- 4.5 / 5 Bee's Knees -
Look how far we’ve come since the days of the so called “intense” 15 watt halogen lights. Of course at the time these were the best that technology could afford, and no one knew this any better than NiteRider. Seemingly, as soon as we moved away from oil-fired lamps and onto battery platforms, NiteRider entered the scene and relentlessly pushed the industry forward to its technological limits. Today, with a scorching bright 3600 lumen light, NiteRider is still setting benchmarks with its elite race lights and enabling cycling through its more economical market segments. For this review, I picked up one of their lights that I’d hazard is their flagship model: the Lumina 700. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that NiteRider has sold more bike lights to date than any other manufacture. But, this isn’t solely earned by their extensive tenure. Instead, this California based company has designed lights that have proven to be some of the most reliable and consistent in the industry. As for the Lumina 700, the intent seems clear: design a no-nonsense commuter-centric light that doesn’t fail…ever.
Starting with the lens and beam pattern, a harmony of spot and flood are achieved with a well selected reflector. Somewhere between the sharp-cut all-flood Urban 700, and the intense spot plus generous flood of the True 750, the Lumina 700 has a softly focused spot that adds light where you need it without an overly defined center circle. Additionally, the Lumina offers a slightly narrower flood than the True 750 while slightly wider and softer than the Urban. Ultimately, without comparing it to other lights, it’s a logical beam pattern that even night-cycling-noobs would recognize as a sensible pattern. Not unlike Switzerland, the beam pattern is neutral territory with the intent to please the masses regardless of their discipline.
As for the output, you likely won’t find more for your money. To my surprise, the True 750 seems disproportionately brighter than the Lumina 700 or the Urban 700 but because of certain faults of the True 750, both the Niterider and L&M are superior lights even with the marginally lower outputs. I don’t like to make too many comparisons based on price because that variable changes with time, but as I write this, the Lumina is a sub $100 light from several reputable sellers and that makes this light an incredible value which is exactly what you’d expect in this light segment. In non-monetary terms, the Lumina 700 offers a satisfying output that is sure to please. I’ll also add that the temperature (or hue) of the emitter is a nice crystal white as opposed to the lower output of some emitters with a bluish hue.
As for the output, you likely won’t find more for your money. To my surprise, the True 750 seems disproportionately brighter than the Lumina 700 or the Urban 700 but because of certain faults of the True 750, both the Niterider and L&M are superior lights even with the marginally lower outputs. I don’t like to make too many comparisons based on price because that variable changes with time, but as I write this, the Lumina is a sub $100 light from several reputable sellers and that makes this light an incredible value which is exactly what you’d expect in this light segment. In non-monetary terms, the Lumina 700 offers a satisfying output that is sure to please. I’ll also add that the temperature (or hue) of the emitter is a nice crystal white as opposed to the lower output of some emitters with a bluish hue.
An unforeseen testing element that the Lumina encountered was the frigid weather of a classic Duluth winter. Many of the nights I spent testing this light were below zero, and it was in these conditions that the Niterider showed its hardy construction compared to the temperamental attitude of others. It’s only fair to say that many cyclists won’t ride in these conditions, but regardless, it is likely an understatement to say this light is reliable under extreme conditions. In these conditions, the light fired up with no hesitation, allowed for somewhat winter-glove-friendly operation, quickly switched between modes and didn’t lose a charge in a fraction of its claimed time. By contrast, other lights failed to power up, wouldn’t switch to low output modes or indicated a completely drained battery contrary to the reality of their full charge. Additionally, I love the organization and operation of the light. A short hold powers on the light and a quick press cycles through low, med and high. After holding the button for maybe 5 seconds, flash mode is selected. Your next press will select the lights “walk” output. Any subsequent selections will again cycle through low/med/high to spare you the unexpected and disorienting flash mode or the low output walk setting. For any commuter, touring cyclist, or quite frankly anyone with the reasonable expectation that their purchase will work each and every time for its foreseeable lifespan, the Lumina 700 will instill confidence and let you focus on the magnificent ride ahead.
There are only so many ways to spin it, like EVERY light I’ve review, the Lumina is USB rechargeable, I wish I could be more creative guys, sorry! Like all-but the True 750, you’ll need to borrow a wall adapter from one of your other electronic gizmos as one is not included with this light. You can certainly utilize your computers USB port as well along with the included cable. At less than six hours, a full charge is a quick event and will have you riding again in no-time.
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, terrible mounting brackets are a personal source of great angst as they can paralyze an otherwise magnificent light. With the Lumina 700, NiteRider gives you a bulky, dare I say ugly mount…but…BUT, it is magnificent! While the mount is unpleasant to look at with a handful of rough marks left behind from the injection molding process, sliding the light on and off is relatively easy and can be accomplished one-handed. Most importantly however, the light does not move one bit, no mount I’ve used is more secure. The mount itself can be torqued down without the use of any tools. And, a little icing on the cake here, the mount does not swivel left and right! Unless you have a handlebar with an aggressive sweep that requires a little swivel correction on the light mount or you want to mount the light on your headtube and pitch it a bit, the lost swiveling feature is not missed. Instead, the added rigidity is celebrated. A helmet mount is also included and is equally embarrassing to look at. However, it too works very well. The buckles designed to secure the adjustable straps in place really lock down nicely. Again, there is no swivel feature here, but as is necessary, the helmet mount has an adjustable ratcheting pitch design which works perfectly and with just one hand.
It should be no surprise that the very innovators of the bike light as we know it today would create some of the best lights to date and certainly with the Lumina 700 they have. Being the perfectionist that I am, I had to turn a blind eye to some of the very minor finishing details mentioned above to be completely satisfied with this model. But honestly it wasn’t too difficult to look past these blemishes considering how great this light really is. I would go so far as to say, with a little influence from other manufactures, Niterider could inject a little bit of the only element that is missing in the design of this light: desirability. Although the alloy cooling fins are a nice touch, the design is maybe a bit sterile, but it is more appealing than older models so maybe we will see continued advances in cool-factor levels. Since I probably sound overly harsh and petty, I’ll clarify by saying these are the only criticisms I can muster in an otherwise exceptional light. And finally, in Niteriders defense, their placement of composite materials is wise and is arguably more durable than the anodized finishes of other lights I’ve used which have subsequently scratched easily. To recap, the Lumina 700 is an uncompromising workhorse with all the reliability and imperative attributes that serious cyclists demand while appealing to a hobbyist riders budget.
It should be no surprise that the very innovators of the bike light as we know it today would create some of the best lights to date and certainly with the Lumina 700 they have. Being the perfectionist that I am, I had to turn a blind eye to some of the very minor finishing details mentioned above to be completely satisfied with this model. But honestly it wasn’t too difficult to look past these blemishes considering how great this light really is. I would go so far as to say, with a little influence from other manufactures, Niterider could inject a little bit of the only element that is missing in the design of this light: desirability. Although the alloy cooling fins are a nice touch, the design is maybe a bit sterile, but it is more appealing than older models so maybe we will see continued advances in cool-factor levels. Since I probably sound overly harsh and petty, I’ll clarify by saying these are the only criticisms I can muster in an otherwise exceptional light. And finally, in Niteriders defense, their placement of composite materials is wise and is arguably more durable than the anodized finishes of other lights I’ve used which have subsequently scratched easily. To recap, the Lumina 700 is an uncompromising workhorse with all the reliability and imperative attributes that serious cyclists demand while appealing to a hobbyist riders budget.
