The New MicroBrute™ charging system will fully charge a battery pack in approximately 5 hours. It will top off a battery at any level of discharge without worry of overcharging. Available for all existing systems (except for TrailRat) and included in many new NiteRider 13.2V and 6V lighting systems. Also available for the MicroBrute™ is an In-Vehicle charging adapter, allowing charging of batteries from a car or any other 12V source.
Submitted by
chris koob
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego, ca usa Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
several
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
3 1/2 hour charge time
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
haro
Bottom Line:
The brute came with my system. People talking about 5 hour charges? Now is 3 1/2. I am impressed. The HID light is the bomb too. After I got mine, all my friends got one too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike B
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$230.00
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Microbrute Charge melted.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
it's a light, what differnce does it make?
Bottom Line:
It won't charge my battery. They are sending me a new one. They say this one won't melt. I will let you all know if thats true. The guy I talked to seemed to have the social skills of a caveman, and the IQ of one as well. I am giving 1 extra chili (for a total of 1) for them sending me the replacement without me having to send in the one I purchased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Harry Hogan
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$79.00
Strengths:
5 hour charge time. Cigarette Lighter Adapter accessory allows charging in you car as well as at home.
Weaknesses:
None that I can find. It has worked perfectly every time.
Similar Products Used:
I have several niterider lights going back about 7 years. Niterider makes great lights.
Bike Setup:
NA
Bottom Line:
I can't believe how good this charger is. I bought a Digital Evolution about 6 months ago and the microbrute charger came with the system. I bought the cigarette lighter adapter because I like charging in my car. I also bought the Niterider Explorer headband so I can use the light for camping, hiking, working in my garage or whatever. I have never had any problem with the charger. I just bought another 13.2 Microbrute quick charger for my older DP 12E. Make sure you get an adapter for the older plug as they have changed connectors. I bought the Cigarette Lighter Adapter for that also. I think it is awesome that you can use the same Charger for charging at home or in your car. I keep my Digital Evolution in my car always so I can use for a spur of the moment hike to catch a beautiful sunset and have a light to get back down the mountain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JEREMY
a Cross Country Rider
from H.B., CA Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
dirty ones
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Rock & Road
Strengths:
warms your hands if its cold outside
Weaknesses:
Everything. The first one nearly melted down, and took my battery with it. The guys at Rock and Road replaced it only to have the second one do the same. Never goes to trickle charge mode, or indicates when the battery is full.
Similar Products Used:
moonlight? First light system
Bike Setup:
2 bikes, one x-country, one DH
Bottom Line:
For 400 dollars, I want a charger that will last longer than a fricken month. My cell phone charger cost me $10, and it still works!! Be careful with these things, or you'll be on the phone to your insurance company explaining how your house burned down.
Basically, I have great light with no battery or charger because it was all sent to NR for a warranty replacement. I'll write another review of the re-re-replacement if/when it ever comes. 0 chilis, if they were steaming piles of shieit, I'd give it five!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a
from CT Date Reviewed: October 18, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
wheelworld
Strengths:
I purchased a storm HID headtrip. I had a digital headtrip before this and the brute worked excellent with it.
Weaknesses:
The 13.2 brute heats up so much I'm afraid my carpet is going to catch on fire! The first charge out of the box, the charger kept going green every few minutes for the first 20 minutes. Later on it kept going green about every hour. Its supposed to take 5 hours to charge one of these batteries! I just kept reseting the brute until I hit 5 hours. The battery also felt warm just after 3 hours...so I dont know if its wise to keep charging it for another 2 hours.
Similar Products Used:
Digital headtrip 2
Bottom Line:
For the money nite rider charges for the HID, I expected better results.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Lee's Summit Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Landahl
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Customer Support
Weaknesses:
Serious Consumer Hazard!
Similar Products Used:
Vistalight, NiteRider Digital Night Owl
Bike Setup:
N/A
Bottom Line:
I excitedly unpacked my brand new HID and plugged it in at work to charge it up for a ride yesterday. After 10 minutes of charging I was distracted from my computer screen by the strong smell of burning plastic! That's right the MicroBrute had heated to the point of melting the plastic in only 10 minutes!
I quickly unplugged the system and tried to ventilate my office then I called NiteRider. They were all at interbike so no luck yesterday but this AM I spoke with a guy that said "it's not uncommon but don't worry they don't catch on fire".
He's sending me a new one via overnight UPS. Hopefully this one's QA tester wasn't sleeping.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Masterson
a Racer
from New York Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike Shop
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
During a charge cycle, my MicroBrute Charger actually heated to the point where it completely melted the enclosure and ignited a small fire on my carpet. Luckily I was home to witness this and not have my entire apartment burn down.
Similar Products Used:
Other NiteRider Products
Bottom Line:
I think this is a really poorly designed charger. However, niterider was very good in providing warranty support for the charger. I'll give them that one!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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