NiteRider CherryBomb taillight - new model

[mosport]

This light caught my eye while browsing 2009's new gear, it has a 1/2 watt LED with 2 smaller LEDs above and below the main optic. The design has a built-in reflector for visibility when the light is turned off. Noticed the collimator surface has a diffuser treatment to help scatter light sideways for a wider horizontal viewing angle and am curious to see the beamshots.

Wondering where the switch is located and how the flashing mode compares against the annoying (but in a good way) SuperFlash.

www.niterider.com/prod_cherrybomb.shtml

 

[mechBgon]

I was going to buy one, but my bike-parts budget was already being strained by replacement of two chainrings and a chain. There's a small beam pic here: http://acidinmylegs.blogspot.com/2008/11/catching-up.html But no info about the flash pattern yet.

 

[mosport]

Thanks for that beamshot link mechBgon,

I really like their wide viewing angle optic concept, but think hanging one off my diagonally slung messenger bag could throw the beam off. Maybe I'll end up getting a CherryBomb anyways to replace my seatpost mount SuperFlash, then move the SF onto the bag instead. At least the SF round main beam shouldn't be affected as much.

...Need to find a way to keep that SF clipped onto a fabric loop without falling off 😱

 

[greenLED]

Nice find, Derek!

Man, it's taken a while for manufacturers to catch up (sort of) to the SF. I do like the wide-angle optic concept on this one.

 

[mosport]

Competition and choice are good indeed Migs,

Looking at mechBgon's link with the beamshots again, seems like the CherryBomb lights up all 3 LEDs in steady mode. Found the Canadian distributor and can't wait to check it out in person...

 

[znomit]

Looks like the main beam is spread vertically, horizontally would be a winner.
:thinking:

 

[mosport]

Hi znomit, the NiteRider website must be down because it's not loading...

That picture is from REI is misleading because they decided to lay the light down for the picture instead of the way it's mounted. The end ridges are supposed to be on the top and bottom, with the 5mm LEDs above and below the main 1/2 W LED and optic.

 

[znomit]

Hi znomit, the NiteRider website must be down because it's not loading...

That picture is from REI is misleading because they decided to lay the light down for the picture instead of the way it's mounted. The end ridges are supposed to be on the top and bottom, with the 5mm LEDs above and below the main 1/2 W LED and optic.

Ok, Nightrider is up now. Actually looks fantastic and with a short runtime 20hrs should be stupidly bright. :thumbsup:

 

[f22shift]

anyone compare this to a sf

 

[Offroad'Bent]

Nice find, Derek!

Man, it's taken a while for manufacturers to catch up (sort of) to the SF. I do like the wide-angle optic concept on this one.

I wish they'd surpass the SF with more than 1/2W. How about a flashing 3W AA light, or at least some 1/2W LEDs flashing simultaneously. I can live with shorter battery life for daylight visibility, but want something more compact than the Dinotte.

 

[Wicho]

Considerably brighter than the SF in my opinion. I have both, and while I find the SF pattern a bit more attention getting (can't understand why since they're similar), the NR is brighter. You can see the bright, center part from an angle better than the SF too. The SF is more compact though and lighter than the CherryBomb.

I'm thinking of putting one on my bike rack at night when I drive - have to figure out a way of mounting it first, though.

Can't go wrong with it - I've seen the CherryBomb as low as $22.39

 

[Ziemas]

Can't go wrong with it - I've seen the CherryBomb as low as $22.39

Where would that be?

 

[Wicho]

Where would that be?

Right HERE

 

[Ziemas]

Right HERE

Thanks!

 

[MaxLatG]

Couldn't decide 'tween em, so bought both.
Unbiased Report

Brightness Flashing: Same, can't tell the difference. Tie
Brightness Steady: SF, only .5w LED. CherryBomb, .5w & lower power LED's. CherryBomb
Light Pattern: SF, big blob. CherryBomb, wide angle pattern. CherryBomb
Flash Pattern: SF, 2) bright flashes top, 2) lower power flashes lower LED's. CherryBomb, 2) bright flashes center, 2) lower power flashes outer 2 LED's. Tie, personal preference
Weight: SF slightly lighter for us weight weenies. Superflash
Battery Life: Haven't tested in real world yet, but according to the respective boxes, SF = 100 hrs. CherryBomb = 40 hrs. Superflash

Being brand new, I was surprised Nite Rider didn't go with SMT LED's, it seems that's the way to go, although $$ might be a factor. Personally, I'll use one till the batteries run out, then use the other.
Hope this helps...

 

[znomit]

Battery Life: Haven't tested in real world yet, but according to the respective boxes, SF = 100 hrs. CherryBomb = 40 hrs. Superflash

Could you run both overnight on steady and then report back on brightness?
I think 100hrs is a bit much off 2AAs... thats under 30mW :thinking:

 

[Cemoi]

I think 100hrs is a bit much off 2AAs...

Both lights are powered by AAAs, not AAs.

 

[evblazer]

Just something to keep in mind is how you are going to be able to mount it on your bike. I found the cherry bomb spreading the beam horizontal is a great idea _if_ you can mount it in a fixed mount pointing horizontal to the ground. If you are going to clip it on a back pack, seat bag or anything similar then I found the beam lit up the ground a few meters back with a nice rectangle of red however if you were standing off twenty or so meters you could hardly see the actual light especially if it was right besides a superflash going off in the same position.

 

[znomit]

Both lights are powered by AAAs, not AAs.

oh, yeah I knew that, missed an A.

 

[MaxLatG]

Could you run both overnight on steady and then report back on brightness?
I think 100hrs is a bit much off 2AAs... thats under 30mW :thinking:

As soon as I get back home this weekend, I'll do a steady burn & report back.