Lighting recommendation: NiteRider 700 USB Rechargeable

[FitzChivalry]

I just received my NiteRider 700 USB Rechargeable bicycle light. I turned it on to see how bright it is, because I had no idea what 700 lumens looks like, and WOW! was I amazed! That thing is a friggin' spotlight! As my bike is still en route from California, I haven't had a chance to use it, but will post back here once I have. Maybe even a photo or two, if I can take any that accurately captures how much light it casts.

 

[Admin]

Nice! Bike lights and safety are a big issue. As we know, riding without a seatbelt or airbags... or doors means that your helmet, your reflection and your route are your best tools for defensive riding. I love that this thing can be charged using a USB! Bike lights are getting fancier and fancier... Looks like it also has a nice quick release screw adapter. Can't wait for the pics Fitz!

 

[EddieJ]

That looks to be a very nice light.

I tend to ride in dark evenings/night both on and off road, and a while back opted to buy a Fenix BT20 http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/Shop/Fenix-Torches/Bike-Lights/12380-Fenix-BT20-Bike-Light.html My old light wasn't much more than a candle, but the Fenix is just incredible. It's quite eerie riding along old disused railway lines/cycle paths at night with it. It looks like daylight in front along with hundreds of glinting animal eyes staring back, then turn around and it's pitch black darkness. The light does tend to use the rechargeable batteries pretty quickly if left on it's highest setting, but I just tend to use the lowest setting and it just goes on and on. I don't ever use the pulse mode as in my opinion it is blindingly dangerous to on coming traffic. The pulse mode really needs to be half as bright.

 

[Admin]

That's a pretty convincing video Eddie, especially the car comparison I also like how it attaches to the handle bars and is easily adjusted. I see the there's a cable coming out the back side of the light, does this go to some sort of battery pack or something? I'm assuming the light itself is easy to remove to deter theft but is the battery pack permanently mounted to the frame? Thanks for sharing!

 

[EddieJ]

Hi Court, the light has a small external pouch which has a couple of reasonably long velcro straps to aid fitting to the bike.

I have the pouch positioned on the headstock as shown below.

 

[FitzChivalry]

I finally had the need to use the bike light, last Monday, and it worked pretty well for my needs. I think it'd have been more helpful if I had had it pointed better, but I was too lazy to get off of my bike and reposition it. Also, I hadn't realized that it starts off in the lowest brightness setting, with two EVEN BRIGHTER options when you hit the power button a second and third time.

As for how long a charge lasts? A VERY long time! We were victims of the ice storm in the South on Wednesday, and went without electricity for 73 hours. During this time, we used the bike light extensively because it was the brightest flashlight we had. We'd bounce the beam off of the white ceiling, and it'd light up the whole room in a nice glow. We used it for many hours... I'd guess 5 or 6... between charges.

I'll continue to circle back around to this thread as I continue to use this accessory.

 

[Dave]

FritzChivalry, that Niterider sounds like a nice light. Probably brighter then the one I am looking at, but I was looking for something a little smaller. I came across the new Cateye Volt 300 headlight, great reviews, and I love the size. So many options out there for lights, I feel like a kid in a candy store.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

I just bought this light set on Amazon and I noticed that I am depleting my savings faster than I thought.

I looked at the NiteRider and it was way over my budget for my kind of riding which involves fully lit roads.

 

[Admin]

It's a good thing you're a genius scientist Ravi, hopefully they'll give you a raise