 months, my light just started automatically switching from bright to dim mode when I hit a bump in the road. Only way to get it back to bright is to turn it off and on. Did this about 3-4 times in a 40 minute ride tonight. Also, if I switch it to dim mode it will often not go back to bright mode unless I turn it off/on. I plan to call tech support to ask about it. My wife's light purchased at the same time hasn't had a problem.
Bottom Line:
Great light. Would buy again. Don't regret spending the money.
Similar Products Used: Nightrider Digital Evolution 15W Halogen. At $210, that light is like a firefly compared to the Arc Lithium Ion. No comparison at all.
