The industry has finally caught up with/surpassed SL2K. A Bontrager Ion 1300 is $125, light enough that I put it on my helmet, and gets 3 hours on the second brightest setting. Which is more than enough for me. Nightrider is another popular option.

My usual setup is a Niterider Pro 1200 on my helmet and a Niterider Lumina 750 on my bars.

I prefer having the brighter light on my helmet because my helmet light is primarily for lighting up further down the trail to see the next turn. The bar light only points where the bike is currently pointing, so I aim it down to light up the trail directly (~10-15 ft) in front of the bike. 

I always ride with a camelbak, so the NR pro series lights are perfect for the helmet since the majority of the weight (battery pack) is in my camelbak, meaning less weight on my helmet.

The best part about having a bar light is that the light is coming from a different perspective than your line of sight, which means it casts visible shadows of roots and rocks, which helps immensely in giving depth to the trail surface. With just a helmet light the trail surface tends to look more flat than it really is and you end up smashing into tall rocks and roots and wondering "where the hell did that come from?"

I also have a few Axiom Lazer 600 lights that I keep as backups, or for longer rides. They throw a slightly more focused beam than the Lumina 750, and a more yellow light than the Lumina which seems a little more blue. The best thing about the Axiom 600 is the battery is replaceable on the fly. No tools required. I have a total of 3 lights, and 5 batteries. So for longer rides I can just throw a spare battery in my bag and don't have to worry, I can run the light at the full 600 lumens and swap batteries when needed.

That Hangover does look good but I'd pause not knowing when all the preorders will get fulfilled before I'd swipe.
Please give us an update when your unit arrives.

I've been wanting lights for years and, thanks to this thread, now have the downhill set from Outbound Lighting on order.  Now, watch Mother Nature keep the trails too wet even longer than she normally does between when I get the light and it has gotten too cold for my lungs.  Ha!

My light set was on my porch tonight when I got home from having been gone for a few days, and it probably arrived yesterday.  I have only opened the package and zippered storage case.  Everything looks good so far.  I'll put more time into it later.

The helmet light from Outbound Lighting includes an adhesive type mount, and my helmet's vents don't make for a place the attach the thing.  I reached out to the company tonight and got a prompt response.  They said the following product from GoPro should work well with their light.

GoPro Vented Helmet Strap Mount
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Glad to hear it. I should be getting my hangover pretty soon. They have been delayed, but they've been humble and transparent about the process all along.

Got my hangover today.  Charging now.

traildog wrote on 12/21/19 at 12:24am:


Mine shows up today!