Vistalight Nightstick code 5

Been using the 5W Vista NiCAD Nightstick for just over 2 years, the only problem I've had is a faultly connection on the extension cord due to over extending/bending. This was easily replaced with a new connection via Tandy (& PVC tape). I've used the Vista intensively for urban commuting and my partners borrowed it a few times for MTB nightriding, including the Kona 24.

From memory the nightstick can be recharged at least 500 times, if it has to be replaced at some point in the future, I'll happily do so. Also thinking of upgrading to the Code 15 NiMH Nightstick for the winter months. 😉

"Tony" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:405938e1$1@info-mid...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone have any experience with this light, my old
Cateye Daylights have giveb up the ghost.

Dean Woods has the Nightstick code 5's for $119

I am running one for commuting in the city and suburbs. It
is pretty good. The 5w is a touch underpowered but not too
much. I think the next one up is money well spent.

Fraser

Quoted message said:

Dean Woods has the Nightstick code 5's for $119

I have the 15w VistaLites with NiMH sticks. They are
okay but 1 stick only lasts for an hour, which isn't
quite enough on a slow commute.
It's also a pain having to carry the charger to home
and work and having to set a timer to charge them
at night and work for 5hrs.
I've bought a 10w globe since, but haven't tried it
yet.
The battery mount is on my mtb, so I'm looking for
another light rig (preferably) or another mount for
the road bike or, more likely, the SS.
I want something with ~3hr burn time for the commute
in and out, ~3hr charge time (if possible) so I can charge
it before going to bed and as much power as possible.
HID's are looking sweet, but the cost is a little silly...

hippy

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by hippy
> Dean Woods has the Nightstick code 5's for $119

I have the 15w VistaLites with NiMH sticks. They are
okay but 1 stick only lasts for an hour, which isn't
quite enough on a slow commute.
It's also a pain having to carry the charger to home
and work and having to set a timer to charge them
at night and work for 5hrs.
I've bought a 10w globe since, but haven't tried it
yet.
The battery mount is on my mtb, so I'm looking for
another light rig (preferably) or another mount for
the road bike or, more likely, the SS.
I want something with ~3hr burn time for the commute
in and out, ~3hr charge time (if possible) so I can charge
it before going to bed and as much power as possible.
HID's are looking sweet, but the cost is a little silly...

hippy

Hippy, leigh at cecil walker told me of a electronic shop around the corner from them that sells and makes rechargers which 'switch off' once youre charged. IE no timer needed

flyingdutch said:

Quoted message said:

... I want something with ~3hr burn
time for the commute in and out, ~3hr charge time (if
possible) so I can charge it before going to bed and as
much power as possible. HID's are looking sweet, but
the cost is a little silly... hippy

Hippy, leigh at cecil walker told me of a electronic shop
around the corner from them that sells and makes rechargers
which 'switch off' once youre charged. IE no timer needed

That's probably Jaycar electronics. www.jaycar.com.au I
bought a sealed lead-acid smart recharger from them - works
great. I used to leave the battery plugged in all the time.
Something like the "Battery Fighter® Super Smart 12V SLA
Battery Charger - 750mA". I also bought a "plug" from them
- had to connect this to the power cord to fit my old
Cateye Daylites.

Hippy, if you're thinking of upgrading, check out Lumicycle.
You can buy a smart charger from them directly! I leave mine
plugged in all night and sometimes for a few days. For more
info, just google aus.bicycle for "lumicycle".

For both these smart chargers, there's a red light on the
charger that glows when it's recharging fast, and flashes
when it's full and just "trickle" charging. Note that you
can't use the same charger for SLA, NICAD and NIMH! They
rely on different characteristics of the batteries to
determine when it's full.

cfsmtb said:

... the only problem I've had is a faultly connection on
the extension cord due to over extending/bending.

Put me down for this too. I soldered a new plug on the wire
and it was fine again. You can get extension cables for
these (or easily make them yourself).

I use a 15w on my helmet for winter commuting, but the dark
portion of this (to the station before 7am, from the station
after 7pm) is only about 25 minutes long, so the 45 minute
runtime of the 15-watter is not a problem.

I probably should use the 5-watt, since I wouldn't have to
remember to recharge it except on the weekends... but I love
that cold-mist high-beam x-files look as the light from me
scone shoots out across the paddocks.

-kt

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

........................................................ I
want something

with ~3hr burn

Quoted message said:

time for the commute in and out, ~3hr charge time (if

possible)............

Quoted message said:

hippy

The Cateye Stadium 3 has a three hour run time and 3 hour
charge time. It works for me.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by hippy
> Dean Woods has the Nightstick code 5's for $119

I have the 15w VistaLites with NiMH sticks. They are
okay but 1 stick only lasts for an hour, which isn't
quite enough on a slow commute.
It's also a pain having to carry the charger to home
and work and having to set a timer to charge them
at night and work for 5hrs.
I've bought a 10w globe since, but haven't tried it
yet.
The battery mount is on my mtb, so I'm looking for
another light rig (preferably) or another mount for
the road bike or, more likely, the SS.
I want something with ~3hr burn time for the commute
in and out, ~3hr charge time (if possible) so I can charge
it before going to bed and as much power as possible.
HID's are looking sweet, but the cost is a little silly...

hippy

All the lights mentioned in this thread have symmetrical beams coming from household down lights or HIDs. The bottom part of the beam lights the road and the top part disturbs the possums and the fruit bats as well as being in the eyes of approaching riders or drivers. To make up for the unsuitable beam shape the makers use more powerful globes and the owners put up with short run time.

Have a look at the Bisy FL or Schmidt E6 (same light, different housing) or the Lumotec. They have properly shaped beams that put a lot more light on the road for their modest power than a household lamp. They are not very expensive, but you would have to wire one to your battery. These lamps are popular with riders on Audax events, which can demand reasonable duration of light.

John Retchford

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by John Retchford
All the lights mentioned in this thread have symmetrical beams coming from household down lights or HIDs. The bottom part of the beam lights the road and the top part disturbs the possums and the fruit bats as well as being in the eyes of approaching riders or drivers. To make up for the unsuitable beam shape the makers use more powerful globes and the owners put up with short run time.

Have a look at the Bisy FL or Schmidt E6 (same light, different housing) or the Lumotec. They have properly shaped beams that put a lot more light on the road for their modest power than a household lamp. They are not very expensive, but you would have to wire one to your battery. These lamps are popular with riders on Audax events, which can demand reasonable duration of light.

John Retchford

Never looked at the 'shape' of my light.
Cant you just point em up or downward accordlingly? :-)

Part of my 'dream-commuter' will be one of them Scmidt dynohub (with disc-bracket)

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by John Retchford
Have a look at the Bisy FL or Schmidt E6 (same light,
different housing) or the Lumotec. They have properly
shaped beams that put a lot more light on the road for
their modest power than a household lamp. They are
not very expensive, but you would have to wire one to
your battery.

Hit google for "Schmidt E6" and found this info:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt-lumotec.asp

(posted for my own benefit as much as anyone else's)

hippy

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by hippy
> Originally posted by John Retchford

Quoted message said:

Have a look at the Bisy FL or Schmidt E6 (same light,
different housing) or the Lumotec. They have properly
shaped beams that put a lot more light on the road for
their modest power than a household lamp. They are
not very expensive, but you would have to wire one to
your battery.

Hit google for "Schmidt E6" and found this info:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt-lumotec.asp

(posted for my own benefit as much as anyone else's)

hippy

Try: http://www.stkildacycles.com.au/dynamos__lights.htm
and scroll down. Note that the Bisy FL and the Schmidt use the same lamp unit and have the same performance. On the Schmidt E6 the housing and the price are "enhanced".

Note: I have no connection with St Kilda Cycles. I have never been into the shop.

John Retchford

Lights such as these and the Lumotec are designed for bicycle use rather than for household applications.

John Retchford

John Retchford <[email hidden]> wrote in message
[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

Try: stkildacycles.com.audynamos lights.htmOpen ↗
and scroll down. Note that the Bisy FL and the Schmidt use
the same lamp unit and have the same performance. On the
Schmidt E6 the housing and the price are "enhanced".

Those who want a non-cyclingforums-butchered link can use
this: stkildacycles.com.audynamos lights.htmOpen ↗

--

"I'm proud that I live in a country where witnessing two
hours of bloody, barbarous torture in gloating detail is
considered indicia of religious piety, whereas a mere second
gazing upon a woman's breast is cause for outraged
apoplexy." Betty Bowers,
bettybowers.commelgibsonpassion.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Drs

Those who want a non-cyclingforums-butchered link can use
this: stkildacycles.com.audynamos lights.htmOpen ↗

The link I gave works perfectly from Google Groups as well as Cycling Forums. Perhaps you have a problem with your news reader?

John Retchford

John Retchford <[email hidden]> wrote in message
[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

The link I gave works perfectly from Google Groups as well
as Cycling Forums. Perhaps you have a problem with your
news reader?

Somehow it gets turned into
stkildacycles.com.audynamosOpen ↗<U>lights.htm.

--

"I'm proud that I live in a country where witnessing two
hours of bloody, barbarous torture in gloating detail is
considered indicia of religious piety, whereas a mere second
gazing upon a woman's breast is cause for outraged
apoplexy." Betty Bowers,
bettybowers.commelgibsonpassion.htmlOpen ↗