Superstar HID Lights?

artillerydave
artillerydave Posts: 715
edited September 2009 in MTB buying advice
Anyone got them? had a look on the website and they seem quite reasonable and look to have good power and run times, wondering if anyone has them to see what build quality and the like and user friendliness is.

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I'd be wary of HID technology - a bit outdated. Heavy, burns power, and expensive to repalce bulbs.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    weight doesn't look too bad really and burn time of 3.5 hrs is good compared to others I've looked at, really wanted owners experiences but thanks for the input anyway.
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    I looked at those, and for an extra few quid you can get a Niteflux Photon MAX, brighter, variable power settings and comparable run-times and more importantly LED!

    Mine's on order! Should be getting it next week.

    http://www.niteflux.com/Performance.aspx
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    BMj - how much and where from? That looks pretty good to me.
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    Theyre £149.99 on Ebay, higher elsewhere.

    Ive ordered mine from OnyerBike, myself and a mate ordered one each and we got a discount each down to £149.99

    I felt a bit safer ordering from a "Bricks'n'Mortar" store, and they have given me firm assurances on warranty and repairs (hopefully I wont need that!)

    Cant wait to get them and get out in the dark!! - I did spend some considerable time researching and on the forums.

    Light comparison against the Superstar HID is here: (Its known as the Brightstar Levin)

    http://www.mtbr.com/beamcomparisoncrx.aspx

    Needless to say the Niteflux drowns out the HID Levin!
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • spudulike
    spudulike Posts: 51
    According to those photos the Trail Tech MR 16 looks like a solid performer.
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    spudulike wrote:
    According to those photos the Trail Tech MR 16 looks like a solid performer.

    Its brighter at over 1000 lumens, but its HID and has no power settings, cycling everywhere with that power on the light with no dimmable features isnt good for when you meet someone coming towards you.

    Also being HID you have costs for bulb(s) and from what I read, that particular model needs some homebrew setup for batteries/wires to get it going.

    On this subject, I actually received my Niteflux Photon MAX yesterday(!) - gave it a quick test last night in the back garden and its massivly bright for a very small light. I reckon that any known or light trails could be ridden on LOW setting!! - ridiculous brightness!

    One minor gripe is that the wire from the battery to light is hard-wired into the battery, so to charge you have to unstrap the battery and bring the wire with it - not a major problem, but would have been even better if a quick disconnect was possible.
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    interesting. The others I was looking at are the Lumicycle Halogen Li -ion as they seem very well regarded too, MBR rate them quite highly with 10 out 10 scores. didn't want to spend more than £200 ideally.

    will have to see.
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    artillerydave wrote:
    interesting. The others I was looking at are the Lumicycle Halogen Li -ion as they seem very well regarded too, MBR rate them quite highly with 10 out 10 scores. didn't want to spend more than £200 ideally.

    will have to see.

    I'll try and get some night shots up of mine, LED with 800 lumens for £150 is a good deal imho.

    But as Ive said in many previous posts/threads, its down to the user to decide what they want out of a light.
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • kegs
    kegs Posts: 204
    I've got some lumi halogens and they are really good. Nice and bright, good run times, and if a bulb goes they are cheap as chips to replace.

    I think Lumi are bringing out some led lights that are bright enough for offroad this winter, but at the moment the Halogens work great.

    They should be pretty upgradable, as Lumi use the same battery with their HID light, and I'd be very surprised if they didn't do the same with the LED, so you'd only need the head unit, not the whole thing ;)
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    kegs wrote:
    I've got some lumi halogens and they are really good. Nice and bright, good run times, and if a bulb goes they are cheap as chips to replace.

    your the 3rd person I know who has said these are good bits of kit, i think this may well be where my cash is going.

    Cheers.
  • Dazzza
    Dazzza Posts: 2,364
    Bmjboy wrote:
    spudulike wrote:
    According to those photos the Trail Tech MR 16 looks like a solid performer.

    Also being HID you have costs for bulb(s) and from what I read, that particular model needs some homebrew setup for batteries/wires to get it going.

    What like this you mean ;)


    http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?P ... rodID=3957
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • spudulike
    spudulike Posts: 51
    Dazzza wrote:
    http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?P ... rodID=3957

    that seems a bit OTT.
  • jeffers696
    jeffers696 Posts: 328
    Check this out!

    http://www.mtbr.com/beamcomparisoncrx.aspx
    Specailized Enduro 08 - Beast
    OnOne 456
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    jeffers696 wrote:
    Check this out!

    http://www.mtbr.com/beamcomparisoncrx.aspx

    Beat you to it Jeffers - look up! :roll:

    I never did find the battery/wiring kit for the trail-tech, looks like Dazza found it. I still didnt buy it because you cant ramp it down.

    Took this on my phone last night while setting my Niteflux up... 800 Lumens reflected off my back window....!!

    pbpic2436810.jpg
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • spudulike
    spudulike Posts: 51
    What about a dual light setup?

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21610
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    spudulike wrote:
    What about a dual light setup?

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21610

    Performance pics here:

    http://www.niteflux.com/Performance.aspx

    I prefer the bluer/whiter light over the yellow of halogen, which is why I went for the Photon Max (and its brighter!) 8)
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • spudulike
    spudulike Posts: 51
    I felt like I needed a 2-light setup (one for my helmet and one for my bars) so I've ordered the Halogen/Photon 19 set.

    For £130 for 2 good lights I reckon that's a good buy (although I was seriously tempted by the £160 Photon Max you've got there BMJ).

    We'll see.
  • Bmjboy
    Bmjboy Posts: 680
    spudulike wrote:
    I felt like I needed a 2-light setup (one for my helmet and one for my bars) so I've ordered the Halogen/Photon 19 set.

    For £130 for 2 good lights I reckon that's a good buy (although I was seriously tempted by the £160 Photon Max you've got there BMJ).

    We'll see.

    I got mine for £150, so a good deal I think - Have yet to use them on a trail, but I will post some proper trail pics when I can.

    Shame that Niteflux hasnt been mentioned more within the forums, theres a serious bang for your buck with these lights, I wonder why they are often overlooked? Well Im sure between us we will re-dress the balance, as I recommend mine fully.
    "I don't do double-entendres, but I do like to slip a big one in occasionally"

    Giant Trance X2 / Garmin Edge 305 / Empty Wallet
  • Dazzza
    Dazzza Posts: 2,364
    spudulike wrote:
    Dazzza wrote:
    http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?P ... rodID=3957

    that seems a bit OTT.

    Can't beat a bit of ott. ;)

    They have other choices, they sell the brightstar hid's as well.



    http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?P ... tegory=499
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • spudulike
    spudulike Posts: 51
    Hmmm, so the lights have arrived but only one works, and to top it all off the 3-cell battery is dead too.

    It's a major disappointment after waiting a week and charging both batteries for half the kit to be dead.

    Seems like I'll have to return them...no riding for me this evening :x
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    I decided to go for the new hope 4 in the end, so hoepfully this should be perfect for the dark winter nights, will hopefully post pics once it arrives to help people out with their choices.

    night riding, its the future (like garlic bread but not as tasty)
  • K88 MUD
    K88 MUD Posts: 101
    artillerydave wrote:
    I decided to go for the new hope 4 in the end, so hoepfully this should be perfect for the dark winter nights, will hopefully post pics once it arrives to help people out with their choices.

    night riding, its the future (like garlic bread but not as tasty)

    Where did you order them from and how much ??
    Looking for a mtb riding partner............
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    Merlin, £247 with the epic battery. Think the offer of 10% off all lights has finished now however.

    should be here today actually. (hmm new shiny stuff..........) :wink:
  • K88 MUD
    K88 MUD Posts: 101
    artillerydave wrote:
    Merlin, £247 with the epic battery. Think the offer of 10% off all lights has finished now however.

    should be here today actually. (hmm new shiny stuff..........) :wink:

    Be interested in seeing what you think......lots of other comparisons but none with the hope's :cry:
    Looking for a mtb riding partner............
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    have turned up and have to say am amazed at how small and neat the whole ensamble is. Fitting is a breeze and feels good and secure and the light output is quite frankly amazing. four levels of brightness with the highest two both being rediculously bright, and a flashing setting also.

    so far so good. very impressed. will try to get a decent pic when out next and stick them on here.
  • K88 MUD
    K88 MUD Posts: 101
    artillerydave wrote:
    have turned up and have to say am amazed at how small and neat the whole ensamble is. Fitting is a breeze and feels good and secure and the light output is quite frankly amazing. four levels of brightness with the highest two both being rediculously bright, and a flashing setting also.

    so far so good. very impressed. will try to get a decent pic when out next and stick them on here.

    What mounting system did you go for ??
    Looking for a mtb riding partner............
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    I have mounted min with the bar clamp, next to the stem and with the battery stapped under the stem. very neat and tidy. run times seem very good too, about 2.5 hrs on max which is mega bright.
  • Flenser
    Flenser Posts: 372
    Bmjboy wrote:
    Shame that Niteflux hasnt been mentioned more within the forums, theres a serious bang for your buck with these lights, I wonder why they are often overlooked? Well Im sure between us we will re-dress the balance, as I recommend mine fully.

    Probably because you can get a P7 set-up for under £40. :wink:
    Claud Bulter Cape Wrath D27 (2009)
    Raleigh MaxLite FS1 (2001)

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