Without Exaggeration, this light has CHANGED MY LIFE
Originally I purchased this light as a means to beat be able to commute year round and not worry about getting there and back again without concern for available daylight. My first year I traveled a total of 5,600 miles, a feat that was previously impossible without my Wilma. As far as the specific details go, the majority of the time I was using the light at 50% output, primarily to conserve battery but also because the full 920 was basically unnecessary until I was on a downhill and then I would crank it up to the MAX to comfortably illuminate any ting in front of me at speeds of 30+ MPH. Sounds a bit fast I’m sure, for travel at night, but if you have enuff light its no different than the same speed during the daylight hours.
It didnt take long before I realized how many other things I could do with my Wilma. I also purchased the Headband for and have used it extensively for the following purposes
* mountain boarding
* snow kiting
* building Geothermal HVAC Systems (what I do for a living)
* mowing the lawn
* Motorcycling one of my favorite uses (ridged up a mount for my helmet)
* stuff around the house
* night walks
* attics, basements, crawl spaces, you name it!
In summery during the last 2+ years I have used this light for, just about everything you can imagine, if there was a problem or and underlining flaw I would have discovered it by now and I haven't. Although she’s got a few bumps n’scrapes she still works just as good today as the day I purchased it. The only thing I have ever had to replace is the extension Cord, and I once had to remove & re solder a new lead to my battery. The connection just wore out from repeated use.
In summary, from my experience, Lupine products are Amazing! Thank you Lupine for changing my life, & thank you Bill Gentile from gretnabikes.com, I’m 28 years old and can confidently say that your teams customer service is without equal, I am sure to be a life long repeat customer!
Additionally, for anyone who would be interested I have posted a PDF file to my Dropbox Account detailing my Wilma to Motorcycle Helmet mounting strategy at the following location.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23685720/Wilma%20Motercycle%20Helmet%20Mount.pdf
Submitted by
billysan
a Cross Country Rider
from South East UK
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2010
Strengths: Power, colour, beam pattern, real world usability and adjustability, modulat design enabling upgrading/repair etc
Weaknesses: None I can think of.
Bottom Line:
This review is for last years 920 lumen Wilma 5. They have now introduced an 1100 lumen one with CREE XP-G emitters that I hope will be even better!
Anyway, this light is awesome. I like most other riders had the Exposure vs Lupine decission when chossing a light. On paper the one peice design of the Exposure lights seems more sensible, however I am so glad I chose the Wilma.
I think it is better because:
If riding hard off road, the last thing you want is a redbull can shaped dent in your face from where you have headbutted a Maxx D. The Wilma head is very compact, you barely notice it on your bars. People moan about having cables, but the cable on the Wilma is perfect. Just long enough to reach the battery but with enough slack so as not to restrict bar movement. Even on my Chameleon where the battery is mounted 4" further back it is fine.
The o ring mounting may seem primitive, however it is quick and easy to attach and remove, and best of all it allows easy and accurate on the fly adjustability depending on terrain and situatin. It stays put where you aim it as well.
The light is awesome. The spread, colour etc is just right. It allows for very fast night riding with upmost confidence. Ive descended French cols on my road bike at the dead of night hitting over 50mph and was not lacking in light. Likewise off road it allows you to ride technical singletrack very quickly indeed. There is so much light with the Wilma bar mounted that it rendered my helmet mounted Joystick Maxx 2 redundant.
The last thing I like about Lupines in general is the modular nature of them. And how they are under constant development enabling easy upgrades to be carried out. Batteries will require replacement over time, but the light head should not. When your Exposure light fails you'll have to buy a new one!!
Yes it is expensive, but think of it as an investment. It is a quality bit of kit, that can be brought up to date as new technology allows. And I would buy again, not that I feel like I should ever have to.
Similar Products Used: Various Exposure lights, Lupine Tesla
Bike Setup: Road bike, Chameleon built for hard XC / Trails
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
indebt
a Cross Country Rider
from Squamish/Whistler,B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2010
Strengths: I have the new Cree version of the Wilma,1100 lumens.Very bright,and has good range.At 30% setting is a good blend with my TridenX at full power, as any brighter completely washes out the Triden X.At that setting it gives me ten hours of run time which is unbalievable from such a small battery and still gives plenty of light output,not to mention my riding group complains that on high setting i'm casting a major shadow when riding behind any of them.So i save the high setting for downhill single track and logging roads.There is even a 20 degree optic comming out as an option.
Weaknesses: The only weekness i can find is mounting for handle bar set up on my paticular bike, as on my bike there is a six inch solid weld joining my top tube and down tube from the head set forcing the battery to be mounted just out of range so that the extension cable must be used for the three inches i need forcing me to find a home for all the extra cable.Pretty minor complaint.
Bottom Line:
As a newcomer to night riding,i started out looking for highest lumen rated product for lowest cost.Big mistake,as the first two products i purchased i now don't use as there claims were unjust.So after countless hours reading reviews i desided to to try Lupine.There not cheep,but if you want one of the best, sometimes you have to pay a little more.This is a fact,my Lupine Cree Wilma at half power completely washes out the other light i dont use anymore that claimes there's is a 1000 lumens.The fact you can upgrade the emitters and optics as they are improving every year without having to buy a whole new light set is awesome.I love my light and the only thing holding me back from buying a Betty is i'm already to bright compared to the low output NiteRiders my riding group are all using.
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