Strengths: Battery life and quick recharging time, Weight is reasonable for 3 lights, awesome handlebar controls
Weaknesses: Price, Replacement battery very expensive.
Bottom Line:
A great performing light. The quick charger is amazing and the light output is fantastic. But (there's always a but) after I lost the battery, Night-Sun was less than sympathetic. They wanted almost 2 hundred dollars for a replacement. Hell, I can get a completely new lighting system for that price. Give me a break. They wouldn't budge on the price, even for an existing customer. So in the end, they lost one....
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Florham Park, NJ
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2002
Strengths: Extremely powerful, simple to setup, recharges faster than anything on the market, smart charger (no battery memory issues).
Weaknesses: Absolutely none!
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best light system you can buy. It has three separately controlled lights. The run time is very long. I go out for long rides and do the 24 Hours of Snowshoe every year and I have never drained the battery. It recharges in 2 1/2 hours and the smart charger won't allow memory loss. Anyone who I see on the trails raves about how much light this gives out. It is truly awesome! It is expensive, but worth every penny for the serious rider.
Similar Products Used: Performance systems, Nightrider systems
Bike Setup: Cannondale Super-V 2000
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Chism
a Cross Country Rider
from Menifee, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2002
Strengths: These are the BRIGHTEST, burn the retna right out of your eye lights out there!!!! Smooth looking, Long Lasting (up to 5+ hours) Quick Smart Charging (2.5hrs), Directional, Easy mounting! Customer Service at nightsun is extremly helpful!!! they go beyond the call of duty! this is the last set you'll need...
Bike Setup: Intense Tracer, Manitou Black Air, Monkey Lite Bars, Avid Brakes, Race Face Cranks, Cris King... Unfortunately, Im out money and still need good wheels!!!!!
Light runs for more than 5 hours on the 8-watt beam. Three switches allows any combo of beams instantly without cycling through combinations. Combine the options of running the 8, 12, 20 watt lamps with a 6 watt helmet mounted light and there is no trail that can't be ridden comfortably at daytime speeds. Probably the best battery charger on the market. Fully recharge in under 4 hours. This light is exspensive but worth every penny if you need to ride (offroad) at night through the winter monthes. Overkill for night riding on the road unless you enjoy pulling over motorist for kicks.
Similar Products Used: Turbo Cat, Night Sun Team Issue
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Tazmon
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Monica, CA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999
Strengths: Movable beams, variety of lighting outputs, easy to use switch
Weaknesses: expensive, charger is sometimes finicky
Bottom Line:
I have used this light for a year now and am very happy with it. I ride mostly at night at lighting is key. the more the better. with this system you have a low light for climbing and tons of light for going downhill and over tricky terrain. a rear light attachment like the nightrider's would make this product perfect in my mind. I have had no problems on the trail with this system. I also looked at the nightrider pro system and a few of my friends are using it. I like the beam pattern of the tri light better and the switches as well
Similar Products Used: night sun dual beam for 5 years.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Bonds
a Racer
from Camarillo, CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999
Strengths: Excellent beam coverage, brightness, ease of installation and adjustment, lightning fast recharge, great power management and ease of operation.
Weaknesses: It wasn't the cheapest
Bottom Line:
With the 3 lights (each with a different wattage and coverage pattern) you can always get the optimal beam coverage for whatever night riding conditions you may encounter. The system is very easy to turn on and off lights using a bank of 3 on/off switches. The battery seems to last forever and charges in no time at all. I use the light to commute over 2 hours in the dark and have find that cars give me an extra couple of feet clearance and go by much slower, from the back I am easily mistaken for a motorcycle or a car resulting in much safer behavior for the cars. Even on real long rides I have plenty of battery to provide illumination for the whole ride and a complete recharging can be accomplished in less than 2 hours. The lights are very easy to turn on and off which is great for required additional coverage, battery life and safety (they don't keep your hands off the bars). No they are not cheap but for the quality they offer they are the best value for the cyclist wanting the best high end system possible. They also are the best light I have ever tried on the trails without a doubt.
Strengths: * Lightweight * High Power * Easy-to-use * Easy-to-set-up * Wisconsin Winterproof
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
This product is simply the BEST. It costs a little more than most but it is worth it. I have been mistaken for a motorcycle -- I am easily spotted from miles away. Night-sun OWNS & RULES the night. 10-stars.
Similar Products Used: A single & dual beam product from a night-sun competitor -- yuck. This tri-light is the best.
Bike Setup: Specialized FSR Full-suspension
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank R.
a cross-country rider
from L.A., Ca.
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1999
Bottom Line:
I just got this new light only two weeks ago, but on the three night rides I have been on since, these lights blow all the others away. The low beam is perfect for climbing and putting around, and the medium and hi beams put out mega light. Since I can aim each beam precisely where I want it, it is custom set to my ideal coverage. The battery charger is pretty cool too, a full charge in less than three hours. This Tri-light wasn't cheap, but the best stuff never is.
Submitted by
Frank R.
a cross-country rider
from L.A., Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just got this new light only two weeks ago, but on the three night rides I have been on since, these lights blow all the others away. The low beam is perfect for climbing and putting around, and the medium and hi beams put out mega light. Since I can aim each beam precisely where I want it, it is custom set to my ideal coverage. The battery charger is pretty cool too, a full charge in less than three hours. This Tri-light wasn't cheap, but the best stuff never is.
I've enjoyed seeing what other folks here are doing in the area of homemade bike lighting so here's my contribution.
I finally finished my most recent homebuilt bike lighting pr Read More »
[B]Light Source:[/B]
Three Seoul P4 U bins.
[B]Optics / Reflectors / Lens:[/B]
This light uses two 8.4 degree optics and one 20 degree Carclo Lenses.
[B]Housing:[/B]
Aluminium Read More »
A friend wants to go bike shopping this weekend. He wants a light full suspension bike that will see occasional use for triathlon type races in the Wasatch Mountain and Moab areas Read More »
hey guys,
I've been racking my brain trying to figure out the details of my homebuilt light. so far, I've pinned down that i want to use cree Q5's, or R2's if i can find them Read More »
