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NiteRider Lumina 750

8
£99.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Compact, fairly lightweight and solid; will suit riders in a range of situations
Weight: 
183g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The NiteRider Lumina 750 is an incredibly powerful light, boasting five different modes. With a solid build and cheaper than the RRP (if you shop around), it makes a pretty good value light for those needing a higher lumen count.

Of course 750 lumens is a lot of light to throw out there. NiteRider do make 400, 550 and 650-lumen lights for those needing less. This light is perfect for unlit country lanes, or cycle paths with low/no light. Using it about town isn't a huge problem either thanks to the options of low, medium and high beam.

When you first turn on the light it's in low beam. The small button on the top doubles as a charging and battery indicator. One more press sets it to medium and a third press takes it to high beam.

NiteRider claim that it will last one and a half hours in high mode, three hours in medium and five and a half hours in low. You can also use a daylight flash mode to increase visibility or use the low-power walk mode which will last up to eighteen hours. In real time use, the high beam lasted almost two hours after a full charge. It was done over a split time though and the light was switched off after one hour, then back on again after a coffee length break.

Charging is via a short micro-USB cable that can charge via laptop or a plug. The light can detect the difference between charging sources and it changes its charge speed accordingly, a feature NiteRider calls 'intellicharge'. It takes two and a half hours to charge via a socket and five via a laptop. The LED indicator on the on/off button pulses accordingly to let you know what charge speed it's on.

The LED indicator also changes from blue to red when the battery is getting low and it changes the light to low beam to help reserve energy.

The lithium-ion battery is integrated into the light, meaning once it's done, it's done. However the light comes with a two year warranty on electrical components and a lifetime warranty on all mechanical parts.

The build is really solid and it feels good. The metal in the body work gives it a much better look too. I did notice this metal got a little hot when in high beam. Weighing in at 133 grams (172 grams with helmet mount), it doesn't feel too heavy either.

The beam is straight and clear. It is centralised directly in front of the bike, but wide enough that you can easily see off to the side and avoid any potential dangers. Have a look at the light comparator below for more details.

The light has a slight hooded cover, which means no upwards glare for the rider. The light is very directional, as in straight ahead. This may make you less visible from the side, but I don't think drivers would fail to miss the actual beam.

The box also comes with a handlebar and helmet mount. The handlebar mount is suitable for a range of handlebar sizes and the quick release system is exceptionally easy to use. The helmet mount is pretty secure. It did give an initial wobble, but adjusting the tension on the straps made it sit in place.

These mounts make it really easy to remove the light when it needs charging, or you are taking a coffee break. The handlebar mount is so easy to fit (no tools needed) that it's also easy to remove for an opportunistic thief, though I'm not sure mounts are high on their wish-list.

On the road the light was barely noticeable, in that once it was in, I almost forgot about it. It did the job it needed to do, it never drooped or rattled as I put the bike through its paces. If for some reason the light did come loose, it could handle a good knock due to the good construction.

A compact little unit that's ideal for cycling where no one else really dares. It's a light that allows you to see a good distance ahead and to the side in front of you. It isn't as visible as other lights in terms of drivers seeing you due to its casing and this is worth noting. However it really does do the job for winter cycling on darker roads and trails.

Verdict

Compact, fairly lightweight and solid; will suit riders in a range of situations

The light comparator

If you have a nice big screen you can click here for the widescreen version (1400x1000px)

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road.cc test report

Make and model: NiteRider Lumina 750

Size tested: Black - 750 lumens

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The light is aimed at all bike users, from MTB to road. NiteRider say "The Lumina series again raises the bar for self-contained lights. The flagship Lumina 750 guarantees to meet your performance needs like never before. Exclusive to the Lumina 750 is IntelliCharge, allowing for the fastest recharge time of any Lumina ever made!". The light was certainly suitable for all types of bike use and the charge time is very quick for a light of this power.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

4 operating modes

Ride safely with daylight flash mode!

Perfect for helmet mounting

Patented 'Intellicharge' = twice as fast charging

USB rechargeable

New, rock solid handlebar mount

Light weight and self contained

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Incredibly solid construction.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
9/10

The light has features that are easy to access with only one button and the instruction guide is very clear.

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
9/10

The clamping system is very quick and easy to use.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
8/10
Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
8/10

The light charges faster from a standalone charger than via a computer.

Rate the light for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the light for durability:
 
8/10

Although this light has only been tested for a short time, it feels so well made it will last no problem.

Rate the light for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the light for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

The straps of the helmet mount don't interfere with the wearing of the helmet at all.

Rate the light for value:
 
8/10

The RRP is on the higher side, if you shop around you can get it cheaper, making it great value.

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The Lumina performed really well both on and off road.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

I liked the mounting system as I could unclip the light quickly.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes.

Would you consider buying the light? Yes.

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 34  Height: 158cms  Weight: 61kg

I usually ride: Giant defy  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Add new comment

4 comments

Avatar
pedalpowerDC | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've been a fan of the NR lights for a while. I will say that, depending on how your cables are routed, particularly on a road bike, the mount can be problematic, but the newer mount is a lot more secure than their older "click-tight" version.

The only other issue I've encountered is that the "low battery" warning may come on a little too late, depending on your ride length. Don't forget to charge it fully before a long, dark ride.

On the other hand, when I had an older NR light develop a charging problem, the company serviced it very quickly and had it back to me in almost no time.

Avatar
Jacobi | 9 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for the link, CXR9 4Di2. It provides the lumens at the lower settings.

350 lumens at medium setting

200 lumens at low setting

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 8 years ago
0 likes

I just use mine in low mode, there is plenty of light on the lowest setting. Only when it has been no moon or any street lighting have I used the higher settings, only for 10 mins or so. You can get these for £68 online
http://www.ubyk.co.uk/niterider-lumina-750-with-helmet-mount/20518

Avatar
Jacobi | 9 years ago
0 likes

Did they say how many lumens it throws out in low and medium mode?

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