What is a better light...Cateye 10 or Vistalight 15?

[Fahel]

I plan to start riding at night or early morning, all on
good roads but want good lighting levels as I will be
travelling up to 40km/h and I am looking at
- VistaLite Nightstick Code 15
- Cateye ABS 10 Light

I can get them for about $200.

Any other recommendations are welcome.

--
Regards,
FaHeL
__o
_`\<,
...(*)/(*)

 

[amirm]

Originally posted by Fahel
I plan to start riding at night or early morning, all on
good roads but want good lighting levels as I will be
travelling up to 40km/h and I am looking at
- VistaLite Nightstick Code 15
- Cateye ABS 10 Light

I can get them for about $200.

Any other recommendations are welcome.

--
Regards,
FaHeL
__o
_`\<,
...(*)/(*)

I have no experience with the Cateye system. I have used VistaLite, both 5W and 10W lights. Originally mine was a 2001 Code 10 (2X 5W with one NiCad battery, etc.). Later I bought another 10W headlight and an extra 10W globe. I use one 10W light on each bike this year. 10W should give enough illumination if you ride about 40 kmh, but 5 watters aint deep enough.

Overall, I'm satisfied with my VistaLite system. It's neat and small, and batteries haven't given me any trouble. This is the fourth Winter I am using it. Just bought an NiMH last week. It's definitely better than the NiCad. You'll get NiMH with Code 15 anyway.

Cheers,
Amir.

 

[Fahel]

amirm <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Fahel wrote:
> > I plan to start riding at night or early morning, all
> > on good roads but want good lighting levels as I will
> > be travelling up to 40km/h and I am looking at
> > - VistaLite Nightstick Code 15
> > - Cateye ABS 10 Light I can get them for about
> > $200. Any other recommendations are welcome.
> > --
> > Regards, FaHeL __o _`\<, ...(*)/(*)
>
>
>
>
> I have no experience with the Cateye system. I have used
> VistaLite, both 5W and 10W lights. Originally mine was a
> 2001 Code 10 (2X 5W with one NiCad battery, etc.). Later I
> bought another 10W headlight and an extra 10W globe. I use
> one 10W light on each bike this year. 10W should give
> enough illumination if you ride about 40 kmh, but 5
> watters aint deep enough.
>
> Overall, I'm satisfied with my VistaLite system. It's neat
> and small, and batteries haven't given me any trouble.
> This is the fourth Winter I am using it. Just bought an
> NiMH last week. It's definitely better than the NiCad.
> You'll get NiMH with Code 15 anyway.
>
> Cheers, Amir.
>
>
>
> --

Where did you buy your battery from?

Regards, Joe

 

[amirm]

Originally posted by Fahel


Where did you buy your battery from?

Regards, Joe

I bought it at e-bay. The price varies dependeing on other bidders. I got mine for $48 (brand new). Postage and handling included, the total price came up to $62.50. My LBS qoutes $120. It could be cheaper in other shops, but I am sure not as cheap as $62.50.

The seller was good, and I noticed this morning that he has put another battery for sale. The current bid is $20. If you're interested, you can find it at www.ebay.com.au in the sporting goods category under cycling/parts and accessories.

Cheers,
Amir.

 

[flyingdutch]

Hey amirm,

what kind of runtime and recharge time do you get/need from your Vistalite system?

 

[amirm]

Originally posted by flyingdutch
Hey amirm,

what kind of runtime and recharge time do you get/need from your Vistalite system?

Hey 'dutch:

For the NiMH, VistaLite says a fully charged battery should last 1.4 hours with a 10W light. I use a 10W light. I tested my new battery and it runs the 10W light for 75 minutes pretty steadily. I say that because the NiCad runs for almost 70 minutes, but after the first 15 minutes it starts to turn yellow (why??). The NiMH is 2200 mAH, so you can calculate the run time according to your light's wattage (eg for a 10W light: 10/6 = 1.67A = 1670 mH; 2200/1670 =~1.3H).

I still use my dumb 300mA VistaLite recharger which takes 8 hours to charge a depleted NiMH. My commute back takes more or less 45 minutes, and using the way as "Random Data" explained before, I charge it for 4.5 hours using a timer. It's been quite good. With a 600mA charger, the recharge time should be half then.

Cheers,
Amir.