I've been using the NiteRider Lumina 550 for two seasons now so it's time to write a review...
I usually ride early, before work (I have a 63 mile commute which is impractical on a bike). From November through March this means at least half the ride is in darkness.
That's OK, since it seems most drivers are more cautious -- not less -- around a lighted cyclist. I guess it's since they don't really know what you are. They tend to slow down, pass with wider margins, and basically drive more reasonably around a flashing, reflective mass that seems to be moving along the road.
The Lumina 550 puts out plenty of light up front. It has three steady modes, and the high-beam mode provides plenty of light for speeds up to 25 MPH (after that you start to outrun the effective range of the light). I don't do high-speed downhills in the dark so this limitation is fine.
The Lumina 550 has an internal Lithium-Ion (non-replaceable) battery.
I usually ride early, before work (I have a 63 mile commute which is impractical on a bike). From November through March this means at least half the ride is in darkness.
That's OK, since it seems most drivers are more cautious -- not less -- around a lighted cyclist. I guess it's since they don't really know what you are. They tend to slow down, pass with wider margins, and basically drive more reasonably around a flashing, reflective mass that seems to be moving along the road.
The Lumina 550 puts out plenty of light up front. It has three steady modes, and the high-beam mode provides plenty of light for speeds up to 25 MPH (after that you start to outrun the effective range of the light). I don't do high-speed downhills in the dark so this limitation is fine.
The Lumina 550 has an internal Lithium-Ion (non-replaceable) battery.
The handlebar mount will fit bar diameter up to 31.8mm. The mount is solid (except the slide on interface between the plastic handlebar mount and the metal-bodied headlight has enough gap to produce an annoying chattering noise. I try to ignore it but...) and the light hasn't come loose.
The claimed weight is 176 grams. It's not the lightest headlamp available, but who cares?
The light will put out 550 Lumen max, with run times between an hour and 4 hours on steady mode, and at least 6 on blink (product description claims Burn times of 1.5/3.0/5.5/18 hours, but I ride in winter, when temps are cold and battery power gets zapped).
Removal is easy and recharging is fast enough and convenient via a micro USB port under a weather flap.
The High Beam setting is bright enough to cause drivers to flash me if I don't tone it down. The blink mode is as bright so I save that for runs through busy intersections after sunrise on the way home.
The Solas 2 taillight is equally well-built, though the mount released once while crossing a covered bridge. I will probably tape over the mount next time for insurance.
The blink modes are bright and I use them day and night. Recharging is easy (micro USB) and also convenient.
I'm happy with the performance, value, and run times on both head and tail lights and strongly recommend them to any cyclists who rides on public roads.
http://www.niterider.com/
Removal is easy and recharging is fast enough and convenient via a micro USB port under a weather flap.
The High Beam setting is bright enough to cause drivers to flash me if I don't tone it down. The blink mode is as bright so I save that for runs through busy intersections after sunrise on the way home.
The Solas 2 taillight is equally well-built, though the mount released once while crossing a covered bridge. I will probably tape over the mount next time for insurance.
The blink modes are bright and I use them day and night. Recharging is easy (micro USB) and also convenient.
I'm happy with the performance, value, and run times on both head and tail lights and strongly recommend them to any cyclists who rides on public roads.
http://www.niterider.com/
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