|
NiteRider
Digital Nite Owl
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Mika
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Surgery | | Strengths: | Strong dependable light. Works as advertized | | Weaknesses: | A bit short burn time compared with the new HID lights | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider Storm | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper FSR | | Bottom Line: | I have had this light for over three years now and it has worked without a flaw. I've used it in several 24 hour races and in countles night outings here in England. It has given me consistently reliable performance. I have read some of the other reviews and have heard similar things from some of my friends, however after looking into it, it turned out that they had not read the instructions and had made some mistakes in either charging the light or using it.
I've started using the Niterider Storm because the only niggle I have with the Nightowl is the relatively short burn time, (1.5 to 2 hours on the 15W setting). Apart from that, I think it is a very good light for the price. Follow instructions to the letter on this one and it will give you years of good use. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott S
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Minnehaha, Spokane WA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Small, light, easy to use, good mounting hardware | | Weaknesses: | Customer Service: they are pretty bad. My digital nightowl had a defect and so I sent it in after two years of use. They told me there was a problem with this generation product. I have read other posts describing similar; output drops to emergency 6watt mode after a few minutes of use and LED fuel gauge blinks red. So, they claimed to have fixed the unit, sent it back after three weeks. Worked once and crapped out with same problem. I decided to abandon the unit and upgraded to HID Storm. Maybe that was a mistake but most say the HID is reliable.
| | Similar Products Used: | Storm HID | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Comp hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line: this product is defective. My Digital Nightowl lasted a year, worked great and I was happy. But I used it lightly and it shouldn't have broken so soon. Don't bother with this one, get a more reliable unit. Also, good luck with the customer service department... they are tough to reach and slow.
That said, most bike shop folks will tell you that Niterider is the lesser of bike light manufacturing evils... there are not many other decent light manufacturers out there. Niterider may still be the best choice figuring price, design, and availability. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher
a Cross Country Rider
from Valley Cottage, NY
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hook Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$185.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensen USA | | Strengths: | Light weight, sufficent light output, small battery, different levels of light output, fuel guage | | Weaknesses: | Run time is shorter than advertised | | Similar Products Used: | Digital Pro 12 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Sedona | | Bottom Line: | The first one had to e sent back after a year because it didn't hold a charge. It also left me riding in total blackness after the fuel guage failed. Customer service sent me a brand new battery at no charge. The customer service rep said it had a component upgrade. No problems with the new one so far after 8 months of use. Customer service was very helpfull and easy to deal with. If you like nite rides over 90 minuter, choose a different light. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Robinette
a
from Folsom, CA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | Precision Bikes | | Strengths: | Absolutely None | | Weaknesses: | Everything | | Bike Setup: | Rivendell Atlantis | | Bottom Line: | Just a follow up to my previous post. I received the replacement light (Digital Evolution) on 1/29/02. By 2/14/02 it was on its way back to NiteRider. The light would not charge and the charger smelled like fried electronics. My LBS returned it for me, NiteRider promptly lost it, and I finally got a refund (Thanks Steve!). Do yourself a favor, stay away from NiteRider. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Robinette
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, CA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Precision Bikes | | Strengths: | Absolutely none! | | Weaknesses: | Won't hold a charge, burn time much shorter than advertised, left me riding in the dark more than one. | | Similar Products Used: | NiteRider Trail Rat, cheapo Cateye. | | Bike Setup: | Rivendell Atlantis set up retro-grouch | | Bottom Line: | A nightmare company to deal with, all talk, (when you can get a live person)no action. As a commuter I need a dependable light and this sure ain't it. I had maybe 7 or 8 rides on it when it stopped working. The light would indicate half a tank, then cut out. Wound up riding in the dark a couple of times because of that. After the first round of returns the light still failed to work properly, NiteRider offered to replace with a Digital Evolution. I paid the extra $$$ and over a month later have still not seen a replacement. All totaled I've put out over $225, including the cost of the light and shipping, and have nothing to show for it. In twenty years of riding, NiteRider is by far the worst cycling company I have dealt with. Also see my bro's comments below. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt
a
from Lakewood, CO
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | None! After sending it back to Niterider 4 times, it still will only work for 15 minutes. Attempting to use this product for trail riding is dangerous. The light is undependable. | | Weaknesses: | After a full charge, the light will only work for approximately 15 minutes. Then, without warning, it drops to the 6 watt emergency mode. The "fuel gauge" also immediately drops from full power to blinking red. The light has been sent back to Niterider four times for repair. However, the problem has not been resolved and still exists. | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | Do not purchase this product. It is unreliable. Additionally, the customer service of Niterider is accusatory, combative, and slow to respond. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Robinette
a Racer
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Clemintine Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Precision Bikes | | Strengths: | None. This light is a piece of S**T! | | Weaknesses: | Not just product weaknesses, rather company weaknesses. I don't know if NiteRider has gone out of business but, I sent my light back after the first ride and have yet to get my replacement. That was a month ago. There is no one to answer the phones at the their office and you cant leave a message in the customer service voice mail because it has been full for two weeks. I have written over 20 e-mails to try and retrieve my light - no such luck. It looks like I will have to eat the $180 donation to NiteRider and have nothing to show for it. Stay away from this company and its products. BELIEVE ME!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye | | Bottom Line: | Crappy company, crappy product. I'm fu**ing out $180 and have nothing to show for it. If anyone has any ideas, they would sure be appreciated. I wish I could rate it less than one chili. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | from friend | | Strengths: | The battery mount, remote switch, battery life indicator.
Thats about it. | | Weaknesses: | LOTS! Expensive!!! I have a Digital headtrip 2 to compare too and my headtrip is much brighter at 15 compared to the night owl at 15. The night owl at 15 feels like my headtrip at 10.
Plus..the battery life is noticeably much shorter with the night owl. I hate the smart charger..it sucks. Luckily my brute works fine with it. The handle bar mount always seems loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider Digital Headtrip 2 | | Bike Setup: | GT i-drive 2.0 | | Bottom Line: | This is the first generation of the digital ones. Stay away from them! They have their flaws I believe.
I love my digital headtrip "2". It performs flawlessly, at 15w its unbelievable and the battery life is great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Strengths: | I'm thinking, I'm thinking...I'll have to get back to you... | | Weaknesses: | Non-existent customer service, poor battery life, stupid so-called "smart" charger, bad mounting, misaligned plug, price versus performance, you name it... | | Bike Setup: | Several, but that's not an issue. | | Bottom Line: | I originally bought the standard Nite Owl, but exchanged it after a couple of days and paid the higher cost for the digital version because I wanted to be able to just "plug and forget" like NiteRider said. I didn't want to have to worry about whether this thing was going to work or not because I commute daily by bike. It was supposed to simplify my life.
It turns out this light has lots of flaws, and it's dangerous to depend on it to get you home after dark. I use it for commuting, but mine does what several other postings mention. It takes forever to charge, then drops from full charge to walking mode far short of the time NiteRider claims the battery to last. This occurs with no warning and no gradual change in the "fuel gauge." It just suddenly goes from full bright to walking mode dim. How can I even consider trusting NiteRider stuff for trail riding?
I am not too impressed with the mounting system either, meaning the connection between the light head and the handlebar bracket. It works loose even though I'm only commuting on paved streets. Oh, and the plug is misaligned and has to carefully worked into place.
I live in NiteRider's hometown and have never even gotten a response from my e-mails and faxes! How's that for instilling confidence in their products? What do I have to do, show up at their front door? Actually, I could...
The bottom line is that this thing does not work anywhere near as good as advertised and NiteRider has the worst so-called customer service I have ever encountered. Depending on them can hurt you.
I wish there was a choice of negative chilis because NiteRider's false advertising and faulty design really deserves it. I'm ashamed I bought into their hype. Don't buy their products. You'll be sorry. Two chilis is too generous. To be cheated by something you didn't pay much for is just an annoyance. To be cheated by something you paid a lot for is fraud. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Landahl Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | It's light and has a good light output. | | Weaknesses: | Short run time for long rides (only 2 hours at 15W) doesn't come with a helmet mount. | | Bike Setup: | Fisher | | Bottom Line: | This is a good versatile light. It produces plenty of light for high-speed fire roads and curvy single track but I have found that I need a helmet-mounted light to supplement the Owl when I'm riding fast technical stuff. Even at 15W you can't see around trees and bends in the trail. I find myself riding too fast on trails that I kind of know but not really with this light. I’ve only crashed hard once so far………
I ride a lot of roads when the trails are too wet and this produces plenty of light for others to see me.
I have the old 14-hour charger and that is a bit long. If I want to ride just before bed I sometimes don’t have enough time to discharge the battery and then plug it in before I hit the sack, thus the battery’s not ready for a ride the next day. I think the new 4 (or 3 or whatever) hour charger will take care of that nicely. I’m thinking of picking up a new helmet mounted light just for the charger! For the price I don’t think there’s anything better.
If money is no object and you need lots or run time take a look at the new HID systems from NR or the old ones from TurboCat. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern VA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Lightweight, very bright, excellent quality and very heavy duty design. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, NIMH batteries don't last long in cold weather, especially below 20 degrees f. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested Performance Lights | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | I employee purchased a Digital Night Owl 2 and was dissapointed when the display would go into "disco mode" and I would lose and regain the fuel guage while riding, the light was losing contact with the ciruitry in the battery when I rode because of a bad connection between the light and the battery. I sent it back to niterider and they fixed it. It works very well now, but for colder temperatures I would recommend the digital 6 pro 2 because it is the same light with a NICAD battery that works much better in the cold. Otherwise the NIHM battery is superior because it has no memory is lighter and charges faster.
My only rant is I had to wait over a month to get my light back from niterider, but they did fix it right. To save on shipping have your dealer send the light back, most will gladly pay for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Not really any. It sometimes works for a few minutes. Wait, one thing works...the three light settings. | | Weaknesses: | Everything! Connection is bad so it goes out when I'm riding, esp. on the rough, fast parts. Sent it to Niterider and they sent it back unfixed. Thanx a lot Niterider! Charge indicator doesn't work at all. Doesn't seem to hold a charge more than an hour. Charger doesn't tell me when its charged like its supposed to. | | Similar Products Used: | Non-Digital pro 6 | | Bottom Line: | Worked at a Performance so I didn't have to pay full price but still got screwed. This Light Sucks! Just look at the other reviews. It seems you have a 50/50 chance of getting one that works. Get a non-digital Niterider light but stay away from these. Other Niterider lights are good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick X
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | lots of light selections, fairly light | | Weaknesses: | battery doesn't hold a charge longer than promised, unplug battery from headlight fixture throws off timing sensor, takes too long to charge | | Bike Setup: | steel hardtail commuter | | Bottom Line: | I usually scan this website to get the low-down on most products before I buy anything. In this case I screwed up because the complaints I'm reading here are the same ones I am experiencing. I got this on sale at Supergo and thought that Niterider had a pretty good reputation. I commute to work 20 miles a day to get myself in trail riding condition. With DST I need to use the light about 45 minutes in the morning before I arrive at work. When I turn on the light the next morning its flashing in the reserve mode. Its cold in the morning in Spring and it appears from other users complaints that the battery doesn't hold a charge well when its cold. It also appears that overcharging could be a problem, eventhough the Nightrider claimes you can't overcharge the battery. I have always tried to completely empty the battery before re-charging it in order to condition the battery as its fairly new. In order for me to commute more than two days in a row I need a second battery at an additional $90 and keep rotating them out between charges.
I have not tried this light out on the trail yet so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt that I would get a longer continuous usage than I do when commuting because I have to shut down the system after only 45 minutes. Still it seems to me that the battery is pretty WEAK overall and should allow you more consistant usage per charge.
My advice after using this product is to do a little more research and find a better solution. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vic
a
from Torrance, CA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Flexible light intensity;
"commuter" mode;
fast, plug-n-forget charger;
available tail light;
"gas" gauge. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive;
battery life should be longer. | | Similar Products Used: | Vista Lite | | Bike Setup: | Irrelevant | | Bottom Line: | I use the light to commute about 17 miles to and from work. I do my riding in Southern California near the beach, so I don’t really have the cold weather problem mentioned by others and acknowledged by NiteRider.
The Digital Nite Owl is not cheap. However, it does offer some unique advantages over other bicycle lights. It’s up to you to decide if you think that the advantages are worth the extra cost.
The first advantage is a “gas gauge” that indicates how much illumination time you have left. I disagree with those who have criticized it. One reason is entirely practical … unlike many other lights, the light from the Digital Nite Owl does not get dimmer as the battery begins to wear down (the microprocessor prevents that). Given that, I prefer to have some idea of how much charge is left in the battery, even if it is only a rough estimate.
The second advantage is the ability to select one of several illumination levels. It also allows you to select other light modes that save electricity when the extra light is not needed (the gas gauge can also let you know when this is a good idea). For example, I ride on bike trails in the dusk where all I want to do is to be seen … I’m not counting on the light to light up the road in front of me. Other times, I’m on unlit, dark roads, and the extra illumination is required. I believe that at the highest setting (15W), the Digital Nite Owl provides more than sufficient illumination for lighting up the road in front of me, at 10W, it is sufficient for lighting up the road, and at the 6W setting, more than enough to make sure I’m seen by others. I’ve heard other say that the PWM method that NiteRider uses to change illumination levels is very inefficient. I don’t know if that’s true or not. All I know is that the lower levels do save battery life, and when used with the gas gauge, that has been a useful feature.
The third advantage is the “commuter” setting. The Digital Nite Owl has four additional settings in additional to the continuous 15W, 10W, and 6W settings. One is a rapid flashing mode, one is a dim continuous illumination (3W), one is a S-O-S flasher, and the other is a slower flashing (commuter) mode. The dim illumination mode (3W) is useful (albeit minimally) when the only purpose of the light is to be seen. I haven’t yet had a use for the rapid flashing mode, and the S-O-S mode is pretty much useless. BUT, the commuter mode is quite useful. I use it at dusk, particularly when the sun is directly in front of me or behind me. It flashes at the full 15W setting, and makes me much more visible in dawn/dusk conditions … that is important. Another nice feature is that in doing all this flashing, the light is turned on and off “softly” … with a gradual increase in voltage. That should result in a longer bulb life.
The fourth advantage is an accessory that’s available for the Digital Nite Rider … the tail light. NightRider boasts that has a 360 degree visibility, and it’s 10x brighter than any other on the market. I don’t know about that. I don’t think there’s even really 180 degree visibile, frankly. But it IS darn bright. Considerably brighter than any other I’ve seen, and it IS daylight visible. Using this light on the rear and the light in the “commuter” setting under dawn/dusk conditions is definitely a plus, from a safety standpoint. On the down side, it’s also darn expensive … almost $60! The mounting is also not as well thought out as the other NiteRider products. The wire for the rack-mounted tail light is long enough for a tandem … and then some.
The last advantage is the Micro-brute charger that is supplied with the Digital Nite Owl II. As others have said, the Mini-Brute (that was supplied with the original Digital Nite Owl) is not a true plug-and-forget charger ... and the charge time is excessively long. On the other hand, the micro-brute charger IS plug and forget, and provides a full charge in about 5 hours. Enough to charge the battery while you’re at work.
The NightRider light looks to be bulletproof … built to military specifications. That makes for an attractive light, but I suspect that there is a lot of “gold-plated” engineering here that does nothing to increase durability or performance.
The bottom line is that the NightRider Digital Nite Owl is a very good, but expensive light.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant Salter
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | It's weight and that is all becauase this like SUCKS. | | Weaknesses: | The Burn time sucks in cold weather. They advertise a plug and forget charger but will send you a letter telling you not to leave it plugged in for more than 14 hrs. I have sent my light back 4 times for repair and the customer services in warrenty suck they are not very understanding at all. I commute 14 miles a day 5 days a week I do not own a car by choice. I bought this light because of all their claims of being the best light on the market. Well my light worked for a month then would not hold a charge. Returned for repair on my expense. Got it back and worked for about 3 months the same problem. Sent back for repair my expense. Got it back worked for a shot period and on my way into work a fully charged battery and the stupid thing wouldn't even turn on. After many tries of just trying to get them to replace the light they would not. So I talked to my Rep and he told me he would talk to them and get me a new light. My rep called me back and said; send it in they are going to give you a new light. Two weeks later I got my light, the same one never fixed or replaced. The work order even says to replace and put into the demo pool. Since I got it back it has been used once and now the thing won't turn on. It has turned into taking them to small claims court because I want my money back but they don't seem to care, they think nothing is wrong with the light but I would like one of them come and ride with me for a week and use my light in heavy traffic at night bet they replace it then | | Similar Products Used: | A damn flash light from the dollar store. | | Bike Setup: | Why bother putting it on a bike? When it serves better as a paper weight! | | Bottom Line: | This light is a piece of garbage do not buy it. Don't even try dealing with the customer service I'm a dealer and they won't do crap for me or their REP. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Cobb
a Cross Country Rider
from Stratham, NH
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$189.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Small and lite weight. Fits anywhere on the bike. Great light when it worked. | | Weaknesses: | Worked in Oct and then quit in November. Could be cold related (see previous review). Even though battery was fully charged went into reserve mode. It would stay in reserve mode forever (indicating that it was not out of juice). Returned it to Performance... I wanted a new one that worked, instead they gave me my money back, oh well, I got the use of it through Oct for free! The guys at performace are great. Never had a problem with them that they did not rectify. | | Similar Products Used: | I have the nite rider 6 and the head trip. Both products are great. I have dropped kicked both and they come back ticking. | | Bike Setup: | Sugar III | | Bottom Line: | I bet you they have this problem licked already and that I just got an early version that had a small bug. I would like to by another if I knew the problem was fixed. However my wife is standing behind my while I type this and asking... 'Why a THIRD LIGHT!, we need new carpet... NO MORE TOYS!'.... oh well...can't get her to understand this basic formula:
increase wattage = increased speed
therefore...
more fun
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$211.00 | | Purchased At: | NiteRider | | Strengths: | I bought the Digital Pro-12 light from NiteRider on employee purchase a little over 3 years ago. The battery stills gives me consistent run times. I highly recommend the digital lights. I might buy the new Pro-12 with the LCD display sometime in 2001. I also use a Niterider Pro-6 single beam on my helmet. Niterider charges a ton of money for the batteries so I bought a 7 amp hour 6 volt sealed lead acid battery from an electronics store and use that to power the light. The battery cost me $13. The battery sits nicely in my Camelbak | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, WORTH THE MONEY! | | Bottom Line: | Niterider makes the best line of lights. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Maizel
a Cross Country Rider
from Ithaca, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Shingdan Hollow | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | Mail-Order | | Strengths: | Strong casing, QR Mount, Weight | | Weaknesses: | Misaligned plug jack, dumb "smart" charger, lasted only one season. Terrible customer support | | Similar Products Used: | Homemade, Performance, Digital Headtrip, Vista lights | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Cannondale Jekyll 2000 | | Bottom Line: | I have one of the early production Digital NightOwl units (it does not have the chip with the walk mode) I bought last fall. This fall the unit has been malfunctioning. I charge it the full 14 hrs, until the charger blinks green, and yet it only runs for 20-30 minutes until going into the 6W emergency (red blinking mode). This has happened every time I’ve gone out this year, 6-7 times so far. Luckily for me, I had a Performance NiMH Headlamp that I could still ride with, but not very well with it alone - its a flood, 12W.
Nightrider was not very understanding of my problem. I've been without the unit now for about three weeks. Basically, it was worthless this season. I even offered to pay extra to ship me a new unit instead of repairing my old one. They said they couldn't do it, I guess they don't know what customer service is. My next light won't be a Nightrider.
If you are looking for a good light from a company that cares, check out Jet Designs, Light & Motion, or Performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Muddy ones | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | Light, bright, easy to use, 5hr charge, convenient remote button | | Weaknesses: | cost | | Similar Products Used: | vistalight | | Bike Setup: | Metal tubes with rubber wheels | | Bottom Line: | This is a great light and it's bright. The remote switch makes it easy to change the setting to extend battery life. My package came with a microbute charger that charges the battery in 5hrs. The fuel guage works well. I was virtually forced to buy this light because my frame doesnt have any water bottle mounts. The mounts and headlamp looks much stronger then the vistalight. Overall a very good product | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clemente
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | For the details check my review of the Digital HeadTrip. The same comments apply as I use these lights together. The bottom line is that NiteRider is seeming to step up to the plate to address product weaknesses. I'm giving a pair of fives to counter my previous reaming... Fair's fair. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Conal Ho
a
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | n/a | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$219.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeworld.com (free shipping at that time) | | Strengths: | Light weight; many different light and flash modes; power management system; charges in 5 hours (if you have the Digital NiteOwl II model which comes with the Micro Brute Charger) | | Weaknesses: | yellow light in all settings; highest setting of 15w for some odd reason is the same brightness as my TrailRat 10w setting; about 1hr 45 minutes of battery life if on 15watt setting | | Similar Products Used: | Trail Rat | | Bike Setup: | Trek 520 (touring bike); I don't do trails ;-) | | Bottom Line: | The Digital NiteOwl II was a little disappointing at first, but I'm beginning to grow fond of the product. My major complaints are two:
1. the highest setting of 15w gives the same amount of brightness as my much cheaper TrailRat which only has one setting and is at 10w ($99). And related to this, the TrailRat gives off about 2hr 15 minutes of 10w light while the Digital NiteOwl II gives off about 1hr 45 minutes (30 minutes difference) at 15w, and both are the same brightness
2. all light settings (6w, 10w, 15w) are noticeably yellow, although at the 15w setting, it is less yellow. Nevertheless, compared to my much cheaper TrailRat, the 15w Owl is yellower than the 10w TrailRat.
These weaknesses can be overlooked and eventually got used to. This product is great in that there are many power management features and the charger is very fast (this is true only if you have the Digital NiteOwl II model which comes with the MicroBrute charter; older Digital NiteOwl models do not come with this). I also like the fact that this light is very light. The other good thing is that the Digital NiteOwl II lamp is compatible with many other batteries like the Digital Pro 6 Extreme (you don't even need to buy a new charger!) which is a large bottle style battery meaning longer life.
Overall, I would suggest that before you buy a NiteRider system, check to make sure you like the brightness and colour of light; i.e., witness the darn thing in operation for brightness and colour. I read through product feature guides from NiteRider and was expecting a system that was brighter than my TrailRat. Imagine my disappointment when the product produces the same amount of light at a higher wattage system with shorter battery life.
Also, as a bicycle commuter and tourist (I'm not a trail rider, sorry folks) this light is adequate for those kinds of people. I'm not sure it's adequate for trail riding. In fact, the TrailRat might be more suitable because it's just as bright and burns longer.
* Minus one chili for not having white light; minus another chili for not being a brighter light than a 10w TrailRat; minus half a chili for being so expensive and neither surpassing the TrailRat on burn time (unless you use the 10w rating or lower). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clemente
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Barton Creek Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bike Setup: | Who cares? Digital NightOwl and Digital Head Trip combo. | | Bottom Line: | The Niterider Digital series borders on deceptive trade to me. The light is just fine, although the lower settings should be used only when you think you may run out of power (the light is really yellow on lower settings). The "plug and forget" just isn't. There's plenty of info about the company's misrepresentation out there, but if you talk to the product rep they'll tell you to unplug it after 14 hours or risk ruining the battery. They'll replace your battery if you call them on this, at least they did mine, but you have to ask. Why then, do they still sell it as "plug and forget"? If I had it to do over I'd buy the non-digital Nite Owl and Headtrip combo, and spend the money I saved on an extra battery. Or look to a company that doesn't misrepresent their product. The light on full power is a 4 the "digital" is 2 of five, and the "plug and forget is a big "0", which brings it down to 2 sorry chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Chula Vista, CA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, small battery with numerous mounting options, NiMH battery, digital features (adjustability of brightness allows for power management, especially useful on longer rides), fuel gauge, relatively bright, versatility (with purchase of helmet mount it makes a decent helmet light, not as small a battery as the headtrip, but try that with your water bottle battery...) Good customer service. | | Weaknesses: | None really. It depends on your needs. Battery Capacity is limited for longer rides, forcing you to lower wattage to extend run time. Some, like me, may want more light for more time. | | Similar Products Used: | NiteRider Digital Headtrip, Digital Pro-12 Extreme (makes people think your a car) | | Bottom Line: | This was the first high-performance light I had bought. I liked the size, light weight and versatility of the battery. I was very impressed with it at first, and for the most part I still am. I later tried it out with the regular headtrip at a local NiteRider ride, and thought that was a great combination. So I purchased a Digital Headtrip. For some reason my Dig. Headtrip's beam was somewhat whiter and seemed a little brighter than the Dig. night-owl's. They both use the same 15w bulb so I assumed they should be the exactly the same. I dropped it off at NiteRider, and it checked-out fine. Maybe a freak thing, possibly the bulb. (Thier customer service was great). It really is not that big of a deal, but I do most of my riding at night so I decided to upgrade and purchase the Dig. Pro-12 Extreme. (If you need more light than the Dig. Pro-12, you should ride during the day).
The Digital Night-Owl, is a great light, especially if your rides are not that long. Combined with a helmet-mounted light it makes a great combo. For gram counters, its much lighter than the Pro-6 or Pro-12 (the non-digital night-owl battery is even lighter). With the light weight, I wouldn't second guess mounting the light for an afternoon ride even when I thought I would be back before dark. When your having fun... Probably a good light for commuters too. Even though the battery life is somewhat limited, in all the times I used the light only twice did it drop into the 6w reserve mode before I got home (I did have to use good power management). If it matches your needs its a great light. Look for it on sale! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | I've tried a couple other light setups for my hardtail, but overall this one is the absolute *BEST*!
This light makes me want to ONLY ride at night. The quality is top-notch and the design is great. I didn't think I would find the battery meter useful, but boy was I wrong. I am always looking at it to make sure I have enough juice left for the ride.
The only downside I can think to this great product is that it takes 14-16 hours for the freaking battery to charge. That might be a problem once I take this baby away from civilization. If you can deal with the long charge time, I would buy this baby in a heartbeat!
BTW- The only place I could find it for under it's $219 list price is performancebike.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob McIntyre
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton,Alberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Multiple lighting levels. Light weight, does not use water bottle cage. Ease of use. Long ride time, weather resistant, tough. Bright. Strobe is great in heavy daytime traffic. Well engineered. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of smart hi-rate quick charger. Poor cold weather performance. Price is a bit high | | Similar Products Used: | Used to design and build own lights and chargers using gel lead acid battery packs and whatever was available for a light. Two BLT systems. A single 6w then a 6/10 watt setup. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | I am a year round commuter and trail rider. I put on 3500 to 4000km per year. My current bike just rolled over the 20000k mark last month. I also do some shift work so a decent lighting system is a must.
If you live in an area where the temperature does not go below freezing, then this is a great light. Get it. I use this light for commuting and long night rides on our river valley trail systems. I have taken it on some of our unlit trails and it was a novel being able to actually see where I was headed. My old lights let me travel the trails but I would have to crawl along. Not any more.
In this part of the world, I need a light that will work down to -20C. I checked the cold weather performance specs for NiMH batteries and they are capable of working quite well at the temperatures I ride in. The problem seems to be in the automatic low battery voltage cut off system that prevents over discharge of the battery. The cold depresses the battery voltage just enough to make the circuit think the battery is about to die. It then switches the light into reserve mode [6w]. In fact the battery still has most of its capacity left and is in no danger of overdischarge. This has happened in as little as 10 minutes of riding. The last part of my commute is down dark side streets and this is where I need the 15 watt setting the most. All I can get is 6 watts.
When I first got the light and the temperatures were just around freezing, it was really nice. The light worked as advertised.
Since it got cold, it has been a different story. I have checked the battery at room temperature several times as I thougt it was failing. At room temperature, the battery consistantly exceeds its rated specifications.
I have send two emails to niterider. I got one response saying they would get back to me. They did deal with a mount problem I had very quickly, but on the cold weather issue, I have heard nothing.
If the cold weather problems can be fixed then I will revise this review.
If you live on the West Coast or in an area that never gets below freezing then this light will do the job and gets a 5 out of 5.
BUT if you live in a 'colder' climate then it only deserves a 3 out 5 cuz thats the fraction of the year that it will work well.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Racer
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
light weight
good light pattern and multiple wattages
easy to install | | Weaknesses: |
- cost
- fear related to problems I am having with a Digital headTri[p bought at same time
- charger and power meter aren't smart | | Similar Products Used: |
VistaLite 400 and 500 series | | Bike Setup: |
doesn't matter - we are talking lights... | | Bottom Line: | This seems like a good product. Very light. Being able to choose between 6, 10, and 15 watts is nice. Could use an quick shut off, should you want to be stealthy.
Disapponting that for a light at this price the charger and the power meter aren't really smart - both are just glorified timers, so not really reading the amount of charge needed/available.
I am having serious troubles related to a Digital Head trip I bought at the same time - I'll put a review there soon, but it will match many of the others. Scares me that a similar problem may occur here, though it hasn't yet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a Weekend Warrior
from Montclair, NJ
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Case Mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light,bright,easy to use | | Weaknesses: |
Sent with spot - would like to try flood. Charger is set to charge 14hrs. - no ajustability or fast charge | | Similar Products Used: |
Jet | | Bike Setup: |
Voodoo hardtail (as if it matters with a light) | | Bottom Line: | A great light. Rode next to a friend with the older Niterider(non-digital)bar-mounted dual beam and was impressed by the NiteOwl's brightness and multiple settings. My experience makes me want a digital Headtrip. I would put a flood bulb in my bar light and a spot on my head. No problem handling the super technical Connecticut trails I drive two hours each weekend to ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clark
a Weekend Warrior
from Corvallis, OR
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Very bright, even on lowest setting
Easy to mount, no water bottle cage required
NiMH
Compact | | Weaknesses: |
Cost | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Kona cyclecross | | Bottom Line: | Worthy purchase, a very good lamp | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Snoek
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Lightweight low profile NiMH battery, new frame-velcro battery mount (does not need a H2O cage), new quick release light mount, low profile remote switch, bright enough for urban rides at 15W. Usual 15/10/6/Flash modes + 3W walking mode (see below). Good burn times. Great design. | | Weaknesses: |
Still a dumb charger w/internel 14hr timer -> trickle mode. Price. Need to have NiteRider swap internal chip for 3W mode (see below) | | Similar Products Used: |
Digital Pro6, 70W homegrown light off a 7-AH brick. Fiat Lux :-) | | Bike Setup: |
the Blue Goose: 7005-Al Mongoose IBOC + LX/XT + old Indy C = nice 15lb Hardtail ride | | Bottom Line: | Here it is boys and girls, the next Niterider toy on the block, and until I rebuild my homemade light from hell this is ideal. My frame comes to a Y in front so the velcro mount is perfect: easy to install, and doesn't require a water bottle cage. The battery is quite light and small and could be used like the Ditial Headtrip if one had the cable extension/helmet mount/velcroed the remote switch to side of helmet. See http://www.bikeworld.com/niteowl.htm for a picture as this product isn't on Niterider's web page yet. (Some of the specs on that page seen to be off:) This light has a rated 15W life of 1:45 in my manual which seems to be right from my first battery depletion.This light will have a 3W addition to the flash mode, as a light to use while walking a bike up a hill, etc. But while they included this feature in the manual, and on the side of the box, they haven't included this 3W feature in the production model lights yet., it's apparently still in Beta. But they have nicely agreed to swap my light-head's chip when it is in production. It still has a dumb charger, but one can get a 50$ Radio Shack smart charger that can charge the battery faster and in a more intelligent way (-dV/-dT) . Some people don't like the dimmer light modes, but I find them to be useful if you still want a light for safety, but don't need a light as much for visibility...or, you don't want to blind an upcoming cyclist. The fuel gage hasn't changed, and it isn't entirely accurate, but if you use the same light for several short nite rides between charges, it's a nice feature . Like the previous models, it includes a reserve tank. Last night I was biking around, waiting for this reserve tank to deplete itself, and it finally did...40 minutes after the red light flashed Red in 6W mode! The quick release bracket is very adjustable , so you can have it fairly tight, and make small adjustments by hand for road riding. Bottom line: it's expensive (219 retail, 189 @ Performance), so belong to REI or Team Performance if you pick this baby up to get something , anthing back.....but with such a small battery and such a easy to use light, it makes a great package for all around riding. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 219.00
