2009 LED Bike Lights Comprehensive Review - Beginner Lights
By James Sharp

Review Navigation
Introduction
- Beginner
Sport
Expert

Beginner Lights Navigation
NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Plus
Light and Motion Stella 120
Princeton Tec Switchback 1
Exposure Joystick MaXx
Beginner Lights Summary

NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Plus
(click here to view the images and graphs for this light)
In the MiNewt Mini-USB Plus, NiteRider has the honor of being the least expensive Li-Ion-powered light we've ever reviewed, at $129. The standard Mini-USB--identical, but without the helmet mount and extension cord--costs even less ($99). An offshoot of the MiNewt line, it capitalizes on the latest LED technology, though not to be the brightest. Rather, NiteRider uses increase in efficiency to gain better power efficiency. The LED, and accompanying circuitry runs cooler, allowing NiteRider to use a plastic light head--something they can't do with the MiNewt X2. The light head looks the same, but costs them less to make. Other concessions that they made to bring the price down include losing the battery charge indicator--the button doesn't light up, nor does the charger give any indication that the battery is charged--and their three lead sure-lock connectors, using instead a simple plug like those they used years ago.

What they left, though, is what matters. The Li-Ion battery is very small and lightweight. The Mini-USB retains the excellent Borofloat glass lens and the high quality reflector. The beam is every bit as clean as its pricier siblings, even if it's not quite as bright.

Ê What really sets the MiNewt Mini-USB apart from the other lights at this--or any--price is that it charges via a mini-USB port (hence the name). ÊThis means that it will charge from the USB port on your PC, or via the included AC adaptor. This makes it a good choice for commuters, who can top off the battery while at work. It also means that its accessories (NiteRider makes an in-car charger) will work with any device that charges via a USB port, since the voltage and current output for a USB port are standard. The charger (and car adaptor) works just as well with cell phones and mp3 players. Nice. NiteRider also has an optional head strap for the MiNewt line of light, including the Mini-USB.

I know what you are saying: "that's great and all, but how's the light?" For the money, it's great. It's the same output as last years Sol and SolMate. But, it costs less. The Mini-USB also does away with the outdated NiMH battery and has a nicer, smaller Li-Ion in its place.

Overall the feel of the light is one of quality. Even though the light head is plastic, it doesn't feel cheap. The only problem I had was the O-ring that attaches the light head to the handlebars--or helmet mount--was a little harder to use than the MiNewts we looked at last year. Also, the screw that holds the O-ring mount to the light head had a tendency to loosen up. A little Loc-Tite (the blue stuff) helped, but didn't eliminate, the problem.

Price: $129
Weight: 174g
Claimed Lumens: 110+
www.niterider.com

Light and Motion Stella 120
(click here to view the images and graphs for this light)
Like the MiNewt Mini-USB, the $130 Stella 120 came from brighter stock. The Stella we looked at last year was 200 lumens and used a Li-Ion battery. This light--which has the same reflector and body--has a nice beam pattern and decent throw that belies its lowly 120 lumens. In addition to the lower output, the Stella 120 loses the Li-Ion battery and uses a tiny NiMH in its place--making it the only NiMH battery in this review. the 120 also has the honor of having the longest charge time. No fancy chargers here, just an overnight (approximately 8 hours) trickle charger. Also like the Mini-USB, the Stella 120 has no indication of charge status. Plug it in, wait for the allotted time, then unplug and go.

As the light runs down, it doesn't tell you in any way what the remaining time might be, so keep an eye on the clock. However, our tests have shown that it run considerably longer than the stated 2 hours. So much longer, in fact, that I had to check with Light and Motion to see if everything was OK. It was, I'm happy to report. They were just conservative in their specs.

The means of attaching the light to the handlebars has changed since we last looked at the Stella. Taking cues from the new Seca line, the new mount relies on an elastic strap wrapped around the handlebars. This is plenty secure, easy to use, and light weight. This strap is attached to a swivel that allows some side to side adjustment, though not to the extent of the Mini-USB.

Other than the lack of charge indication, there is very little to fault with the Stella 120. It is an excellent budget light.

I found that the light worked best helmet mounted, where you could point the light wherever you were looking. Unlike the Mini-USB Plus, the helmet mount is extra ($16), but the small battery makes attaching it directly to the helmet a breeze.

Light and Motion also has an optional head strap that works very well with the Stella 120.

Price: $129.99
Weight: 198g
Claimed Lumens: 120
www.lightandmotion.com

Princeton Tec Switchback 1
(click here to view the images and graphs for this light)
This is the second time that we've seen the Princeton Tec Switchback 1. The first time we saw it, it was in pre-production form and didn't quite make our review. We did like the size, the all-inclusive kit and long lasting battery. All of that is still the same, but they have since updated the LED bringing it up to the latest available. The run time is essentially the same, the charge time is still very short, as well. But the increase in brightness is much welcomed.

As I stated, the kit is all-inclusive. This means that it comes with handlebar and helmet mounts. It also means that it comes with both wall and car chargers. The light switches quickly from handlebar to helmet mounts. The handlebar mount works with just about any size bar without needing shims.

I did find that the hinge on the handlebar mount interferes with B-levers (also called top-mount levers) found on many cyclocross and some road bikes.

Other than the bulky handlebar mount, I found the light to work as expected. The beam pattern is square-ish, and works well as a helmet light in conjunction with a wider beamed handlebar light. It is bright enough to make a better than adequate commuter light. It's a little more money than either the Mini-USB or the Stella 120. What you get for that extra money is the car charger, crazy long run time, a charge indicator, both helmet and handlebar mounts and a very short charge time. Oh... and a brighter light.

Price: $199
Weight: 442g
Claimed Lumens: N/A
www.switchback321.com

Exposure Lights Joystick MaXx
(click here to view the images and graphs for this light)
This is our second time around with the Joystick. In fact, the light hasn't changed in output, or run time since we last saw it. It's still lightweight, easy to use, and very functional. However, the price has dropped quite a bit (from $250 to $199). In addition, the light's power port can now handle running a tail light as well as the piggyback battery it could before. Also new this year is an optional head strap.

Last year I said this: "I like the helmet mount. It's the same as before, but it's still just as novel. The light pops on with ease, adjusts with ease, and stays where it's put. It's very, very lightweight. The one drawback is that if you don't have a central vent in your helmet, the light will be mounted off to one side." All that still holds true. Other lights can have their batteries helmet mounted, approximating what Exposure has with the Joystick, but it's not quite the same. The Joystick is so lightweight it really isn't like any other light.

The beam is good, if a bit narrow. The throw is typical for a single emitter. While Exposure does have a handlebar mount--updated this year--for the Joystick, the light is more at home helmet-mounted, and helmet mounted is where it resided for the duration of our test.

Price: $199
Weight: 103g
Claimed Lumens: 240
www.exposurelights.com

Beginner Summary
All of these lights fell into the same price range allotted the Beginner classification, but there are really two groups here. The $130 lights--Mini-USB and 120--lack low battery warnings, charge indicators, and maximum light output. They are also on/off only. Instead, the make excellent second lights, or commuter lights. For a little more--$70--you step up to faster chargers, more light, different light levels (with flashing modes) and charge indicators. Is it worth it? If you are looking for a bare bones, no frills light either the Light and Motion Stella 120 or the NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB fit the bill nicely. I have to give the nod to the NiteRider, though, simply because they brought Li-Ion batteries down to this price point, and the light charges in a relatively short amount of time. Just keep and eye on that mounting screw.

Between the other two, the Princeton Tec and the Exposure, it really depends on what you want. If you need as much run time as you can get, the the Switchback is your light. If you want the lightest weight possible, with no wires, then the Joystick is for you. Because I don't like any more weight on my head that I absolutely need, the scale tips very slightly to the Joystick.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com. His obsession with lights didn't begin here. See more on his blog -- Lactic Acid Threshold.