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NiteRider
Digital Headtrip
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Submitted by
Dave Drabkin
a Weekend Warrior
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail in China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Lightweight; helmet mount easy to use. Strong light beam. | | Weaknesses: | Technical problems from the get-go. Light started to do drop into reserve mode about 15 minutes into a ride. Had to ship it down to San Diego for service. Fine since then until this month when the old battery would no longer hold a charge.
Seems that their former supplier went out of business and now I have to buy a battery, cahrger and cord. Whole project will cost $108 plus tax.
Had similar bad experiences with a NiteRider digital handlebar setup. Problems when new and then had to change the whole battery/charger system when the battery grew old. | | Similar Products Used: | TurboCat | | Bike Setup: | MTB: K2 Proflex 5000
Road: Merlin RSR | | Bottom Line: | Never again. NiteRider concepts are great but they blow it big time in execution. Every time they sell one, it's like a guaranteed anuity for the company. They know customers will be dropping big bucks to keep the product operational.
I use a simple, realiable TurboCat on my road bike. Will be doing the same on the MTB. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | CHHS | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight. Mounting options (helmet, headband, ...) | | Weaknesses: | Battery died after only a few dozen uses. Made the mistake of believing what it said about trickle charging in the manual and left it plugged in over the summer. | | Similar Products Used: | Cygolite, non-digital Niterider lights. | | Bottom Line: | This is the newest of the three battery/light systems I own. It's also the only one that's failed completely. The others are holding up just fine despite their advanced age (4+ years). Difficult to recommend for any purpose given how totally it's died (run time measured in seconds). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Poirier
a Cross Country Rider
from Midland
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Copeland forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Hard Wood Hills | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | I looked at the numerous reviews that were posted on this site and could not belive it. All these guys went through the same kind of b.s. that I went through with this company. The light worked for about a week then the burn times started to go down. I took care of that light like a baby, followed the manuel to the letter, but IT DID NOT MATER. I took it back and the bike shop and they sent it back to the company's Montreal service center. It came back a week later with a note advising that they had checked the system and that it was " fine " " as advertised " I was very frustrated... I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM NITERIDER AGAIN OR ANYTHING THAT LOOKS CLOSE TO THEIR PRODUCTS. THANKS FOR NOTHING NITERIDER... | | Bike Setup: | ATX-706. | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THAT COMPANY. YOU WILL REGRET IT LIKE ALL OF US THAT HAVE TRIED THEIR PRODUCTS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Winnie The Pooh
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I had the original Digital Headtrip. It worked for about 14 months and then the burn time issue and dropping to low mode problem started. I called the US company and was given essentially what has been described. Poor unorganized and BS service, not to mention at my cost. I went to my LBS and they sent it back to their Canadian distributer in Montreal, not the US company, the distributer repaired/changed out the problem parts and sent a new battery and charger (now actually a smart one) all within a few weeks.
Since then 1 yr and no problems. Too bad the company is full of fu*kos. | | Weaknesses: | . | | Similar Products Used: | . | | Bike Setup: | . | | Bottom Line: | . | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manlyman
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hartford, NY
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | The best thing about this light is the weight. | | Weaknesses: | Product quality is very low and the company has no interest in hearing from you regarding any problems. Avoid this company like the plague. | | Similar Products Used: | None, this is my first light. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8300 with XT components. | | Bottom Line: | This light started out working great. The battery lasted 1.5 hours at 15 watts, like the company promised. Unfortunately, the company suggests leaving the battery plugged in to the "smart charger". I believe the charger failed and cooked the battery. The net result is that the light now starts at 15 watts but switches to 6 watts in about 20 min. Contacting the company is impossible, and I probably have to accept I made a big mistake buying a Niterider light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anton S.
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | small and light | | Weaknesses: | everything else | | Bottom Line: | I used to have an old niterider light before they got into all this digital garbage, it worked great, never had any problems with it. The battery was a bit heavier, but it gave me consitsant burn times. The digital head trip is a piece of garbage. I NEVER get consistant behavior out of it. Charge it for two days, burns out in a few minutes to standby... Charge it for half a day, burns for an hour on high power. I don't get it. The best is when I need to ride home from work in the dark and this piece of garbage barely gives me 40 minutes on standby. I'll never buy another light from niterider again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kEN
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Baldy Pass "rocks" | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | NONE! Company strengths...NONE!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Quit after 3 months. | | Bottom Line: | STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!!!
My light quit working after three months. I narrowed it down to the light unit itself, called the tech support number and was told to send it back to them. Great I thought. I called back after 5 months of not hearing anything from them and they told me that the RA number I was given was invalid. They gave me an RA number of 1234. A friend of mine who was in the biz, told me that some companies will give you a fake RA number just to get you off their backs. So I sent in a very expensive light that is of course now lost. What kind of crooks are these people? How in good concious could the A**hole at niterider give me a fake number knowing full well that I would never see the light again? Like I said at the start, STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ernest
a Cross Country Rider
from SC, usa
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the one I am on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Few | | Weaknesses: | Unreliable. | | Similar Products Used: | none. first set of lights | | Bike Setup: | Surly 1x1 | | Bottom Line: | I have had the digital headtrip and nite owl for two years. The nite owl has been fine. I dont like having to hold the button down for a few seconds to turn on /off. I wish it would be on/15w/10w/5w/off. The head trip has been as described by other reveiws. Awful.I sent it back, they kept it for a long time and sent it back. Still goes crazy at times. I think the problem is in the connection to the lamp. I may try and straight wire it, and leave the cord attached to the light. I have noticed on the newer models they changed some stuff like the plug. My advice is to look at other brands or buy one of the nondigital ones. simplify your life. My buddies have some older Nite rider lights and have had good results. Mine have been fair to poor. Burn times are ok.They lie about that! If I cant get mine to work I will look at some other brands. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Lang
a Cross Country Rider
from Roanoke
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Carvins Cove | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | East Coasters Cycling | | Strengths: | Settings, brightness, compactness, light weight. | | Weaknesses: | TERRIBLE reliability and EVEN WORSE CUSTOMER SERVICE. | | Similar Products Used: | Nightsun XC. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed F/S, Specialized StumpJumper | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend avoiding NiteRider due to the poor reliability that I (and many others with whom I have spoken) have experienced, and the unimaginably-bad customer service. The second time I sent my light in for repairs, these clowns had it for over a month (when it was supposed to take less than two weeks to repair it) and when they finally called back, the didn't call to discuss my light. They hadn't gotten around to working on it yet. They were calling to try to sell me another light instead!!! I told them I expected to get what I had paid for and insisted that they repair my light promptly. When they finally got around to working on it, one honest employee (among many I had spoken with on numerous phone calls) gave me the low-down: Their early so-called "Plug-it-and-forget-it" charging system should NOT be "plugged and forgotten." You need to unplug it after a certain time period, just like a cheap charger. Otherwise, you'll kill your battery, which happened to mine. I agreed (reluctantly, and only because I really wanted my light back) to pay $35 for a charger upgrade. Then, when it was due to ship, they lost it. More riding time lost. Later, when they found it, they agreed that since I had been without my light for over two months, they would refund the charge to my credit card, but never did. Had to spend even more of my time on the phone & fax getting my credit card company to deny their charge. The light has worked well since then but I have a very bad taste in my mouth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
murf
a
from ct
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | update on my previous review. MY battery after 2 weeks of use still gives me 1.5 hours at 15 watts after my 'fix' | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curt
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Frick Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeTek | | Strengths: | Lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Battery life. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Specialized Stumpjumper M4 with goodies. | | Bottom Line: | The battery runs out of juice quickly. I don't know why, too fed up to care any more. I went for a nightride recently and the frikkin' thing went dim after 20 mins. I migfht look into the Storm though, a couple of guys that I ride with have one each and they seem to perform better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Murf
a
from CT
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | fairly bright light for 15watts. Nice option of adjustability. Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Short life at 15 watts-I ride atleast 2 hours. Battery issues- I had the light for a year and used it with no problems at all. Was very suprised to see all the bad reviews (and not just here on mtbr). Then I didn't use it for 6 months. Found someone to nightride with and have been going twice a week. After 15 minutes at 15 watts-light goes into reserve lighting. Even at the lower settings-it kicks into reserve. So I have just been bringing along for emergency and using my handlebar light. Read the reviews again and just was kinda pissed off that my light didn't work. I started thinking about it and figured it had to be something with the processor that controls the light and puts it into reserve or the battery was shot. Didn't really beleive the battery was shot so soon. Soooooo I figured I'd let the light go into reserve and time how long it would stay on at the 6 watt. It stayed on for 2.25 hours and I unplugged it as it really started to dim!! That told me the battery was still good. The reserve is supposed to only last 15 minutes. Sooooo I charged the battery up from almost full dead. Now I have 2 rides on it and I get my 1hr15min at 15 watts. Don't know if it's just a freak thing that now it works, BUT heck-if you've got problems with yours, it won't hurt to try what I did. In a couple of weeks I'll really know if it's "fixed" | | Similar Products Used: | specialized proview-not soo bright but a heck of a value to introduce yourself to nightriding. Helmet and bar option included. | | Bike Setup: | just go ride | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line. If you nightride for any length of time-the battery doesn't give you enough time. The light it emmits is plenty bright for normal mountain biking on semi-technical trails. The digital option I think just complicated the light and is easy to malfunction, although I do like the option for different watts on one small light. The system is very lightweight and easy to carry. I can't positively say I'd recommend this light because of all the bad reviews and the problems I had. I am looking at the HID's right now but am on the fence of buying another nightrider. I just might buy a light and motion. I NEED long run times..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Kofer
a
from Strafford, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Shaw Trail, Pawtuckaway | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | S&W Sports, Concord, NH | | Strengths: | For the few minutes it works, it gives good light. Also doesn't weigh much. | | Weaknesses: | Smart charger is stupid. Got maybe 15 rides out of product then battery gave up. Company says if I buy new battery & charger for $130, I'll be okay. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 1997 Steel Moab with Bomber | | Bottom Line: | Keep shopping. Don't ever expect an email to be returned by niterider. ever. Product was underengineered and overmarketed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Europe Bound | | Strengths: | Long Battery Life, Different power settings. Small Battery Pack | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bottom Line: | I bought these on an impulse buy without looking at the reviews. I felt ripped off when I read all the negative comments.
However, for the past year this light has served me well. I am super impressed with the battery life. It outlasts all my friends batteries, even at the highest setting.
The battery is super small and light.
My only problem is trying to plug the cord into the light. Its a little finicky... i think the contact moves around a bit and if i take it apart something may have been jarred lose.
At anyrate... I personally think its a great light.
I also got a good deal on it... i paid $269 Canadian and have since seet it for as much as $400 in other stores. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steph
a Racer
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike store | | Strengths: | Plenty bright | | Weaknesses: | Everything else | | Similar Products Used: | Home made jobby, 10 W, 10lb battery, more reliable | | Bike Setup: | Brand spankin new Specialized Enduro Pro | | Bottom Line: | I bought it two weeks ago. I used it for one nite ride and have already had several problems:
1. Recharged overnight as soon as i got it. Next morning the battery was smokin HOT! Not normal. Recharged it again after first use, again smokin hot the next morning. Is this thing going to burn my house down? Thank god i have good insurance.
2. Black rubber contact protector has already fallen off. Now when i put it back on, and plug in the lamp, the fuel gauge shows a red light, and a blinking green light. Not normal.
3. The contact between the battery and the cord is super sketchy. ei it cuts out when the cord head turn a bit. I can't have this happening when i'm bookin down a trail at night.
Not bad for 1 ride eh!
I brought it back to the store where i bought it. They are going to bring it back to our main distributor up here.
Hopefully i'll get something back that i can use sometime before September.
I'll post something when i get it back.
I'll bet anybody 100 smacks that Nite Rider personel stack the deck by posting favorable reviews for their products(few as they may be).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mongo mongo
a Racer
from sf ca usa
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | eldrige grade | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$179.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop[ | | Strengths: | Great concept but works for first few weeks only. | | Weaknesses: | you know the deal. the light is permanently stuck in reserve mode.
Quickly shifts to reserve mode no matter how long you charge it. Customer service? Are you serious? You must of confused us with Light and Motion.
| | Similar Products Used: | turbocat , nightsun, light and motion | | Bike Setup: | 2001 santa cruz chameleon | | Bottom Line: | I, like countless others, will never buy a niterider again.
Please folks, stay away from this company. Knowingly selling defective "light systems" like the headtrip and backing it up with zero customer service, niterider deserves all the scorn it's been recieving. Do not buy niterider. Stay away from these cynical scammers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DW
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything w/ dirt & drops! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | When it worked the Digital Headtrip is nice and bright, relativly light weight and has some nice built in functions. | | Weaknesses: | CRAPPY CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Who cares... just hammer! | | Bottom Line: | If you're Headtrip ever stops working you might as well toss it into the TRASH!! You'll NEVER get a freekin response from Niteriders "customer service" dept. I've been trying for nearly 5 months to get ahold of those jokers! I've tried email, phone, voicemail, NOTHING! You send an email and you get an automated response to call the customer service line, you call customer service and you'll sit on hold for 30min then get kicked over to a voicemail box!! Leave a voicemail?... forget about a callback. Very disappointing!
Despite some great reviews on newer products I'll NEVER buy another Niterider! So much for taking care of your customers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BILL BOLLINGER
a Cross Country Rider
from REDDING, CA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | lemurian | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | ? | | Strengths: | Easy to set up. Selection of power settings. | | Weaknesses: | Competely unreliable. | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider Cyclops | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hei Hei | | Bottom Line: | Great idea but does not provide the performance in burn times. The longest 15W burn time I have had is 40 minutes.
Presently I have to avoid using 15W and keep it on 10W or light will go to 6W mode. Niterider service is virtually non existent. I do not have time to stay on the phone all day in event they may actually answer the phone since they are also too busy to answer emails. I previously had some trouble with my cyclops battery. They were not able to figure out a cell was dead thus providing only 4.5 volts. I ended up having to fix it myself. This is my last Niterider. Next light is Light and Motion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skippy Fish
a
from Royal Oak, MI
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Nice light when it decides to work | | Weaknesses: | Completely unreliable burn times and operation | | Similar Products Used: | Cyclops, NiteOwl, NiteOwl II, Pro-6 | | Bottom Line: | The burn times are inconsistent. Using 15 watt mode kicks the system into reserve mode on a full-charged battery. I've already had the battery replaced once.
I used to recommend NiteRider, now I recommend everyone look elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Sydnor
a Racer
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Strengths: | None, cause it doesn't work, and the service is TOTALLY NON-Existant | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't work | | Similar Products Used: | MY NEW CYGOLITE NIGHT EXPLORER, CHEAPER AND IT WORKS! | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz SL, XTR, SID Race, Lightspeed Appy 'cross | | Bottom Line: | Just to update from the last times I tried to get any satisfaction. Like the Stones said, "From Nightrider, You Can't Get No Satisfaction". Six months, no email, no call, no nothing. Take it back to REI, cause they take anything back. So there is one way to get your cash back.
Are there any lawyers on bikes that wanna start a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer for fraud? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a
from NY
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | The light works well, when it works | | Weaknesses: | Customer Service !!!!!!! Niterider has had my light since November 6 for a warranty repair (2.5 months). The unit just shuts down periodically. | | Similar Products Used: | Nightrider digital pro 12 | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz superlight, raceface carbon cranks, raceface stem-seatpost-bars, SID XC 80mm fork. Daves speed dream custom built wheels on Chris King hubs, etc..... | | Bottom Line: | I will NEVER NEVER NEVER buy another NightRider product. My Digital Pro 12 works great and I have never had any problems with it. My Headtrip never really worked right, maybe it was a defective unit. After reading all of these reviews it becomes obvious, Niterider makes a good product. Just hope you never have a problem with the lights if you do decide to buy one. I have been getting jerked around since November 6 for them to fix my light (which is still under warranty). They even offered me a tradein value for a newer light or an upgrade to the HID light. This light is not even broken in and just out of principal I could not do it. Same story as several of the below reviews - up to 30 minutes on hold to talk to someone, promises it would be sent out in a day or two, etc... I just stepped up my efforts in getting my light back by leaving daily voice mails and Emails for Roy Brean of NiteRider (who is the president). No response from him as of yet. Feel free to share your frustration if you want RBrean@niterider.com, 858-268-9316 xtn 150.
The bottom line is when you buy top of the line you deserver a certain level of customer service (at least I believe so). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charles
a
from charlotte, nc
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | after discussing my digital headtrip's short burntime, i was told batteries were not up to snuff. i was then told that a replacement battery is not available for that light. i was given the option to buy a new light. great customer service... another unsatisfied customer. to be fair, this product worked good, for a while. the fact that i can't get a new battery on a 2 yr old product that retailed for $180 is absolutely ludicrous. not to mention that it is a little over 1 yr old of using time because i bought it toward the end of the year, and waited a while to send it back.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Sydnor
a Racer
from Denver, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel | | Strengths: | Don't have any anymore, since it doesn't work. Surely it can't be the customer service! | | Weaknesses: | Terribly unreliable, completely not backed up by the company. Is NiteRider still in business? | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed 'cross, Santa Cruz Superlight. | | Bottom Line: | This is a copy of my third email, and you can see I haven't heard from then in a month, from the previous two reviews. Read this and weep if you have bought a product from this company.
Still haven't heard from you despite calling and two emails. This is the third email. This is also my second battery. I will keep reporting this on MTBR, where I am certain that at this rate you will reach the hall of shame in really short order. If I don't hear from you in the next week, perhaps small claims court would be appropiate. Then you can send some one to Denver for court and see how much that costs. The evidence as presented in MTBR regarding this product is overwhelming. How can you continue not to answer? Perhaps a summons will get something from your unbelievable customer service department. Are you still in Business? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Howard
a Racer
from Kalamazoo, MI
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$179.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorada Cyclist | | Strengths: | It worked well for the first month | | Weaknesses: | Extremely unreliable run times. Nite Rider customer service sucks real bad (And I mean REAL bad). | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye | | Bottom Line: | I will never buy another Nite Rider product again. Same goes for most of my riding partners. They really suck. Dealing with the company sucks even worse. By the way if you want to call the company the number is 1-800-466-8366. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Sydnor
a Racer
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | ExCEL | | Strengths: | Good Solid beam, bright at 15 amp, easy to switch the amps. | | Weaknesses: | Battery and Charger are completely unreliable. THe burn times are completely unreliable as a result. On my second battery, with almost no use on the first. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed 'cross, Santa Cruz Superlight Mountain | | Bottom Line: | Whatever you do, don't spend money on this, you are throwing money away. When the light doesn't work, yep, you got it, you are in the dark. Too bad they don't allow a zero score. After reading other very similar experiences, looks like Nightrider should recall or refund for all of these. I guess buyers should beware. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Basin's Johannsen road | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Some bike shop in Santa Cruz | | Strengths: | Excellent quality, Bright light, small battery, great run times | | Weaknesses: | Dont like the color. Some jiggling connection issues when keeping the battery in my tool bag | | Similar Products Used: | Vista lite dual pro | | Bike Setup: | Univega Carbolite m7.3 carbon fiber, garmin summit, cateye at-100, too many gadgets. Dont laugh at me. | | Bottom Line: | I love the light. I like my Vista Dual Pro too. I use both at the same time, and it is quite bright together. I tried mounting the headtrip on myhandlebars, and placed the battery in my toolbag, and the vibrations of the bike would shake the connection on the battery off - the light would have to be turned back on, but this isnt a real issue. A rubber band would fix the problem, if I needed to do that again. It is designed to be on your head, and it works great there. I got the microbrute charger with my headtrip II, and it works great. I dont know that I will ever use the flashing or S.O.S. emergency beacon options, but they are interesting.
From the reviews here, it looks like some people had problems with the early versions, and I am glad I got mine after they worked out the kinks.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary, NC
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Burned Out | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | All Star Bikes | | Strengths: | Reliable; Light & easily portable; Ability to change light intensity levels | | Weaknesses: | I'd like a car charger | | Bottom Line: | There seem to be a lot of negative reviews so I wanted to relay my positive experiences. The DH has performed flawlessly for me. Now into its 4th year of usage I still get burntimes of almost 2 hours at its highest intensity setting. I know . . . its not truly a "plug and forget" charger, but, I was able to make the adjustment. Great product, no problems, I'm happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Shaw
a
from Abbotsford BC
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Bottom Line: | I had the same problem many others have had - short run times. Finally got around to calling Niterider, spoke with Josh. he was very helpful. In fact, it seems Niterider trained him to tell people that the original "plug n forget" charger was actually NOT plug n forget. He seemed to (genuinely) believe that the original manual referred to timed charges (which, of course, it didn't). After reviewing the manual, he was clearly on the customer's (my) side, and after a very small amount of arm twisting agreed that a gift of a micro brute charger was appropriate.
In summary, I returned my system to Niterider. They gave me a new battery, new micro brute charger, and did some internal work on the light. Cost: zero. Points for Niterider: many.
Insist on a FREE new charger. At the price paid for a system which did not perform up to snuff, it is only reasonable.
Now, I've just got to use the damned thing to see if it works!!!
Ratings are middle of the road as a result of problems to date. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stewart Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill , NC
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | When it works,it is light and bright | | Weaknesses: | It didn't keep working | | Similar Products Used: | Performance bar mount | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 2000 | | Bottom Line: | My customer service experience with Niterider happened during Feb.through early March so maybe they have cleaned house by now as promised.I would not have guessed that a company with such a strong reputation would have been so unresponsive to both e-mail or written correspondence - I can only guess that the people receiving the mail were the ones who were reponsible for the problems.My light had the same problems with short run times and long walking mode discharge times. When I checked their website,I was suprised to find they knew about these problems as well as with the Plug and Forget charger which was now a Calculate Your Discharge and Time Your Charging Cycle charger.When I went back to their site a few days later to e-mail tech support,they had redone the site and made no mention of the problems with this light.I sent a request for service and got no response for a week- after a second request,they told me to ship it in for service.It ended up taking a month[of prime winter night riding,I might add] and they replaced some control thing in the lamp and the battery but I had to pay for the Micro Brute charger to improve the charging snafu,albeit at a slightly reduced price.They did not include instructions for the repaired rig as promised so I e-mailed and asked for them - I got no response , a week later I sent a written letter complaining about lack of response and two weeks later I had gotten,you guessed it, no response - I then e-mailed and told them I was going to post a review on this site and that got an immediate phone apology and assurance that they had fixed all problems with customer service.Time will tell if the repairs work for the light - my confidence in Niterider is not as strong as it used to be.I would have to suggest "buyer beware" until it is clear they have ironed out their design and customer service problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Albert Vinas
a Weekend Warrior
from La Habra, CA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | widowmaker | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Chalet | | Strengths: | Excellent customer service. Very well built with a relatively small & lightweight battery. Three variable light setting with a battery meter is a very useful feature on those exploration rides. High beam at 15W is incredible! Only need it on extreme down hills. Overall bomb proof solid construction. | | Weaknesses: | None the belly aching problems RE: the light switching in reserve mode that everybody else is mentioning or any issues about their customer service.
Suggestion not an actual weekness. The light casing should have been in black like the non-digital headtrips. The non-digital headtrips should have been in the gray. The black ones look better. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Who cares? It just rips! | | Bottom Line: | The helmet light is great for tight single tracks with a lot of turns. I would recommend a helmet light over a bar light if you had to pick between the two.
I have the older Digital Head Trip that did not come with the MicroBrute Charger. I have been fortunate enough not to experience any the lighting problems most riders have been complaining about. After reading all to the previous postings I went out and purchased a wall timer to plug the charger into to avoid this problem. This is a small investment to protect your gear. ($5)
There were several complaints about NiteRider customer service. There might have been some issues in the past, but what ever NiteRider did it seems fine now. More than fine, OUTSTANDING. I called and spoke to Vanessa in technical support concerned about the problems everybody has been experiencing (even though I haven’t yet). No questions asked, she told me to send in the light unit and that she would update the computer processor to correct the problem. Just like that. No problems here. NiteRider seems to stand behind their products without hesitation. That ROCKS! The light ROCKS! Vanessa at NiteRider ROCKS! I just sent my light in, I can wait to get my light back to hit the trails again.
Five 7-Eleven Flamin Chili Cheese Dogs for Value!
Five 7-Eleven Flamin Chili Cheese Dogs for Overall Rating!
and Five 7-Eleven Flamin Chili Cheese Dogs for NiteRider's Customer Service!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al Holland
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkley, Mi. USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Lake State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | N/A | | Strengths: | N/A | | Weaknesses: | N/A | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | My E-mail to/from NiteRider to all potential purchaser's:
I WROTE:
I was already to purchase your Digital Head Trip UNTIL I read the customer
reviews at MTBR.com. Looks like you have a bunch of unsatisfied customers
that you really don't care to acknowledge. (Bad Business) I will send my
money elsewhere. Might want to take a look at your Customer Service &
Quality Control (or lack of it!).
ANSWER:
We are currently going out of our way to correct all of the problems
with the Digital HeadTrip lighting system. As with all of our products
we stand behind them 100% and will do what ever it takes to make correct
the situation. We have also restructured our customer service department
in order to address the problems we have had with customer service.
Thank you for your concern
NiteRider Technical Lighting Systems
bike@niterider.com
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Mullis
a Cross Country Rider
from Oceanside, Ca 92056
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oregon Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$219.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Everything! Unbelievable design, robust, elegant, reliable product. Has never let me down. The most competitive light in the market! | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Lights In Motion... no comparision! | | Bike Setup: | Trec 2000 | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your time with any other product. Simply, the best light on the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marshall
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | #8 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Bright, adjustable light (3 light levels). Battery is a good size for storage in a Camelbak. Mount is very easy to put on your helmet. Light angle has numerous adjustments. | | Weaknesses: | Tempermental battery. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | I have a Bell helmet. | | Bottom Line: | The only problem I have with this product is the tempermental battery. Once charged, the battery life is fine. But I've found that you have to watch it during the charging process because it will drop to a trickle charge before the battery is fully charged. The instructions say it takes approx. 5 hours to fully charge -- but sometimes it drops to trickle charge after 3 hours. Then all you have to do is unplug and then replug the battery into the electrical outlet and it begins charging again. That's the only problem.
Other than above, this is a great, bright light and worth the money. But it only gets 4 chilis because I haven't used other lights and it is the most expensive headlamp on the market (except for HID). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | 3 light levels, quick charging with micro-brute charger adapter, light weight battery with pretty good run-time. | | Weaknesses: | somewhat narrow beam pattern. | | Similar Products Used: | Jet | | Bike Setup: | 01RacerX
20W Jet on the bar and Digital Headtrip on the helmet | | Bottom Line: | So far, I have had none of the problems that others have listed here. Charging is quick and easy with the micro-brute adapter (Usually around 4 hours). Run-time has been consistent and the multiple light levels actually do come in handy except for the very lowest level. Helmet mount has stayed pretty secure as well. Kind of narrow beam pattern, but suitable for a helmet light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Huebner
a Cross Country Rider
from Ephrata
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Buckrabbit | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$189.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Bright light and decent weight for a helmet mount. Worked very well for first season; we ride at night a lot in the winter and the cold didn't phase it at all last year. | | Weaknesses: | This fall I had an injury and could ride only intermittently the last few months. Since it was touted as "Plug and Forget" I did so. I first noticed a problem after 2 1/2 weeks on the charger when it went to reserve after about 40 minutes on the middle setting. Full dischages and re-charges seemed to help, but now it did the same after about 40 min. This is not good. We ride in the cold on snowy singletrack and it's a bites without a dependable light source. Fortunately I still have my old reliable Vistalites for my handlebars or I'd be S.O.L. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 900 (Sweet Steel) hardtail w/Marzocchi Z2, Rocky Mountain Instinct, new... | | Bottom Line: | Like I said earlier, I was totally pleased until I had to leave it on the charger for over a week. Now I'm afraid the battery is doomed. I'm contacting Nightrider when I finish here. From the reviews before me I'd say it's a shot in the dark what kind of satisfaction I'll get.
But, plug and forget should mean just that. I don't mind timing my battery chargers, but I do need the correct information!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reed
a Racer
from Oaklandm CA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light Weight, good support | | Weaknesses: | Battery life/ "reserve-mode" problems echoed below | | Similar Products Used: | pretty much all other lighting systems | | Bike Setup: | M2 frame, z2 atom, xtr | | Bottom Line: | After more than two years of hard use my niterider light is leaving me pretty mixed. Everything worked pretty well for aroun 9 months, no battery life issues, etc. After that I started to get lots of reserve type issues described in other postings and on the NR web page. The head is roughly 1.5 yr old (NR swapped it out, ON THE SPOT, no problem at a 24-hour race, it was getting really bad, probably due to a weak connection) and the new head fixed a lot of the light's initial problems. This fixed things for another year or so. Now, the light will not go more than 20 minutes w/o dropping into "reserve mode" where it will stay for about an hour. After 2.5 years, this could just be standard battery life issues (my classic is now dead, too, it was a few months older); I have probably used both lights 50-100 times. I don't live in particularly cold area, and am very careful about care and feeding. It would seem that the life of the lighting system should last longer (also considering the high price), but perhaps this is just what you get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Quadrangle
a
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Small battery | | Weaknesses: | Expensive light unit replacement, charging system doesn't work as advertised. Reliability | | Similar Products Used: | Night Sun, Niterider | | Bike Setup: | Klein | | Bottom Line: | What's the one thing you absolutely have to have in a light? - RELIABILITY! Now I have the same problems as others and have to start jumping through hoops trying to make it right. The light drops to reserve mode or doesn't come on at all or quits working mid-ride. This light worked great for 11 months and then started givin' me fits. Maybe Niterider has fixed the problem by now - buy with caution. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Spartanburg, SC
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything at Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Very bright beam. I have used this on my road bike with the handlebar mount and it seems to be nearly as bright as the car headlights that are passing me. Great on the trail. I use it with a Vistalite dual on the bar and the Nite Rider 15 watt is way brighter than the Vistalite 15.
I have had zero problems with the charger or with reduced battery life as mentioned in some of the other reviews. | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't make me any faster. | | Similar Products Used: | Vistalite dual with water bottle mount battery. The DHT is a much better light - however the Vistalite will go 4 hours at 10 watts, which is nice. | | Bike Setup: | 2 Wheels, 1 frame, handlebars, gears, and other assorted components. | | Bottom Line: | Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Button
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kanata Lakes area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Airbomb | | Strengths: | Battery is super small w/ great burn time choices. Three beam settings are great, rarely need the 15w setting. Fuel gauge. | | Weaknesses: | The helmet mount is my only complaint | | Similar Products Used: | Night Hawk but it was a bar mount. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed, mostly XTR | | Bottom Line: | I think this product it good. I've enjoyed using it so far and have no real complaints except for the helmet mount. You would think that for the price that you pay for NiteRider products that you would get a good quality mounting system. The plastic seems weak and I expect it to break soon. The other problem with the mount is the angle, it does not point downward enough. I had to put additional velcro on my helmet and the mount to prop up the back of the mount. My helmet is a Giro Gila. People I ride with also had to do the same with their mounting system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Fraser
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | gift | | Strengths: | It looks like it will be a great light if it works. | | Weaknesses: | It only worked reliably for one ride, and in retrospect it was broken when I got it. The cable connection to the head unit is flakey. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | I'm disappointed by the support at Niterider. Others on this site have talked about the great customer service. I spent forty minutes on hold, and been cut off three times. They are not willing to send me a new unit before I send mine back, and it looks like I'll have to pay shipping to get the unit back to niterider.
I had hoped to have the unit for some rides over xmas weekend, but I assume that's not going to happen. It will end up costing me time and money to have niterider replace a unit that never worked in the first place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RAy
a Cross Country Rider
from Tilton, NH
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Piches | | Strengths: | does a great job for me. I can see what I am looking at. Everyone should have a light on thier head when riding at night | | Weaknesses: | I had to put a rubber washer under the back of the mount to get the light to point down enough on MY helmet ( a shwinn) | | Similar Products Used: | A spetialized water bottle 10 watt light that died the first | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC SE/ Cdale crit 3 | | Bottom Line: | This is the first real light I have tried and I will recomend it. It has worked flawlessly. I will say that I am going to add some lights to my bar also. You cannot set the light up on your helmet to light everything you need to see. It seems to be a must for anyone doing alot of OFFROAD riding to have both a helmet light and lights on the bar. If you can only afford one get the lights on the bar | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Trumbull, CT
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Biker Bob | | Strengths: | Bright, light, small battery, durable | | Weaknesses: | It is NOT a plug and forget charger
Faulty part in headlamp needed replacing to extend run times
beam a bit narrow
Niterider was slow to respond to these problems and has not done much to alert current users (i.e. a recall). | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Yo Eddy with stuff I don't care to bore you with or waste my time with. | | Bottom Line: | When the light works it is a very nice light. The features are great, BUT they are the source of the problems. The digital chip is bad which causes the light to shut off or go to reserve mode prematurely. The charger is not a plug and forget. Doing so will kill your battery. While both of these are correctable Niterider took their sweet time getting it fixed. While they did come up with solutions they are not doing much to alert those of us who bought them. I only found out about it when the posts showed up here (despite being explicitly told by Niterider that as soon as they had a fix they would let me know). And how are we to know this fix is really the solution? For all we know it could still cause problems. All we have is their word, and what good was that the first time they told us it was 'plug and forget'. They either don't adequately test their products before launching them or make false advertising claims. Either one is unacceptable.
Evaluated as a fully functional light it is great. However, after having to send it back to be fixed, waiting months for a charger that is said to do what the original should have done, and dealing with some less than professional people in the company I can't recommend this light. If it works right I'd give it a 4. But they don't work right out of the box and you need new parts and to shell out money to ship the thing back. And then what kind of assurance do you have that the got it right this time? If I were you I'd wait and see if they got it right before I take a $200 gamble when there are other proven systems out there for the same price or less.
My ratings: value 1...I paid extra for features that it did not have.
Overall 1...when I buy something I expect it to work right out of the box. If not I expect a prompt response by the manufacturer. With this I got neither. Like I said before, if it worked right I'd give it a 4. A product that that does not do what the company proudly proclaims it does deseres a negative rating, so a 1 it is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Bright and light | | Weaknesses: | It turns itself off in the middle of a ride | | Similar Products Used: | Digital 12 bar light, Jet light, Night Sun | | Bike Setup: | Mountain Cycles CXS, XTR, White Bros 90 fork | | Bottom Line: | I waited for the Digital Headtrip II after reading the other reviews here and thought the charging problem was taken care of. On my first ride the light turned off about 15 min. into it. On my second ride it turned of 3 times in an hour. Each time i got it to work o.k. by disconnecting the battery and then reconnecting it. I do leave it on the charger between night rides, the first time this was over 3 weeks. I do the same thing with my Dig. 12 bar light and have had no such problems in the over 2 years that I've owned it. I wish they'd get this right because when it's working it is a great light.
I've read some other reviews that discuss the spot beam but when used with a bar light it is great to be able to see ahead of you as far as you want by lifting your head. Also, looking around corners is nice. My night rides are on tight single track and having both lights is great. If I could only have one, it would be a bar light because of the problem of no shadows with a head light. Another problem with the head light is in the fog. I live near the coast and night fog is common and with the beam right above your eyes you get a lot of reflected light from the fog. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a Weekend Warrior
from Oak Park, CA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Durable, lightweight, digital features, quality of light, plug and forget charger, | | Weaknesses: | If you're color blind (or close to it as I am !) the green / red display on the MicroBrute is not that distinct. | | Bike Setup: | FSR | | Bottom Line: | Great light, I purchased mine on sale at REI for 150, but I still think it is worth the retail. I have been getting almost 2 full hours @ 15w, but the digital feature really lets you stretch your run times. I did call NiteRider service a couple of times, both times Jennifer couldn't have been nicer or more professional. The new unit is truly plug and forget, plus much faster. There are a lot of complaints on this board about problems with the old charger setup, it looks like they are being addressed by NiteRider as soon as they can. Even without the plug and forget feature, who else gives you this many features in a light versatile package for this price ??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ben
a Weekend Warrior
from ohio
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Just North O f Daytona | | Strengths: | Very Bright Beam with multiple intensities. Juice Gauge, warranty | | Weaknesses: | I could use a stronger battery, they usually run 1 hr 40 min and another 20min on low setting | | Bottom Line: | Niterider replaced my charger to make plug and forget at no cost. I was very impressed at the speed it was done. I will probably need to get another battery for longer winter rides | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Coe | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$161.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Solid, clever mechanical design
Water Resistant
Variable Output for long run times
Lightweight battery (can be dropped into a jersey pocket)
Easy to change bulbs
Brighter bulbs than other equivalent bulbs I've tried | | Weaknesses: | Spot beam is too narrow for the dirt
Helmet mount rocks
Smart Charger is really not all that smart | | Similar Products Used: | Performance | | Bike Setup: | Road and Dirt | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had the battery problems I've read about, but I've never left my light plugged in for any extended period of time, and I generally discharge it when it gets low before recharging. It sounds like that's the key to battery nirvana.
I really have only two complaints.
It would be nice if the helmet bracket was curved to fit the helmet - I ended up making a curved shim to keep the light from moving up and down. My buddy had to make a more elaborate system for his helmet. However, the bracket is very solid, and is easy to adjust on the fly.
My only other complaint is the 15W 10-degree spot bulb - it's OK for the road,but way too narrow for the dirt, where one is looking in a lot closer to the bike. Niterider makes the perfect replacement bulb - a 15W 20-degree flood bulb, but that adds $20 to an already expensive light.
Overall, having a helmet light is very nice. Bar lights alone just don't cut it in the dirt - you really need to be able to look where you want to go, not where the bar lights are pointing. The only problem with just a helmet light is lack of depth perception (no shadows). The ideal combo is to have both. However, if I had to have just one for the dirt, it would be a helmet light with a 20-degree flood bulb. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clemente
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Weight, light quality on "high" | | Weaknesses: | read on | | Bottom Line: | Not long after I reamed the product (above) I got an email from Jennifer @ NiteRider. She agreed that the Plug and Forget feature wasn't working out as planned, but since I'd had a problem w/ my battery she sent me a new system (Digital HeadTrip/NightOwl combo) to replace the one I'd been using for 8 months. This, without waiting for me to send the old system in, which would have left me lightles for a few weeks. It's good to deal with people who expect you to be honest. According to Jennifer NiteRider is working on a gizmo that you'll plug your charger into that will make it truly "Plug and Forget", which will be made available to system owners. (Jennifer - when is it coming out?) In the meantime I use a lamp timer to charge it for fourteen hours, discharge it fully after each use and give it a little boost the day of a night ride. I'm not entirely happy with run time... I rode a two hour lap this weekend and hadn't gone into full reserve yet (20 minutes w/ 6W power), but I was careful to conserve power. I just hate to have to worry about run time when I'm out past bed time... The real bottom line - I like the digital feature because you CAN conserve power, and because of the stupid look people give me when I tell them it can flash "SOS". While I'd still consider this setup if I were doing it again, I'd look at other systems (NiteRider or other) with longer run times. One thing that came out of all this is knowing that at least some of the mfrs out there really are paying attention to what riders say on this site. I'll give it five chilis across the board to counter my previous rating, which should put it around four, which is right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Dean
a Racer
from Austin
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Well its uhh no Trespassing | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Beam pattern/brightness. I have had good run times as well | | Weaknesses: | Its kind of hard to change the setting at full stream, you know reaching a few inches above your helmet on a steep decent when you need it. | | Bike Setup: | S-Works with a central suspention(Monkey lites and USE) | | Bottom Line: | I was hesitant when purchacing due to the reviews, but this light has exceeded my expectations. I have had far more trouble with Digital 12 extreme. It rocks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clemente
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight | | Weaknesses: | "Plug and forget" | | Bike Setup: | Digital Headtrip/NiteOwl combo | | Bottom Line: | The "plug and forget" is a myth. Do a 14 hour max charge and a total discharge or risk screwing the battery up. For some reason this isn't mentioned by the literature, and the LBS didn't know about this until I called it to their attention. They called Niterider and they confirmed - yup, it's NOT plug and forget, they just call it that. Part of the reason I went for this light (these lights) was the P & F feature. Now that they've got my money, it's "never mind". Their mom would be ashamed of them. The light is just fine, although yellow on the lower settings. If I do it again I'll look for 15W non-digital bar and head lights and spend the $ saved on an extra battery. The light's a 5 on high, the plug and forget is a big "0", for 2 1/2 sorry chilis. Make it a grudging three. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Schelburg Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Bright. Good run times. Versatile digital modes. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have noticed. | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana | | Bottom Line: | I have read the many reiews stating problems with charging and run times. I haven't had any of these probles. I am a bike commuter and ride nights daily, so when I'm done riding it goes on the charger until the next day It never sits on the charger for longer that 15 hrs or so. Maybe if you leave it on the charger you can get overheating/charging. Who knows? All I know is the light works great for me and my wife thinks I should have married a bike.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Chula Vista, CA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Brightness, Toughness, Light-Weight and Compact, Digital Features | | Weaknesses: | Seems everybody complains about price. If its too steep try the regular headtrip, its also a good light for about fifty bucks less. Fuel gauge on helmet light is close to worthless until the ride is over, unless you like taking off your helmet every time you stop. | | Similar Products Used: | NiteRider Headtrip, Digital Night-Owl, Digital Pro-12E
| | Bottom Line: | This light is almost too bright, if that's possible. As with any powerful helmet mounted lamp it has a tendancy to wash out the trail details. It over-powered my Dig. Night-owl until I got the hang of aiming it right. Still I decided to upgrade to the Digital Pro-12 since over half of my riding is after dark. Also don't look at your friends or the police unless you want to make them see spots. The Dig. Headtrip is so bright I got pulled over by an oncoming police car one night. The officer asked me to turn it down, which I could do with the digital feature. He said the headtrip was as bright as his spotlight. I wonder when they'll start equiping patrol cars with Niteriders!
I have also crashed headfirst (ouch) with the Dig. Headtrip taking much of the blow. It was caked in dirt, but I just cleaned it off and it works and looks like it just came out of the box. I wish I could say the same about the rider.
I am also careful about my charging and use habits and have had no problems with this light. I get "as advertised" performance.
Before I purchased my Digital Headtrip, I tried out the regular headtrip at one of Niterider's rides here in San Diego. It is also a quality light, and its 10w is pretty bright. I went into my LBS to purchase it and stumbled onto a 20% off sale. I walked-out with the digital instead. You can't go wrong with either light.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MN
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Bright, good design, small battery | | Weaknesses: | After unplugging the battery from the headunit during a one-session use the battery life indicator resets itself - giving false battery life. | | Bike Setup: | Canndale F700 & Trek 5200 | | Bottom Line: | Very well built and though out. Mounts to a headband (by NightRider) for other use like camping, hunting. This light is great for technical single-track night riding in the woods. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
S B
a Cross Country Rider
from Seneca Falls NY USA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Harriet Hollister Spencer state park in honeoye | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | 3 modes-plenty bright in 10 and excessive in 15!
lightweight
cool!
good battery life | | Weaknesses: | once in 15 watt mode it shut down (6 watt mode) after about ten minutes. I brought it home and plugged it back in, to try and cycle the battery. it ran for 45+ minutes without dropping into reserve. I recharged it and have not had the problem since. (3 rides or so) I ride mostly in 10 watt
also a bit pricey but, hey hi tech=high cost | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400
Magura brakes
Gore cables
etc. | | Bottom Line: | Good light if it doesn't have this problem I keep hearing about. I don't know... it could be a warranty issue if it keeps happening. Maybe something overheats or gets cold? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | 15 watt mode is plenty of light | | Weaknesses: | Battery life
Digital controls | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 | | Bottom Line: | I bought this light Fall 98 and it has worked great up until a few weeks ago. Unfortunately when I read all the reviews I noticed everyone was having the same problem I was. The battery would go through a full charge cycle then I would get about 10 -15 mins in 15 watt mode and it would go to 6 watt reserve. This has happened 4 times in a row now so I think this baby is done. My next light will not be a NiteRider unless they explain how they have resolved this problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Simple, lightweight and puts out a ton of light. | | Weaknesses: | None so far but operating it carefully and followed all of the instructions due to some of the poorer reviews. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale road frame. | | Bottom Line: | Had a lot of concerns after reading some of the bad reviews but after emailing John Haywood of NiteRider and getting some reassurances, went ahead and purchased. Great light and have not had any problems with it yet. I have a 45 minute commute and it will go 2+ trips w/o having to recharge.
The battery is very light and the cord is nice and flexible. I ran the cord through the top vent in my helmet and out the back vent to keep it out of the way and simply drop the battery down to my back pocket. I never know it's there.
Head mount is the only way to go as I have a few tight corners to make and it's nice to see the path before making the corner, not to mention anything else off the side of the trail. The headmount worked great for me. Took a little getting used to but I can easily adjust it on the fly and often do depending on how fast I'm going. It stays in place.
About the only bad thing I can say is about a 3-power light. The 15 watt setting puts out enough light, don't know if I would use the others as they are dim by comparison. Maybe that's just because it's difficult to use less when you have more there but I would only use them if the battery were going dead. I do like the automatic dimming feature to let you know you are running low on juice.
I think you get what you pay for with this light. It may cost a bit more but it's worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pancho
a Weekend Warrior
from Medicine Hat, Alberta-Canada
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Spruce coulee | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Incredibly bright- helmet mount fits my gyro exodus perfectly- run time as stated +/- 10 min - ease of use | | Weaknesses: | None so far- but this is my initial review- we'll see how things go.
pricey though | | Similar Products Used: | vista, cateye | | Bike Setup: | rocky mountain element to- nightrider dp-12e & digital headtrip | | Bottom Line: | This is my initial review- completely satisfied thus far however very concious of charging & discharging - hopefully won't run into problems- The light is very bright, easy to use and a godsend for night rides or commutes- the battery is incredibly slim and you don't even notice it in your jersey- I do a fair bit of winter riding so if niterider is concered about low temp problems why don't they make an insulation pack or sleeve for their batteries- up here in the great white north it gets below 10 C often and pretty sure theres a market for such a product. Run times as stated, very sleek design and good output.
so far 5 chillies- hopefully it stays this way, 4 chillies for the price- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Seaton
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | paved roads | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Update of the January review. Not happy with Digital crap from Niterider. The problem with the battery being fully charged then going to reserve after only a few minutes does not happen as often but still occurs sometimes. Big problem now is the original battery only holds a charge for about 45 minutes. This battery was new in summer 1998. Its maybe been charged 100-150 times at most. Not abused. I know the previous owner of it. He rides two Rivendells and a Bob Jackson. Not the sort of person who abuses things. So now when I go for a ride I start with the old battery, under 2 years old remember, and it might get me to the halfway point or about 45 minutes. Then I stop and plug in the new battery I bought last fall. It still works just fine. But at about $90 a battery, a year and a half of life is unacceptable. Only used during the winter rides. Never used in the summer.
My new recommendations are: 1. Don't buy Niterider. If you have to buy Niterider 2. Don't buy Digital Niterider stuff. 3. Buy the regular Headtrip unit. See if the 10 nwatts is enough. If not then buy a 15 watt bulb. Put it in the unit. If the run time is not enough buy a second battery. I really recommend option 1.
Talking to a bike guy recently and he said he has replaced two chargers that broke off the connecting pin inside the battery plug. Apparently a common problem with new Niterider stuff. Recommends putting a drop of oil on the pins to ward off this future poor quality problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Barrie, Ontario, CANADA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Don't know... never got to use it | | Weaknesses: | Bad helment mount, bad battery connection | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider (non digital), Vista Lights (the big ones and the small ones) | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | First off, I couldn't get the light onto the helmet mount. I was convinced I had the wrong mount in the box. I tried and tried then gave up. Later I tried again and was able to force it on.
All this was with the helmet mount in my hand. On the helmet, it would have been impossible. I can now force it off and on, but it is difficult. The ratchet catch doesn't stop it from coming off. (It comes off easier than on.)
I plugged it in anyway. When it was charged, I disconnected the battery and tried to connect it to the light. It wouldn't go in. That's when I noticed the battery end had a male end sticking out of it. This male end was supposed to be inside the end on the charger. It had pulled right out and was jammed inside the battery end. I could not pull it out with needle nose pliers.
I am returning this product to the store for a refund. (Too bad I have to travel all the way to Toronto from Barrie to do that -- in the future I'll stick with my LBS.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lindsay king
a Cross Country Rider
from Milford
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Indian Ledge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Nice light when it works. Helmet mount is much better than handelbar. Super light. | | Weaknesses: | Battery life | | Similar Products Used: | night rider classic | | Bottom Line: | Looks like I have the same problem everyone else is having, short battery life. After a full charge the light is only lasting for about ten minutes before going into emergency mode. The light has not been sitting on the charger for more than two weeks so I don't think this is the problem. The light is probably misreading the batterys charge causing me to stick it back on the charger and overcharge it. If you could adjust the 14 hour timer the light might work much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bottom Line: | Used the Niterider Digital Headtrip for six months now. Road riding only. Bought it used for one year from a shop for about $125. Previous owner traded it in on a Digital Nite Owl. I wanted the 15 watt setting over the regular Headtrip. Its nice. The 10 and 6 watt settings produce very dim yellow light. Not useful. If you want 10 watts go with the regular Headtrip. Its 10 watts are actually bright and white not dim and yellow.Helmet mount is the way to go for lights. If you are considering a light, get a helmet mount. Helmet mounted lights allow you to look around corners. I make turns when I ride at night and need this essential feature. Bar mounted lights don't allow this. I also like to look up the road and sometimes very close to the front of the bike. Helmet allows this, bar does not. The Niterider helmet mount is OK. Allows me to get the light to shine in the right place. Velcro straps snag on the helmet pads sometimes.Run time is as claimed, 1.5 hours for 15 watt setting. Plus about 35 minutes of reserve 6 watt light. Timed at home. I like this reserve light. The regular Headtrip does not have this reserve capacity. It just goes dead. Its nice to know you will have light for awhile. Unfortunately, the 1.5 hours is not enough. My night rides always run 1.5 hours or a little more. So for peace of mind, and to maintain 15 watts throughout the entire ride, I bought a second battery. I didn't like worrying if I had enough light or turning the light off at every stop light. Second battery was about $90. Now I run both cords through my helmet at the start of the ride and switch the plug in the middle of the ride. Cold winter riding also shortens the run time significantly from 1.5 hours. The fuel gauge is neat but worthless. I always drain my batteries down every ride so require full charging. And I just run my light until it switches to the 6 watt reserve or switch to the spare battery. Your watch will tell you how much battery you have left. The cord sometimes becomes disconnected from the battery inside the casing. So you have to sometimes push it back together. Don't think its soldered together inside the case. Why not? On a ride a few nights ago the old battery only ran at 15 watts for 15 minutes before switching to the essentially worthless 6 watts. The second battery made it through the rest of the ride at 15 watts. Both had about a 10 hour charge on them. Will fully charge both batteries over the weekend and see if they both hold a charge next Monday. Its a bit disconcerting to start a night ride wondering if your batteries will fail.Charger is 14 hours full charge then trickle charge. No thought charger.4 stars due to the battery not lasting long enough and the bad connection inside the casing. Its a 3.8 amp hour battery. The Nite Owl is a 4.5 amp hour. It gives enough extra run time to not need a second battery. But it also requires a $20 helmet mount. I would rather spend $30 more for the Digital Headtrip with an extra battery than the Nite Owl with helmet mount. So...I would maybe recommend getting the regular 10 watt Headtrip (2.3 hour claimed run time) and a simple appliance timer to turn the charger off after 14 hours to prevent overcharging. But the 15 watts sure is nice. Another person I ride with has the Digital 12-E dual bar mounted light. It is not as good as the 15 watts on the helmet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Laninga
a Racer
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light weight
Brite light | | Weaknesses: |
Poor helmet mount
Short battery life | | Similar Products Used: |
Various | | Bike Setup: |
Fisher Genesis hard tail w/ SID shock, XTR | | Bottom Line: | Maybe the best of the helmet mount lights. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Racer
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
light weight | | Weaknesses: |
product appears defective
hard to intall helmet mount
cost
could use quick shut off | | Similar Products Used: |
NiteRider Digital Nite Own
VistaLite 400 and 500 series | | Bike Setup: |
doesn't matter - we are talking lights | | Bottom Line: | I am having the same trouble as many others have had - the battery doesn't hold a charge. I have emailed the address listed in the owner's manual, and have not gotten a response in over a week. Maybe it's because they are on holiday?
I bought a Digital Nite Owl at the same time. These two lights make a great combination (when they work). And I haven't had any troubles with the Nite Owl (yet - my experience with the Head Trip is definitely leaving me concerned). Had to switch back to a 500 series VistaLite for my helmet while I try to resolve this Headtrip issue. Maybe using the NiteOwn Battery with the head trip light and mount would be a fix, assuming this is a battery issue as many have guessed? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DON
a Cross-Country Rider
from CANBY,OR
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
MOLLALA FOREST | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
COMPACT,LIGHT WEIGHT, WELL MADE, GOOD BEAM PATTERN. | | Weaknesses: |
NOT QUITE OVERNIGHT CHARGING | | Similar Products Used: |
NITESUN | | Bike Setup: |
SCHWINN (COMMUTER BIKE) | | Bottom Line: | I USE THIS IN CONJUNCTION WITH A HANDLEBAR MOUNTED LIGHT FOR COMMUTING AT NIGHT IN THE WINTER. IT HAS PERFORMED BEAUTIFULLY, IT HAS DONE EVERYTHING I HAVE REQUIRED OF IT. MY COMMUTING TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR 15 MIN., ABOUT 5-10 MIN. AT 15 WATTS EACH WAY. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross-Country Rider
from Carrboro, NC
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Small battery, bright light | | Weaknesses: |
Digital system does not run the light properly | | Similar Products Used: |
Vistalite | | Bottom Line: | The light worked fine for a month or so but now, like other folks here, I'm having major problems. Tonight I was back in the woods a couple of miles and the light shut down to 6 watts - after only being on about 25 minutes at 15 watts. Not fun on a very rocky singletrack. This was after a full charge - and I had pulled it from the charger only about 30 minutes before. This had been happening almost every time I've used it the last few weeks. I bought this very expensive light for two reasons - one, the light weight and brightness and two, the plug and forget charging - I don't have time to worry about how long my battery has been plugged in. Well, it is not acceptable to have it not work after a few months and, from the review below, have the (maybe) remedy be to lose the plug and forget charging feature. I would have bought the regular headtrip if I didn't care about that and saved myself some serious cash. Aside from the miserably low runtimes at 15 and 10 watts, my light also flickers like a candle at the 6 and 10 watt settings. It also jumps to the six watt reserve before the battery gauge has come anywhere close to empty. Looks like a software problem to me, but I don't make these things for a living - I just pay a lot of money for them.When it works it's great, but since it really doesn't, don't buy this one until Niterider has worked the bugs out of it. Given below, I'm sure they'll try to help me, but I'm feeling pretty ripped off right now and I'm wondering if they rushed this expensive wonder to market just a little bit too quickly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonwallace
a Cross-Country Rider
from wash dc
Date Reviewed: December 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | the dude with the long review is on. the manual to this light is totally misleading. the manual contradicts itself in more than one place. it seems that niterider is spending more on image and manuals that look technical but are really just like any other marketing scheme. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Brumbelow
a Cross-Country Rider
from Memphis, TN
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | This is the promised follow-up to the review posted last week. I posted last week's review Monday night at about 6:00; at 10:00the next morning I received a call from NiteRider telling me they were sending me a new battery. By Wednesday, I had it. To say I was floored would be an understatement - yes they check these reviews, and (at least in my case) are proactive in dealing with the problems. Customer service doesn't get any better than that...Actually, we talked about the problems and NiteRider still thinks it is a problem with the batteries (NOT with the way they are produced, but with the way they are maintained). Bottom line is this: the charger that comes with this system is NOT truly a plug and forget charger. (Yes, the manual is wrong.) IT IS POSSIBLE TO OVERCHARGE the battery if you leave it on the charger all of the time like I was doing. It is not so sensitive that a few extra hours is going to hurt it, but do not leave it on the charger for days/weeks. The direction I was given was to pull it as soon as possible when fully charged. If you use it within a week, no problem, the charge should essentially be full. If you don't use it for two weeks or so, then put it on the charger for a couple of hours to top it off. (These batteries - as compared to nicads - do not develop memories so this will not cause a problem.) If you connect the battery to the light, and it fairly soon switches to a SOLID RED indicator, that means it is not fully charged. None of this is an exact science, but the main thing is NOT to leave it on the charger all of the time.I am still a little sceptical, but I am willing to try anything. The NiteRider rep reassured me that if the new battery and new care and feeding program didn't work, to let them know and they would try something else to fix the problem. In the meantime, they hope to have the manuals revised by early 2000. The great customer service gives the increase to the rating. If a problem develops I will repost; otherwise assume everything is working correctly.Sorry for the two LONG reviews, but I hope the details can help you avoid some of the headaches I have experienced - especially if they really are a result of the overcharging. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Brumbelow
a Cross-Country Rider
from Memphis, TN
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Size, convenience (battery fits in a camelback, etc.), power and spread of 15 watt setting | | Weaknesses: |
the digital side - see review | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 9800, helmet mounted system | | Bottom Line: | Ron's comments (in the August letter) are right on the money. I know of two people here in Memphis that have the Digital Headtrip system, and both of us have had the exact same problems (one of us twice!). I bought the light last fall, and initially loved it. Even though the instructions said you didn't have to worry about the charge levels, etc., I was still pretty careful to fully discharge before recharging. After about three months, I started having the problems Ron described - after about 5 minutes of use, the light would switch into the 6 watt power conserve mode, then last the entire 3 1/2 hours that is normal for that setting. I cycled (fully discharged then recharged) the system a dozen times; sometimes it worked, usually it didn't. I called Niterider, as did my friend, and we got different explanations. Bottom line is that I don't think they really know WHAT the problem is. The guy helping me said essentially that the system WAS much more sensitive to the discharging/recharging cycles (thus what I was doing if anything should have helped) - despite what the instructions said. The guy helping my friend essentially reinforced the claims of the manual. As an aside, I will say that the Niterider rep I worked with was extremely helpful and responsive. He had me send the system back in, they checked it out, and within a week or two had my system back with a new battery pack. Supposedly the old one had a bad cell. Well, I have had the new battery about five months now, have used it about a dozen times, and the same problem resurfaced this weekend. This time, I have been utterly religious about the battery care. Full discharges with EVERY use, full charges in between, and I kept it on the charger when not in use. My own opinion is that the switch for putting it into reserve mode is too sensitive. It is activated based on a drop in current levels, which can be caused by either an ACTUAL drop or RESISTANCE within the system. Niterider's theory was that there was some buildup developing on the battery terminals which is causing this increased current resistance. However, they feel like this should not be enough to cause the problems. That is where I disagree. Bottom line: I think the idea is a good one, but their digital programming still has some bugs in it. I love the light (when it is working), but now find myself again with a light I cannot trust. Six watts for me is simply not enough (neither is 10 for that matter). I believe this battery is supieror to nicads - it doen't have the same sensitivity to overcharging and under discharging. The Headtrip might be a good alternative - same battery without the digital headaches - but like I said, 10 watts is not enough. I will be calling them again this week, so we will see what they can do for round two. I will repost comments as appropriate. In the meantime, Ron, I hope you saved your packing materials - you will likely need them to send your's back again as well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bear/MountainTown | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Compactness, light battery, ease of use, bright light. | | Weaknesses: |
Narrow Beam of light, run time at 15 watts is a bit low. | | Similar Products Used: |
Jet Designs, Nightsun, Light-n-Motion, homegrown BOB light. | | Bike Setup: |
Trek OCLV, XT/LX, Z-2 Bomber | | Bottom Line: | Heard some great things about this light after my homegrown system had died. I got a great deal on it at 135., so it was hard to pass up at that price. Used it for the first time at the 24 hours of Adrenalin in conyers, GA and I was really impressed with the light. I was able to ride the majority of the course with the light on the 10 watt setting, fast sections required the 15 watt. Overall, a great light with plug-n-forget charging system. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Bolds
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Marin/All of them | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Small/Lightweight, but also a strong light | | Weaknesses: |
initial repair | | Bike Setup: |
Cross Country | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my earlier review. I hammered this product for not working, even after sending it down to San Diego. Well, San Diego got my response and they have fixed the light. It appears to be working great. The owner of Niterider has emailed me to confirm my satisfaction and wants me to notify him if I run into any trouble whatsoever. I appreciate the effort by management to provide quality control and service. (this is not happening at a major suspension fork manufacturing company in San Jose, but lets not change the subject). Bottom line, if you have a problem with your light, I am satisfied that Niterider takes it seriously and will fix it! I would give 5 stars if I didn't have the bad luck receiving a defective battery the first time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
All of them/Marin | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
When it works, it is light and bright | | Weaknesses: |
It doesn't work. San Diego is worthless (thats where you have to send it if you want it fixed/but they have a lame excuse that you have to burn it all the way down to 0, then recharge when the controls aren't working properly. My problem is minutes after I turn it on, it kicks into low beam reserve mode, even though it is fully charged. I think the digital stuff is for the birds, though I own the digital pro 12, and have only had to send it back once, and they fixed it then, ..... | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
helmet mount | | Bottom Line: | It doesn't work and they know it. Thats why they don't want you returning the product to the retail store. Their repair facility in San Diego is backed up with all the lights people have been sending to have fixed. Give them a call. You'll see. Is there anything lower then 1 star?? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Minuteman Extension | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Bright. Very bright. Light. Very light.Nice. VERY nice. | | Weaknesses: |
You need to use their battery- no just popping another pack of Duracells. The fuel gauge is only approximate. | | Similar Products Used: |
Petzl Mega / Duo | | Bike Setup: |
On my helmet, silly boy! | | Bottom Line: | F****g brigh! Makes me _want_ to ride at night. The light goes just where you're looking, so don't stare at other people's faces if you don't want to blind them.I was running the battery down and the helmet fell off the bed headboard and onto the pillow (well- the kitten probably helped it). Next thing I know, I smell *smoke*... the light set fire to the pillow case and was burning it's way through the pillow, like Captain Kirl's phaser.Be careful how you use this light, kiddies. Only for good, never for evil. But if you want to or need to ride at lnight, this IS the way to go. :) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis Leon
a Cross-Country Rider
from Stone Ridge, NY
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
whichever one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Lightweight... Great lighting at 15w... Am purchasing a second one to mount on the bars... Two digital head trips still weigh less than the Digital Pro Six...Luis | | Weaknesses: |
NONE... Best part is that you can use it for other activities... | | Similar Products Used: |
Niterider Cyclops | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Pulse comp... Judy XC... | | Bottom Line: | I would definitely buy it again... Great light, and great customer support...RegardsLuis | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cocheese
a Cross-Country Rider
from Shreveport, LA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
well thought out features
lightweight
bright | | Weaknesses: |
cost | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Lightspeed
Judy sl w/ Englunds | | Bottom Line: | This thing is really lightweight and that really says it all. Down here in Louisiana the summer days are almost unbearably hot. Having a light system allows one to ride at night when it is at least a little bit cooler. I love this product and have had no problems with it whatsoever. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The City fo San Farancisco | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Quality and Design | | Weaknesses: |
Helmet mount can be further improved | | Similar Products Used: |
Niterider Digital 12E | | Bike Setup: |
1999 Klein Adriot Pro | | Bottom Line: | What a great light! I ride at night primary, and I find that a must-have item for guys prefer to ride at night a lot. Wonderful quality, super bright! I'm running with the dual beam Digital 12E as well. My friend and I light up the sky! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross-Country Rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Light weight and compact. | | Weaknesses: |
The battery is tempermental. | | Similar Products Used: |
Other nightRider products. | | Bike Setup: |
The helmet mount is much better than the handle bar mount. | | Bottom Line: | The light is great when the metal hydride battery is working correctly. I know of a few other people who have had similar problems with their metal hydride batteries not holding a charge. The shop I purchased it from has back me and I am exchanging it for the more reliable NiCad battery model which doesn't have the smart charge and has only a 15 watt light. I kept the light at the 15 watt setting most of the time which provided plenty of light. I didn't like the 10 watt setting after using the 15 watt setting. I would recommend not using the metal hydride battery products. NiCad offers longer burn times. With the battery problem corrected I would give it a 5. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rif
a Cross-Country Rider
from wisconsin
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I spent alot of time reviewing lighting systems,digital head trip won out,right out of the box my problem started !!! charger socket shorts out when charging battery,seems there is poor quality control in san diego. living in the midwest and having to mail it pre-paid to san diego is lame. no more mail order for me!!!!!!! 0-chillys | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Stedman
a cross-country rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The coolest thing about this light is the available headstrap. You can then use it for just about anything. I myself x-country ski and icefish with it, too. Saw two fox last night while walking back from fishing, and the Digital Headtrip lit them up bright as day. Made their eyes look like a couple of burning embers in the night! I compared this light to the Jet Designs and it is as bright and more focused than their 12W and the battery is MUCH smaller. Yeah - you lose a little run time, but it is so nice to just be able to drop the battery in your back pocket, strap on the light, and GO! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
norm
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta. GA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
this is a good light. If you want a helment mount then the Digtal HEadtrip is the way to go. the small sacrifice of runtime vs. the Digital pro6 is probably worth it unless you do seriously epic night rides. you can actually carry two Niterider NiMH batteries and end up with a system lighter than the pro6.
Good light. 5 flaming chilies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a cross-country rider
from maryland
Date Reviewed: February 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great light and worth the 5 stars I'm giving it. I picked the digital head trip, because I needed a light to carry in my CamelBak just incase I got stranded in the woods after the sun goes down. On epic all day rides sometimes this happens and keeping a emergency light system in your bag made sence to me. I also liked the idea of a small compact battery. The NMHydrate battery is small and light. I carry 2 on night rides whick lets me burn the full 15watts for 3 hours. I purchased a offset handlebar mount with the light, so I could use it on the bar or on my head. If you flat or break something at night, it sucks if you don't have the helmet mount so you can see your work. As far as durability NiteRider is the best lighting system out there. If you have no lights or looking for an upgrade the DH is the way to go. Feel free to email me with ideas or comments. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Ohran
a racer
from Provo,Utah
Date Reviewed: February 1, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I used the Headtrip in the 24 hours of Moab and was very impressed with how light it is and how well it lit up the trail for me. I have used alot of other systems and this one seems to be my favorite. I was also using the handlebar mounted lighting system from nightrider. If you are only going to use one light then the headtrip is definitly the way to go.Matt Ohran
7th place Solo Division 24 Hours of Moab | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary M
a weekend warrior
from Vienna Virginia
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Nite Rider Digital Head Trip.
WOW! This is an incredible light! I see people and other night creatures long before I encounter them - No Surprises. Bright and very light!! The 3 levels of illumination help extend burn time. One button control and fuel gauge take a lot of the guessing out of night rides. Always getting compliments about the distance and brightness! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I must say this is an awesome light. Bright, lightweight, and small as hell. The battery fits anywhere...it is as small as a deck of cards. This helmet-mounted light is all you need...10 watts is much brighter than other lights 10 watts, and will give you 2 hours of riding time, plus it has a cool gauge to let you know how much juice it has left. This light will make you happy. The 15 watt setting will turn darkness into day. Way cool | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reed Maxwell
a cross-country rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this light as a supplement to my NR Classic system for a 24-hour race. I've ridden it consistently for 4 months now, and my wife uses it for bicycle commuting. This light works REALLY well. I'm still amazed at how light it is (weight), and for a some trail situations will put out enough light to be used all by itself. It is a bit pricey, but I've really started to subscribe to the you get what you pay for doctrine with night riding and NR products- I've crashed so hard that my light was a completely caked in dirt, yet it has worked without a hiccup. I agree with a previous poster about the smart charger and fuel gage, and since I have a bar mounted setup that I use in addition to the helmet setup, I tend to just leave my DigHeadTrip on the 10 watt setting for the whole ride. Which means one could by the HeadTrip (the non-schmancy version) get the same weight, same battery, lose the ability to switch modes (the headtrip runs at 10 watts for around 2 hours) and have an EXCELLENT supplement to a single or double bar mounted system for even the most technical night riding and racing, for a bit less money. Don't take this as a lament for buying the digital version, I completely recommend this light, just offering some friendly advice. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just replaced the old nitesun with this light and it ROCKS...
Get a h-bar mount and dont blind your friends.
I went with a h-bar mount, tail light, and put the battery in a small seat bag. This set up is lite and puts out light. The tail light will have your friends seeing spots....
that is if they can keep up with you and your low weight light system. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Iwamiya
a cross-country rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
A very worthwhile product.I already use the NightRider Dual Beam Classic, another outstanding product from Night Rider. But quite often, I found the battery a tad bit heavy to lug around. On my mountain bike this isn't usually a problem. I like to feel light and svelte on my road bike, however.With the light weight and more than respectable light output, the Digital Headtrip proved a worthy supplement to my other Night Rider light. In fact, when I ride with both the dual beam and the Headtrip, my friends often think they have a car behind them (47 watts of light !!).Of course, few products are perfect and here are a few problems:1. The smart charger isn't all that smart. It charges for 14 hours and then trickle charges the battery. It does this regardless of the existing charge in the battery. While it probably doesn't hurt the battery, I tend to worry about such things. Of course this could all be avoided if I simply charged the battery when it was low. This brings us to the second problem.2. The fuel gauge is reset when you disconnect/reconnect the battery. Since it is a helmet mounted light, I sometimes disconnect the battery so I can remove the light from my helmet (I don't just ride during the night after all). When I reconnect the battery when I ride at night, the gauge shows a full charge. This
makes estimating the remaining charge in the battery rather iffy.I know I didn't describe the good things about this product. Others will do that for me. Make no mistake I like and recommend this product.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
seth
a weekend warrior
from Lancaster CA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
As the days are getting shorter so are my after work rides. Bought the Digital Head Trip to extend my riding time. It has a 3 hour plus runtime on the 10watt setting and over 1.5 hours on 15watt. The 15watt beam is enough to light up the trail in the 15-20mph zone, 10 watt is fine for the street on the way home from the hills. If your planning 20mph+ faster runs go with more light. For general XC its perfect. Very light, small and bright. I had a Specialized 12watt unit before the HeadTrip, no contest. Charger is only semi-smart with a 14hr full charge timer and trickle charge after that. The new NMH battery is small and will fit in a jersy pocket. Great product, no problems in 3 weeks of use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
WOW. Just upgraded to the dig. Head Trip and I can't believe the level of sophistication. Bright, flexible, smart, light, and really cool! I was lighting up singletrack 200 yards ahead of the pack even though I was behind my buddies.My previous Marwi 6 & 12 Watt system is incomparable to this much lighter single beam that can go from 6, 10, and a blinding 15 Watt pencil beam that slices through the night. The gas gauge is great but you have to take your helmet off to use it. Or have your buddy check for you!This is a T-Bone in a world of mock chicken.....By the way, helmet mounted is way better than bar mounted! | | Overall Rating: |
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