Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Japan Date Reviewed: March 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Tervuren Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
amazon
Strengths:
Great package, well made, all possible ++ features included, simple to mount, looks good, bright on high and battery lasts 4 plus hours.
I was impressed with the packaging and mounting system - strong and simple.
Weaknesses:
Could always be brighter, but then thats why they have the Switchback 2 and 3, but I prefer the lighter weight of the 1.
Similar Products Used:
Small Cat eye
Bike Setup:
Scott Scale 40
Bottom Line:
Dump the flashing lights and move up to the real thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tonyride1
a Cross Country Rider
from Piscataway, NJ Date Reviewed: January 3, 2009
Size, long burn time, quick charger, price, car charger.
Weaknesses:
Didn't find any yet.
Similar Products Used:
Niterider Headtrip
Bike Setup:
2008 Giant Trance X1. Pretty much stock with Thomson seatpost with set back.
Bottom Line:
I just got it yesterday so I decided to test it out before using it on a night ride. I fully charged it as per instructions and then turn the light on to the highest setting. I read Daniel's experience with the battery and charger so I wanted to make sure I didn't get what he got. So after it was fully charged 4 hours later (initial charge takes 3-4 hours. After that it only takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery) I turned the light on and timed it. It is suppose to burn for 4.5 hours in the brightest setting. After 5 hours of still burning I shut it off as I didn't want to do any damage the battery by over draining it. So far it has exceeded my expectations but that was just in the house. I will follow up with another review after I take it out for a nice long ride or two and see how long a charge lasts on the trails. I'm giving it 4 flamin chilis for now. If the light holds up after the ride then I will rate it accordingly. Oh, it comes with both helmet and handle bar mount. I already have a handle bar mounted light so I will be using this as my helmet light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Boice
a Cross Country Rider
from Dyersville, Iowa, US Date Reviewed: November 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Closed by summer floods
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Small, ability to charge from car
Weaknesses:
Battery would not hold a charge, so that by the time I needed it, it was dead. Exchanged, and the second battery's outlet was defective, so could not charge at all. I finally gave up and ordered another product.
Similar Products Used:
Planet Bike
Bike Setup:
LeMond 'cross
Bottom Line:
It's probably a very fine light, but I got two defective batteries in a row. After the first one, the Princeton Tec support e-mailed (no telephone number for help) that it happens. No response to e-mail about the second one, so I'd rate the support pretty lame. I wasted a lot of time just trying to get a light that worked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana! Date Reviewed: March 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$115.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Bright, long burn time, small battery pack, Lithium Ion w/smart charger. All accessories are included, even adapters for euro/12V auto are included. Works great for night commuting and non-technical night trail riding. Mount is very sturdy and has survived some abuse without cracking.
Weaknesses:
Not quite as good as the sun.
Similar Products Used:
Cateye blinkies and some other non Li-ion lights.
Bike Setup:
Trek hardtail with Deore/LX throughout and RockShox Tora 318 Solo Air
Bottom Line:
I will definitely be buying the Switchback 3 when I find a deal on it. In terms of trail riding, this light rocks as a helmet light when paired with a brighter handlebar light. It is sufficient for non-technical trails/bike paths. For commuting, I have no problem confidently riding 35 mph (downhill, of course) in otherwise darkness. The handlebar mount has a quick release which makes removal a breeze. The setup is quite light compared to NiMH systems. Burn times are true to advertised claims, and with a Switchback 3, adventure racing without changing batteries seems do-able. This is one of the most well thought out devices I've ever bought.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob R.
a Cross Country Rider
from Jersey Shore Date Reviewed: December 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Allamuchy
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
4 Modes of burn, high mode lasts 4.5hrs, med lasts 6hrs, handlebar and helmet mount, long cords, car charger
Weaknesses:
Product manual comes on DVD instead of hard copy (I'm being real picky here)
Similar Products Used:
Light and Motion (which is better, but twice the cost)
Bike Setup:
SS
Bottom Line:
Myself and my racing partner have used this since Summer 07 24hr mtb race. The lighting system is awesome, I highly recommend. If I could do over, I would buy two of these instead of the much more expensive L&M Arc, which is a litter better but 2x the price. Car charger is nice, and simple setup. Bottom line: you could ride challenging singletrack at night no problem with this system. I have not tried the Switchback 2 or 3, which are more expensive models. You could easily use this as your night riding light all year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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