Submitted by
stumped
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2008
Bottom Line:
As most others said, the switch is almost useless. Used it mostly for commuting, tried a couple of times on the trail. For commute was ok to be seen, not much illumination, totally inadequate on the trail (beam too tight, no way to change focus). Low beam started flickering after few months of use, then died completely. High beam completely failed by end of the season, it's now in the trash.
Submitted by
Brent P
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Weaknesses: I took a look at this at Mountain Equipment Co-op because for a list price of $79 for the helmet version, and an indicate "400 Lumens" on the box, it seemed like unbelievable value. Of course it was too good to be true. I turned it on and it immediately smelled 'fishy' (no way was it anywhere close to its claimed brightness). I asked the rep in the bike department about its 400 Lumen claim and he said "no way". Turns out it's only 40 Lumens (the label on the box mysteriously has two zeros after the four - someone should sue). I ended up buying a much brighter, 80 Lumen, Petzl headlamp for the same price, and zip tie the strap to my helmet whenever I want a helmet mounted light. It works great and gives more than sufficient illumination for most applications.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it. There are better alternatives, like a 2X brighter Petzl headlamp for the same price.
Submitted by
Brent P
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Weaknesses: I took a look at this at Mountain Equipment Co-op because for a list price of $79 for the helmet version, and an indicate "400 Lumens" on the box, it seemed like unbelievable value. Of course it was too good to be true. I turned it on and it immediately smelled 'fishy' (no way was it anywhere close to its claimed brightness). I asked the rep in the bike department about its 400 Lumen claim and he said "no way". Turns out it's only 40 Lumens (the label on the box mysteriously has two zeros after the four - someone should sue). I ended up buying a much brighter, 80 Lumen, Petzl headlamp for the same price, and zip tie the strap to my helmet whenever I want a helmet mounted light. It works great and gives more than sufficient illumination for most applications.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy it. There are better alternatives, like a 2X brighter Petzl headlamp for the same price.
Submitted by
alex S
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008
Strengths: Relatively cheap for a Luxeon light, runs on AA-size batteries, battery pack straps easily to saddle bag
Weaknesses: Switch is useless; light is bright when staring directly at it, but too faint to see obstacles on road / trail
Bottom Line:
The switch is useless, period. I turn my light on and off by disconnecting the battery pack.
The light looks bright in the store, and can illuminate walls from across the room, but when commuting, I don't need my light to shine forward - there typically aren't any trees or walls in the middle of my commute - I need it to highlight potholes and branches that are lying in the road, before I hit them! This light is not good for this; the spotlight is faint, and washed out completely by glare from oncoming vehicles, and by the glare from streetlights on wet roads.
The promo material says the light uses 'Luxeon', but output is only 40 lumens (base model). K2 light (uses Luxeon K2) puts out 100 lumens is much more impressive. I'm so disappointed, I'm looking to do a DIY retrofit with the brighter bulb.
The light is bright enough for other people to see you, but not much more. Better to save a bundle and get a $5 blinky for all the good it'll do for you.
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2008
Strengths: Theoretical value for money if it worked
Weaknesses: Switch difficult to operate at first then after a few rides all but impossible to operate. And now an intermittent beam when in use.
Bottom Line:
Save your money. The light is apalling and shouldn't have been released until it was ready. Salt in the wound is the terrible condescending service from Nite Hawk who claim there is nothing wrong with the light. Brutal!
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from Milwaukee, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2007
Strengths: Good Value--Batteries, charger, light all together. Helmet mount easy to set up, and with good angle versatility. Runs in cold weather--essential here up north when the days get short. Provided adequate light for a trip on a completely unlit twisty paved bike path--I felt comfortable riding at a medium-fast rate. With that twisty path ride, I now know it will work on singletrack, which is the ultimate goal.
Weaknesses: As with other reviewers, I found the switch difficult, but not impossible. If I put my thumb under the base and index finger on top, I could switch it even wearing basic non-cycling-specific fleece gloves. Still, It'd be better if they put the switch on the power cord instead of the top of the light.
Bottom Line:
Quite happily, I didn't find it to be as bad as the other reviewers did. With practice, I'm gonna get even better with that switch. I'd say give it a shot if you can't afford HID because of the nature of an LED Emitter vs. the hot burning Halogen with much less runtime and bulb life--the only other choice in entry-level help-you-see (not just be seen) headlights. It's progressive technologically, and pretty well built.
Similar Products Used: none--this is my first helmet light. I picked it over 10W Halogen because of the claimed run time, which has yet to be seen
Bike Setup: Mountain, but on the path or road when I can't get to the trail or trail is wet
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
neill squire
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007
Strengths: seemingly the reasonable light output for the money
Weaknesses: where to begin? Same as oter reviewers the on/off button was almost unusable - i ahd to take off glves and use a key depress it....o and my low output started flickering constantly during use...then it started letting water in...cabel too long too.
Similar Products Used: just bought and exposure lights race turbo - yee ha!
Bike Setup: used on various rides
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Bregar
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007
Strengths: Quick release - easy to take on and off.
Weaknesses: The power button simply doesn't work. It is impossible to push in. The product should be recalled. Also, the cord is way too long, and there's no way to wrap it up in the battery carrying case. I find the light to be somewhat dim myself.
Bottom Line:
This light stinks. I need a light that lasts for at least 4 hours and doesn't have a huge battery. It needs to be bright - I'm on the road with cars and need to be seen.
Bike Setup: Road bike for long distance commuting.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alexi Zawadzki
a Weekend Warrior
from Coquitlam
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2007
Strengths: Price, quick release, well made, very bright for commuting, long lasting, uses 4 x AA batts.
Weaknesses: On/Off switch is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to operate
Bottom Line:
Bright, easy to install/remove, well made - except for the on/off switch. My wife can't even turn it on. It gets even more difficult in the cold (read: virtually impossible). I find it hard to believe NightHawk would release this product with such a terrible switch. It would get 5 Chilis as a commuting light if the switch worked.
