Anyone Down Under Heard of Adventure Lighting Products?

[diesel_dad]

Hi,
I stumbled across an NZ company selling interesting bike lights (3 X SSC-P4, modular design, bflex regulator, multiple programmable modes etc.). The link is http://www.nightlightning.co.nz/endurenz details.htm

Anyone heard of these folks? Anybody have one of their lights?

In particular, I am really impressed with the beamshots lower down on the page mentioned above. I am thinking of ordering one but would like some feedback first.

Thanks!

 

[Calina]

Hi,
I stumbled across an NZ company selling interesting bike lights (3 X SSC-P4, modular design, bflex regulator, multiple programmable modes etc.). The link is http://www.nightlightning.co.nz/endurenz details.htm

Anyone heard of these folks? Anybody have one of their lights?

In particular, I am really impressed with the beamshots lower down on the page mentioned above. I am thinking of ordering one but would like some feedback first.

Thanks!

That is impressive especially for the price. WOW!

 

[alexlockhart]

I'm not Down Under, but I've heard of them. A few months ago when I got sick of the commercially available lights and started thinking about making my own (largely due to people here) I was doing a lot of research and stumbled across them. I looked for reviews, user reports, etc, but found nothing - apparently they're either rather new or rather obscure.

I especially like their modular kit-type approach and their openness with all their details. Very different from the normal big manufacturers you see in bike shops which say very little besides "our light is better, buy it". And as mentioned, their price for what you get is better than any of the big companies.

I decided to build my own lights instead of buying theirs, because I wanted better control of the beam pattern (I'll be using a unique combination of round and elliptical optics) and because I liked the UI of the bFlex better than theirs. I'll probably end up spending a little less, and having "better" lights (better only because they're customized to what I want) but I'll certainly spend a whole lot more time and effort doing it. Still, they were the only company I considered buying from instead of making my own, since they offer such a great product for a low price, are so willing to work with hobbyists. Probably the only better value in a ready-made light is the min-T from Dom and ktronik (which I would have bought if I weren't so set on my unique beam pattern).

Alex

 

[Szemhazai]

There you can find some additional info...
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=347641

 

[georges80]

Yeah - Eric makes some pretty decent lights and is an avid cyclist.

His iblaast uses a bFlex as of a few months now - but with Nightlightning's own UI which they have developed over time. I ported their firmware to the bFlex platform for them.

Having played with his UI versus the one Darell dreamt up, they are similar in many ways but with a different 'flavour'. Choice is good

cheers,
george.

 

[linklemming]

I have had one of these for about a week now and have taken it on several rides. Love the light output and the flexibility of the modular design which will allow easy upgrades and the ability to try different optics.

The costs do creep up though.

iBlaast with optional handlebar mount + shipping = $243
2200maH Li-Ion pack + charger + several trailtech waterproof connectors + a beefier/better handlebar mount + shipping = $110.

So far $353

I didnt like the handlebar mount too much, it would be a hassle to move from bike to bike, the batteryspace one works much better (once modded).

The light output while excellent is not as bright as the beamshots (this goes for all the beamhots they show). It is good for comparisons though.

If I had to do it again, I would have just bought a dinotte 600L, and had them remove one of the batterys (it comes with 2). The price would probably be similar.

Gary

 

[diesel_dad]

After some consideration, I also decided to go with the Dinotte 600L as well. The big drawbacks on the iBlaast were the handlebar mounting system, the somewhat improvised battery packaging, the cost and the difficulties of getting service if required from NZ.

If I were more of a DIY electronics person, it iBlaast does offer some really interesting possibilities tho.

 

[Gunnar]

I'm not Down Under, but I've heard of them. A few months ago when I got sick of the commercially available lights and started thinking about making my own (largely due to people here) I was doing a lot of research and stumbled across them. I looked for reviews, user reports, etc, but found nothing - apparently they're either rather new or rather obscure.

I especially like their modular kit-type approach and their openness with all their details. Very different from the normal big manufacturers you see in bike shops which say very little besides "our light is better, buy it". And as mentioned, their price for what you get is better than any of the big companies.

I decided to build my own lights instead of buying theirs, because I wanted better control of the beam pattern (I'll be using a unique combination of round and elliptical optics) and because I liked the UI of the bFlex better than theirs. I'll probably end up spending a little less, and having "better" lights (better only because they're customized to what I want) but I'll certainly spend a whole lot more time and effort doing it. Still, they were the only company I considered buying from instead of making my own, since they offer such a great product for a low price, are so willing to work with hobbyists. Probably the only better value in a ready-made light is the min-T from Dom and ktronik (which I would have bought if I weren't so set on my unique beam pattern).

Alex

Hello Alex. I have problems to decide if i should buy 1 or 2 Min-T's or Blaast lights, or build one of the light heads on my own.
I would like to hear more about the optics and beam pattern you use.

Regards. Gunnar

 

[alexlockhart]

Gunnar, thanks for asking. Stay tuned to this forum, in a week or so I'll have a complete build report, with lots of pictures. I spent all day today working on them, and ended up breaking 2 of the glass lenses because of mis-measuring my housing and crunching the glass. I'll have replacements soon and I'll finish in a week or so. In the meantime, I can give you a rundown of the design.

The optics pattern came from thinking about where I really want/need light to be, and looking at the beam pattern produced by car headlights. Especially with the newer ones, the beam pattern can be thought of as 2 components: a somewhat oval pattern (perhaps just the result of a tight round focus from both headlights) in the middle that projects straight ahead and very far, and a very wide elliptical pattern that is not as bright and projects light off to each side. Both have a horizontal cutoff when using low beams. This is an extremely useful beam pattern for traveling on the road, so that's what my lights are.

I get this effect by using 4 Crees in the front; 2 with 10 degree round optics, and 2 with 10x40 elliptical optics. The 2 tight round ones will be pointed slightly apart from each other to widen the beam a little, and the 2 elliptical ones will just be pointed straight ahead. All of them will be angled down a few degrees so that very little light gets pointed above horizontal. I have a bright helmet light I can point anywhere if I want to blind drivers (to make them notice me) or see road signs, etc.

This is all for road riding. I'd use a different pattern for mountain biking, probably 1 tight round, 1 medium round (16-20 degrees) and 1 elliptical. That way I'd still get most of my light pointed right at the ground that I need to see, but I'd also have some pointed up to see the branches and such.

For your decision between the min-T and the Blaast, it's a tough call. Both seem very well made and bright. Both use the bFlex with its fabulous UI. I think the min-T is a little smaller and lighter, but the real weight of any light system is the battery. Both give you a choice of narrow, wide, or both, but both are just round beams, which is why I'm building my own instead of buying them. If I wanted a round beam, I'm pretty sure I'd get the min-T, just because it's made by guys here on the forum who I've been chatting with.

Alex