Cunning lighting from the dark side of the pond
Niterider Digital DP 12 £279 and Digital Headtrip £150
Price: £169.99
Contact: RAW 0131 467977
Features: Digital Pro - 12; 12 and 20 watt twin bulb headlight controlled through a remote handlebar mounted digital processor to give light levels from 3 to 32 watts (with automatic power saving) as well as flashing and 'SOS modes'. Ni-Cad bottle cage battery.

Digital Headtrip; 15 Watt helmet light with digital processor to give four levels of light 6, 9 and 15 watts, with automatic power saving function. Ni-mh pocket battery.

Starting with the engineering side of the unit, the headlight is an extremely tough sealed unit that survived a whole heap of the (unplanned) abuse that comes as part of the night riding game. The lights are pre-focussed to give a mid width flood for the 12 watt and a slightly thinner, longer beam for the 20 watt. Coverage is good and though the light isn't as clinically clear as Metal Halide bulbs such as the Cateye Stadium and Specialized Fireballs it's easy enough for most situations.

The small digital brain that controls headlamp velcro's onto the bars inboard of the shifters for easy thumb operation of the single button, which scrolls it through it's multiple twin or single lamp outputs. The switch runs through in alternating double and single light phases of reducing intensity while holding the switch down triggerts the flashing alert signal or the impressively 'boy scout' SOS signal which - you guessed it - flashes SOS to passing ships if you get into trouble on the rocks. The head block sits on an equally tough rubbery nylon (rather than snappy plastic) clamp with an angle adjust ratchet for aiming the lights vertically. The fixing to the bars is offset so the headlamp sits dead centre of the stem and the clamp itself fixes with an adjustable hook and cam action (like those used on metal watch straps) which holds everything nice and secure if it's adjusted tight.

The cabling is thickly rubber insulated for maximum durability (considerably better than other systems we've seen) with thick, tight rubber seals around the jack plugs and light sockets to keep the weather out. The battery cable is a coiled 'telephone cable' type that stops excess length flapping about.

The battery power is also handily displayed by a row of LED's on the remote switch which flicker and then go out as your battery loses charge, so you won't suddenly be left stranded in the dark. Not quite as clear are the little peephole light indicators above the lamps which let you see which of the headlights are on. The trouble is with 9 different options to scroll through from the single button it's very easy to find yourself lost amongst the possibilities and you won't be sure whether you're burning through battery life too fast. You can scroll through the options and work out which is brightest from the 6 main choices, but it's not the easiest or most convenient task when you're trying to thread your way through technical singletrack at night, and some more obvious indicator would be useful to make the most of the light.

On the head, sun

The lightweight, sealed head unit uses two long velcro straps to secure through helmet vents and this works fine as long as you get it set straight - otherwise you'll be riding with a permanent squint off to one side. The same ratchet angle adjuster as the bar light is used on the mount, but once we'd got it on our head we always forgot which way to pull the tab to get it to move to correct the gradually increasing downwards droop that you seem to get with all helmet lights. It does mean you can run it as a lightewight bar light with the existing bracket though, if you get neck ache. The low profile button switch is well sealed but sometimes difficult to locate with fat winter gloves.

The thing which really sets this way ahead of other headlights though, is the lightweight Ni-mh battery which is only the same (roughly fag packet) size as those flat batteries Wonder lights used to take but weighs a lot less and slips easily into a jersey or jacket pocket. Hurrah.

Your Opinion Here:

We've already got some reader reviews here, but if you want to add your own experiences e-mail us with a summary and we'll post them here in this handy space at the bottom of the page. If you have questions you can mail us direct, or try a posting to our forum.

From Jamie Tatlow

I have owned and used the older Pro-6 digital light for over 3 years now and have found it to be one of the most useful lights that I have used in a very long time, not just on the bike either.

This single 20w halogen bulb unit has 3 settings for power out put and claims over 6 hours on the low setting and about 1.5 on high, this is about right but the 'fuel gauge' tends to make you panic for the last 15%. The small 'fuel gauge' indicator on the top of the unit is very handy and if you remember to only plug in a fully charged battery then it is very accurate, if the battery is disconnected for any reason then the gauge can tell you the wrong information.

Fitting to the bike(s) in no problem and the battery fits in to a bottle cage so check the fittings on your frame can handle the extra weight and use a strap if off-roading, the last thing you want is a loose battery in the spokes and then a blackout!

I have also used the light for all sorts of other 'activities' like walking, camping and even bodging a clutch cable on a hire van in the middle of the night. I have yet to need the other 3 function that this light has to offer but it is nice to know that with a simple (Long) push the light will start sending out a help flash (S.O.S.) should you be in any trouble up on the hills at night. As for the slow or fast flashing light intended for day time riding, well I think it looks a bit strange, but then this is an American product!?!? Use it if you feel like.

The whole unit is very strong and only the battery and leads need to be looked after a bit in order to stop any wires being damaged, and as I have never blown a bulb I think it could be time to do so just to be safe as this is not a mid ride type of thing as you need a few tools that you may not have in your bag, prevention rather than cure type theory.

I did have a quick ride on the Pro-12 set and they were blinding, in all ways. If your rides are fast a technical and not to far from civilization then these are the ones to have, just don't make engine noises or the farmers will chase you thinking you are a motor bike! They do have the option to use just one bulb and get the same run time as the Pro -6 but onceyour eyes get used to the extra it can take time to get used to the lower settings, plus if you've got it you want to use it, but at the expense of run time.

Over all night riders are dam good, a bit pricey, but they so is your bike probably? James Tatlow - RST Europe.

From Chris Keller - Jackson

Whilst I do not have the ultra expensive NR Digital lights, I do have the NR Classics. Here are some of my observations:

For the initial outlay of £199, the classics seemed like an expensive outlay. My previous set of lights - Cateye Dual Daylights suffered due to poor connections, brittle plastics and poor burn time - getting worse as the gel cell aged. The lights lasted effectively two seasons.

The small footprint and bar mounted switch of the NR were a revelation. After first charge, obeying the unusually comprehensive manual, the first proper night ride was much improved. There was no light flex. Connectors were secure and positive. The small size of the head unit belied just how powerful the unit was. All of my riding colleagues noted that the NR's were that bit brighter with a white not yellow glow. On the trail the light is fantastic. On most rides only the 12 watt is needed. Only in really dark woods, or on fast dark downhills and singletrack is the 20 watt needed. I tend not to use them both in combination too much as it reduces burn time and if I'm honest, is a bit of overkill.

Technical night riding is scary enough as it is without having to worry about poor visibility, lights suddenly losing connection or having to conserve power just in case. What the NR helps with is giving confidence and just letting you get on with it (oh no - its turning into a panty liner commercial !).

As with all products there are a few niggles. 1. Heavy battery, NiMetHy would be nice for the price.

2. Switch cycles between 12w / 32w / 20w / Off which means going from 20w to 12w has to turn the lights off.

3. Velcro on switch will not fit under right shifter pod gear indicator (XT) which means a long thumb stretch to the switch.

4. Charger very basic for price - I always dump then do a timed charge to compensate.

I am of course being very picky as the lights are exceptional, strongly mounted and everyone I know is envious. Burn times ? they are long enough for a 1.5 hour ride in comfort using the power necessary for the conditions and 2 hours the same with a bit of conservation. I'm sure that a digitally controlledversion, better charging and more light control would be even better. At £279 (I think ?) they are a lot of money. You could buy a bike for that, well maybe a decent fork or discs. I already have those though. There is only one thing I can say. A Nightrider is for life, not just for Christmas.

Cheers

Chris Keller - Jackson

From Phill;

my mate has just got a pair of the digital light sets and we went riding one night and they were enough for both of us extremely bright in an unlit country park. catching all the deer and bunnies in its light no fuss controls charging is again no fuss there's even room for a few gimmicks flashing and sos signals which with lights this bright could be really handy a bit pricey though but then I'm a bit of a skin flint. One thing though if you need someone to help you test them i could be of assistance or if your feeling full of good tidings you could just give me set and i would not make them feel unwanted.

regards phill

From Bard Brors

Do you know anything about the new metal halide helmet light from NiteRider? I read about that in the November issue of Bike. The bulb is 10W but puts out light like a 35 W of halogen. So far is probably "vaporware", but I think I would wait for it instead of buying another light today.

Bard Brors

Trondheim, Norway