Submitted by
The_Mikester
a Cross Country Rider
from Farmers Branch, Texas Date Reviewed: November 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
my commute
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$222.00
Purchased At:
Bluebonnet Bicycles,
Strengths:
Product support! It's the greatest!
But seriously folks, I use this for commuting. Low beam is good for most situations. When I want to make sure cars see me the high beam gets their respect!
Weaknesses:
It's not pretty! Looks like it was made in shop class. I have had to replace the battery but then, I have had this since '96.
Similar Products Used:
none.
Bike Setup:
'97 Jackson Arrowhead 753 w/Chorus. But I do have a Fisher Tassajara also.
Bottom Line:
For me, at least, this has been a great commuting light. When I needed a new battery I got the innards from Interstate Batteries website for $40 (search on 'water bottle'). Just had to add a bottle. Fry's has the connector.
Low beam is good; high beam is great. And, the price on the website is within $10 of what I paid for mine over ten years ago.
I have loved night-riding for 25+years and having a good light only makes it better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
greg g
a Racer
from Houston Date Reviewed: February 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Smithville
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
West End Bikes 713.861.2271
Strengths:
All metal brick sh@* house. Gives plenty of light, long burn time.
Weaknesses:
They sell old NiCd technology for the same price as NmH battery. Customer service.
Durable, well made and comparablly priced. There are many bad reviews of lights. The bottom line is that we are using these things in a very harsh, rough environment. Some people ride with more finesse than others, meaning some break stuff consistenty and some don't. If you are one who is clumsy, accept it and pay to replace your equipment. Sometimes things are defective and the company will replace for free. Nightsun is a special case. You might get the guy on the phone who is a total wank and gives you a hard time. I tried to ask how to remove the bulb/reflector assembly and the guy would not answer my question. I told him I made a nickel metal pack and he grilled me on why I did that. I told him I didn't like NiCd and he got pissed. He also would not answer why they charge double for old nicad tech. They sell Nicads for the same price as nickel metal. Basically, because I didn't want to buy a $150 Nicad, he would not answer any questions. Nightsun has great products, It's too bad the guy running the show chases buisiness away with his attidude.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from Lapel, IN, USA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The one I'm on
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Bright (when working) Long run time (when working) Remote Switching (when working) Anytime you feel too good about yourself you can just call up and talk to the owner
Weaknesses:
Battery not sealed, road salt killed mine in 3 Months. Mounting assembly has loose parts that get lost Insane customer service
Similar Products Used:
L&M HID (AWESOME LAMP!!!)
Bike Setup:
Winter/Snow/Fixed Gear
Bottom Line:
When NightSun first came out with the XC it was the best on the market, now there is no reason whatsoever to put up with the limitations of this product or the company that "stands" behind it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Big Laguna to Noble Canyon
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
San Diego Cyclery
Strengths:
Very good beam pattern, reliable design, bright 45watts of power
Weaknesses:
Delicate bulbs: some last, some burn quickly. Limited high beam runtime, compared to HID only. Funky, outdated bar attachment method. Very BAD Customer Service
Similar Products Used:
NightSun Team, NiteRider Trail Rat, NiteRider dual beam, Performance dual beam, Light and Motion single beam halogen, Light & Motion ARC HID, NiteRider HID, Lume Strada HID
Bike Setup:
XC- hardtail
Bottom Line:
I bought two sets of "Max", now the "XC" on a shop discount many years ago. These were unquestionably the very best lights available, and they continue to perform well over time with only bulb replacement and REBUILT BATTERIES. Today, these are still better than any two-bulb HALOGEN set on the market, although the Performance 2-bulb unit is darn near as good for much less money.
Customer Service from NightSun is well known to be terrible, and that's generally related to the owner. Here's the way to revenge: it's a 12-volt system and if your battery dies, just cut it apart and build a new set using Sub-C batteries you can get at any hobby store selling RC cars. Use a cheap, clear water bottle, reassemble the batteries and wiring to match what you had and your charger will work fine, saving you about $110.00. Mine work great.
Top rating for utility, bottom rating for Customer Service.
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Submitted by
Jimmy Chan
a Cross Country Rider
from South Coogee, New South Wales, Australia Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Oaks Fire Trail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$224.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bicycle Outfitter
Strengths:
Good overall light coverage for my style of riding. Nice design and compact unit to fit.
Weaknesses:
Gradual battery degradation but this depends entirely on your use of the set-up.
Similar Products Used:
None!
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F900SX with Lefty fork.
Bottom Line:
I bought my first Nightsun Max in 1996 by mail order from BikePro in Santa Rosa, CA. They disappeared not long after but the lights kept on going. After three battery changes since 1996 I upgraded and bought the Nightsun XC recently, again through mail order from Cambria Bicycle Outfitter. In this time I've had one minor problem with the charger. It seems a lot of riders are experiencing grief with this equipment. Without trying to undo a lot of the criticism already levelled at Nightsun I just want to say that as a rider I understand much of the problems are brought about by intensely demanding rides in physically demanding environments. Fatigue and breakdowns are all part of the process. I take care of my gear and repair what I can when I can. Nightsun have been good in this area and I can't fault them at all. In my experience I have had a dream run with the Nightsun product and I will continue to use this gear.
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Submitted by
michael kingsbury
a Cross Country Rider
from littlehampton,west sussex,england,uk Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
south downs way
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
leeds, uk
Strengths:
Good lighting and duration
Weaknesses:
Every year without fail for six years, the male/female connectors perish ( I ride all year round and all weathers) and need replacement. Also from time to time the switch fails-three times in six years. Now I find I can no longer buy parts in the uk and it sure is a pain to have to send off when you use it regularly. Hence i bought two pais. The same happens in both with equal frqeuency.
Similar Products Used:
cateye 10w/10w; cateye 10w/15w; cateye stadium
Bike Setup:
gt lts and kona
Bottom Line:
Not bad, especially if you ride only occasionally in fine weather. But the longevity of my cateyes is vastly superior.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Lang
a Cross Country Rider
from Roanoke Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Carvins Cove
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
mail order--don't recall where
Strengths:
Run time on low-beam and brightness on high-beam. RELIABILITY: BULLET-PROOF!!! Also, great customer service.
Weaknesses:
Poorly-designed mounting system, but you can live with it pretty easily. Kinda pricey but I got what I paid for so I'm not really complaining.
Similar Products Used:
Niterider.
Bike Setup:
Doesn't matter-just ride.
Bottom Line:
I mail-ordered this system after telling a local bike shop that I was looking for a system I could run for close to four hours on low-beam for a specific loop I like to ride. They carried nothing that would run that long and suggested that I buy something they did carry and, "Just ride faster!" I used this system for over four years and got a LOT of use out of it before the original battery finally gave up the ghost. No complaints there! Burned out one bulb, broke a bracket in a crash, lost a thumbwheel adjuster. I don't hold any of these incidents against Nitesun. I found that, contrary to what some people had told me to expect, I received EXCELLENT customer service every time. It has some more crash damage now, and the battery has gone well past its expected service life, so I'm looking for a new light now. May upgrade to a High-Intensity Discharge (HID) for even more fun but would recommend Nitesun XC without hesitation to anybody for trails (my primary use) or road, although I would suggest comparing it to whatever's on the market now since I bought it a long time ago. I wish there were a 4 1/2 chili rating because of the silly mounting system (which, for $250, should be MUCH better in many ways) but when I think about the reliability and customer service I experienced (especially when contrasted to Niterider) I'll round up.
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Submitted by
Kenneth Carson
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Direct
Strengths:
Bright light, and great price.
Weaknesses:
Hnadlebar mount could be better, but it is not bad.
Similar Products Used:
Nite hawk, BLT, Niterider.
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth truth set up as trail bike.
Bottom Line:
Brighter then most of the other brands my friends have. I've got about 6 rides with them so far and have had zero problems. My brother has had a set for 4 years and they are still great. If you're shopping for lights give these guys a ring, they took good care of me and the price per watt rating is really good. They also have a decent run time.
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Submitted by
Ian Humphreys
a Cross Country Rider
from Salisbury UK Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
South Wilts goo
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Local store
Strengths:
Have worked without any issue for 4 years. Bright at the time of purchase.
Weaknesses:
By todays standards are too yellow and have a short burn time. Four years ago they were very good. Have been overtaken by most manufacturers.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Proflex 757 set up for mud
Bottom Line:
When I crashed these I replaced the lamps and recieved good customer service. The replacement lamps shipped to the UK no problem. I seem to be the only one. In the last year the battery has really started to suffer, and having used all the tricks I know they have finally died. Replacing with Lumicycles from the UK as they are local and everyone is saying good things about them. No UK importer of Nightsuns now and looking at some of the posts not suprised. Have served their time well but it is now time to move on up.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Specialty Bike SHop
Strengths:
Nice, bright light, but only on high-beam
Weaknesses:
Bad battery, worse customer service
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
96 Fisher Kai Tai
Bottom Line:
I liked my Nightsun for many years. It lit up the trails well and once while biking home I flashed my brights at an oncoming car and he turned his down! It wasn't more than a year later when my charges lasted less and less time and the light was beginning to look very yellow. I called Nightsun to aks if this was normal of if I possibly had a problem. I got the biggest chewing-out I've ever had calling a company. He told me that I ought to try reading the instructions. There weren't any in the box when I bought it, I replied. He told me that was impossible (why would I lie?). He then proceeded to tell me that I had gotten plenty of use out of my light (maybe 18 months) and that I may need a new one. He said that, in a very patronizing tone, if I revved my car's engine to redline all day every day that it wouldn't last long either. I assured him that I used the high beam sparingly but he sad he didn't believe me (!). This guy basically chewed me out until I hung up. At the shop where I bought the light the guy said he knew the owner, that it was probably him that I spoke to and that, yes, he was a real jerk. I've had my headlamps sitting in a closet for years now. I will never, ever buy another Nightsun product again. Give me a break. No at least I know, from reading these boards, that I wasn't the only one.
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Submitted by
John Wilson
a Weekend Warrior
from Tulsa Date Reviewed: January 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Silver Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Can't remember
Strengths:
It's a light - it works. (or I should say it used too)
Weaknesses:
CUSTOMER SERVICE. This is the first time I have ever posted, and it takes a lot to get me fired up but people, this needs to be known. The other night, my water bottle holder broke and out came the battery for my XC. It ripped the wires out of the top of the battery. Not Nightsun's fault - no problem. Stuff happens right? Thinking I've got nothing to lose, I get home, pop the platic cap off of the top of the battery and sure enough, there's the shrink wrap where the wires connect. GREAT! One red, one black...just like what is still connected to the light. Simple enough - I'll solder the two back together and I'll be in business. Not so. I solder them back together and plug it in to charge and smoked the charger. I assumed the battery has shorted inside or something due to the impact. Oh well - stuff happens right? I call Nightsun service to order a new battery and charger. I tell the guy what happened and he immediately starts treating me like has something against me. I mean RUDE! So rude that I'm speachless. John McEnroe has nothing on this guy. He tells me that I didn't secure the battery in the water bottle holder correctly and that I should learn to read the directions before using the light. I tried to explain to him that the water bottle holder broke and that I wasn't trying to blame nightsun. Actually, I was just wanting a new charger and battery. (Not any more) Okay, I reiterate that my water bottle holder broke and that even had I read the directions, that would not have helped. Skip ahead, skip ahead. We get to the part where I re-wired the battery to the switch. I explained to this guy that I wired it red-to-red and black-to-black. It's as if he were waiting patiently for me to get to that part and rips me a new anal orifice. Says that isn't how it came from the factory. Not sure how I'm supposed to know that. I wouldn't be looking inside the battery if the wires were still connected, but anyway, beware people, if you rip (for whatever reason) the wires out of your XC battery, Nightsun wired it red to black and black to red. Why? So when this happens (and hey, it's going to happen a certain percentage of the time) people will wire it backwards and have to buy a new charger and/or battery. Bottom line, I hung up and came out to MTBR and just start reading the posts - seems like I'm not the first person that has been treated like a piece of s**t by this guy. Certainly the whole company can't have this attitude. Usually, I read the whining posts and treat them just like that - whiners. You can't please all the people all the time right? Nightsun, are you listening? You have someone that answers this phone number (626) 799-5074, that is treating your customers like crap! The person that answered my call, did so on Monday, Jan 28 at 10:50am. He was spineless enough that he wouldn't even tell me his name but you need to find out who was working that shift and fire that %^&*@#$ because he is costing you customers.
Similar Products Used:
irrelevant
Bike Setup:
irrelevant
Bottom Line:
I'll never buy from this company again. There should be a zero flaming chili rating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
When new works well.
Weaknesses:
Customer service. I am an old man and had used nightsun products for 10 years and they abused me worse than any company I have ever dealt with.
Similar Products Used:
Light and Motion ARC. People, this is the way to go but get it in helmet version
Bike Setup:
Ibis.
Bottom Line:
Their existence appears to be based upon "planned obsolescence" and they will not sell you the replacement parts you need. I had a charger fail and they actually REFUSED to sell me a new one!!!!! I have a new nightsun battery I can't use now. Please read the reviews before you buy this crap. It is truly bizarro world that this company can even stay in business. I'm thinking that the lights must be a cover for their real business. I would give them negative chilis but you can't do it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George Stokes
a Cross Country Rider
from Burbank California Date Reviewed: November 11, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mugu, Verdugos, Chumash
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Canoga Cycles
Strengths:
When you first ride with them its great!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Well, after 10 or 20 charges they start to crap out. According to Nightsun you're not supposed to run the battery down completely; however as the battery dies ever more quickly with each use (catch -22) the thing quickly becomes useless. I ended up buying a newer and larger capacity battery and charger two years back in the hopes of correcting things. After coughing up another 120 I was careful to not run it down....(which meant switching it to low beam on descents that required high beam...or turning it off) and for the most part left it continously charging which nightsun says is O.K. to do....but it too has quickly degraded to the point where it is a yellowish dim light after continuous charge. Nightsun couldn't give a damn about it and were just as rude to me as the rest of you, with the exception of our foriegn friend. I'd also purchased Nightsun sunsport helmet light which overall did perform better than the XC but the bottom line is steer clear of this brand.They are unhelpful jerks who will not treat you at all fairly....I've wasted approximately 550-600 total with them and I'd be surprised if I ever got 40 good night rides out of this system. That includes TWO Batteries folks!!! I guess They really do own the darkness.
Similar Products Used:
None, but I am currently shopping for new.
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Mt.Tam
Bottom Line:
They don't deserve your hard earned cash or any more of your time.....keep looking.......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Good light outout in both low and high.
Weaknesses:
Weight, and the mounting system isn't well suited for riser bars.
Bottom Line:
Seems the XC light mounts are made for flat bars, I had difficulty in mounting mine securely to a low rise bar. Had to rubber shim the clamps a bit, and it still wasn't rigid. Also, the high beam is the only one that gives good output down technical hills, but it would only last 45 minutes at that power. I bought a Nightrider HID Storm 2 weeks after getting these lights. HOLY CRAP no contest the Nightrider rules!!! Daylight wherever I point my helmet!!! I can't even see the Nightsun Halogen light, it got washed out by the Nightrider HID.. LOL!!!. So I took them off the bike,and they are for sale now. Save your money get a HID system, it's the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from 97431 OR USA Date Reviewed: March 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Any trail that's illegal to ride in the day time.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Brightest light you can buy for under $400.00
Weaknesses:
The stock battery and charger are garbage.
Similar Products Used:
specilized proview
Bike Setup:
Old dirty stinky wonderful 1991 specialized stump jumper.
Bottom Line:
Once you have trouble with your stock battery/charger trash it. You can build a battery that will fit in a pack under your seat and last almost TWICE as long. It will cost 180.00 to build but this price includes a new smart charger. It will also recharge more times then the stock battery. I found the best site ever for nightsun owners. They have every part for your light. (Even wiring harnesses) Oh and they’re cheaper and nicer than nighsun! ENJOY! If you want more info on building a battery then just click on my name.
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Submitted by
paul
a Weekend Warrior
from canberra, australia Date Reviewed: November 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
majura pines
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
manufacturer
Strengths:
Tough as old boots, useful light (power and spread) on low beam and OMIGODWHATTHE%@$ISTHAT power on high beam. Easy to set up and use.
Weaknesses:
Really scratching here - the low beam is a bit yellow, but who cares. I'd probably prefer 15/30W instead of 10/35W. I slightly prefer the charging arrangment for my L&M helmet light. Run time on high beam is a bit short but I don't find that I need it that often except on scary full tilt descents. Usually my legs run out before the battery does.
Similar Products Used:
Vistalite, Cygolite, L&M.
Bike Setup:
Giant xtc DS1 with various mods
Bottom Line:
This is a powerful and effective light set which provides me with more than enough light (combined with my trusty L&M helmet mount light) for fast trail riding at night. The high beam has also startled more than one car driver - if they think I'm a motorbike that's a bonus.
What I really wanted to mention here is that the service I've received from Nightsun has been outstanding. They have listened patiently to my half-witted questions and assertions, have gone the extra mile in supplying new bits on a free trial basis, and have always got back to me promptly. They've even kept a sense of humour which, in retrospect, is more than I would have done.
Given the fact that I'm on the other side of the planet, and everything is done by email rather than face to face or over the phone, I think that's even more impressive. I should also note that the technical problem I had was entirely one of my making.
To those people who report having bad experiences: have you looked at your own contribution to the exchange??? Courtesy and humility flows best in both directions, I reckon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Austin, Texas Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
manufacture of light and bracket
Weaknesses:
Customer service reps who work there. Charger
Similar Products Used:
Niterider
Bike Setup:
Moots YBB
Bottom Line:
I wish I had kept the e-mail. My charger burned out as I plugged it into a dead battery. My fault. The draw from the battery burned the windings in the transformer (charger). Cheap charger but cheap to replace when it happens and the money is in the lights where it needs to be. So I give the system to an EE of 22 years and tell him to fix it so it would not happen again. He tells me how to keep it happening again, builds a new battery (so easy, about $22) and I am back in business. I was VP of Operations for an electronics company at the time and we actually care what customers in the field say so I assumed Nightsun would care about what I discovered. You know, "hey this happened and my guys say this is how to fix it for about $1." Their build design must be some sort of insecurity with them. The person who responded to my e-mail told me I did not know what I was talking about and if I was a whiner with a bad attitude then they would not give me the discounted crash replacement prices they offer to people they like. I do not think this person was the CEO but on this planet, sh** rolls downhill and attitudes at the top are echoed down at the bottom. Bet Nightsun is a fun place to work. Ever get the feeling that people have lost sight of what is important?
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Submitted by
Bill Lawless
a Racer
from Webster Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Moab
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Good Light
Weaknesses:
Wire restrain into Battery
Similar Products Used:
Niterider, cateye,
Bike Setup:
v1000
Bottom Line:
Before you buy a bike light you have to read this!!!
Last night I received an interesting call from the President and CEO of NightSun. Apparently he was not pleased with my MTBR review of my NightSun XC Dual beam light. In summary he said that NightSun would NOT sell me a new charger and the plastic long arm handlebar mount that I need unless I posted another more positive review and state that I was wrong in my previous post. This is a long post but if you plan on dishing out 200 clams for a light because you love to ride like I do, then please read on. So I thought about it, what do I do, post a nice note to MTBR and say how wonderful there light is, 5 Flamin Chilis, and get my new charger and part? Or, should I be true to my fellow riders, don't get the parts I need and trash my whole light system and buy another brand? Hmmmm, I'm sorry, but my fellow riders mean far more to me then a few hundred bucks for a new light. Don't get me wrong, it is not my intention to wrongfully slam Nightsun products, but I would like to voice my experience with you and encourage everybody to read all the posts here and some on Niterider's review page about the NightSun lights. All that said, my light had worked just fine. What I don't like is their abrasive attitude on the phone. I made a simple call to order a new charger for my light, then I was put through the 3rd degree in a very abrasive tone. They asked how old my battery was and asked if I was being truthful about it being a little over 2 years old. I was also told about how many people lied about the age of their batteries etc. etc. At the end of that conversation I was given the impression that both my battery and charger were trashed and I needed new ones, hence my first post. After all that I finally figured out what was wrong. One day my battery fell from the water cage and the wires were ripped out of the battery. I didn't think my 20 years experience as an electrical engineer was needed, as a four year old could probably reconnect it. Two wires, one red, one black. I connected the red-to-red and the black-to-black, simple enough… Wrong! This was indeed reversed and burned up my charger. I found out that I should have connected the red-to-black, and the black-to-red. Now, this wiring scheme was truly puzzling to me, however, I would love to know what you would have done in the same situation. Yet, this was not the issue. I talked with NightSun owner for almost an hour on the phone. We talked about the wiring. and the the 3rd degree questioning. I fully believe their intent is to gather as much accurate information as possible to assist in fixing the problem. And, I do retract from my previous post saying that my battery was "shot" when indeed I truly do not know if it was shot or not. I need a charger to find out. However, I will NOT retract my opinion about their phone-side manner as displayed in my previous post and similarly mentioned in other posts. That would not be fare to my fellow riders. Nor do I think it is fare of them to use a form of blackmail saying, they will NOT sell me the parts I need if I don't change my post. I remind you, this was the owner of the company!
Now, I'm hoping that NightSun will value my, and other, opinions as customers and use both positive and negative information to make their co. better for both of us. After all, I just want to ride my bike and have a pleasant experience keeping it going. If they want me to continue using my NightSun XC light they have to send me what I need, they already have my payment. If they don't, you'll still see me in the woods at night illuminating the trail another way, I'll keep you posted.
If anybody wants to talk or comment about this, or possibly has a used charger they want to sell, or just want to chat about biking in New England feel free to email me at bill@torchmail.com.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Lawless
a Cross Country Rider
from webster Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
moab
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
ok
Weaknesses:
cost alot and doesn't last
Similar Products Used:
niterider
Bike Setup:
v1000
Bottom Line:
I just got off the phone with nightsun. What a rude unhelpful arrogant a-hole. Just over 2 yrs old, not under warranty and the battery is shot and killed the charger... Another $150 + $16 for charger + shipping. I don't think so. I'm buying a niterider..........
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LOU O
a Cross Country Rider
from WARETOWN, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Manasquan River Resevoir
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Simple setup,easy to install,rugged & durable,bright
Weaknesses:
Does not stay charged as long as advetised
Similar Products Used:
Nite-Rider Night Owl
Bike Setup:
Klein Pulse Race
Bottom Line:
This is my second set of Nightsun lights. I previously had the NIGHTSUN TEAM ISSUE which was a very good set. The thing that I noticed about the NIGHTSUN XC was that the battery did not hold a charge as long as advertised. My previous nightsun (which was less money) seemed to hold a charge longer. The previous set would last 3 hours + while this set seems to last an hour or less. Maybe its because the XC is a 45 watt system as opposed to the TEAM ISSUE which is a 32 watt system & this drains the battery quicker. I also don't see much of a difference in brightness. For my money my reccomendation would be the TEAM ISSUE. I am happy with that one but disappointed with the XC.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ra
a Cross Country Rider
from NYCity, NY, USA Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
light and secure. Nothing comes loose when ridden through rough terrain unlike other 'clip ons'
Weaknesses:
NiCad battery. You have to use all of it, basically drain the battery out before recharging it. If you recharge it halfway through you don't get all 3 hour but just halfway through.
Similar Products Used:
i've store tested the 'others' but this design looks the soundest.
Bike Setup:
custom and built from scratch
Bottom Line:
perfect for night commutes and quick trail riding. double light is bright enough to spoke 'inexperienced' drivers/dumb arsed cops.
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Submitted by
Graeme Powell
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Crowthorne Woods
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Brightest lights available on spec.
Weaknesses:
Comparitively short run time. Unable to angle lights seperately. Beam is very yellow. Nightsun support are the most unhelpful people I have ever dealt with in 10 years cycling.
Similar Products Used:
Lumicycle NiMH 2000 System http://www.lumicycle.co.uk/
Bike Setup:
Marin Mt Vision
Bottom Line:
I used these lights without problems riding for about 2 hours off-road each night. In November, I had problems charging the battery and contacted Nightsun who were initially unhelpful and arrogant. They told me that their products did not fail. This attitude progressed to rudeness and they finally *refused* to sell me a new battery or charger. I've replaced the Nightsuns with a British made Lumicycle 32W system and its brighter, whiter, lighter and runs longer. I will not purchase anything from Nightsun again and I would not recommend their products to anyone.
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Submitted by
The Beast
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tucker's Grove
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Super bright. It lights the whole damn trail. Good burn time on the 10 watt flood light
Weaknesses:
Price. $200+ is a lot of clams to throw down for a glorified flash light.
Bike Setup:
FSR Expert with Judy SL LT and a SID rear. XT all through.
Bottom Line:
If you have the cash and want to ride at nigh, then this is the light for you. An additional helmet light will help see around corners
Overall Rating:
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$ 224.95
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