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Hope HID or Hope Vision 4 LED?
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Posted by Matt on September 04, 2008 under 'Mutterings'.
So far there's 7 comment(s) on this post.
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Lights. Everyone has an opinion on them but after a long time in denial I've come to firmly believe that the best option involves a reasonable sum of money, well engineered systems and short cable runs with solid connectors. Definitely not homemade battery / connectors / cable / bracket / lamp unit efforts with their multiple ways to fail inopportunely.
So here's a heads up — I need some advice. Read on to see if you can help…
For about a year now I've been running a Hope HID fitted to my Thomson stem using one of Hope's custom faceplates. It's proved to be both effective, with an excellent spread of light and powerful, with 550 lumens output. During that time it's been easy to adjust the direction of the lamp which has always stayed exactly where I've wanted it and it's been a model of quiet efficiency.
The short, screw connector cable run (it's about 4 inches max) has meant that there's been no cable rubs on my paintwork and overall I've been pretty pleased with the unit.
What I lack though is flexibility in my lighting set up. I can't switch it from the Orange Five to the On-one without buying another Hope or Thomson stem with a faceplate - that's another £60 minimum. This means the On-one, in many ways the perfect winter bike, doesn't get used as much as it should.
Then there's the fact that the HID, though easily powerful enough for me to travel at close to daylight speeds, is often pointing in the wrong direction on the slower twisty stuff and can be overwhelmed by the likes of Dave with his 'everything-but-the-kitchen-sink' approach to lighting. Riders with LEDs behind me have definitely been known to put me into shadow despite the HID.
So I have a problem which is I have around £150-200 (absolute maximum) to spend on upgrading my lighting. Now, I could buy a Hope stem and faceplate for the On-one and add an Exposure Joystick MaXx to my helmet which would probably be pretty good. I'd then have light where I need it on the twisty stuff assuming I look where I'm going and the chance to easily switch the light between bikes.
Or I could buy a Hope Vision 4 LED (or, I guess, the Exposure MaXx-D) which has nearly twice the light output of the HID, variable power outputs to eek out riding time and a quick release bracket to swap between bikes. If I sold the HID and OS Thomson stem (ie the complete system) on eBay I'd have funds to contribute toward the purchase of the light and a new Thomson stem.
Dave has also found these self contained 'twenny-dollah' LED lights recently which could be hacked into an efficient helmet light (I've seen them in action).
So which is the best option? I really don't know so thought I'd ask what others would do… Any advice gratefully received.
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Further reading
You might also find the following interesting (includes further reading from the Muddymoles and third parties)
I am missing from Muddymoles.
Matt puts his Hope HID up for sale on eBay and looks forward to good times.
Exposure MaXx-D on order from Muddymoles.
Matt puts his money where his mouth is with the Exposure MaXx-D (for Daddy). The only problem is the waiting list.
Exposure Lights MaXx-D (for Daddy) 4 LED light review from Muddymoles.
What's it like living with and using the Exposure MaXx-D 4 LED light? Find out in this detailed review.
Reader comments
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Reliability of the Exposure lights is a worry - Dave P's are going back yet again and I've heard this elsewhere.
Lee's Ayup's are well worth a look though I'm sure the Hope brand will draw you in.
The problem with LED's is riding in mist or rain. The colour tone of the light means you end up being dazzled by a wall of blue light. This doens't happen with HID's.
Jez has Light & Motion HID I believe but they're beyond the budget.
Don't forget the Nightlightning iBlaast. I'm still chuffed with mine but as you point out, the cabling isn't as tidy as others.
As you might expect I can recommend the Ay Ups for the money. The MTB set will set you back £250, just a little over budget, but for that you get bar and helment mounted lights with 12 hours of battery!
What's more you get a whole host of sundries, including two bar mounts meaning your On One will see action in the winter.
Oh and next day delivery now they've got a UK distributor.
I had a similar dilemma. Started night riding again and didn't feel my Lumi HID was cutting it against the newer stuff everyone else had.
Sold that and some old Lumi Halogens and bought a heavily discounted Vision 4 (£210). Mainly because I'd heard less than stellar reports about USE reliability.
It's a superb light, good bar mount, easy battery attachment (under stem with velcro so no cable flappage), great beam, very powerful. About as good as my friends Lupine.
I run it on the third of the four power settings (top one is for shop wow factor apparently!) and I've got 3hrs+ out of it with no sign of fading.
Recommended.
Have been running the Ay-ups for nearly a year now, have the old style with no battery switch off. I have medium on the bar and intermediate on the helmet, very very good.
Can be used for snorkeling too...
Laters
Dom
Thanks for your thoughts folks.
So everyone seems to think I should trade in the Hope HID and Thomson stem combo and replace with some form of LED?
Lee/Dom I'd overlooked the Ay Up lights - only saw them that one time Lee and was definitely impressed but curious about output?
Alex, you've lead where I may follow! Can't argue with the output figures but wonder if I might still need a helmet lamp for the noodly bits?
Andy, Exposures seem to offer the neatest option with high power. I'm very tempted by the Joystick for the helmet to be honest
I see bikeradar have beaten Lee to a review of the Ay Ups
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Andy says:
I really rate the Exposure lights. They are well made and the really good thing is that they dont suddenly switch off like my lumicycle lights (some serious brown moments have resulted). I am planning a conversion to LED this winter.
Emmas Enduro maXx is awesome with a good wide range of lighting, a neat mounting system and excellent run times. 750 lumen as well.
Posted on September 5, 2008 09:11 AM.