Forums The Gear Room Headlamps for night riding? Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 22 total) 1 2 →Author Posts October 3, 2012 at 2:15 pm #577326 idtmcp542 65 PostsFor those times when you just can’t let the sun dictate when you go splitting, I’m looking for a headlamp that will work well for riding at night. Right now I’m rockin a Petzl MYO-something that I got off steep and cheap, which is decently bright, but I’m lookin for something a little brighter.What are you guys using?I’m preferably looking for something with the battery pack on the head (unless someone can explain the benefits of having it somewhere else?), something waterproof or highly water resistant, and super duper bright. Not too concerned about weight, but not looking for The Hulk either. The price can’t get too out of hand, no Petzl Ultra Wides or whatever those are called.Suggestions? What kind of conditions have you guys put your headlamps through and with what results?Thanks in advance October 3, 2012 at 4:34 pm #659411 rightsider 150 PostsLook into bikes for mountain bikes. I don’t have any experience, but for mountain biking, I hear you want at least 1,200 lumens. I’ve heard Light & Motion makes great products. October 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm #659412 Jefe009 675 PostsI got this thing:http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/lighting/storm-headlampSo they sell this one to the military. Nothing but good things to say about it after a full summers worth of use. Haven’t tried it night riding yet, but I’m sure it’d be great as the lamp is almost too bright on it’s brightest setting. Blinds my wife all the time. 8)www.splitlife.net October 3, 2012 at 7:56 pm #659413 peacefrog 376 PostsI’ve been using the black diamond icon for years and its never disappointed. I wouldn’t bother with MTB lighting. They’re going to have way more lumins than you need. Snow provides a lot of reflections so a little bit of light goes way further than on a bike where you have to worry about light absorption. October 5, 2012 at 12:17 am #659414 Scooby2 623 PostsBut how fun could this be on those nights when the storms clear out at sunset, just turn on for descent? the Trail tech motorcycle light, probably lights up the whole bowl you are in. should work fine in the cold (it overheats when standing still in warm temps)http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/Trail-Tech-SCMR16-HID-Flood-Beam-Helmet-Kit-w-Li-p/4135755.htmI think you’d want the flood and not the beam for seeing all your options. In a prior life I used to take the last run and the run out on the access roads with one of those early petzls ($50) with the largish flat rectangular batteries. It was plenty for the exit trails and stitching turns through the woods and meadows, but you’d probably want more to really open up with if there were rocks, etc. around. October 5, 2012 at 5:38 am #659415 whistlermaverick 312 PostsIf I’m going night riding I find the biggest light I can find………..a full moon on a clear night.If you can’t find that check out this blog post from last week. http://www.wildsnow.com/8201/petzl-tikka-headlamp-review/Scroll through the comments@j.memay October 5, 2012 at 3:22 pm #659416 96avs01 875 Posts @Jefe009 wrote:I got this thing:http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/lighting/storm-headlampBD Storm is a good option, as are a couple of Mammut headlamps:Lucido TX1 (older version, may be able to find on close-out)X-Shot (current version)165 Venture Divide/Spark Frankenburners/La Sportiva Spantiks 163W Jones Solution/Phantom Alphas/Dynafit TLT5s 162 FurbergChris October 6, 2012 at 8:22 pm #659417 BlahBlahBlah 21 PostsI have one of these http://www.princetontec.com/?q=apex Have used it a lot night splitting and pub cruising. No problems. Batteries last a long time on the low settings, and it’s super bright on high. October 9, 2012 at 8:12 am #659418 FloImSchnee 291 PostsI use a Lupine Betty for my nightrides, summer or winter. Especially on a mountainbike in the woods you need plenty of light if you want to go at “daylight-speed.” Using something like a Petzl Tikka wouldn’t allow much fun. In winter of course, less light than what a Betty provides is enough as well. Still, if you want to go full speed, you’ll be happy with a strong light.A Betty is pretty expensive indeed, a Wilma or Piko are more reasonably priced. http://lupineshop.com/index.php?page=indexAfaik there is no single manufacturer worldwide that beats Lupine in terms of brightness and lightweightness.Some of my rides… October 25, 2012 at 5:55 am #659419 ruapehu_explorer 78 PostsI got the black diamond spot for a night trail run event and it works great, would have gotten the storm (10 lumens more) but the race was last minute and that model wasn’t available locally.this looks new, and very bright: http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/lighting/icon-polar-headlamp October 26, 2012 at 7:41 am #659420 powslash 382 PostsI have been using the Petzl myo BELT for a few years. The battery pack is on a cord so you can keep the batteries warm in your pocket. This is a good thing. On cold nights head mounted batteries can drain before the tour is over. I like the power settings on the myo. Low power for the skin up to save battery life, max power spot for the ride down. Another benefit to a corded battery pack is less weight on the head and it doesn’t interfere with my goggle strap.^^^whoa, edit to add that BD Icon polar light looks like a winner. Will be getting one of those because I’m not sure Petzl is making the myobelt anymore. October 27, 2012 at 4:30 am #659421 PUNKY 95 PostsIve got some magicshine lights for biking. Gemini lights are smaller and look to be higher quality December 11, 2012 at 6:38 pm #659422 jayb 22 PostsI use this badboy. It’s 250 lumens and only costs 150 with rechargeable battery. Super bright. I only use the lowest setting for skinning up in the morning and the high setting is bright enough to work for MTB.http://www.lightandmotion.com/outdoor/solite250.html December 11, 2012 at 9:09 pm #659423 wjb 163 Postshttp://forums.mtbr.com/lights-night-riding/http://forums.mtbr.com/lights-diy-do-yourself/ December 19, 2012 at 12:37 am #659424 powslash 382 Posts @jayb wrote:I use this badboy. It’s 250 lumens and only costs 150 with rechargeable battery. Super bright. I only use the lowest setting for skinning up in the morning and the high setting is bright enough to work for MTB.http://www.lightandmotion.com/outdoor/solite250.htmlNice. That light looks bright! Have been waiting for the price on super bright LEDS to come down. Battery life looks decent too. February 11, 2013 at 7:34 pm #659425 trondh 59 Posts+1 for the trailtech. When riding in trees you need more light than you think, so those small “tent lights” won’t do it (imho)This is from last week, btw: @Scooby2 wrote:But how fun could this be on those nights when the storms clear out at sunset, just turn on for descent? the Trail tech motorcycle light, probably lights up the whole bowl you are in. should work fine in the cold (it overheats when standing still in warm temps)http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/Trail-Tech-SCMR16-HID-Flood-Beam-Helmet-Kit-w-Li-p/4135755.htmI think you’d want the flood and not the beam for seeing all your options. In a prior life I used to take the last run and the run out on the access roads with one of those early petzls ($50) with the largish flat rectangular batteries. It was plenty for the exit trails and stitching turns through the woods and meadows, but you’d probably want more to really open up with if there were rocks, etc. around. November 25, 2013 at 4:53 am #659426 powslash 382 PostsNew toy alert: The mammut X-sun looks sick. MEGA lumens, reasonable price, rechargeable li-ion and battery pack can be worn on head or inside jacket with included extension cord.[youtube:154rmm7v]Rencv5p4VGE[/youtube:154rmm7v] November 26, 2013 at 6:56 pm #659427 Jason4 443 PostsI have a BD Storm as my go-to headlamp and I don’t know that it would be as bright as I would want if I intended to rip lines at night. It’s plenty bright to move down a trail at walking/skinning pace and to ride carefully but I would keep my riding in check or stick to areas I knew well if it were a night without a moon.My girlfriend has done some trail running and riding with a magicshine and has nothing but good stuff to say about them. I got a chance to play with one a couple of weeks ago and I’d really like to try getting out in the mountains with one for some night touring. November 27, 2013 at 4:09 am #659428 PJB 31 PostsHaving done a lot of MTB night riding, the faster you go, the brighter the light you need, especially when it’s pitch black, when your haulin ass it’s easy to out run the light. November 27, 2013 at 6:14 am #659429 rsn 8 PostsI use this light for early morning approaches/ descents but also for night climbing etc. 500 lumens isn’t even close to their brightest light but it totally suffices for my needs. They make a Stella Sport version (shorter cord) which is nice for summer but decreases battery life in the cold during winter. I do however know this light is incredible! The company is very personable and approachable on the phone if you have questions etc. Highly recommend it.http://www.lightandmotion.com/outdoor/stella500s.html Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 22 total) 1 2 →You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
