January 14th, 2008 by 
thien
RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page
NiteRider MiNewt.X2 $190.00
NiteRider MiNewt.X2 Dual $ 230.00
| Light | Price | Claimed Lumens | Runtime | Battery Type | Light head weight | Battery Weight | Installed Weight | Lumens per gram | Lumens per dollar |
| NiteRider MiNewt.X2 | $190 | 150 | 3.50hrs | Lithium Ion | 82g | 150g | 232g | .65 | .79 |
| NiteRider MiNewt.X2 Dual | $225 | 300 | 1:50hrs | Lithium Ion | 170g | 150g | 320g | .94 | 1.33 |
| NiteRider TriNewt | $500 | 500 | 3.25hrs | Lithium Ion | 216g | 346g | 562g | 0.89 | 1.00 |
Description:
The MiNewt.X2 features a tiny, 82 gram light head that feels sturdy and looks well-ventilated. The mount is a rubber band hook style onto the bars with a couple innovations. First, the rubber band has a tab that makes it easy to grip. Second, the mount has a pivot ball that allows left to right aiming of the light. The small battery is in a hard case and it is ideally mounted on the stem.
The MiNewt.X2 Dual is the same system with an additional light head and a y-cable. Brightness is doubled and the battery run time is cut in half. The Dual can only be used with both lights since the y-cable is permanently attached.
Light Meter Measurements:
The MiNewt.X2 measured 12 Lux on our ambient light measurement. This compares to 11 Lux for the Cateye Tripleshot and 14 Lux for the Exposure Joystick Maxx. The MiNewt.X2 dual measured in at 23 Lux.
Light Head Close ups:
Strengths:
- Incredibly light head and battery
- Good beam pattern
- Good value
- Simple, no-nonsense form factor and ergonomics
- Can mount two light heads for bar use
Weaknesses:
- Single MiNewt is not enough for a bar light
Bottom Line:
This is one of our favorites. It’s not the brightest but it’s so flexible and light that it give the user a lot of options at a good price
Beam Pattern Photos:
MiNewt.X2, MiNewt.X2
Value Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars
Read or write reviews:
(MiNewt x2) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130162.shtml
(MiNewt x2 Dual) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130163.shtml
NiteRider TriNewt $400.00
NiteRider TriNewt Wireless $500.00
Description:
The TriNewt features three LEDs in a compact reflector design. The lighthead is big, beefy and has ample cooling fins. Mounting is done with big, flat band that wraps around the handlebar. The lighthead is on a pivot ball to enable left to right aiming of the light.
The switch is on the battery that is meant to be mounted on the top tube. We also tried the wireless version which has a remote switch much like a car remote key. The switch has a special handlebar mounted sleeve that is installed beside the grip.
Light Head and Wireless Close ups:
Mounting Options:
The TriNewt can be mounted on the handlebar as well as on the helmet.
Light Meter Measurements:
The TriNewt measured 33Lux on our ambient light measurement. This compares to 33 Lux for the Dinotte 600L and 30 Lux for the Exposure Enduro Maxx.
Strengths:
- Very bright and wide beam pattern
- Overbuilt head will withstand the worst crashes
- Runs cool with all the heatsinks
- Lumens rating at 475 lumens seems accurate and conservative
Weaknesses:
- Overbuilt head is heavy, especially for helmet mounting.
- Wireless option is pricey and unnecessary for bar mounted setup
- We had trouble turning off the light when using the battery switch
Bottom Line:
This is a great handlebar light. It is wide and bright and it lasts a long time. The beam pattern is has a bright center. And the halo is quite big and sufficiently bright to give good peripheral vision.
We found that the remote switch was not really necessary when the light is used on the handlebar. The remote switch is more useful when the light is used on the helmet since the battery switch will most likely be inside the camelback.
As a helmet light, this illuminates very well too. But it can be a bit heavy, approaching 300 grams with the light mount.
Beam Pattern Photos:
TriNewt, TriNewt and MiNewt
TriNewt
Value Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars (for the $400 configuration)
Overall Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Read or write reviews:
(TriNewt) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130564.shtml
(TriNewt Wireless) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130565.shtml
RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page
January 21st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I’m sorry, but if you are considering spending $1200 on just the light for your bike, you seriously need to re-consider your priorities in life. There are people in this world who are starving and don’t make that much money in a year. How about a $500 light and a $700 (tax deductible) donation to your local homeless shelter or other favored charity?
February 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
>>I’m sorry, but if you are considering spending $1200 on just the light for your bike, you seriously need to re-consider your priorities in life.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
>>I’m sorry…priorities in life.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
nm
February 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
third try
If you broke the headlight assembly on your car, there’s a good chance that it would cost way more than $1,200 to repair so your save the world mentality makes little sense.
A bike light is a specialty item, typically made in small numbers and often by hand. Niterider is the GM of car lights and they only reason they don’t offer a $1,000 light is because the markey would not bear it.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:40 am
My priority when cycling at night is my own safety. Therefore a bright front and rear light is essential.
I will give to charity when 100% of the donation goes to charity. Not 60% like some of them give, paying themselves a nice salary in the process.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I tried the Trinewt, but the battery won’t charge unless you warm it up after every ride. Like I have time to do that?
March 8th, 2008 at 11:21 am
for fisherman473 how much did you spend on your house, car, or other things considered normal by most people. I use my bicycle as a form of transportation and don’t consider a safety item a ridiculous luxury. Consider your own priorities!
May 9th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I have a standard answer to people who question spending top dollar on safety items (and I consider a superb light a vital safety item). Here it is:
It’s cheaper than a physical therapy.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:51 am
The number of people who ride without any light whatsoever is frightening. In the San Francisco Bay Area it numbers in the thousands as many folks commute on their bicycles yet “forget” that lighting is critical to safety. Mountain View is particularly hazardous.
That being said, the Trinewt is a nice little chunk’a light, especially when your son pays for it! The rear light, however, is equally, if not more important as (hopefully) you’re riding with traffic.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I agree with everyone here that safety comes first. I was considering going for a cheaper commuter light, but i’ve seen the difference between the high end and the low end lights on the market. I would rather invest the money for a high quality product, light, rather than spend time in the hospital, having too pay a far greater dollar amount. I guess its fair to say that your own safety is a priority, RIGHT?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
what does it matter to you what i do with my $$$s!
February 14th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I hit a speed hump last night and I’m lucky I did not die. Light the road if you are going to ride. The brighter the better. Don’t put a price on safety.
May 26th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
The ridiculous part is not spending that much for your safety. It is having too. I know what goes into there things electronically and there is no way anyone can say $1000 has anything to do with cost of production limited runs or no.
we are just being milked how diferent is this from a flash light anyone here own a good cheap led flash light? Some must great on batteries even with AA isn’t it. I can’t imagine paying that much and the reason noone should is that they will just decide they have not reach the point that we won’t buy it they charge what they think the market will bare. That is the reason that all our equipment costs so much.
We keep paying for it.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Besides my own safety, I think it is considerate TO THE AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS. They don’t want to hit me. Not only because of liability but because of the emotional trauma it would be for them. I need to SEE the road in front of me so I don’t fall over in front of an automobile.
I do not have an auto so an adequate light is CHEAP compared to any automobile and its devices.
I lived some years in the Netherlands. It is illegal — and enforced — not to have bike lights there.
Let’s get our priorities straight: Bicyclists require to be seen from all sides and to adequately see the road ahead.