[bik_ryder]

I was borrowing a buddies light for Old Pueblo, but he just joined a team and I find myself needing to buy a light. :madman:

I am thinking of getting both a handlebar light and helmet light. I do not want to break the bank, but I also do not want to buy crap. I have been doing some research over on the Light form and was curious what everyone here in AZ is running for lights.

 

[Merost]

I have a Niterider Pro 600, Niterider HID, Niterider MiNewt Plus (has helmet mount), and a Baja Designs Stryker Pro. I would recommend going to bikebling.com and getting a Pro 600 ($339 - 10%) and a MiNewt Plus for helmet ($99 - 10%). Enter REALDEAL as coupon code to get the 10% off. For $400 bucks OTD you have two great lights.

 

[Casual Observer]

I was borrowing a buddies light for Old Pueblo, but he just joined a team and I find myself needing to buy a light. :madman:

I am thinking of getting both a handlebar light and helmet light. I do not want to break the bank, but I also do not want to buy crap. I have been doing some research over on the Light form and was curious what everyone here in AZ is running for lights.

I have the MagicShine*. You can get the endurance package, which comes with two batteries. I have two set ups with a total of four batteries. Plus I have a NiteRider HID and a Minewt. I won't be running out of light.

I do highly recommend running both helmet and bar mount, but if you only run one, my preference is helmet mount. I did one lap with just the handlebar mount last year, and had a hell of a time on His and Hers.

*Note that rumor has it the MagicShine batteries are defective, and have in rare cases blown up. The distributor I purchased them from has stopped selling them because of the issues. That said, they allegedly have addresses these issues, so any one you buy now should be okay. But don't quote me on this.

 

[WhiskersOfDeath]

Magicshine 1400 on the bars..... Cygolite Mightycross 350 on the helmet.

 

[GR1822]

*Note that rumor has it the MagicShine batteries are defective, and have in rare cases blown up. The distributor I purchased them from has stopped selling them because of the issues. That said, they allegedly have addresses these issues, so any one you buy now should be okay. But don't quote me on this.

I WILL quote you on this, neener neener neener!:lol: :lol:
But seriously. I have been watching the Magicshine stuff fairly closely, and the distributor who stopped selling them says the new batteries are no better than the old ones they stopped selling. That being said, you can pick up a light head from Geomangear and a battery pack from a local company called Ballistic batteries. I think you'll still be under $100 for a complete set. You'll need extra batteries though, Checkout the Geomangear and ballistic batery websites for more info.
Gotta do something quick, we're only 5 business days away.

 

[Casual Observer]

I WILL quote you on this, neener neener neener!:lol: :lol:
But seriously. I have been watching the Magicshine stuff fairly closely, and the distributor who stopped selling them says the new batteries are no better than the old ones they stopped selling. That being said, you can pick up a light head from Geomangear and a battery pack from a local company called Ballistic batteries. I think you'll still be under $100 for a complete set. You'll need extra batteries though, Checkout the Geomangear and ballistic batery websites for more info.
Gotta do something quick, we're only 5 business days away.

Do you konw if you can pick them up locally, or only mail order? If the latter, I'm taking my life in my own hands. If the former, I *may* take my life in my own hands. At a min, I'd have to spend $80 for two replacement batteries. My life is only worth $74.50.

 

[WhiskersOfDeath]

I called Ballistic a couple of weeks ago. They said mail order only.

 

[Casual Observer]

I called Ballistic a couple of weeks ago. They said mail order only.

Oh well, it's been a good 41 years then I guess. See you all on the other side.

(Phuck, what will I do if [read: when] it rains?)

 

[GR1822]

Just to clarify:

The batteries from Ballistic ARE NOT THE ONES THAT ARE (allegedly) BLOWING UP, NOR ARE THEY THE ONES THAT A VERY POPULAR MAGICSHINE DISTRIBUTOR HAS NO FAITH IN. They are however locally (very well) made from what I understand. But not water proof.

Sh*t.

I can't comment on the shipping/pickup status, 'cuz I don't know.

 

[GR1822]

Oh well, it's been a good 41 years then I guess. See you all on the other side.

(Phuck, what will I do if [read: when] it rains?)

Geoman will Alledgedly have for sale waterproof batteries that fit the Magicshines for sale at the race. Dunno the price, but I think they're European, and very fancy!

Ooh la la.

 

[Casual Observer]

Geoman will Alledgedly have for sale waterproof batteries that fit the Magicshines for sale at the race. Dunno the price, but I think they're European, and very fancy!

Ooh la la.

Groovy. I guess I'll track them down there, and see if they will give discounts for current MS owners. I'm assuming they are pink then?

I'm curious if the organizer will even allow me to charge my MS battery at the charging station. I should have enough lights to not have to charge any of the MS batteries. I'm planning on doing a max of 4 night laps.

 

[rockcrusher]

a word on lights: During the race, particularly the night laps (Derp), a helmet light depending on the brightness and the race conditions can create a blind spot in the dust from other riders. I remember one particularly dry race where it was terrifying descending the *****es because of all the heavy heavy dust in the that area.

For that particular race I was wishing for a handlebar mounted light for use on the *****es and then my helmet light for the rest of the race. Most people you see out there will be using the helmet light setup as it particularly lends itself to the twisty turny cactusy singletrack that makes up the majority of the course.

But according skinny it is going to rain so that is a moot point anyhow.

 

[mcoplea]

We have been running the NR Pro 600 on the bars and the Minewt on the helmet and like that set up.

We recently switched to the Baja Designs Strykr on the bars and the Strykr Pro on the helmet and love it. Very bright and high quality light systems at a reasonable price. I know they will be down at the 24HITOP with some event specials.

BTW - I am selling a Niterider Pro 600 on CL right now. (shameless plug)

 

[randyharris]

Stryker 700 for only $200, my buddy took advantage of this just today even though this is an old deal.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&p=34277433

 

[AZBob]

2 MagicShine 900's in a box from ediscountbike.com on my door step when I got home this evening. Ordered Saturday, shipped Monday, arrived Friday. UPS ground because I'm too thrifty to pay for faster service.

http://www.ediscountbike.com/Accessories/Lights/Magicshine-900-Lumens-p9343067.html

The version without the helmet strap is $10 less.

 

[kenbentit]

You can also rent lights at the race, not sure what the rates are though...

 

[Grunion]

I have some ballistic batteries, and let me tell you they rock. They last about 3 times as long as my original packs and my lights are brighter.

 

[Cahava rider]

I do alot of night riding, and from my experience you definitely need to spend your money on a brighter handlebar light. The helmet light is useful but, if you're close to anyone or if the trail is really dusty you just can't see. When I find myself coming up behind a rider I seem to turn my head and look out of the corner of my eyes, just to see where I'm going The glare from all the dust is amazing.

 

[RobZona]

Bajadesigns......Strykr Pro on the helmet and one on the bars. I usually just use the small Strykr Pro on the bars and it's a LOT of light, bombproof design, High/med/low/strobe modes. Charges in 2.5 hrs. Very solid/good value lights that are tested at 700+ lumens.

They will be at OP this year and could probably hook you up with a charged/ready-to-go system at 24 hr town, if you contact Shannon asap. 800.442.5292

 

[bik_ryder]

Thanks for all the thoughts and feedback!

I like the looks, specs and price of the Strykr & Pro models. It got some high marks on the Lights shootout section too. I am going to give the Baja Designs guy a call and see if he can set me up for the race.