H.I.D. lamp system with 4.0Ah NiMH battery
Unbelievable power in a package that takes up less space than similar existing systems. 4 Straight hours of light as bright and white as the sun, mounted on your handlebars, aimed right where you need it. Combined with a 5hr MicroBrute charger and 27oz 13.2v NiMH battery pack. 24 hour racers say this is the best light available.
Features
Ultra Bright Metal Halide Bulb
New SurLok Connectors
MicroBrute™ 5hr charger with In-Vehicle charging optional
CamLok™ QR Handlebar mount
Waterbottle style battery pack
4.0Ah NiMH battery pack
System weight: 34 oz (mount, head lamp and battery)
Submitted by
johnm123
a Racer
from Campbell, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2008
Strengths: Bright and durable
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I have been commuting by bike twice a week for years. My ride is 13 miles (35 minutes) each way - mostly on straight fast Silicon Valley expressways. Once Standard Time arrives a light is indispensable for the night portion. This is the 5th year I have used a Niterider Blowtorch. I understand that some users have not gotten this much service from their batteries. I keep mine charged through the summer which I believe has helped. I initially thought the connector would be the weak-link so I have been careful and it has been fine.
Once I started using the Blowtorch I could not imagine riding without it. I could see better and felt more visible than during the day. I even stay later at the office to let the traffic die down. I have had some unusual incidents: One time I was about to pass a couple riders in the bike lane. They panicked, clearly thinking a car was coming up behind them. Humorous? Maybe not, but it illustrates how bright the light is.
I believe the battery may finally be fading so I am researching alternative products. Have not found anything yet that looks better. I will probably decide to just get a new battery. I love this light!
Favorite Trail: Reservoir Loop, Silicon Valley, CA
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$375.00
Purchased At: Summit Bikes, Los Ga
Similar Products Used: Nothing similar
Bike Setup: Seven Alaris road bike
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
El Matador
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2006
Strengths: - Bright - Excellent Battery Life - Charges in 2 hours - Reliable
Weaknesses: - Enduro style battery has weak cord (see review) - Surlock system still disconnects too easily - Forward mounting system on helmet makes front heavy
Bottom Line:
This is light is very bright and effective both as a trail light and as a commuter light. The battery life is excellent and does last to the claimed 3.5 to 4 hours. Charge time is also excellent, accomplised in the fast 2 hour claim. My main complaint about this light is the weak power cord that extends from the enduro battery pack. The cord's rubber housing will crack at the point where it meets the pack and will expose the inner wires. This happened within 4 months and now at 1 year it has complete torn. I did not abuse the battery as it always sat safely with enough slack in the cord to not add any stress to the rubber housing. If you can find the Blowtorch on clearance for around $260, then it's worth it. But at full retail, it's not worth it. For my money, I would rather buy the L&M Arc HID if you're gonna spend $350ish.
Similar Products Used: L&M Arc HID (which is superior to the Niterider, IMO)
Bike Setup: Commuter and XC bikes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alon
a Cross Country Rider
from La Verne
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2005
Strengths: Clear, strong white light with an excellent burn time (still getting 3 plus hours)
Weaknesses: Been through 2 bulbs, am now on my third. Each bulb has varied from 90$ to 100$+. Even though I was very careful with the 1st replacement, somehow the inner element broke. I understand if it took a huge spill but just trail riding
Bottom Line:
Even though I was very careful with the 1st replacement, somehow the inner element broke. I understand if it took a huge spill but just trail riding should not cause the element to disconnect from its inner housing. Once again let me say that it's a 100$ bulb. It's a tuff call.At this moment I still am positive about nite rider products. But I will throw in the hat if one more bulb breaks and b_tch and moan to everyone about the bulbs weaknesses.
Submitted by
Marcel
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, CA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005
Strengths: Lights up the path very well
Weaknesses: Reliability: What good is a night light if it is not reliable? You can get jacked up if the light turns off while riding alone, downhill at night. The switch went bad, sent it in for repair and was still bad after I got it back.
Bottom Line:
When you pay $ 400 for a high tech flashlight you expect it work. If it does not work you send it back for repair and expect it to get fixed. If it comes back and still does not work you go buy another light that you can depend on like a Jet Blast.
Submitted by
Skipshot
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005
Strengths: BRIGHT! Long run time @ about 4 hours.
Weaknesses: Cable connector is not easy to use, just hope it doesn't disconnect if you don't have a backup light.
Bottom Line:
Compared to the Performance View Point lights, this light is far superior in terms of light output and run time. I ride long, densely forested single track trails around here and this is the light for me. The light angle doesn't need to be adjusted much since the beam is so bright and wide. I used the Performance lights for about two years, but the battery didn't have a long enough run time for the amount of light I needed, and consequently there were many times when the power died and I needed to follow my HID equipped buddy to get back to the car. I found the Blow Torch on sale for $200 (50% off) and was glad to spend the money to make night riding safer and more enjoyable. Consider an HID light if you have long rides (1.5 hours+) deep in the woods.
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2005
Bottom Line:
Follow up review to my last post below (2 or 3 posts)!
At the end of last season my light did not want to turn on. I called niterider and they gave suggestions. After that the light did come on when I held the power button down for a longer period of time. This spring I tested the light and it worked. Went to use the light for a 4th of july night ride and it was dead, so the ride was cancelled! Niterider told me to ship it to them for service. I paid $40 for a bench check. Received a call the following week saying that the ballast was no good and that would cost $48 to replace. I decided to have it fixed for a total of $88! I had mentioned to them that I used the light as a work light for doing yard work several times last year and used it for one bike ride. I had also drained my battery pack on several occasions thinking it was better for the battery. I would leave the light on to drain the battery. Now I find out that this light needs to be on a moving bike so that it gets air flow! I can't blame niterider for the ballast problem at this moment, only myself. If the light acts up again from normal trail riding, then I will be real angry about it. Also, since I bought the light new on ebay, it was not covered under warranty since it was not purchased from a bike shop. I was one month past warranty and figured something would be covered!
I did get to use the light last weekend and I had another awsome night ride! Now I am considering getting a storm 2.0 for $288 or a cheaper trail rat for $90 to use as a helmet fill light. A bar mount light is nice, but tricky when making turns in tight single track.
Submitted by
G Olin
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005
Strengths: Incredibly bright! I use it on my commuter bike and it makes me feel safe. It's not totally dark when I ride to work, but the HID light ensures drivers will see me. I uses the tail light both day and night when riding in traffic.
Weaknesses: Causes interference with my wireless computer.
Bottom Line:
I don't know if this is a widespread problem, but my wireless computer will not pick up the wheel sensor anytime the light is on. This problem was driving me nuts for months before I figured it out.
I'd give my wheel a spin at night when I would get my biking stuff ready and it would work fine. It always worked on the way home from work, but never in the morning.
At first, I thought my computer was going bad and that it was the cooler temp in the morning or something. I bought a completely new computer thinking I'd fix the problem, but no dice.
Just for the hell of it one afternoon on the way home, I turned the light on when the bike was moving and as soon as the light came on, the computer stopped reading speed. Simultaneously, the lights went on in my head too.
I guess I'm going to have to have to get a cheap $20 hard wired computer because I hate not getting credit for my miles. One thing is for certain, I will never get rid of this light regardless of the computer side effect.
This NiteRider HID is the best upgrade I have bought for any of my bikes.
Strengths: very bright, easy and fast mount system
Weaknesses: expensive.... but worth it
Bottom Line:
the lights are the best i have owned i first had fireballs. night rider makes a great product. i have never had a lick of problem with this light. only wish i had a helmet mount to go along with the bar mount. it is expensive in a way this is good..... it will make you use your light spending that much, you have to ride at night.
Similar Products Used: performance fireballs... should be called lighters.... wait even a hnad held lighter is brighter
Bike Setup: fisher sugar 1
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
lee
a Cross Country Rider
from watchung,nj,usa
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004
Strengths: light was bright when it worked
Weaknesses: no warning when battery is low, shut off 5 miles in woods and would not work after
Bottom Line:
I bought this light from wheel world, I used it 2 times on very flat trails by my house and it worked as advertised, then on the third time out (and 5 miles in the woods) it just dimmed out like the battery suddenly died and only would start after 5min and then immediately fade out to nothing. I had a real nice walk out of the woods that night! Anyway, I thought maybe the battery needed charging but when I hooked up the charger it remained green or fully charged. Since I only had this light for 3 days I called Night Rider the next day and spoke to customer service, If you can call it that! The lady had very little technical knowledge of her product and it sounded like she was reading general rehearsed answers to my questions. She told me I would have to send it back to WheelWorld and then they would have to send it back to night rider then they would evaluate what was wrong, then fix it, send it back to wheel world who would then send it back to me most likely a month later! I said, "I only have owned this thing 3 days and it is defective, is it possible you can charge my credit card and send me a replacement until I send you this defective one? Her Reply was,"we do not deal directly with the public, and you will have to follow the procedure I told you" I then called Wheel world and they told me to just send it back to them and they would refund my card and deal with nite rider. Man talk about really bad customer service after the sale! I will never own another nightrider product, I just ordered a Cygolite hid and will comment when I get it. By the way Wheel World has very knowledgable staff and very good understanding and resonable customer service.
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2004
Strengths: Super bright as daylight without that yellowish halogen glow!
Weaknesses: None that I can see! Ok, maybe a wider angle beam if any?
Bottom Line:
I have used this twice on the trails so far. The first time it got dark about 2/3 of the way into our ride and the light helped light the trail on our way out of the woods. Second ride was much later at night and darker! With 3 of us riding tight single track, I led the way with this handlebar mounted HID BlowTorch light. My buddies followed behind with helmet lights (HID w/leds and halogen). I had a tough time following the trail and anticipating direction changes. I would sometimes start turning one way, only to realize I neded to go the other direction. This light was definately super bright and lit up the pitch black woods! My buddies found it easier to navigate with a helmet light. So now I am thinking of getting a cheaper helmet halogen unit to compliment my HID handlebar light? Unless I spring for a helmet HID light and make things even brighter :^ )
Similar Products Used: 2 bell xenon AA battery operated units on handlebar.
Bike Setup: Giant 2003 NRS fully customized with top end parts!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2004
Strengths: Quality construction. Super bright. Long runtime. Long, continuous bright light!
Weaknesses: These lights are so bright, they piss off oncoming cyclists, pedestrians and cars. People will get upset with you as you burn their retinas. They are expensive but worth it.
Bottom Line:
I had some purchaser remorse because of the price, but after trying them, absolutely loved the lights and am very happy. These lights turn night into day. They work so well, I did not want to end my ride. You can ride any time you want at night with these lights, with full confidence. Unbelievable is all I can say. They are phenomenally bright. Illumintaing!!!!I got 4.5 hours out of them the first ride. Be warned though, you will not make any friends with on coming traffic. These lights melt their eyes and to be honest, I had a lot of upset people screaming at me. They are that bright. I bet they will be made illegal they are so bright.
Bike Setup: Rocky Mountain Instinct and Cannondale Road Bike.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
charles moore
a Racer
from moreno valley ca usa
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2004
Strengths: run time,brightness
Weaknesses: brightness, lack of usuable light, hype does'nt equal reality
Bottom Line:
i used my cygolite with 15w spot, 20w flood nightrider bulbs. this gave me almost enough light for the coyote infested canyons i have to commute thru.(i am very afraid of the dark , of what i cannot see, yes i am a wuss)the hid light promised night into day.....nope. the light is bright for a single bulb but there is not enough ummm, definition or thickness? to the light. It lights us very far but not in a usuable way. i have some 30mph downhills and the light does not light up the cracks in the road enough. I can easily out ride the beam pattern. My other set up gave me more usuable light but at full burn , i only get around 40 minutes max. i can get 1 1/2 hrs using the 20w sparingly. My commute is one hr. with the hid, 4hrs of run time and i can burn it going home during the day. the light is very visable during the day. i think i am going to sell it and buy the nightsun dualbean hid, i hope it does the trick
Submitted by
Matt Robertson
a Cross Country Rider
from Fresno CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004
Strengths: brightness, battery life, charging time. The Blowtorch now ships with a 2.5 hr charger (formerly 3.5).
Weaknesses: A lighter weight battery would be nice, but given its 4-hr performance its hard to gripe about that and be serious.
Bottom Line:
Spring the bucks for this light. Its worth it. As everyone says its *bright*. If you want illumination for safety's sake, this is absolutely the product regardless of your planned use. I've gone thru two generations of Performance dual halogens over several years and this single light is far better. Focus it right and you have both short range road illumination sufficient to see details of what you're about to roll over as well as a decent long view of the direction your road/trail is going to take.
But if you spend this much on a *light*, 'sufficient' isn't what you are after. You want daylight, which you can have if you focus the light down a bit further than I was comfortable doing as I also wanted longer range. I spoke to NiteRider customer service today and asked about hooking up two Blowtorch lights to one battery. Turns out i'm not the only nut who wants this. A 'Y' cord is in production and may be on the market in a month. Since they wanted $225 for just a light unit, I bought a second complete blowtorch system for not much more online. That will let me focus one low to blaze the first 30-40 feet of ground and one up to take in the ground further and the trail ahead. Just like a dual halogen light, but using phasers set to kill :-)
A word of advice: Don't hook this up to your helmet (you can buy a mount separately) unless you discipline yourself to look around by moving your eyes and not your head. Glance over at someone driving next to you and their eyes will melt.
Similar Products Used: Performance dual Viewpoint 32-watt Halogen, 1999 and 2003 models
Bike Setup: '04 Specialized Stump FSR, stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Venice
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004
Strengths: Bright. Reliable. Long burn time. Short charge time. Awesome customer service.
Weaknesses: Not resistant to being chewed by the mutt.
Bottom Line:
Mainly I'm here to review NiteRider's customer service. The light is every bit as bright and reliable and so forth as everyone says. Top notch.
I owned my light for about four months before I ever even used it. Then, after perhaps a month or so of riding, sharp bumps started causing the bulb to shut off. I'd be bombing down a forested trail, slaloming tree trunks, and suddenly all goes dark... Yikes!
"Okay," I think, "so I'm going to have to deal with a warranty claim. But not tonight, tonight I'm going to go ride." his went on for anoher month or two. One night I got my stuff all set out, ready to go, went inside to see a man about a horse, and came back out to find that my girlfriend's dog HAD EATEN THE POWER CORD OFF THE LIGHT.
Fiirst I killed the dog. Then I shaved down the wires, soldered 'em and wrapped 'em in electrical tape and figured "That four bills isn't going to last very long." I broke up with the girl not long after and moved back to where people make sense.
Just kidding about the dog.
A couple months after that I finally decided I couldn't grip with this light that kept shutting off. Sooner or later I was going to get killed by a low-hanging branch. So I called NiteRider, explained the sitch, got an RA number, packed everything up, enclosed a check for $40 and sent everything off.
It came back about five days later, wires repaired, bulb replaced, CHECK RETURNED, good as new. This was a light that had been out of warranty for months.
The light has performed flawlessly ever since. That's customer service. That's value.
Submitted by
a ta
a Cross Country Rider
from plano
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2004
Strengths: bright light
Weaknesses: lack adjustment of brightness and easy adjustment of aim
Bottom Line:
These are bright light but I suppose any HID light will be bright. I wished there was a way to temporery dim the lights in situations where you do not want to blind somebody. I have considered working out a homemade piece of tainted plastic to flip over the lights to dim it a little. Overall, these lights make it possible to ride at night during the hot Texas summer
