Let there be light - Soon!

[banjo]

I'm currently running a Tiogo 5W/10W dual halogen setup on my MTB commuter. The battery fits in the water bottle cage. Trouble is I use it a lot and the battery is cactus. I could replace the battery for a cost but the light output was never great anyway.

I've spent considerable time researching new lights and decided a few days ago to go with a Niterider TriNewt (ordered from the US). However, I stumbled across the Aussie Ay-Up website and had a good look at the Ay-Up kits. Until now I hadn't taken them seriously. These appear to be a great light set. The big attraction for me is the same money buys me 2 complete dual light sets. One bar, and one for helmet. Thats great redundancy with lights and batteries.

I was all set to order my Ay-Up MTB kit when my RideOn mag rolled up. The last page has an add for HID lights Australia. They seem to have a couple of good sets.

Does anyone here have experience with this company (hidlights.com.au) or with their lights?

I am erring strongly towards the Ay-Ups due to the LEDs being more durable and as I already mentioned the back up with 2 light sets for the same $.

I ride often in the early hours and intend to ride more after dark with the right lights. At the moment I'd be better off riding with a guide dog and a cane!

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Aushiker]

G'day

Can't help on the lights referred to but I suggest you read this threadand this one. Some good oil in these threads.

Andrew

[Bnej]

An MTB kit of Ay-up lights is more than enough to see by off road. Having the helmet light lets you see the far side of waterbars and crests which is not possible with just a handlebar light.

I know a few people who have had reliability issues with older Nite Rider lights, I don't know if this would affect the Tri Newt.

I have ay-ups, I use two lights for MTB and just a bar light for road use. They are just the ticket for off road night rides, 24hr events, etc. Being able to get extra batteries, mounts, cables etc cheap is a bonus.

[KnightRider]

I went through pretty much the same thing your going through. I ended up getting a set of the luxeon Ayups that are on special, a battery pouch, a handlebar mount for the lights and an extension lead for $77. I used my own battery and charger as I use a similar battery in one of my remote control models. For my type of ridding, It's perfect. The part I love the most about LEDs is the size of battery that is required to run them. On the helmet mounted Ayups, the battery also mounts onto the helmet. How good is that. Also the run time is brilliant. I run mine for at least 4 hours before recharging, and my charger shows the voltage in the battery and they still have heaps of power left. So my point is, whether you go for the Ayup Crees or the super bright DIY Cree torches, or even the not so bright luxeons, Stick with LEDs

[fobfob]

Hi, I've only been riding for just over a year but about a year ago I purchased a HID direct from the US. It was ok, but it's very big, bulky, hot and not particularly reliable either. I picked up a set of Ayups about 9 months ago and another set months ago. Now when I look at that HID I laugh, it's just so big and awkward. Also, it no longer works, due to low quality wiring, but that's not a fault of the HID. Come to think of it, if you're handy with a soldering iron etc, I'd be happy to offload it cheap since I no longer use it....

[ShanDog]

I have ay ups and have used them for about 5 months now. Just one set on my roadies handlebars. They've been perfect for riding on the road with and without street lights. The 6 hr battery is also plenty for me.

I highly reocmmend them.

[banjo]

Thanks for the offer fobfob but I think I'll be biting the bullet and going with the Ay-Ups. Now the only decision left....what colour??!!

[Deanj]

Also think about what type of beam you want. I have intermediate for the handle bars and narrow for the helmet, works well.

[Hawkeye]

I've just bought a set of Ay-ups (08 MTB kit) and I'm very happy with them.

The strap for the 6hr battery was a little short and doesn't fit comfortably around either of my MTBs' stems. The guy has been very responsive to my emails on the issue and judging by others comments on other forums I expect no problems in getting this issue sorted.

They're very small, very light and very impressive. And the price is right.

[Mulger bill]

Also think about what type of beam you want. I have intermediate for the handle bars and narrow for the helmet, works well.

Good info, thanks Dean.
What are the other Ayup users wearing?

Shaun

[Bnej]

What are the other Ayup users wearing?

Intermediate for bars on road.

Old Luxeons for bars off road, with the Intermediate on helmet.

The bright spot on the narrow optics is about 30% brighter than the centre of the intermediate beam, so you would be able to see further with narrow optics on your helmet - but too narrow for handlebar usage.

[Mulger bill]

Thasnks Bnej, how's the medium beams off road?

Shaun

[MJF]

Hi Banjo - I run a HID, and while it is an awesome light, it's not a 'friendly' light for other road users. All of the < 10W bike HID's use the same medical HID bulb, it has no optics for controlling the beam shape.

I'd go for one of your LED options.

[Bnej]

Thasnks Bnej, how's the medium beams off road?

Very usable, at least for XC and trails. You can see far enough ahead to pick up some speed with confidence, and by staggering the beams you can light up what's right in front and still see a long way down the trail.

I don't feel like I need it to be any wider or have longer throw, though using even more lights would probably have some benefit esp. on downhills.

You could run 3x bar lights and 2x helmet lights pretty easily I think if you want to see EVERYTHING, but then it wouldn't really be night riding!

[Mulger bill]

Thanks again, I think I'm sold...
Roll on tax time.

Shaun

[Blybo]

Roll on new batteries time

Mrs Blybo had an off last week caused by braking for traffic lights in the dark as she hit a deep pot hole and OTB she went with a possible cracked rib the result. She has commandeered my AyUps as a result which is fair enough but now I'm back to a cateye EL 320 (I think) and after becoming used to the AyUps it feels like I may as well have a coin size blinkie on the bars for all the good the cateye does. New batteries were meant to be out around this time but I'm waiting on an answer to yesterdays email to confirm...

[Mulger bill]

Bugger.

Hope Mrs Blybo's OK mate.

Shaun