Moon XP500 or Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless?

[mrmacmusic]

Sorry for yet another lighting thread

So..... now that darkness has descended upon my 7am commute, and I've only just got away with misinterpreting darkly clothed pedestrians for tree-like shadows these past few days, I now need to buy a new front light. I've had excellent advice here before (thanks everyone ) so I hope you won't mind helping me make my final decision.

I've decided (for better or worse) that I don't really fancy a cheap Chinese light that takes weeks to arrive, nor really need the retina-searing 1K+ lumens of one of those Magic lights. I also don't want to run off AA batteries (as I'll continue to use my somewhat underpowered 4xAA powered Bikehut light as a blinker and backup).

What I do need though, is a light that will let me spot those dog walkers on the tree-lined cycle path section of my commute, and inspire more confidence on the unlit back roads (and yet more cycle path) that form the majority of my route.

Having checked out the recent road.cc comparator, I'm quite impressed with both the Moon XP-500 and Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless. Given that they offer very similar output, I'm swinging towards the Moon as it's available for only £90 (and I've not found any discounts on the MiNewt). I really like the all-in-one idea, and being able to re-charge during the day via USB is ideal (given that I sit at a computer all day and my commute is 50-55mins each way).

Has anyone got any experience of the Moon brand, and could recommend this light, or dissuade against buying it? Once again, I really appreciate everyone's input.

 

[potsy]

Mrs Potsy has a Moon light, not the 500 but it is decent quality and when used on 'flash' it is very eye catching.
Was looking at the 500 version myself just the other day, Wiggle have a little light comparison feature and it was one that caught my eye on price and brightness

 

[mrmacmusic]

Mrs Potsy has a Moon light, not the 500 but it is decent quality and when used on 'flash' it is very eye catching.
Was looking at the 500 version myself just the other day, Wiggle have a little light comparison feature and it was one that caught my eye on price and brightness

Thanks potsy – it was the quality and robustness that I was concerned about having never come across the brand before. Likewise I was impressed looking at beam comparison photos (and the associated charts) over on the road.cc big test page, and given the XP500 is currently available reduced to £90 it would appear to be a better buy than the very similar but slightly more powerful Niterider.

 

[Herzog]

I've the Niterider lamp and, although I haven't got a similarly specced light to compare it with, it produces a very bright beam for the money.

I've used it on a couple of 8h night rides (low intensity setting), and it lasted. I'n not sure how long it would last on the high intensity setting, but it certainly keeps going for around 2h (the total length of my commute).

No problems with water ingress (it's been properly tested in Swiss snow, hail and rain), and it seems to be very well constructed. Perhaps it's a little on the heavy side, but I've not similar a simliar specced light to compare it to. Overall I've been extremely satisfied with it and would recommend it.

 

[balloburn]

Funnily enough I'm interested in the moon 500. I believe it got good a good review in Cycling weekly? I'd use it for non-mental mtb rides on fire tracks during the dark winter nights.

 

[Baggy]

I just happen to be testing the moon for road.cc! First impressions are that it feels very solid and is nicely made, the flashing indicator to let you know when the battery is running down is very useful, as is the usb charging feature. The beam also seems to be a good shape, giving a fairly wide throw but also a good distance ahead. I've tried it on my rural commute a couple of times - need to test how long it runs on full power etc, but so far am pretty impressed.

 

[mrmacmusic]

I just happen to be testing the moon for road.cc! First impressions are that it feels very solid and is nicely made, the flashing indicator to let you know when the battery is running down is very useful, as is the usb charging feature. The beam also seems to be a good shape, giving a fairly wide throw but also a good distance ahead. I've tried it on my rural commute a couple of times - need to test how long it runs on full power etc, but so far am pretty impressed.

Excellent Baggy - thanks

I've been watching out for a review in road.cc following the recent multi-lights test, which was what drew me to the Moon and Niterider - being able to see the beam pattern and output graph is extremely useful. I have entered the competition to win the Minewt (fingers crossed!), but really need to get my lighting sorted ASAP

 

[potsy]

I have similar reservations myself about the cheap powerful lights, currently run 2 hope vision 1's but if I was in the market for another I would give the moon one a go.
The 300 is the one I have seen and it is a little bit brighter than the hopes, can't comment on run time but would be about 1.5 hours I imagine.

 

[Nebulous]

Taking this totally off at a tangent - I hope you don't mind!

I've just made an impulse buy of a Shimano hub dynamo for £23 in the Rose Bikes sale.

Now obviously I still have some way to go - I've got to get it built into a wheel and then I have to get a lighting system to go with it (any suggestions?) but I reckon I'm going to get lights with very limited need for maintenance, and no need for batteries, for not much more than you are talking about for one light.

There is a snag though - a little gremlin in the back of my mind is tempting me down a route which may end up with building a touring bike.

 

[rowan 46]

I can't comment on how good they are all the reviews seem hopeful. but I have seen them for £69.99 if you are interested
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/Lights...-LED-Front-Mountain-Bike-Light/prod_3616.html

 

[mrmacmusic]

I can't comment on how good they are all the reviews seem hopeful. but I have seen them for £69.99 if you are interested
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/Lights...-LED-Front-Mountain-Bike-Light/prod_3616.html

Super price - thanks for that! : Never heard of WHS before, and I thought reduced to £89 (via Amazon) was a great deal.

 

[mrmacmusic]

I have similar reservations myself about the cheap powerful lights, currently run 2 hope vision 1's but if I was in the market for another I would give the moon one a go.
The 300 is the one I have seen and it is a little bit brighter than the hopes, can't comment on run time but would be about 1.5 hours I imagine.

They quote run times of up to 1hr 40mins at 500 lumens ("overdrive"), and 2hr 20mins at 380 lumens ("high"). Given my commute is about 55mins each way and charge time is 3hrs via wall charger (USB probably twice as long), that would pretty much suit my needs perfectly.

 

[potsy]

That does look a good price, am tempted myself now and I don't need any more lights
Not heard of the site either, maybe worth a thread on it's own about them?

 

[Baggy]

The indoor run test for the Moon came in spot on at 1h 40 mins on full
I'll try it out on its other settings over the next few days and try to get the review done ASAP.

 

[mrmacmusic]

The indoor run test for the Moon came in spot on at 1h 40 mins on full
I'll try it out on its other settings over the next few days and try to get the review done ASAP.

Thanks again Baggy

All being well I'll be placing an order for one on Monday (been waiting for a cheque to clear), so I might actually have one before your review gets published LOL!

I am curious to know the USB charge time though... can you shed any light on that from the accompanying literature?