The MiNewt Mini-USB is the first bike light to feature a Li-ion battery capable of being charged from the USB port of your PC or wall outlet, providing the ultimate in charging flexibility! Weighing in at an incredible 175g, the mounting options are virtually limitless. Although light on weight, the Mini is no slouch on power. Incorporating a high powered LED the Mini pumps out over 110 lumens and has a run time of 3 HRS! Never in the history of LED bike lighting has this level of technology and performance been offered for less than $100.
Submitted by
Ari
a Racer
from Australia Date Reviewed: November 18, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Easy to use and strong light
Weaknesses:
Flimsy port cover and would seem not to hold out wet weather. The battery does not hold charge now after 6 months use (2-3hours per week).
Bike Setup:
Used for early morning training rides on road.
Bottom Line:
Concerned that the battery has let me down. Expensive product to last 6 months only - does not seem value for money and especially relibility! I thought spending a few more dollars , I would have gotten a better product. I now wait and see what the service is like ! I wouldn't buy it, if I had known that this would happen. They need to work on the battery life and battery charge cover. Prior to this it was a great light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
north20
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington state Date Reviewed: October 11, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Strengths:
Plenty of light for it's size; charging options, and easy to set up. Fantastic commuter/road light. Price seemed great at the time for a brand I had had great experience with in the past.
Weaknesses:
Charge port cover on battery doesn't go back to the closed position very well once the charge is complete. A much bigger issue is that the battery ceased to take a charge after the 3rd use. No wet weather or any other adverse affects were encountered while using this. I had heard - and read - reports of NiteRider's present products (and in particular the batteries)not living up to their standards of the past. I figured those were just exceptions ... now, well, I've experienced the "new" NiteRider =(
Similar Products Used:
NiteRider, Nightsun, Turbo Cat, Marwe, and other lights.
Bottom Line:
It was great until it died; which was only 3 uses. If the battery was sorted out it would be an exceptional product. As it stands, I'll steer clear of NiteRider in the future.
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Submitted by
el jefe
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ, USA Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Powerful light, not bulky like older rechargable lights, battery can mount to stem or frame.
Weaknesses:
The cover over the port for the charger int he battery pack seems flimsy, and I do not think it would keep out rain.
Also, it costs a hundred dollars. But how much is your safety worth? Mor to the point the prices have indeed come down since I bought a niterider light in the late 90's.
Similar Products Used:
Old Niterider light (for which I had to make a batter pack after I lost the charger) which still works over 10 years later, several AAA powered lights by careye, and a light I built using 2 nine led flashlights.
Bike Setup:
I typically use this either on my mountainbike or fixed gear commuter, although it would fit on anything. Even without using the different length rubber straps you can mount it to varying handlebar sizes just by moving it; with oversized clamp area bars such as my mtb I mount it further out where the bar is thinner.
Bottom Line:
"weekend warrior" is hardly correct, since I ride daily, and for transportation, although I do ride on weekends. As far as that goes, I got the light specifically for daily commuting. This light is probably not the best thing for serious offroad use unless used with another lighting source. However, in the road it is more than adequate. I have been using it for commuting and am very happy with the result; the light is bright enough to illuminate a large swath of road at a distance, and on backroads it is bright enough as well.
The beam is wide and bright. This is important because you want to be able to see a wide area of potholes, roadkill, other hazards. It works.
It is small enough to stow when not in use, or if you park the bike outside as I sometimes have to; the whole thing fits easily in a jersey back pocket or takes up hardly any room in a backpack.
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Submitted by
Silentfoe
a Weekend Warrior
from Eagle Mountain Date Reviewed: March 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Devils Gulch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
NiteRider booth at 2
Strengths:
Very light. Bright for its size. Versatility. Comes with extra length of cable to put the battery in jersey pocket or camelbak.
Similar Products Used:
Marwi
Bike Setup:
Doesn't matter
Bottom Line:
Excellent light for the price. I needed a light last minute at the 2008 24hrs of Moab. My handlebar light was a HID but I needed a helmet light. I bought it, Niterider charged it for me and it was ready to go not long after. I mounted the whole thing (including the battery!) on my helmet for the ride. It was an excellent back up light for my first night lap. Unfortunately on my second lap, it became my primary light. I neglected to charge either of my lights between night laps (exhausted...) and halfway into my next lap, the HID died. The MiNewt became the primary light (still on its initial charge) and lasted all the way through. I love this light. Still haven't had to use the usb charger yet but I do like that I have that option. Definitely worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jrh
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis Date Reviewed: November 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Theo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Meets nee. Good illumination for twisty turny single track
Weaknesses:
Single beam level, but you get what you pay for
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Rocky MTN Instinct full X0, SID, Avid, Thompson, Race Face Dues XC
Bottom Line:
First light and accomplished what I needed. This is my first year of night riding and I love it! The price point is awesome and it meets my needs for techi single track since I only use it on my helmet. To increase speed/illumination, purchased a second MINEWT to mount on my bars. Overall at 100.00 for each light it does EXACTLY what I want it to do. I get home when its dark and when I want to ride, I'm confident in the saddle with the MINEWT!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Giammona
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Hiawatha, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hither Woods
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$53.00
Purchased At:
Wholesale
Strengths:
Price. VERY lightweight and simple system. Great light for commuting especially since you can charge it off your computer. For what it is ( a single LED) it's actually very very bright.
Weaknesses:
Plenty bright for commuting, but not so much for trail riding. If you use it on the trail, don't make it your only light since it's not really bright enough. It's best used as a backup or as a supplement to a brighter system. It's also a Nite Rider product which means the battery will probably develop some kind of problem. It's been working perfectly so far, but my faith in the longevity and durability of Nite Rider products is pretty nonexistent at this point.
Similar Products Used:
Older Niterider Digital Evolution.
Bottom Line:
I only bought this light because the price was right and I wound up being really surprised by it's performance. It's the perfect light for what it is. $100 isn't going to get you the brightest light ever made but you probably know that already. I don't recommend it for regular trail use as a stand alone system, but if it's all you have and you need to venture in to the woods at night every now and then, you probably won't be disappointed. For what I use it for, I may never need another light again, but it is a Nite Rider product which means it will probably develop battery issues.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
singlespeedsycip
a Racer
from Mesa,AZ USA Date Reviewed: August 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hawes Loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very compact, lightweight, easily installed on bike, inexpensive compared to some other units. Great commuter light.
Weaknesses:
My 120v battery charger is not working right out of the box, I will return it later for a new one. Charged it on the computer usb for the first ride.
Not enough light for serious trail riding.
Similar Products Used:
Niterider Trail Rat with 15w bulb, Niterider Flight HID
Used this light this morning for a 25 mile training ride (road). Skies were cloudy (so no moon light) and there are no street lights out here. Light worked better than I expected, providing ample light while riding in the 25 mph range. Once you get over 30 mph you start to "outrun" the beam a little. Great commuter/road light but I will still use my Flight HID for trail rides adding the Minewt Mini to my helmet complementing the hid.
Great light for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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