Good Helmet Lights

[ltud]

Hi Everyone! I’m new to this board (been lurking for a while) so please forgive me if this question has been asked already – I did search first 😀

I’m looking for a good, mid-powered, self-contained helmet light. There is a lot of discussion here and at MTBR about MagicShines and other high-power light sets in the 600-1400 lumen range, but I’m looking for something smaller.

I already have a NiteRider SlickRock 900 and I love it, it’s a fantastic light. I really don’t like having it (or anything heavy/bulky) on my helmet though. I can’t mount it in the center because I have a very tall torso and bang my head on branches a lot . . . and if I mount it on the side, my helmet keeps tipping sideways – so I mount it on my bars.

It does a great job as a bar mounted light. It’s so bright that other riders threaten me with bodily harm and I almost never have to wonder what’s around that tight bend. I can ride just as fast at night as I can in the day, sometimes faster 😃

Here’s why I still want another light: I can’t look off to the side of the trail while I’m riding, the 900 lumens is overkill when it’s not completely dark (it doesn’t really have a low setting) and I can’t see what I’m doing if I have a flat or something.

I think I need something in the 250-400 lumen range to mount on my helmet. I’ve considered 150 lumens, but I think it would be washed out when using it in combination with my SlickRock. The problem is, that if I spend more than $100 on this light, I might as well buy a MagicShine, which I don’t want to do as it’s bigger/heavier and it will double my chances of being shot by my fellow riders lol.

[ltud]

Here’s the rest of my post, guess there’s a post length limit lol.

—————————-

Here are my requirements:
– Small
– Light
– One-piece
– Helmet mount
– 250-400 lumens
– Rechargeable batteries
– Head mount (for other night activities)
– Around $100, less would be nice of course 😀

Something that takes AA batteries would be ok, as I can use my own rechargeables, but I haven’t seen an AA light that meets the size, weight, and intensity requirements.

The closest candidates I’ve found are:
– NiteRider MiNewt 250 Cordless: Perfect, except for price.
– Serfas 250 True: Perfect, except no head mount available.
– Exposure Lights Joystick: Amazing, except WAY too expensive.

I know it’s a tough request, but someone must make something like this – obviously Serfas already has, they just haven’t made a head mount for it.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Luke

[Funrover]

Amoeba. Best light I have seen. Super bright and light weight!

[ltud]

Thanks Funrover!

I checked out Amoeba lights and they look awesome, but they’re overkill for this requirement. If I wanted the intensity, I’d probably go with a Magicshine 900 (which isn’t much bigger/heavier), and if I wanted to spend that much money, I’d get the Exposure Lights Joystick, which is about half the weight.

I think I like that they mount with velcro though, easy to attach to a hat or something.

Any other ideas?

[BikerPanda]

you can search around in a parts catalog that an automotive technician may have. I have bought some lights that were attatched by a headband and was lightweight. It may not be the brightest on the trail, but it may work for you application. I bought a Snap-On LED one for about $120 and it blinds my coworkers. Just a suggestion.

[ltud]

Thanks BikerPanda! I’ll check that out.

[badbandit12]

I run the MS 1400 I ordered a cygo 150 USB light all I need it for is the turns. There will be no wash out on that being as your head turns way before the bike. And performance has them for 79$ right now.

[ltud]

Thanks badbandit12!

I actually ordered a Niterider MiNewt 250 this morning for $110. It’s still more money than I wanted to spend (plus another $20 for the head mount) but it’s what I want. I’m really surprised that there’s nothing cheap and basic (like the MagicShine) in the lower power range. Imagine if you could sell a 400-500 lumen one-piece light for $60-80, you’d clean up. I know dozens of riders who think a MagicShine is just a bit too much money and more light than they need. There must be tens of thousands worldwide.

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

I paid $70 (with shipping) for my MagicShine. It is 700 lumens and surprisingly small and light weight.

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

"ltud" wrote

more light than they need

No such thing…

[ltud]

I agree with you maddslacker, but a lot of people I ride with don’t.

I know a MagicShine is cheaper, a lot more light and not a lot heavier but I don’t need the extra illumination and I don’t mind paying a little extra to get the lightweight form factor I want.

[cynergy68]

Didnt they discontinue Magicshine?

[Dustin Gaddis]

"cynergy68" wrote

Didnt they discontinue Magicshine?

They were all recalled due to dangerous battery packs. Looks like they’re back in gear now.

Note: Our intent is to make sure every one of our GeoManGear customers who have a recalled Magicshine battery pack will be able to get a replacement. The battery packs we’ve secured from the German manufacturer, Open Light Systems, are cost prohibitive to use as the replacements for the Magicshine battery pack recall effort. We intend to use our custom designed, Geomangear battery packs manufactured by Totex, of Torrance, California for the recall replacements. These packs have just recently been approved by CPSC for use with the Magicshine lightsets in connection with our recall efforts, will be UN/DOT tested, and will soon be in production. While we are awaiting this process, we need to resume sales with the more readily-available Open Light packs in order to generate the revenue necessary to continue funding the recall effort. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you, and we appreciate your understanding of this situation.

From HERE

[ltud]

I wasn’t going to bring it up, but that’s another concern with the MagicShine. GeoManGear seems to be the only place not selling combustible batteries, but they are also the most expensive, somewhat negating the advantages of the MagicShine.

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

"ltud" wrote

I wasn’t going to bring it up, but that’s another concern with the MagicShine. GeoManGear seems to be the only place not selling combustible batteries, but they are also the most expensive, somewhat negating the advantages of the MagicShine.

viewtopic.php?f=83&t=5783&hilit=+magicshine

[badbandit12]

I have run my MS for almost 6 month now with no problems at all. But I got my cygo150 in Saturday going to try and take it out tonight it is very bright for a 150. It was a little less than $100 with helmet attachment. It is also very light at 130gs , can’t wait to try it!!

[badbandit12]

Well got to take the cygo 150 out last night. Noticed I kept getting a light shining on my stem stopped and check my light and were I mounted it was not a good spot. Moved it to the center of my helmet made a big improvement. The trail I road last night did not have very sharp turns so didn’t get to see how much help in the turns it will be. It is a very bright light though with a good light spread. Let us know how your new NR does.

[ltud]

Will do! Does the Cygo have a head (without helmet) mount available? I couldn’t find one.

I’m already dreaming of getting a second NiteRider MiNewt 250 for the other side of my helmet . . . I live for overkill 😃

Seriously though, it’s nice for longer rides to have several lighting options. I can run the 250 on low power then med, then high as it gets darker, then switch to the 900 as needed. When I’m going really fast, turn the 250 back up to high, then on the way home, run it on low for safety. Having two 250s gives even more options 😀

[Corey Maddocks ✓ supporter]

In the cygolight and niterider price range, make sure to check out the Amoeba. It’s a great light, and made right here in the US. (Denver to be exact)

http://amoebalight.blogspot.com/

Several of my friends have them and they all speak very highly of them.

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