| |
Submitted by
bonzo2007
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lakeshore to Milwaukee | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Very good build quality, simple setup, fast charging, smart battery, no external battery pack, nice switch, good for commuters looking to upgrade. | | Weaknesses: | Not bright enough for night rides on dark roads. Weak throw. Slow strobe. Mounting bracket. | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider MiNewt X2 Dual | | Bike Setup: | Giant TCR-1 Ultegra | | Bottom Line: | I returned the L&M for the Niterider. For a $60 premium, I'm much happier. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from McLean, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$115.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | The light is pretty bright and hassle free. I like it's different modes, especially the blinking. Its construction seem bomb proof. I like how you can leave the charger plugged in and that it takes only two hours to charge.
| | Weaknesses: | The light is hard to remove from the bar mount. | | Bike Setup: | Commute on a mtn bike with slicks on major roadways and trails in the Washington D.C. area. | | Bottom Line: | I like it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Gibbs
a
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | No wires, no cumbersome battery packs, lightweight and really simple to use. Excellent charging system, again very simple and a fast 1-1.5hr charge time. | | Weaknesses: | Not suitable for offroad use where helmet mounted lights are probably a better option anyway | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye lights for many years - simply inadequate illumination. | | Bike Setup: | Flat bar roadie w/ panniers for inner city commuting. | | Bottom Line: | Great unit for urban commuting at night. Strong enough to see the road ahead at a speed of 10 mph. In flash mode I never had an oncoming motorist who didn't see me coming.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Powell
a Weekend Warrior
from Walla Walla, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Harris Park, OR | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$111.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | 1)Bright, 2)Multiple power settings - including blink, 3) good runtime, 4)solid feel, 5)good power hole plug for water resistance. 6)double-click turn-on, 7)Price | | Weaknesses: | 1) Ball retainer in handlebar clip/mount is hard to release to remove light, you almost seem like you are going to break the light, 2)Slightly narrower beam than I expected, 3)Label Residue/staining on top of light from instruction label location 4)Side to side turns too easy and up-down hard to change | | Similar Products Used: | Cygolite Night Rover, at least a dozen Bell plastic ones, Cateye HL-550 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper Comp w/Saint components | | Bottom Line: | MTBR description is wrong. . . it is a 4-watt LED.
Excellent light. Very bright, lights trail well, although for unfamiliar trails I would recommend two lights (still cheaper than less-bright alternatives,) which would give some more depth to what you are seeing. I would recommend this light to anyone.
Suggestions to manufacturer: 1) Re-think the mount--it's nearly impossible to adjust up and down when tight, and removing the light for security is very stressful as you always are afraid you are going to break the mount or the breakaway disc. 2) Make the battery replaceable or substitutable with standard alkaline/etc batteries. If you forget to charge you are screwed, instead of being able to throw some disposable batteries in for that trip. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rosti
a
from Santa Monica
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Helens Cycles Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Self-contained battery and light unit | | Weaknesses: | Hard to dismount light unit from quick mount (handlebar) | | Similar Products Used: | too many lights to list | | Bike Setup: | Road commuter | | Bottom Line: | Works excellent as a commuter light. I would not take this offroad, it's not bright enough. Charge times stand up to factory claims. It simply works like a charm. I have gone for weeks without charging up the light. Other lights are out now that are on par or better, like the Niterider MiNewt setup, but those require a separate battery which can be bothersome if you commute and routinely have to remove your accessories when you lock up your bike in public. This is where the Vega shines, just one item to pop off and stash in your messenger bag. Ironically tho, my props to this feature also leads to a con: the quick release ain't so quick. It takes a good amount of force to slide the light unite off of the handlebar quick mount. Build quality is excellent and so is customer service. A 3-rating for value because there are more options nowadays and this light is no longer the solo player in high end LEDs. That said, it get 4 chillis overall. I would give it 5 if the quick mount was truly quick. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Clara, CA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sawpit | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Light Weight
Durability
Frees up the water bottle cage
Beam color | | Weaknesses: | Not enough to be the only light offroad | | Similar Products Used: | Nitesun halogen system (for 10+ years)
Custom made LED system
A couple of cheap setups | | Bottom Line: | I reviewed this light shortly after I got it, and after 2 years, several wrecks, lots of use offroad and for commuting, I thought I'd give a follow-up. Nothing has broken on it (I keep my bar mount loose so it spins when I crash), runtimes may be down slightly, but not too bad. I've relied on it several times as my only light at Demo - I have to ride slow, but I can ride. Great for the climbs in and out. After my first review, Light and Motion contacted me quickly and provided rapid response to my questions. For what it is, I'm very happy with it. As the LED technology continues to develop, maybe they'll be able to overhaul my light with a new LED and new batteries.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Francois Pepin
a Downhiller
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Braille | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Gift | | Strengths: | Great color, super bright, great runtime, smart charger, 4 power output levels, self-contained | | Similar Products Used: | Performance ViewPoint Single | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Specialized SX Trail | | Bottom Line: | This light is amazing. I've had to rely on it a few times as my only light for descending Demo Forest trails as well as some other local trails. This light is bright enough to allow decent speeds and allows me to attack steep, technical single track. While I prefer to match any bar-mount light with a helmet mount, I'm very comfortable riding with this as my only light.
It's tough to use this light on a fire-road because it's a bar mount and doesn't light up the entire road width. I tend to miss the "features" that are found on the sides of fire-roads.
Fast and intelligent charger helps protect battery, as does the low power notification and auto-shut off. This light has hit the ground a few times in crashes, and it has held up great. The swivel "tension" is adjustable with one screw, and the sliding mechanism holds the light in place quite well. Even through roots, rocks, drops and jumps, the light holds its position so I can keep riding without readjusting.
4 Chilis for value as it is expensive, 5 overall because it's nothing short of amazing and worth the $$ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El
a Cross Country Rider
from Seed
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | - Super bright (for an LED)
- Nice even beam
- All-in-on compact design
- Top notch build quality | | Weaknesses: | - Takes alot of force to remove from bar mount
- No up/down tilt (only side to side swivel) | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing in this category (super brite LED). Just a bunch of smaller 3 light LED blinkers then a gloriosly bright Niterider Blowtorch HID. | | Bottom Line: | Light & Motion is top notch in their execution of lights, everything seems thoroughly thoughtout and designed. Coming from a Niterider HID light that finally died and was too expensive to keep up, I wanted to try a Luxeon powered LED unit after reading the good reviews in the press and online on lights like the Vega and the Dinotte. I went with L&M because I has regretted buying the Niterider over the Arc HID. The Vega surprised me with it's brightness. It is not a replacement for HID, so do not expect that. It's a commuter light that is powerful to be seen and light your way. I like the flexibility of changing from the stronger 4watt setting to see on dark roads, to the blinker for lit roads. All in an instant click. HID has been too bothersome for commuting with all the cords and batteries. Don't be mislead by the photos of the Vega's beam pattern. No photo I have seen has done justice to the Vega's bright beam, all photos make the beam seem narrower than reality. This is an ideal commuter light. It's an offroad light IMO. I think it might be possible to use offroad if you are riding a trail you are very familar with, then there are no surprises. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dwight Kellams
a
from Fishers, IN
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$179.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Garage Indy North | | Strengths: | Very bright light. My buddy was impressed and raved about the visibility and said that I made a good purchase. He finished a little ahead of me and rode back to see how it looked. I had it in flash mode and he said that I was more visible than the car that pulled up behind me with it's headlights on. This was at dusk on a cloudy night. Very clean install on the bike. I just leave it on and charge it on the bike. Manager at LBS had been using his for two years and liked it. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have experienced. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Serotta Fierte Steel. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent value for the price point. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joseph c.
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego,ca.u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | lake morena | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | very very durable,versatile,self contained unit | | Weaknesses: | THE MOUNT! | | Similar Products Used: | light & motion arc | | Bike Setup: | titus racer x, sram, race face. | | Bottom Line: | this has to be one of the most versatile and durable lights
i have ever used. the durability can be validated by the fact that it has fallen of my bike 4 times. this all took place on road rides at about 25 to 30 mph. the main cause can be traced to the handle bar mount, just to weak for the weight of the light when the front wheel encounters rough ground. i did not give up on the light because of its quality, instead i mounted it to my nite rider handlebar mount. it was a match made in heaven, but it will take a little work on your part. with the nite rider mount i can even adjust the light on the fly and have used the light as my handle bar light on our 24 hour races. just a tip on mounting the light, i found that if you use a thin rubber pad right under the light, it keeps it stable
and still adjustable. you will need a larger washer under
the nite rider mount or do what i did, gouge out some of the plastic to make the original hardware fit. this was done with the original nite rider handlebar mount, i have not seen the newer mount. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Patterson
a Cross Country Rider
from Klamath Falls
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brown Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | I purchased this light for street use only and it has yet to fail me. Very bright, and the beam angle is perfect. This light is bright enough that I don't worry about how fast I ride, sometimes speeds as high as 45 mpg.
Mounting is easy; charging even easier, battery life excellent. I use the two watt setting when on flat ground and it lasts 3-4 hours. The strobe is excellent for getting attention in lit areas at night. It is light weight with no battery pack and cables. | | Weaknesses: | The light swivals pretty easilly, which would be somewhat of a pain for trail riding, but like I said, I didn't buy this light for trail riding. I have yet to find any real weaknesses with this light that would affect my riding. | | Similar Products Used: | BLT with a bottle battery pack I use with my Kona | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi Veloce | | Bottom Line: | I have a lot of friends that do nothing but complain about the light setups they have. For me, this is the best thing going for street use, and I recommend it highly. The price is excellent, even at the $170 MSRP. I doubt that there is anything better on the market in this price range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Weekend Warrior
from bristol UK
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | picnic bench !!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | much brighter than your average shoddy halogen or LED light. a great commute light, and the light unit itself is very sturdy. good charging system | | Weaknesses: | like a lot of people have said here, the mounting design is very flawed. i used it offroad once and its just about bright enough, but the bracket makes the whole thing top-heavy, and it wasn't long before it became wobbly. maybe its not designed for off road but even on the road i think this would happen eventually
then one day the light unit pulled OFF from the bracket as i tried to fit it. shortly after it flew off the bars and hit the road at about 30 mph. its scratched to hell but still works! now its held together with glue - so much for the fail-safe design | | Similar Products Used: | countless cheapo LED lights (cat-eyes etc) which have long since disintegrated | | Bottom Line: | ok its a great light, but treat it nice. be extra careful with the bracket and no off roading please! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aussie the dingo
a
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | compact size, no cables, quick recharge time, impressive quality | | Weaknesses: | kind of expensive, handlebar mount, could have the beam a bit wider beam | | Similar Products Used: | just too many to list | | Bike Setup: | whatever | | Bottom Line: | Great light for the commuting cyclist, although more suitable for someone who uses roads rather than trails. The beam might be a bit too narrow for trails, but it would work just fine as handlebar light to complement your more powerful helmet mounted light. If you're looking for a compact yet powerful backup light that can get you home, then you must have this one. This little wonder WILL actually get you home (unlike some other LED's).
The built quality is impressive -- very solid.
The light beam is nice and solid, no scattered patchy spots.
It throws the beam far enough so that you won't outpace it even on a road bike (that is unless you're doing 30+ mph).
My only complain would be about that handlebar mount. It is not that easy to dismount the unit; your fingers will hurt for a while.
Overall top product, although I see it as a bit expensive-ish. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a
from California
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$115.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Lots of light for such a small package. No external battery to deal with. If you're commuting, everyone will see you coming if you set it on blink. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't had any problems with the mount so far, but it's so small that I'm paranoid that it will fall off one day without me noticing. I guess I should just unmount it if it's not dark enough to need a light. | | Bottom Line: | It looks good, has no wires to get tangled, its somewhat inexpensive, and it puts out a good amount of light, but not really suitable to use as a primary light offroad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Gravel
a
from Delmar, NY
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | An update to my previous review, and the issues this light caused with my HRM - at L&M's request (speedy reply to my email, by the way), I replaced my HRM and computer batteries, but unfortunately this did not help.
I ended up buying the DiNotte Ultralight, which did not have the EMI issues, and so far seems to be fine with my HRM. DiNotte says they've picked up a few customers over this issue. The Ultralight is more expensive, but if it is the right thing, that's worth it to me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Gravel
a Cross Country Rider
from Delmar, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$145.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Bright enough for road use, simple design, simple charging | | Weaknesses: | Interferes with my HRM! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | DIY road bike - Ultegra and DA 10 components, DT Swiss wheels, PowerTap SL | | Bottom Line: | I use this thing on the road. Because of this, I don't think I beat on the mounting setup as hard as some others here, and I've had no trouble. Also, for the road, the narrow beam seems fine. Setup and charging are pretty easy. Cannot over charge, which is nice. Plenty bright for me.
The one thing I would add to what's been said here is that when the light is on, it interferes with the transmission from my HRM chest strap to my PowerTap SL computer. I get no data at all for heart rate until the light goes off. I have an email into L&M tech support, and I am going to try another strap to see if that helps, but with the handlebar-only mount, I am not sure where I could put this thing to get it away from the bike computer. L&M mentions this as an issue for their HID lights, but not for the Vega.
Were it not for the HRM issue, this thing would be perfect for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a
from Indianapolis
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | local urban 30 mile rail-trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Beautiful completely consistent snow white pattern, no streaks. Breathtakingly bright for such a small module, it's exciting just to turn it on! Self-contained, no external wires to a battery pack. Great mount, takes 10 seconds with no tool (easily share your spares with friends) and allows the pod to swivel and it stays in place. Will never leave you lightless because when the 15 minute-to-go warning signal starts blinking, just set the switch to "flash mode" and it will illuminate the path for several more HOURS! For extra beam width and double brightness, mount two of these 220 gram units and you're still under a pound! | | Weaknesses: | I can't find any. | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye Stadium 3, Cateye 1W LED models. | | Bike Setup: | Three Vegas down one side of my Recumbent hi-rise handlebar. You should see the chasing pattern when they're all set on "flasher mode." | | Bottom Line: | Just get some, they will make you happy, and your bike buds happy when they show up underlit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from FPO, AP USA
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | The brightness to money ratio! Flashing mode gets attention of pedestrians (I use my XC bike to comute). | | Weaknesses: | Twists side to side some-what easily, but this makes breaking the mount more difficult. | | Similar Products Used: | 10+ $30 or less lights that I tend to brake. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Caldera with Maxxis Hookworm tires and 70mm Manitou Skareb air Fork. | | Bottom Line: | The best light I've seen. So good a bought a second light after breaking my first while using it as a flashlight at work.
I use it on milder trails and for comuting 5 miles to work in the mornings. The blinking feature lets people on foot know I'm comming much better then any bell.
My buddies Hope Vision is a lot brighter but he also paid $400 for it. When we hit the trails together at night my Vega provides me with more then enought light and doesn't slow me down any. My Vega also lasts a lot longer.
A little pricey by itself but well worth every penny! Its also simple and has no battery packs or cables to deal with. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Very bright, simple to use. No extraneous wires or battery packs. The blink mode is great for getting attention on a commuter bike. | | Weaknesses: | The mounting system sucks. When I first got it, it was extremely difficult to get the light into and out of the mount. At the same time, it swivels from side to side way too easily. During the first week it was way tight getting it into and out of the mount. During the second week it was OK, easier to do. During the third week it spontaneously threw itself onto the ground on three separate occasions, getting all banged up in the process. After the third time, it stopped working and I had to stop and buy another light on the way home (this is on my commuter). L&M Tech Support answered my gripe email promptly, apologized, and asked me to send it to them. I did (they got it a couple days ago), and I am waiting for it to be returned. At $175 list price, this thing ought to have a mount that is at least as secure as a $20 Cateye, but it doesn't.
Disheartening to have to send it back after using it for less than a month.
The beam is very bright, but it's also very narrow and doesn't light up anything to the sides. | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider Storm HID | | Bike Setup: | Soma DoubleCross set up as a commuter / all-rounder. | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't buy it again. The narrow beamwidth is too narrow and the mounting system is so bad I wouldn't have bought it if I'd known. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from salt lake city, utah, usa
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | guthries (2100 south) | | Strengths: | bright
battery free
| | Weaknesses: | PRICEY!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Various Cat Eye lights | | Bike Setup: | klein attitude xv//rm slayer70 | | Bottom Line: | I dig this light. I mount mine UNDER the bar left of the stem. I figure this ought to reduce the need for breakaway discs...I havn't wiped out yet with the light on so time will tell. Plus, I think it looks better. This seems to alleviate some of the problems reported with difficulty removing the thing. Applying pressure UPWARD from underneath seems to work just fine. The "tree branch" analogy earlier did make me laugh though. Minus a couple of chilis since this thing is darned pricey. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Klamath Falls, OR
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Compact, self contained, no battery pack, fairly bright, flash mode lasts forever. | | Weaknesses: | Not as bright more expensive lights | | Similar Products Used: | Cygolite night rover | | Bike Setup: | Klein Pulse Race, Bianchi Veloce | | Bottom Line: | Perfect as a commuter light. Puts out enough light that I don't overdrive it unless I'm doing 30+ MPH. Flash mode makes you extremely visible in traffic. I'm getting about 2 1/2 hours on highest setting. Have not experienced mounting issues some have complained about, comes on and off just fine and stays on the mount. I did have to tighten the adjustment for the swivel it moved way to easily the way it was set up. It is extremely nice not to have to worry about a separate battery pack. Overall, I'm very pleased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | All of them. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Self contained, lightweight, well designed. | | Weaknesses: | Awkward mounting! Light unit sits too high and is prone to move when jolted. Swivels too easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Home made wing and a prayer jobs. Smart Lights. Light & Motion Cabeza and Dual Logic. | | Bike Setup: | MTB, Road and Commuter. | | Bottom Line: | This light is a cracker! I've been running two L&M systems for years now and have been thoroughly satisfied with the both product and my numerous dealings with this Monterey Bay company. I purchased this unit primarily for commuting duties and to supplement my Cabeza helmet light for late night road rides and have been blown away by the performance of this little light. I use the flash mode on my evening peak hour commute and EVERY driver and pedestrian within a 200 meter radius knows where I am, - the light literally rebounds of distant traffic signage and the strobe effect half blinds all those poor saps sitting in lines of stationary traffic.
As much as I love this light it does have weaknesses in the mounting department. L&M have used their standard handlebar mount which works fine on their other lights but which doesn't do the Vega justice. Basically, the light unit sits too high on the bar which makes it unstable and prone to unwanted movement. This problem seriously limits the light's potential for off road use - you'd go batty from realigning the unit after every second bump. It's a pity, as this light makes a great supplement to a good helmet unit. As for removing the unit, the previous posting which described the process as akin to "tearing off a tree branch" couldn't have put it better.
Yet despite the mounting problems, I'm still going to give this fabulous little light 5 Flamers. It's seriously good! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randyp
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Light weight, self-contained, blue-white light, swivel bracket. | | Weaknesses: | Definitely not a replacement for your HID setup. No helmet mount available. Self-contained battery means that you need two or more complete lights for long-distance work. | | Similar Products Used: | Nite Rider HID, CatEye | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur, XT/SRAM X-0, Fox F100, Avid discs, WTB Laser Disc Lite/Mavic XC717 with Stan's. | | Bottom Line: | A great bar mount light to supplement your helmet mount HID when doing 24-hour solos. Saves 2 pounds of battery weight and gives you good useable light. I usually use it for the climbs and turn the helmet light off to save battery life. That way, I can go 6 hours on a single charge, so 2 HID batteries get me through the night.
I use it as the primary source of light during early AM training rides in the dark on the road bike. In FL where I spend a lot of my time, roads are flat and speeds are low. You can easily over-drive the light at speeds in excess of 30, so fast downhill riding is not advised.
Not had any mounting or dismounting issues to date and I've hammered the bike on a lot of different race courses. It's a bit pricey but works as promised. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Racer
from Hamilton
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Compact,battery life,bright enough for an LED. | | Weaknesses: | Swivels a bit too easy, will not stay on the bars. | | Similar Products Used: | Niterider,Cateye | | Bike Setup: | Use it mainly on my road bike. | | Bottom Line: | A great idea of a rechargable unit with no battery pack. I bought this to run mainly on my road bike, but I dare not put it on my MTB.It will not stay on the bars of a road bike. I can't figure it out when you want to remove it. it takes some force, but you can ride along for a couple of hours no problem then it takes it into its mind to leap into the road like its on a suicide mission. I waited months on back order and now the unit looks very second hand, the good thing it is tough it keeps working after going down the road half a dozen times. Light and motion sent another breakaway disc mount but that is not the problem, it just needs a more secure mounting method. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john lyons
a
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | The light is compact, lightweight, very bright, easy to use and recharge, and requires recharging very infrequently. It is an ideal commuter light. Also, the Light&Motion folks were very helpful and responsive when I had a small problem with the mounting hardware. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Otterson
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Palisades | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | covered in previous review | | Weaknesses: | In my previous review, I mentioned the mount stiffness and weakness. I emailed Vega to ask about it, and they sent me a new one. It's less stiff and they've gotten rid of the breakaway disk. It's better, but still not as good as the mounts on cheap lights. Anyway, I'm impressed at how fast they sent me the new part. | | Bottom Line: | Nice light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Falls Church, VA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Moore Fun | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Compact, light weight, brightness, run time | | Weaknesses: | power switch isn't sealed well, handlebar mount | | Similar Products Used: | Lume Strada HID headlight, NiteRider Evolution, | |
|
$ 174.99
