Off-road lights for £100-200: which company?? which type?

wildwildebeest
wildwildebeest Posts: 80
edited November 2007 in MTB buying advice
I've seen some pictures of HID/LED against halogen and I like how white they look, but I still don't really know what type of light to get, let alone which of the manufacturers to plump for:
What are people's views about off-road lights for XC: I favour birghtness over runtime as I won't be out for more 2 or 3 hours at once....?

also, by buying them at this time of year am I guaranteed to get bad value for money? just a thought.

any help much appreciated!
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Comments

  • El Capitano
    El Capitano Posts: 6,401
    If you want brightness over runtime, then go for Halogen. Look at the Li-On systems from Lumicycle.
    1 2 3 4 (Dead)5 6
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yeah, the Lumicycle Halogens throw out a tremendous amount of light for the money. Runtime is more like 2 hours though.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    OK I've read up about the ayup lights in the other threads, they sound like a good bet and they look good....but:
    There is a set of Lupine Passubio XL 's for sale for £160: should I get those (apparently 500 lumens, runtime 2hrs, halogen)???

    or opt for the ayup's at the same price, once you get rid of the pointless stuff in the regular kit, (2X 250 lumens, runtime 3hrs with the small battery, LED)?

    [is 500lumens equivalent to 2x250? is the lumen count even a reliable marker of brightness?]
    My instinct is for the ayup's but an expert opinion wouldn't go amiss

    As for lumicycle I could only get a single 260lumen lamp with a runtime of 2.5hrs for £170, and theyre heavier, bigger, look worse and are halogen so not as natural a light....

    Cheers for your help guys I know there's a lot of lights threads on here and especially supersonic who's always here! (did you sell the beone frame by the way? mine's still going strong - even had a race on it :) )
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Lumens is the most comparable method: though the spread of the beam is important.

    The Lumicycle 20 kicks out 650 lumens.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

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  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    true that's a big difference, but at that price it's only 1.1hours runtime which is not enough....
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Run times depend on mode too, MBR had it at 2 hours.

    Exposure make some good ones for about 200 quid.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    nah that's really pushing the budget considering I'm only riding for fun - but yeah the maxx looked pretty nice
    what dyou reckon about buying this time of year? i'm keen to get a good deal obviously
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I'm pretty much in the same boat to be honest - deciding wheter to get a cheap set to test the water or go for summat a bit lighter and brighter. BLT Metrino always tickled my fancy at 50 quid, combined with a helmet light.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    well I can't help thinking that although the lumicycles ones look good, I can get two for that price from ayup: it's surely an advantage to have a helmet ounted light as well.... battery runtimes are better as well...
  • Eranu
    Eranu Posts: 712
    I have AYUPs got them last week, for the money I don't think you can go wrong. OK they are about £185 but thats for both a bar and helmet light with chargers, mounts and 2 x 3 hour batteries and a 6 hour battery, plus they come in a really nice case to store them in for the summer.
  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    The Joystick Maxx is well inside your budget at around £160 the Race Maxx squeezes out at around £220. The Nite Rider MiNewt LED Li-ION System is in there at around £150. You could rob a bank and buy a Busch and Muller Big Bang, infact if you do rob a bank would you buy me one as well? :)

    Unless you find a Metrino on someones shelf they are discontinued.
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    I suppose it comes down to: is it better to have one good light on the bars, or two not quite as good lights - one on the bars, one on your helmet?...

    ayup lights cost £160 without the 6hr battery...

    also can get a 2005 exposure race turbo for the same price, but i'm thinking that technology changes quickly with these things...
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    What price do Ay Up lights work out at once the import duty, VAT and couriers commission for paying on your behalf is taken into account?
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    delivery was included in that price ($36)

    of all the stories i've heard about the ayups there have been lots of people worried about VAT and stuff but noone has actually got stung as far as i can tell...
  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    The new Exposure Maxx lights are smaller and brighter than the originals. The joystick is the size of a boardmarker.
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • jbford
    jbford Posts: 101
    I know it's outside of the stated budget but what are everybodys thoughts on the Hope Vision HID?
  • Underscore
    Underscore Posts: 730
    wildwildebeest wrote:
    delivery was included in that price ($36)

    of all the stories i've heard about the ayups there have been lots of people worried about VAT and stuff but noone has actually got stung as far as i can tell...

    I've certainly read of a couple people saying that they were hit for import duties, so it is a risk you run; I appear to have got away without paying it. However, those who have paid seem to say that it simply makes the lights good value rather than great value...

    _
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    exposure by USE battery is in the light unit, not like those ridiculous Hope monstrosities.
    Very bright and robust.
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    Underscore wrote:

    I've certainly read of a couple people saying that they were hit for import duties, so it is a risk you run; I appear to have got away without paying it. However, those who have paid seem to say that it simply makes the lights good value rather than great value...

    _

    So you have some ayup lights then, Underscore?? Worth it? I think I'm gonna end up buying them... as for the extra charges they've just put up some information about it on the website, at: http://www.ayup.com.au/uk-whatsnew.php . Apparently could get charged £40-45 which makes it sounds expensive - if i tell myself i'm spending £160 on lights it's fine but £200 and it sounds like silly money to spend on lights...
    Also not sure whether or not to wait until january where they have the better batteries that also have different power levels...

    Does anyone know what they mean when they say existing customers upgrade at cost price? Does it just mean that everything is reduced for you, or do they literally take your lights and upgrade them?

    Cheers
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    what the f*$%"K is that all about, batteries and wires hanging everywhere.Get real.
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    yeah the wire-free business is a good thing about the use systems, but they're quite expensive and not as bright, I also like the idea of getting 2 separate units.
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    wildwildebeest wrote:
    yeah the wire-free business is a good thing about the use systems, but they're quite expensive and not as bright, I also like the idea of getting 2 separate units.
    christ how bright do you want, any brighter than my exposure and I may as well just ride during the day. Cars coming towards me slow down when they see my light 'cause they're not sure what is coming towards them with such a bright light.
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    which one do you have?
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    wildwildebeest wrote:
    which one do you have?
    A joystick I think, it came with two batteries, has two lamps and three settings, flashing, low and high beam. Chain reaction don't list anymore. It was £329 I think. But having two batteries is great, I can go out and not worry about having to ride home without a light. When the battery gets low it flashes, you can then put it on low beam until it gets too low for that and then get home on the slow flashing mode. But usually I change the battery and carry on. After messing about with cheaper lights with loose batteries and cables its worth its weight in gold.
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    Well each of the batteries with the ayup's runs for at least 3 hours which is enough for me, though a warning system does sound pretty cool. At £329 I'd expect it to be a lot brighter than what I'm looking at anyway.
    Confusing cars sounds fun, I'll admit that I won't be happy with it unless I can blind motorists with it...
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    wildwildebeest wrote:
    Well each of the batteries with the ayup's runs for at least 3 hours which is enough for me, though a warning system does sound pretty cool. At £329 I'd expect it to be a lot brighter than what I'm looking at anyway.
    Confusing cars sounds fun, I'll admit that I won't be happy with it unless I can blind motorists with it...
    I must say they do look cool in those nice colours.
  • wildwildebeest
    wildwildebeest Posts: 80
    I know, makes the decision REALLY hard especially as red is out-of-stock
  • thaibog
    thaibog Posts: 271
    jbford wrote:
    I know it's outside of the stated budget but what are everybodys thoughts on the Hope Vision HID?

    I have a set mate..unbelievably bright...runs for 3 hrs also..i use the stem mounted thompson faceplate option..£245 new

    you wont need any other light other than this..

    big thumbs up
    http://thaibog.pinkbike.com/
  • giantjason
    giantjason Posts: 89
    have you looked at the Lupine range of lights?

    Expensive but the light, runtime and build quality is worth the extra cost.
  • racingt
    racingt Posts: 108
    Hi are Nightflux Visionstick 4 LED any good?
    I've been recommended to get tehm by a shop - cost £100 each, look the same size as a board marker??
    Help please!

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