NiteRider Digital Evolution Older Lights
2.4
/5
REVIEWS
2.4
QIKRATE
2.5
WEB
0.0
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DESCRIPTION
niterider
USER REVIEWS
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Unsure
Battery. I've had nothing but problems with my battery. It failed the first time I used it. I thought it was "user error" (not charged properly). I kept it plugged in and then used it right away. It worked. Then it failed again. I sent it back to NiteRider and they "fixed" it. Next time I used it (the next year) it did the same thing. Long story short, I sent it back each year for four years (I only night ride a few times a year in the fall). This year they told my shop that the battery is four years old and "what do I expect?". Well, I expect that when they say they "fixed" the problem, that they did! I supposedly got a new battery along the way. Guess not! I now realize that the problem is that the battery would charge (hence work if I used it right away) but not HOLD the charge (not work if I left it unplugged for ~1 day). I'm fed up! (can you tell)
I never got enough time using the light to really evaluate it because the battery wouldn't hold a charge. Company support was terrible!
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
2 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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tough product, helpful customer service,(most of the time) adequate light on high
broke a couple of times, low run time even at the lowest setting,
Sorry NiteRider: i want to like this lite..i'm even using it right now(as my 3rd line backup)i tend to stay out for a while and inevitably end up out on the road w/cars buzzing me and no way to blast back at them..going to try the wider beam bulb...this tiny thing is only good as a warning device as i try to keep it on low to save battery...l.e.ds functionless, scrolling away...(maybe that's as i may not be using a smart battery but one from a lesser system but it's already been back to them for things like this...)
don't like blasting myself and other folks every time i plug it in but it's nice to know it's operational... btw: 'what sort of cyclist am i' didn't contain any relevant choices: i'm just an everyday rider...no car...ride for everything from exercise to grocery shopping to commuting 17.5 miles each way to work twice a week or more
Similar Products Used:
Cygolites(MUCH better!)other, smaller ones
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Digital Evolution - no strengths, except perhaps the packaging. Thre product looks cool, and all the advertising suggests it's the best.
Product didn't function properly out of box. After reading the many Niterider reviews, I've decided never again to buy a niterider product. As someone else said, when you're paying big bucks for a product, it should function properly, or, it's an okay product, unless you actually plan on night riding!!
Don't buy this product. Be extremely cautious when purchasing any Niterider product.
Similar Products Used:
None - thanks to mtbr and the many positive reviews, i'm going with the dual system offered by TurboCat.
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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None
Durability, customer service, customer service, price.
LIght broke after 3 times use, and has been in repair for 6 weeks. Circuit board failed, and light went haywire. It's a simple replacement issue. No one answers their phone, and you get placed in voice-mail hell, un-toll-free, for over 20 minutes. THey don't respond to email, for this kind of money I could have bought two toher systems and had a back-up. If I could rate it a zero I would.
Similar Products Used:
Nite Sun, Mag-light
OVERALL RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Not sure yet I'll update if possible
only works for 5 sec-really
I asked for ratings on this before I purchased. Someone responded "stay away". I did not listen- Foolish of me.I thought the 2002 product might be better. I took first unit home, charged it per directions,turned it on worked for 3-5 sec. went out. wiggled connectors-came on-went-out,etc. returned to store ,tried every other connector from every other unit they had in stock, none worked. Had another shipped from online store, took home, see above comments, except this one never came back on after 5 sec. I dont know for sure- appears the wires & connectors are the problem. Hoping to get a cashiers check from store to purchase a Turbocat. Niterider should be sued for marketing a product as misleading as this....
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battery operated cateye
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Sounds good in the ads.
Connectors that are almost impossible to connect/disconnect.
Remote switch connector didn't make good contact.
Battery worked first time then failed.
This review is for the new NiteRider Digital Evolution which doesn't have a separate category (why? - I requested one).
I got this light even though I was weary from some of the other reviews because it had all the features I wanted. Alas it didn't work.
It took everything I had to get the battery/light connector to connect and disconnect.
Next the remote switch didn't work. I found if I pressed the connector just right the light would come on but then went off when I let go.
The first time I charged up and used the battery it worked fine. The next time it charged up fine (according to the guage) but immediately went out with the guage saying the battery was totally discharged. So I charged it up again and the same thing happened.
So I sent it back but man did Univeral Cycles give me a hell of a time trying to cover for NiteRider and talk me into another one. But after my experience and the other reviews of their new models, there was no way. Hoped a light would majically appear over the holidays but no such luck so I'm still looking.
Similar Products Used:
None. Still using a quad-AA that at least works.
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
Different light levels. Mounting options
Battery design. Customer service.
The light works well enough when new but the design of the battery stinks. There is a wire connector that sticks out of the battery instead of having a wire plug into the body of the battery. I have had mine since the week after Interbike and yesterday I discovered a short in the wire sticking out of the battery. I called NiteRider and they told me that the turn around time would be about 4 weeks. Jesus, they should just send me a new battery as soon as they receive my battery. Had I known they put so little emphasis on customer satisfaction, I would have gone with another companies product.
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Vistalite Hype-15?
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
Brightness and burn time (Blowtorch)
RELIABILITY, and the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have ever encountered.
I bought the high dollar HID Blow-torch.
I road about 5 times on the road, then hit a mellow mtn bike trail. After the trail ride, I hit the power button to shut it off, but the switch apparently didn't work. After pulling the cord, I found that if I plugged it back in, the light would come on about every 5th attempt, and the power button had no effect. I called the customer service number that evening, which announced their buiness hours, so I decided to call back.
I called back during business hours, but got a voice mail box. I described the problem, and left my phone number (which has an answering machine) hoping they would call back with a warranty return number (that the manual says is required to send something in for warranty repair).
The next day, I hadn't got a call back. I called NR again, and got the same mail box. I described the problem again, and left home and work phone numbers. I got no reply.
The day after that, I called again, and selected a different option in the automated answering system. I got a voice mail box, and I left yet another message. That day I got a message from a woman at NR asking me to call back, and leaving a phone number (and not providing a warranty return number or any other information). I called, and found it was the same phone number, so I left yet another voice mail.
That was 14 days ago, and they never did call back!
Then I went back to the shop, where they didn't seem a bit surprised by my experience with NR. They exchanged the light. In the middle of the first ride, the second light started having problems. If you turn it on, often just the power switch will glow (indicating the unit is on) but the light won't fire. Other times, the light would fire up, but only for as long as you had your finger on the switch. After several tense minutes on the trail (11 miles from the road), I finally got it to light and stay lit.
I took it back to the shop, and they gave me another head unit. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but if it doesn't do better, I will trade for a different brand.
Nite Rider has to have the ABSOLUTE WORST customer service I have ever encountered. Brightness and run time are great, but RELIABILITY IS LACKING.
Why don't they let us post a rating less than 1?
OVERALL RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
1 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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solid construction, thoughtful features
quality control, poor product support
The tragedy is that this light is truly an exceptional product, but there is no way that I will pay this kind of money again for a product so unreliable and backed by service so mediocre. It's just not worth it.
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cateye
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Multiple light levels, accurate fuel guage, Handlebar Mount is awesome, 5 hour microbrute charger.
I have no complaints.
I bought a Digital Evolution about 6 months ago and have loved it ever since. The system comes with a 5 hour smart charger called the microbrute charger. I bought the cigarette lighter adapter accessory because I like charging in my car. I also bought the Niterider Explorer headband so I can use the light for camping, hiking, working in my garage or whatever. I have never had any problem with the charger. I just bought another 13.2 Microbrute quick charger for my older DP 12E. Make sure you get an adapter for the older plug as they have changed connectors. I bought the Cigarette Lighter Adapter for that also.
I think it is awesome that you can use the same Charger for charging at home or in your car. I keep my Digital Evolution in my car always so I can use for a spur of the moment hike to catch a beautiful sunset and have a light to get back down the mountain.
The multiple light levels from 15w,9w, 6w, and 3watt are an excellent feature. On a camping trip last October the battery lasted for the entire 5 day trip by conserving the battery using the lower light levels, primarily 3w, I even read at night in my tent. The fuel guage helped me to know where I was at on remaining battery.
All my friends have niteriders and they all feel the same about the lights, AWESOME. My opinion is that a few people have a had problems but that the majority of the people that own Niterider Lights are very enthusiastic about them.
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I've used several niterider lights for seven years, all good