December 7/09 12:42 pm - NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Plus

Posted by Editoress on 12/7/09
 

With the recent 'rolling back' of the clocks, trying to fit in those after-work rides are all but impossible without the help of a night light.  Choosing a light that fits your needs and your budget can be a daunting task, considering the options we have these days.  Whether you're looking for commuting light or an inexpensive trail riding light, NiteRider has come up with a clever LED system that is not too hard on the wallet.

The Details

The NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB is just that, mini.  Weighing only 175g, you can barely notice it when it's mounted on a helmet.  I even went so far as attaching both the LED and battery to my helmet, since the weight was not a bother.  A longer cord is included for those who prefer to store the battery in a jersey pocket or hydration pack.

Helmet Mount

The LED bulb delivers 110 lumens and has an average run time of 3 hours.  The 'Plus' in the name simply means that the system includes a helmet attachment.  And speaking of attachments, the helmet clamp is quite clever; with the use of strong rubber bands and a ball and socket interface, the LED can pivot fore and aft as well as side-to-side.  So aiming the beam where you need it is simple, quick and secure. Once mounted, the LED and battery do not move at all; they feel almost integrated into the helmet.

Charging is made easy, because the MiNewt’s Li-ion battery can be recharged through a powered USB port or a regular wall socket (both chargers are included).  A complete charge cycle is approximately 4.5 hours.

On the Road

The intended purpose of the MiNewt is commuting, and it's ideal in this situation.  The LED bulb provides approximately 50 feet of usable light, with most of the light concentrated in the center of the beam.  Those that question whether 110 lumens is enough light for riding on the street, where being visible in traffic is paramount, should rest assured that this light is bright enough.  On several occasions I was flashed by on-coming traffic!

On the Trail

For night riding in trails, I've found that helmet mounted lights are safer and more useful than handlebar mounts. The ability to shine your light in the directing you are looking makes handling technical terrain in the dark less of a guessing game.  I tend do most of my night riding alone, and using just the MiNewt on my helmet leaves a bit to be desired.  Depending on your comfort level in the woods, I felt that I had to ride a bit more cautiously due to the narrowish centre beam.  With the narrow, focused beam there tends to be more shadows than I was used to.  However, if you prefer to ride with others in the dark, I would not hesitate to use the MiNewt all the time, as the added light from your friends' systems will brighten up the trail sufficiently.

When all's said and done, the MiNewt is a great light system for a relatively cheap price.  The system is simple to use, and makes for an awesome light for riding in traffic.  For the occasional night-time trail user, the MiNewt is decent.  If I rode all the time in the dark I would need something brighter (which means more expensive).  I really liked the simplicity and adjustability of the helmet mount.

NiteRider light systems are distributed through Orange Sport Supply and can be found through most independent bike retailers.  The MiNewt retails for $199.99, and the system is backed by a lifetime warranty on all the mechanical components, 2 years on the headlamp, power module, and AC adapters, and 6 months on the battery ... pretty standard fare.  More info can be found at niterider.com

Review and photos by Chad Grochowina