4.1ah NiMH battery flat pack. Overnight 9 hour charger. Individually tested, high-intensity, highly reliable 10w halogen bulb. Quick touch single button on the head lamp for safe,simple and convenient operation.
Submitted by
syndicate559
a Cross Country Rider
from Fresno, CA Date Reviewed: December 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
any mixed terrain XC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Price, reliability
Weaknesses:
charger, charge time
Similar Products Used:
a bunch of cheap handlebar mounts
Bike Setup:
'05 Stumpy FSR 120 Expert
Bottom Line:
I don't really get why people complain about a charger that takes 9 hours or has no LED when you know all of that up front. The bottom line for me was that after purchasing a pretty expensive bike and some of the things I needed, but didn't have from road riding, I couldn't afford an expensive HID unit. This light mounts well and is incredibly reliable. From the first charge, I went the full 2:20 and even more without any dimming. I plug the charger in before I go to bed, put it somewhere I won't forget it and unplug in the morning. It's really not that hard. Sure, some of my buddy's HID units are brighter, but they paid 3-5 times as much. I got an effective light for a price that fits. I'll probably upgrade in a year or so, but this is perfect for now. Bottom line: if you don't like $100 features, don't buy a $100 light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dogg
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate NY Date Reviewed: December 1, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Strengths:
small battery pack, easy mounting to helmet, gets about 2 hrs of run time
Weaknesses:
yellow light, not very powerful, takes 9 hrs to fully charge, no smart charger
Similar Products Used:
Plant Bike Alias
Bike Setup:
XC full suspension
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 10W NR Headtrip (not the digital). Not very impressed with this light. Not very bright, even for a 10W, and has a yellowish color to the light. Have a PB Alias 10W that is brighter and cheaper. Not worth the price paid. It can get you down the trails ok at a semi-slow speed, but certainly not enough by itself for fast-paced riding. No indicator for low battery or for full-charged battery.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Just a Biker
a
from Columbia, MD Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco State Park, Avalon Area
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
- Sturdy build quality - Small, flat battery pack is only slightly larger than a deck of cards
Weaknesses:
- Charger - Brightness - Very yellowish light
Similar Products Used:
Insight 15W
Bottom Line:
This is a decent light if you are going to be doing some light trail riding or if you are on the road. Otherwise, this light will not be bright enough to keep you out of trouble on its own, it must be coupled with a handlebar mount if you plan on riding anywhere technical.
The charger for the system is horrible. No LED indicator, you literally just plug the battery into the wall and hope for the best. You must also moniter the charge time, as overcharging will kill the battery. The Owner's Manual literally says "the battery is fully charged when it becomes warm", so unless you plan on charging the battery on your lap for 5-9 hours, you have to continually check on it. Theres no automatic shutoff for the light either, meaning you can fully discharge the battery until its dies if you arent careful. Features like a smart-charger and auto-shutoff should be standard coming from a company like Niterider, it makes me wonder what I paid 100 dollars for.
I paid less for the 15W Insight light from Planet Bike, which comes with all the things I mentioned above. Its brighter too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Niagara Falls, NY, USA Date Reviewed: August 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
dark ones now!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint
Strengths:
heavy-duty like their other products
Weaknesses:
switch is a bit stiff, would also prefer a coiled cord to help keep exposed cord to minimum in thick woods
Complements the bar-mounted Classic perfectly for riding in tight hilly technical terrain where you HAVE to see around the next turn to make the right line- or else! I'd pay more for a better charger but I don't ride in the super dense stuff all the time so overall the package is a bargain. You don't even notice the weight of the light on your helmet. Beam is nice even spread with no hot spot and surprisingly big for 10W. Works with the 12W bar-mount setting to reduce shadows and gives good depth perception with the combined beams. Nice non-blue light quality and durable strapping system. Would give 5 Chili's if power was 12-15W with same size battery but that's practically impossible I admit- it's really a system with the bar mount light as the other half...I wouldn't ride the same places with JUST the helmet light! casts and crutches are just not cool!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scoob
a Cross Country Rider
from Nor Cal Date Reviewed: November 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Brail, Porcupine Rim, Toads
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great performance for the Price, very easy to set-up/use and lite weight.
Weaknesses:
Charger, this needs to come with the smart charger. Currently comes with the 9 hr charger.
Similar Products Used:
Basic $25 commuter bar mount types.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Hayes, Marzocci Z1, XTR, Time, etc........
Bottom Line:
This light is perfect for those who don't go on night rides too often, but when do, want great performance equipment for a good price. This set up is pretty much plug n play, and the helmet mount fit both my XC and full face easily. The mount allowed a range of positioning and the 10 watt beam was perfect for the fast / technical downhill runs. Only gripe is with the charger, would be better if it was the smart charger, and waiting 9 hrs for a charge is kind of a drag.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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