Another lights thread :)

s1mon

Hi,

I am buying some lights for off road riding as I went on my first night ride last night and it was great fun so need my own lights. I really light the Lupine stuff but there very expensive, anyone use these ? how do you rate them for the money ? I do like the idea of a helmet light as well. I was thinking of the Exposure joystick Maxxfor my helmet and either the Wilma 6 or Betty 6 for the bike.

I'm not very keen on the Lupine bottle battery which they use on the Wilma 8 & Betty 12.

Any other suggestions ?

Who has the lowest prices on the lupine stuff and where can I get Joystick Maxx 2008 ?

Simon.

PaulL

You can 'apparently' get Lupine stuff cheaper from the states (assuming you avoid import charges).

Though after 4 years of owning a Edison 5, I've never come across such an unreliable piece of crap, considering the cost (well ok the topeak HID was worse but that didn't cost £500).

Buy a Hope HID, loads more reliable, all the light you'll really need and half the price of what you're loooking at spending just on the Wilma

stevieboy

I'm currently looking at the Hope LED's or Nite Rider Minewt X2's as they're both getting great results in reviews and both are cheap-ish. They will only be used on my usual trails hence the fact i'm not feeling the need to go crazy with the spending.

I tested a set of Edison 5's earlier in the year, cracking light, but i'd not be alive to use them after i told the missus how much they are!!!! Funnily enough (or lucky for me) they broke about two yards into the ride and i had to swap for another set.

dirtbiker100

I'm getting exposure joystick but it seems no-where will have them in stock till mid november. chain reaction and wiggle anyway. i'm heading to lbs tomorrow to see what they can do.

s1mon

I have been looking at the Hope one's and there LED one's are getting really good marks but then people say get the HID's instead ?

Also looking on Hope's site they have a new led light coming out 1000lumen, 3hr burn time and under £300 8)

Either one's are half the price of Lupine and I like the look of the Hope.

Simon.

Spud Son

I have emailed Hope direct to ask them if and when I can order there new 4 LED light set, but as yet, no response. I have also asked my LBS to make enquiries on my behalf, as my wife was none too keen on me ordering a Lupine Wilma !!!

miket-62

A mate of mine has a Lupine. Brilliant light but he has had nothing but bother with it. Battery not holding the charge etc.
I use Light & Motion Ultra on my handle bars and a Solo logic on my helmet. No bother what so ever! Loads of light.
I'd highly recomend L & M.

s1mon

Thanks for the replies.

I think I may cross the Lupine of my list, I don't won't problems when spending this sort of money on a light.

Does the Hope endurance packs come with two seperate batteries or are they two wired as one ?

The L&M one's are nice, expensive though. Are they worth the extra ££'s over the Hope's ? How good is the beam. They scored well in MBR this month but so did the Hope led's but the L&M must be alot brighter ?

Spud Son if you get a reply from Hope please post what they say.

Simon.

Dr M

ayup lights seem to be getting good write ups in othrer forums (have a look on singetrackworld, or mtbr forums), 2 bar AND 2 helmet lights for £186 (+ import duty / vat if unlucky, but only about 40 quid i think)

http://www.ayup.com.au/

or what about dinottes?

http://tinyurl.com/yrhtfo

bar and helmet combo is supposed to be good as well from reports on other sites. On-one are uk stockists but Dinotte will ship to UK direct.

beam patternr here:
http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... shots.html
http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... -more.html
http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... art-3.html (for the 200L helmet bit)

lastly...
Nightlightning Blaast (check the beam photos, have a wilma comparison)
http://www.nightlightning.co.nz/endurenz%20details.htm

Again, rave reviews on US, AUS, NZ sites.

I'm in a similar position, just considereing lights at moment and hoping to order some in a week or so. I started out looking at the hopes, but new ones not ready til end december. Then i started lookin at USA and Aus / New Zealaand ones. I reckon my choice is either the Dinotte 200L/600L combo, or the cheaper Ayups...or if i just get one light might go for a nightlightning blaast on the helmet. Decisions Decions haha i reckon i'll just crack open some wine at the weekend ant get the credit card out.

Reading lots of forums, seems like all these companies are very good to deal with, even with overseas orders.

s1mon

Dr M now you have made it harder for me to decide :x

I like the Dinotte's and they are available from On One. Good burn times and 2 batteries supplied. I am seriously thinking about a 600L-LI-2C/4C for the bars and 200L-LI-2C/4C for helmet.

Simon.

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

Dr M now you have made it harder for me to decide :x

I like the Dinotte's and they are available from On One. Good burn times and 2 batteries supplied.

Simon.

haha yeah theres so much choice! I think i'm leaning towards the Dinottes too, but i know the Ayups may be upgrading to brighter LED's very soon. Somewhere on the site it says they are testing them this weekend at some race and will post details next week. If they will be released soon and are as good value as the current Ayups i reckon they'll get my money....otherwise Dinottes.

If you do go for dinottes and are wondering about wide / spot beams, i emailed them yesterday (dinotte)

My query...
Hi,

i've pretty much decided that the 600L / 200L endurance package is going to be the best light for me in my price range, but just a quick question about the beam patterns.

Are these both supplied with spot lenses, or is the 600 a wide. If its a choice....can u give me advice on which is a good choice for mainly fast singletrrack routes (odd bit of fireroad too). I've not really used lights as powerful as these before, so a bit of a novice with beam choice! Is it possible to swap the lens in the future, or is it not user changeable? ( i live in the UK so not so easy to send back for any changes / upgrades!).


and they replied...

Without a doubt, the standard lens on the 600 and standard lens on the 200L is the way to go on singletrack. Very few people ever go with the wide.. Mostly the wide is for the most technical of riding where a customer has a dual 600 (one standard, one wide)

The lens could be changed remotely, but I don’t see it needing to happen from what you have told me.

Thanks

Rob

s1mon

I've just updated my post above.

Another thing a like is I can buy a bar mounted light and the helmet one from the same manufactor and a good price. Buying both of these I will have 4 batteries which is plenty and it's still cheaper the Lupine and some of the other makes.

I am so tempted to order them right now.

Simon.

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

I've just updated my post above.

Another thing a like is I can buy a bar mounted light and the helmet one from the same manufactor and a good price. Buying both of these I will have 4 batteries which is plenty and it's still cheaper the Lupine and some of the other makes.

I am so tempted to order them right now.

Simon.

i just updated mine too

Just checking....you found the bit on the on-one page with the kit including both lights for £335....or 315 if you use smaller batteries for the 200L??

I missed it at first, so dont order them seperately its more expensive

steelo

I was searching for ages for a decent front light. After reading all the reviews in the last editions of the generic MTB mags I decided on the Hope LED Vision set with the Epic battery. A couple of guys in my XC group use the same light and it is more than adequate for my type of XC trail riding.

But I know that Hope are bringing out a new LED light in december. So until then I will use the twin LED, then maybe sell it on eBay and get the newer one in its place. I wouldn't be able to justify having both so eBay seems to be the most logical option.

s1mon

Ha ha I was just going to ask you about the beams.

On this link http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... shots.html I'm not sure if it looks wide enough ?

On One are out of stock on the package deal

Simon.

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

Ha ha I was just going to ask you about the beams.

On this link http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... shots.html I'm not sure if it looks wide enough ?

Simon.

that was my thoughts, but check the other link (600 wide and more) and it says he didnt think he had positioned the spot 600 well enough for a fair comparison. there are pics with it repositioned and i think it looks ok + Dinotte said works fine for my intended use (mainly twisty singletrack + odd bit of fire road). Also lens is user changeabe, so you could always swap at a later date if necessary. If you're ordering from On-one they may be able to sort a swap out for you free / minimal cost if you didnt like the one you ordred. try ringing them.

If you get one soon, post your thoughts on the beam pattern you order. I'll not be ordereing for another week or so, as want to check Ayups site after the weekend for there latest LED upgrade news! Arrrrrrrgh!!!

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

On One are out of stock on the package deal

Simon.

check dinottes site, even with VAT and duty, still a bit cheaper. Although more hassle if you wanted to swap beam patterns :?

s1mon

Yeah just been looking at there package deal on Dinotte. I know it's cheaper buying the package deal but you only get one charger which could be a bit of a pain waiting for 3+ batteries to charge especially as I'm not home in the day that much.

Oh the creit card is burning my pocket

Simon.

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

Yeah just been looking at there package deal on Dinotte. I know it's cheaper buying the package deal but you only get one charger which could be a bit of a pain waiting for 3+ batteries to charge especially as I'm not home in the day that much.

Oh the creit card is burning my pocket

Simon.

extra charger is $30 on Dinotte site. Look under spares & extras

http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared ... oducts.asp


Another good thing about dinotte 200L is you can buy an AA battery holder to use NI-Mh AA's which gives a bit more flexability with batteries. On-one have these for not very much

s1mon

I think I am going to go for the 600L and the 200L. Then get two chargers and I would like to get two 4cell packs for the 600L and two 2cell packs for the 200L. You get 3.5/4hrs on each pack then which is plenty and keep the spares in my Camelbak.

Is there anyone on here that use's these lights ? Would like to here their views.

Simon.

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

I think I am going to go for the 600L and the 200L. Then get two chargers and I would like to get two 4cell packs for the 600L and two 2cell packs for the 200L. You get 3.5/4hrs on each pack then which is plenty and keep the spares in my Camelbak.

Is there anyone on here that use's these lights ? Would like to here their views.

Simon.

this guys just got a 200L:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/r ... &t=3283247

Milkie

I've been toying with the idea of building my own, or buying it in a diy kit form..
Anyways, have a look at these, I am so tempted, especially for the price.



http://ktronik.com/cncdelite/index.html

This is where the project started.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=172053

Anyways, it was just a thought!

nferrar

I've just bought the Exposure Enduro Maxx & Joystick Maxx, they work great - I really don't understand why anyone would bother with HIDs these days.

The Enduro comes with the new quick release mount which is a doddle to use, the Joystick came with both the helmet mount and a smaller bar mount (similar clip fastening as the helmet mount rather than quick-release clip like the Enduro). Works great for me as I have the Joystick bar mount on my road bike and the Enduro mount on my MTB and use the Joystick on my helmet when MTBing.

I've only had them a week so can't vouch for long term reliability but everything seems fine for now. I got hold of mine from www.shinybikes.com after cancelling the order with Wiggle as they couldn't get them until November.

s1mon

Hi,

Received my Dinotte 200L First impressions are very cool piece of kit 8) It is very KISS, fits my helmet really well and the connections are solid. Now I wish it was dark so I can see what it's like. If it's got a good beem and bright enough for helmet use I will definatly order the 600L for my bars !

Simon.

I want an Orange

If your contemplating buying a hid, try www.batteryspace.com and check out the trailtech 30w hid (1800 lumens).
With the exchange rate being so good you can get the complete light with smart charger and lion battery for £160 not including any import tax.

Go for the spot instead of the flood as I keep on blinding everyone I meet.

pongles

being on the wrong side of 60 and having poor eyesight in the dark Got a Betty 12 earlier this week had a couple of 20 mile rides off road 9 watts give me a light I can see most things clearly with and a good broad beam 22 watts is really bright much brighter than on the photos you see of them so am a very happy and hopefully safer old fart I understand its a lot of money but I think it was worth it my other lights are 4 Electron 5 watt halogens with 10watt halogens in (no Comparison) although I still use 2 of them as backup just in case

Dr M

s1mon wrote:

Hi,

Received my Dinotte 200L First impressions are very cool piece of kit 8) It is very KISS, fits my helmet really well and the connections are solid. Now I wish it was dark so I can see what it's like. If it's got a good beem and bright enough for helmet use I will definatly order the 600L for my bars !

Simon.

have you got the 600 as well yet

How do the two perform out in the wilds!!

s1mon

Hi,

Haven't got the 600L yet not sure if I need the normal or wide :? and not sure if On One sell the normal and wide, I think they just sell the normal lense version.

Simon.