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Submitted by
Walter B
a Cross Country Rider
from Mira Loma, CA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sycamore Canyon (Riverside) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend (who upgraded to TriNewt) | | Strengths: | light in weight, small, durable, BRIGHT Lite, powerful beam, ease of use, battery size, easy to mount | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn X6 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Anthem XC w/Salsa rise stem & oversized FSA handle bars. GF Wahoo converted for commuter use. | | Bottom Line: | Great light system. Although this the first time owning it for myself, have used it several times. Easily out shines my Blackburn X6 dual system. I use the MiNewt for my helmet mount and the Blackburn for the handle bar. I tried mounting one of the blackburns to my helmet, but didn't like the weight. Problem solved with the MiNewt. With the helmet mount, the MiNewt allows me to see clearly ahead of me on the trail...especially when going into a curve or a switchback. By far one of the best light systems for the price (retail). I was lucky enough to get it for such a steal. Great light for most, if not all, riders. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Saugus
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Bright, Bright, Blueish White Light | | Weaknesses: | Stinks to have to buy the helmet mount and extension cord seperately. | | Similar Products Used: | Cygo dual beam, some Performance Bike house brand junk. | | Bike Setup: | Custom Cake 1DLX, Elsworth Epiphany is on order :) | | Bottom Line: | This light works great. I tested it tonight for the first time at Cheseboro in Agoura Hills. It was pretty dark but the moon was full. Not enough moon to ride by though. When I took it out of the box and saw how small it was I thought I had made a huge mistake. Boy was I wrong. The light out shined every other light in my group. Actually, it may have bummed my one friend out that had bought a new headlight recently. It is also a NiteRider but a dual beam classic I think. The battery size blew everyone away. Another friends' light wasn't working right and he was able to ride beside me at full night speed and see just fine. I love this light. It is amazing. I will buy another one to use on my helmet and then I will own the night. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MT ID
a Weekend Warrior
from Chula Vista, CA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | Cal Coast | | Strengths: | Price, durability, smart charger. | | Weaknesses: | Burn time on high | | Similar Products Used: | halogen | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Id | | Bottom Line: | Like the lights. They are bright. They have a smart charger. They work well on night trail rides. Definitely plan to a a helmet light for the turns but you cannot go wrong for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Saude
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | blankets creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | direct from niterider | | Strengths: | Extremely bright light for the price, size, and weight. Just as bright as some of the first generation HID lights but much smaller and it is so light that when I first got the light I zip tied it to my helmet because the mount had not come out yet and also had the battery strapped on the helmet as well. Even with this setup it was lighter than other halogen and HID setups I have used. Once I got the helmet mount and extension cord it became the best light system I have ever used. Much more reliable than any other bulb systems and not as fragile. I have used it primarily for trail riding but it casts plenty far enough to use on the road. Good burn time and short charge time. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't come with helmet mount/extension cord. Some may find that the power switch being on the battery pack is a bit inconvenient. I don't find it a problem as I have always prefered to put the battery in my jersey pocket so as to not be attached to my camelbak. | | Similar Products Used: | Light and Motion solo, Niterider evolution, Niterider firestorm, | | Bottom Line: | 1/3 the price of HID almost as bright and three times brighter than any halogen out there with a solid beam with no dead spots. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Park, California, USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cheseboro Palo Commado | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$189.00 | | Purchased At: | Newbury Park Bicycles | | Strengths: | Light, fits well, perfect complement for TriNewt. | | Weaknesses: | None noted - though wouldn't want it as only light on trails. | | Similar Products Used: | TriNewt | | Bike Setup: | Klein Rascal HT with mostly XTR, soon to be supplemented by new Klein Palamino FS. | | Bottom Line: | I am now commuting over trails at night three times a week. I first had the TriNewt on my helmet. But, it was a bit heavy up there and it really bleached out the rocks and bumps with no shadows. The shop suggested adding a halogen to the handlebars. I did that, and it was useless with the TriNewt massively overpowering it. I called NiteRider. They laughed at that combo - and said I should put the TriNewt on the handlebars and get the MiNewt.X2 for the helmet. WOW! It's like a stadium flood lamp. What a combo. I can see the trail perfectly now, all the bumps and rocks AND with the MiNewt.X2 on my head, I also see whatever I look to the side at. And the lighter MiNewt.X2 on my head doesn't even seem like it is there.
There is also something about two lights kind of hard to explain but is definitely there. When I just had the TriNewt on the head, yes, I had light wherever I looked. But, something about swinging to where I was going seemed to be a little unnerving. Now with the TriNewt facing forward at all times, with it's ridiculously long and wide beam, it somehow works so much better.
I realize the combo is pretty pricey. But, it's opened up a whole new world and commuting for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Tonganoxie KS USA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lawrence River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | JensenUSA | | Strengths: | Light Weight, small, bright | | Weaknesses: | Not reliable | | Similar Products Used: | older Nite Rider 6volt system | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Excal | | Bottom Line: | I purchased the NITERIDER MINEWT X2 late September 2007. I've used the light about a dozen times. From the beginning, the battery would turn the light off, and I would have to turn it back on several times before it would finally stay on. Once it finally stays on, the light is bright, compact, and seemingly a good value. I also purchased the Solmate helmet mount kit, which, by the way does a nice job of mounting the light to my helmet. Last night 11-16-07, the battery charger quit working. I called Nite Rider about warranty repair. They said to send it back to the retailer I had purchased the light from. I called the online retailer, and was told to ship it back to them, they will then send it back to Nite Rider, who after repairs, will send it back to the retailer, who will then return the repaired light back to me. The retailer’s customer service person and I calculate, because of transportation times, I will be without my light for at least one month, possibly longer. Here it is, mid November, it gets dark here around 5:45, and I won't have the light that 6 weeks ago I paid $190 for. If I could send the light directly to Nite Rider, down time would only be around two weeks. This is the second Nite Rider light system I have purchased. My older Nite Rider 6volt light had problems also. Both the 6volt charger and the battery quit working after about one year. A replacement battery and charger from Nite Rider was much too expensive, so I purchased an inexpensive charger from an online battery company, and also had them rebuild the 6volt battery for only $25. Both the rebuilt battery and the generic charger work well, and have now lasted longer than the original Nite Rider battery and charger. With all the problems I had with the older 6volt Nite Rider lighting system, I swore I'd never purchase another Nite Rider product, but, old fools sometimes are slow to learn our lessons. The Minewt light seemed like a good value, and is very small and light weight, so I took a chance again with Nite Rider. I’ll never purchase another product from this manufacturer. I have learned my lesson regarding Nite Rider. Their light systems are not reliable, their customer service is not customer friendly, and their products are overpriced, because of their lack of reliability. My advise, at least to myself, don't waste money, or time with Nite Rider products. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rockinthecasbah
a Cross Country Rider
from Crorona Ca
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Great run time, smart charger, no bulb to break, small liht, easy to adjust beam | | Weaknesses: | Not a big enough light spread to run by itself you have absolutly no vision to the sides when it is used on the bar. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheapies | | Bike Setup: | 7 point 5 Iron Horse | | Bottom Line: | Great light but you need a light for your helmet or you will be blind in turns, great run time all you really need for slow paced group night rides | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rednow
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethesda MD
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Very Bright For its Size | | Weaknesses: | I could see the mounting bands wearing out after extended use. Cable length too short. they do offer extention. | | Similar Products Used: | Performance light, various other systems over the years | | Bike Setup: | Surly Karate Monkey/ Cross Check | | Bottom Line: | I have used this light to commute and night ride (single Track) for the last month. It provides a great amount of light for the size. I often ride bike paths to work that have very little street light and this light is excellent. For MTB night ridding it works well. In switch backs one could over ride the light. I give it 5 flaming turds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Easy to use mounting system, nice even light, low weight and small size. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't come with head mount and extension cable (must be bought seperately). | | Similar Products Used: | Various cateye models | | Bike Setup: | Giant Trance 0 | | Bottom Line: | This light is fantastic for commuting, easily seen by oncoming vehicles and lights up the road perfectly. Good battery life (I mostly run it on low beam for riding to work), battery mounts firmly on bike frame. If you purchase the helmet mount kit it makes a good secondary light for riding single-track at night and i've also used it alone on well known fire-trails. Recently used light in 24hr race and it performed faultlessly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Douglas, Isle of Man, UK
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Eurocycles | | Strengths: | Size, weight, price... ease of use | | Weaknesses: | In the UK you don't get the extender cable for mounting on the helmet. The switch can be tricky when wearing gloves | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye, Vistalight | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Teocali Elite | | Bottom Line: | For the price a decnt light that will provide 3 1/2 hours run time or 7 hrs on trails you know well... would definitely recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | BRIGHT focused light, High/Low/Flash settings. Long run times in the steady beams. Lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | Lost the silicone power switch plug within a week of purchase... (borrowed a replacement from Peformance) then received replacements from NR.
Power switch located only on the battery. Which means you must keep the battery out and exposed to weather (not a desirable feature in the cold wet weather of the PNW). Hasn't caused a problem (yet), but I'm worried that it might in the future...
No option for using the Universal NR mounts (I have several from older halogen systems). I managed to cut thru the small neoprene ring when trying to use the helmet mount designed for the MiNewt family (purchased seperately/returned immediatly). This could have prevented me from using the light while I waited for a replacement (received it a week later, free of charge, from NR).
Rubber anti-slip pad on the mount is attached with adhesive, which is sliding off. NR has sent two replacements.
No way of using the MiNewtX2 with the NR Universal Tail Light (same goes for the rest of the MiNewt family).
| | Similar Products Used: | TriNewt, Classic Plus(es), Headtrip, Cyclops , Evolution Smart(s) | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Giant Rainier, configured as a commuter bike. | | Bottom Line: | I must say, I was thrilled with the light right up until I started to write this review(and remembered all the problems I've had already)... The light is blinding, and it runs for a lot longer than my commute and any ride I'll do this winter. I've got a bit of a DIY streak and I'm trying to improve it by creating modifications to protect the battery, and convert the mount to the older Universal mount.
I feel that it is a great light for urban commuting, or trail riding.
Its shortcomings are mainly focused around its mounting options and battery switch. I'm certain with enough feedback NR will resolve these issues.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stan
a Racer
from Maplewood, MO. 63143
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Shark in St. Louis | | Strengths: | Incredibly light with very simple and convieniant mounting steps | | Weaknesses: | Short cables but extensions are available...Like Milli Vanilli | | Similar Products Used: | HID only | | Bike Setup: | On the bars for my road bike and helmet mount for MTB | | Bottom Line: | On the road in the daylight I set it to flash and people in cars commented about how it cought their eye. On high this little light is not HID bright but cuts down the road and makes road holes very obvious.
On the MTB I use it on the helmet and it is really in it's element. I have the battery velcroed (supplied) to the shoulder of my camelback and I don't even feel it. I can find it there pretty easy to change the settings. Nice fade around the edges and works great as a spot to compliment an HID system. HID does not wash out this light. This is a good road bike bar light. It is a GREAT helmet light and weighs near nothing. I can't give it a 5 in value as some HIDs are now in dropping in price and I had to buy a helmet mount and longer cable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Van
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Don Vallery Crothers' Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$249.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Solutions | | Strengths: | Bright illumination, long burn time, easy to install | | Weaknesses: | price | | Similar Products Used: | BLT lead acid/halogen system | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F700 Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | With the days getting shorter I was looking for a system that would not only help me and my wife be seen when we go out riding, but to see the trails so we can extend our riding season into the late fall. With over 3 hours of burn tim at the high setting the Mi.Newt X2 is the real deal. This has the best mounting system I've seen on a bike light. No plastic b.s. to break off. Solid machined metal lamp housing. Blows my BLTs away on all counts. I bought the helmet mount so I can use the wife's light on my helmet when I'm out with the boys. Pricey but worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from White Bear Lake, MN
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Extremely bright with two levels of brightness (92 and 150 lumens with 3.5/7 hr burn time), rugged aluminum light housing, weight, intense flash mode, battery level indicator (blue >15% , red <15%), rubber gripper on the battery conforms to stem (you need 82mm of stem surface ideally), looks great! | | Weaknesses: | Bands are suspect. Only time will tell how well they hold up. | | Similar Products Used: | JetLite, CygoLite | | Bike Setup: | Commuter, Cross Country MTB | | Bottom Line: | The NR MiNewt X2 is an excellent value at $160, especially for commuters. I have primarily used competition level lights on my commuter, but those have awkward batteries (take up a bottle cage) and additional weight, not to mention wear and tear on more expensive systems.
The MiNewt is compact, extremely light, and casts a far-reaching beam. In flash mode during dawn or dusk I was amazed at all the reflections created off of street signs 3 blocks ahead of me. Use common sense when using the "be seen" flash mode though. It could literally cause seizures! I can only imagine how intense the TriNewt is.
The only weaknesses I can think of are the bands. I plan to use this light through the winter and dryness is a concern. It could cause the bands to wear prematurely. NR should include two sets of bands just in case. I have yet to test it out in rain, but it appears quite water resistant to me.
My only regret is not purchasing the unit with the helmet mount, that way I can keep the battery close to my body and keep it warm during the winter months. I'm not sure how well lithium ions hold up against the cold. This is not a criticism of the product, however. I have one on order through my LBS (~$40). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whichever one I happen to be riding | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | size, weight, price, broad intense beam. | | Weaknesses: | no helmet mount included, no carrying case included | | Similar Products Used: | nr evolution, nr flight | | Bike Setup: | relavance? | | Bottom Line: | I'm very pleased with the purchase I made. I got home and ordered the helmet mount at nr's site for 20.00. I later went to an area dicount dept store and purchased a travel toiletries pouch for 10.00. All in all I'm only 180.00 invested at this point. I currently have the light and battery both mounted on my helmet and it's working out great. My only concern is the rubber band-like mounting straps. How long before they wear out or break? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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