Home > Product Reviews > Lights > Nite Rider Trail Rat 2.0 Rechargeable Front Light Reviews
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 Nite Rider Trail Rat 2.0 Rechargeable Front Light
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Nite Rider Trail Rat 2.0 Rechargeable Front Light
More about Nite Rider
Average Rating: 4 out of 5
No. of Reviews: 3
RRP: £100
Year: 2002 - 2007

Description:
The NiteRider TrailRat has become synonymous with ruggedness and durability. The TrailRat light system comes equipped with a powerful lightweight 6 volt NiMH battery pack and headlamp, housing a NiteRider custom tuned 10 watt halogen bulb for superior output.
The TrailRat uses NiteRider surlock power cables to provide a strong, waterproof connection, sealing the system from the elements. Whether commuting the city streets, or trail riding, the TrailRat light system guarantees to provide years of dependability and service at an affordable price.

 REVIEWS
 
1 to 3 of 3 reviews, to post a review you need to be a member - Join now. 
jimmyla (the drunken oaf) 
Posted: 06/11/03
'Budget Price, Budget Performance'
Strengths:
The outer casing is fairly good at resisting knocks, its not too heavy and the light does last well
Weaknesses:
Try getting any spares and you notice how 'optomistically' priced they are. A replacement bulb for £25, A replacement charger for £50 etc. Replacemnt bulbs in particular need to be purchased regularly as they seem to burn out fairly often.
The light from the bulb is also not the greatest when compared to other systems.
Overall:
The value of the light which is initially good reduces significantly because of the price of spares. Although the brightness off the light is reasonable you notice how much better other lights are if you pay a little bit more.
 
Performance
 
60%
Reliability
 
60%
Value
 
40%
Overall Rating
 
53%
 
Tom Maher 
Posted: 16/02/04
'BRIGHT FOR A 10W, GOOD VALUE, TOUGH SYSTEM'
Strengths:
* 10W bulb has a bluey tint which makes it seems whiter (therefore brighter) than most 15W bulbs.
* Tough casing and other parts are durable.
* Standard MR-11 bulbs should have a lifespan of 1000 hours at least and although you can buy Niterider branded spares, you can buy cheaper non-branded from a local elec shop or Cateye and Vistalite also use 6V MR-11 bulbs.
* Compact battery
* Makes an excellent head torch if bought with the mounting strap.
Weaknesses:
* Probably not enough on its own - a budget dual headlamp system probably gives more options as the Niterider bulb is a spot rather than a flood and I like to see the area around my front wheel a bit more.
* No 'smart' charger but what do you expect at this price?
* Over-volting would be nice to give more light but would reduce bulb life.
Overall:
* Superb durable good quality unit. Brighter than other 10W systems and some 15W systems. I don't know how you can break the charger or the other bits if you take care with it.
 
Performance
 
80%
Reliability
 
100%
Value
 
60%
Overall Rating
 
80%
 
Guy Wood 
Posted: 04/09/04
'LIGHTWEIGHT, TOUGH, NEAT FIT AND QUITE BRIGHT'
Strengths:
Compared to a Cateye set I tried a while back, this light is neat when it's installed - no great fat coiled wires and switches everywhere. Neat, straight, short cable and the on/off is on the light itself.

Not bright enough for full speed single track but ideal for trail cruising at night. Got plenty of quizical looks cycling back through my village in the dark!
Weaknesses:
None really, it would come with a smart charger in an ideal world.
Overall:
Pretty good value for money.
 
Performance
 
80%
Reliability
 
80%
Value
 
80%
Overall Rating
 
80%
 
 MY REVIEW
 
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