Combine a 10-watt flood S10 light with a 15-watt spot S15 for a powerful 25
watt on-road or off-road dual beam system. These lights can be rotated 180
degrees in all directions, up and down and side to side. Place them
anywhere on your handlebars and still have perfect beam alignment. All
TurboCat dual beam systems allow you to aim the lights independently - low
beam in close, high beam further out - for maximum benefit. Available with
lead-acid frame mount or ni-cad water bottle batteries. Two-year limited
warranty on batteries. All parts of the system are quick release; nothing
is left on the bike. Prices range from $190 - $235. Add $18 per light for
CNC-machined aluminum cam and lever quick release. Mtbr Bike Lights Shootout - over 50 bike lights reviewed, photographed and measured here.
Submitted by
Farmer Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2009
Strengths: Longevity, durability, simplicity, handmade in USA.
Weaknesses: None that I an think of
Bottom Line:
I bought 2 sets of Turbocat lights in 1993 when I was working at a bike shop while in college. almost 17 years later and the lights just keep going and going and going. I have never had any problems with them at all and have only had to replace the battery packs a couple of times over the years. I have used these lights in heat, cold, snow, rain, etc, and over some gnarly technical mountain terrain...they're just fantastic. I'm glad to see T-cat still around after all these years and still making great products by riders for riders. I think they've got to be one of the last companies like that out there. If you want a set of lights to hand down as family heirlooms, then buy some Turbocats.
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Hopewell Junction NY
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2007
Strengths: Extremely reliable, competetive cost compared to other high end light systems.
Weaknesses: Slow charge times compared to competitors, lack of overcharge protection/ trickle charger (should you forget to unplug them).
Bottom Line:
I have owned the s25 and tg15 helmet lights for several years now, and after owning competitors products(with non-stop problems), the only parts replaced have been the batteries recently after 3+ years use. Their designs are purposely simple in design, extremely reliable, and parts, if you should ever need them, are relatively cheap. I use them all year round, rain and snow, sub zero temps, crashes in mud, zero problems. If you're tired of overhyped,overpriced crap (and most have useless features), laugh at all your buddies stuck on the side of the trail in the dark and go ride. 5++ chilis
Similar Products Used: Niterider products ,among others.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Petaluma, CA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005
Strengths: Bright! Good run times (w/ NiCad battery and using high beam sparingly). SIMPLE - easy on, easy off, easy adjustments. Light. Durable. No crap left on the bike if you remove them - just uses a simple (but strong) velcro strap system. Good racer support program (my impression from their website, anyway - haven't used it yet).
Weaknesses: Can't turn night into day. Appears that they can't be adapted to a headlight without some fiddling and a new battery (unless you want to carry a huge waterbottle shaped object in your Camelbak - I don't). The high beam switch wire is THICK and not very flexible, making it difficult to position.
Bottom Line:
These light work. Well. And they're simple, so there's very little that can go wrong. Very clean looking, as well.
I picked these up on eBay to use primarily for commuting at night, but I plan to use them to do some night rides, maybe even a 24hr. race eventually. For some reason, the setup came with the wrong charger for the NiCad bottle battery - it was the charger for the SLA type. I was confused, but I guess that's the risk you take when dealing on eBay. The folks at TurboCat were quite helpful in getting me the correct charger, and they also provided me with a copy of the owner's manual. I guess now if I ever want to pick up the Macho SLA battery from them (longer run times) or maybe a SLA TrailGuide battery pack and helmet mount (to run one of the lights as a headlight), I'll already have the charger.
Good, simple, non-mass produced lights with good customer support. Get 'em, you won't be dissappointed.
Similar Products Used: Cheap Bell $5 halogen, Cateye EL-400, Petzl Tikka headlamp
Bike Setup: Does it matter?
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brent
a Weekend Warrior
from Corvallis, OR
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004
Strengths: Excellent for riding at night, illuminates the path quite brilliantly.
Weaknesses: Reliability of bulbs, specifically the 10 watt bulb. I have averaged only 35 to 40 hours of use before it burns out. I have dealt with the bike shop, and with the Turbocat customer service to solve the problem to no avail. I was told, well it's under warranty for a year!? Apparently they just don't care about customer satisfaction, oh well!
Bottom Line:
If you can't/ won't do a return on a faulty product.....
Submitted by
El Diablo
a Cross Country Rider
from Marquette Heights, IL
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2004
Strengths: DURABILITY!!. I've used this light in mud, snow, freezing rain, tornado sirens blazing, you name the conditions and I've used these lights in it. This light has never failed...NEVER! Two years and counting. One of my lights has a real cool gouge in the housing from a real uncool crash, still works, nuff said.
Weaknesses: The battery terminals are kind of a pain to get connected to the correct light. It’s not really a weakness, more of a nuisance. I work with Molex terminals at work so it was as simple switch to reverse the gender on the low beam lamp terminals to make plugging in a no brainer. It would also be nice if the high beam switch wiring were a little more flexible as to accommodate various handle bar widths.
Bottom Line:
When I bought this light, I was asking the LBS owner why I should buy this brand. He showed me in his office several NightRider lights that he USED to carry that were DOA and needing warranty work. Obviously he will not be having to apologize to me about 1st price- 2nd quality merchandise, cuz this light rocks.thanks Mike!
Similar Products Used: None, why waste money on the inferior.
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Submitted by
Aaron Baker
a Cross Country Rider
from Lubbock, Texas, Lubbock
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004
Strengths: Bright, Long Lasting, Very very very reliable.
Weaknesses: Hah!!! uhu, nothing
Bottom Line:
This light is by far the best light out there. Even though this is my first "REAL" light setup, I already know that this light is the best. There is no way that there is a better light system out there. This light is "CRAZY" bright. The First night i used this light i went to ride with two friends of mine and they rode on both side of me and i had enough light from the flood alone to guide all three of us for way more than the light is supposed to go.
Also, the customer service is like no other. Elaine is awsome. she answered all of my questions then explained things that i needed to know that were more helpful than she could know.
If you don't have the money for this light, then save up, if you buy a cheaper light, WELL "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!"
Strengths: Durability, simplicity, light weight, great light output.
Weaknesses: Price of replacement parts.
Bottom Line:
These lights were designed by engineers for engineers. They are beautiful in their simplicity. And even if the elegant engineering doesn't mean anything to you, you'll love the light weight, even light output, and durability. I got a used S25 on eBay with a dead lead acid water bottle battery. As with just about all lights, replacement batteries are crazy expensive and they don't even make the lead acid water bottle battery any more. However, replacing the guts of the battery with NiMH cells is relatively simple. The only challenge was finding a truly smart, fast, NiMH charger, something almost impossible to find from a light company. Batteryspace.com hooked me up with 2 NiMH packs and a charger for less than $60. For what it's worth, the lead acid battery pack and charger that came with the Turbocat was a great system, it was just dead when I got it, probably from abuse (over discharging). 5 Chilis overall, but I'm glad I didn't pay full price.
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Strengths: High quality construction, very bright 15 Watt bulb, good battery life. Comes with two lights - the 10 Watt is probably adequate for most rides. Velcro fasteners work just fine.
Weaknesses: TurboCat doesn't make a really good taillight. They should.
Bottom Line:
Unless you ride 40 mph continuously, the 15 watt spot light is about all you need pointing forward. And until TurboCat makes a good tailight, I'll keep my 10 watt flood pointed backwards, and my friends tell me they can see me a mile away. TurboCat's bulb really illuminates the road surface, much better than the HID lamps and LEDs do. When the battery gets low, the 15 watt goes out, but the 10 watt hangs in there anouther 15 minutes or so. Plug-and-forget-about-it rechargable battery is nice. If my commute were a full hour, maybe I'd need their Macho battery. If I went at 40 mph through the woods, maybe I'd like something brighter. If you commute in the dark and even rain, as I do, this does the trick!
Bike Setup: 15 Watt bulb hanging beneath my handlebars on my touring bike. 10 Watt bulb sticking out from my left handlebar grip, pointed backwards, with a clear red lens over it. I now have a very bright taillight! NiCad battery is good for morning and evening commute, 45 minutes each way.
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Submitted by
Mick
a Weekend Warrior
from Lenexa, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003
Strengths: High quality machined parts, velcro strap mounting system remarkably secure.
Weaknesses: Light housings can get warm - instructions recommend not using the high beam when not moving. Macho battery is heavy (44 oz.)
Bottom Line:
These lights are awesome. I have done two street / trail night rides this season. Low beam is great for 95% of riding - when the pace quickens, just punch the high beam button and burn the sky! All accessories are included to protect the frame paint and to secure all wires. EZ-on, EZ-off.
Submitted by
dookie b
a Cross Country Rider
from riverside ca usa
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003
Strengths: bright, durable, easy to operate
Weaknesses: velcro bar mounts
Bottom Line:
Most of my buddies use night rider, and I hope they all regret it. It seems that every ride someone with night riders have some kind of failure. Not so with the turbocats. They have been totally reliable the whole time. Everyone I know who uses them have had no problems what so ever. My only complaint is the velcro bar straps. It is hard to get them tight enough so they wont move around when it gets really bumpy. Invest in the cnc quick release, and no more problem. Great product, great price, get them.
Strengths: It is light weight very reliable. Customer service is unreal. They are great people to deal with.
Weaknesses: I have not found one yet.
Bottom Line:
The light is awsome. I can not say enough about it. The customer service at Turbocat is unreal. I also have there helmet light and I lost the strap that you can use to velcro the the cord to the back of the helmet and they sent me another one free. Before I purchased the lights I also called them to explain a couple things about them and they took the time to answer ever question. They are the best.
Great product. This is an investment piece for your bike. The best overall setup for offroading is the low/high beam for the bars with the additional helment mounted light. Gives you great depth and turns the night into day. You won't need to use the high beam too much but comes in handy if your eyes start playing tricks on you the trail.
Now that I have a road bike and see people riding home with flashlights taped on their helments and handlebars, I have to laugh. These lights put the others to shame. Very solid/compact construction with a very bright, white light. Get the upgraded batteries if you have the $$$. The helment light battery is a bit bulky. For the money, these are the way to go.
Bike Setup: Specilized Rockhopper for the off-road trails and a Specialized Allez Sport III for the road.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001
Strengths: Bright. Light. Looks f'in cool. Adjustable. Able to blind punkass motorist who shoot their brights at you.
Weaknesses: Battery is average. Wish the flood lights were a bit brighter and covered more. Cabling is a bit flimsy. Standard Velcro light is worth ditching for CNC quick releases
Bottom Line:
Yeah, they're worth if you're going to invest in any kind of lighting. Nicest thing about this is that you can point both lights in different directions. And they look so friggin' professional. You almost feel like a wuss riding with this light on; it's that bright.
Similar Products Used: Big ass flood flash light straped on with ductape.
Bike Setup: Schwinn S-20, carbon Y'ish frame.
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Submitted by
Anton
a Cross Country Rider
from MSP, MN USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000
Strengths: Military-grade construction, military-grade appearance, bright enough to blind from 30 feet away.
Weaknesses: No ideal mounting or wiring system is readily available for a Y-frame bike. Will not ignite dry leaves from 30 feet away.
Bottom Line:
These are lovely lights whose appearance is either jewel-like or HK-MP5-like, I'm not sure which. The aluminum gets hot after a short time, though not really as hot as the anti-lawsuit warnings in the manual would make it seem. Riding through heavy downpours results in steaming lights, which is amusing.
I wish there was a better way of mounting the battery, besides the Twofish seatpost bottle holder, which tends to change position at inopportune moments while crashing down staircases.
The lights are bright as hell, and I rarely find that I need more illumination during my 8 mile ride home from work at around 10 pm each night. If, however, you're like me, in that your ego is stroked by having the most powerful products available, splurge for the S47 (I wish I had, but I felt like I was splurging for the S25, a purchase that I now regret spending so little on). First of all, the aluminum quick-release for the S47 looks marginally cooler. Second of all, if it's more powerful than the S25, it must be pretty damn bright. Considering that I really don't need more power, and that this need is only borne of a perverse need to one-up my fellow riders, I'll have to give them a 5 for meeting my needs. 5 for value too, which I would not have understood before using them regularly.
Similar Products Used: Some cheap Specialized AA-battery clip-on.
Bike Setup: Y11, various flashy aftermarket garbage.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Racer
from Zurich, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000
Strengths: Look good, function well, well built (CNC machined), very bright white light, light is even and almost perfectly circular, excellent battery, no frills - just lights!
Weaknesses: Not cheap, tend to slip around a bit on the handlebars when not really really tightly mounted.
Bottom Line:
See strengths. I did a comparison between my S25s and a friends Vista lights that have the same 'claimed' output power and battery specs and noticed the following: 1) Vista lights were not as bright (not even close in fact) 2) The Vista beam was yellow in colour, not white 3) The Vista beam was not as even and not circular 4) The Vista battery did not have the same life span as the TurboCat one. I think the operation times TC quote are quite conservative.
To add some extra TC kudos, I swapped the battery from a Lead acid to the NiCad and paid the difference. When I had a problem with the charger possibly being different I spoke to the rep (in Switzerland) who directly and immediately contacted TC in the US. I spoke to the guys there personally and my incompatibilty fears were dissolved immediately by there assurances. Very professional. Two thumbs up for TC.
If I had the cash I would get the helmet mounted light as well to make a perfect night trail blazing combo.
