DomaneS5

I'm a frequent user of Niterider bike lights. These lights have served me well over the past 2 years on my pre-dawn rides. I recently had a Lumina 700 model headlight that wouldn't charge due to a dead battery and a Solas 100 tail light that did the same. The replacement batteries for the Niterider brand are over half the cost (with shipping) of a new light from Amazon. Why even bother with replacement batteries? Just buy a new damn light. It's a shame the batteries cost so much. If the batteries were $5 a piece, it could be justified.

New Lumina 900 boost from Amazon: $52.41
New Lumina replacement battery (without shipping): $24.99

hillyman

That's how they get you for sure. But if lights still alright still better just to buy batteries than waste resources.

wschruba

If you buy the cells yourself, and are even somewhat competent mechanically (three screws and some kapton tape), high quality Panasonic cells can be had for under $10. Of course, Night Rider will actually test your light if it goes back to them, so weigh your abilities to diagnose other issues that may be battery related vs. electronic (charging circuitry, switches, etc...).

$25 is quite reasonable, given that, but as I said, the cells aren't even that expensive if you buy them your self.

Kapusta

DomaneS5

It doesn't sound reasonable to me. 2 replacement batteries cost more than a new light with a new battery.

pesty

The other option is to get a light that runs off of common, easily replaceable cells like 14500 or 18650 lithium or standard AA size NiMH. I had a NiteCore flashlight that worked great as a headlight for a few years that ran off of 18650s. If I ever needed to replace one, I just went to Fry's. The only reason I replaced it is because I wanted something smaller, with a USB port, that was ANT+ compatible, so I got a Garmin. Has torx screws on the front of it, my guess would be that there's a 18650 inside it as well.

Kapusta

DomaneS5

OK then. You buy new batteries. I'll buy new lights.

kingston 

I will add this to the long list of reasons why the B&M Ixon IQ Premium is the best battery powered headlight.

Kapusta

Kapusta

Hoopdriver

The NiteRider website doesn't have a lot of detail on the battery other than it is a Li-Ion unit (guaranteed for a year). You may be able to rebuild the battery pack with new individual cells, but that's a bit of work to save maybe $10.

I do a lot of riding in the dark hours and decided years ago to invest in a dyno hub and good lighting. Bright and reliable and takes away the worry about charging, battery replacement, etc.

Witterings

If you open it up you'll probably find they're just £5 ..... 18650's inside.

This is the reason I never buy USB chargeable lights as they have you over a barrel but just get a decent quality torch that takes rechargeable batteries instead, the other advantage is take a spare battery with you and if the one in the torch runs out just swap it over and continue your ride

indyfabz

It's your money, but if you keep buying a new light instead of a new battery each time a battery will no longer charge just because you feel batteries are relatively overpriced you are going to come out behind.

rollagain

That's nice, I'm sure, but it means having a whole wheel built around that hub. That's got to cost more than a standalone light. Cost-over-time probably works in your favor, but it won't for everybody. And, just in case the hub dyno fails, you should be carrying some kind of backup for it anyway (Scout motto).

I've gone to AA lights on my second bike, and bought a supply of rechargeables. I carry spare sets of fresh ones when I go out.

autonomy

Batteries aren't that expensive these days. Fancy LiOn cells and circuitry aside, most of the vanilla rechargeable batteries should not be that expensive, especially given the economy of scale at which they are produced. I bet the real reason Niterider is charging that much for the battery is because they can! Come up with a proprietary battery connector instead of using something standard, and then charge 3x the price. I have an expensive electric toothbrush which has a regular, $10 NiMH battery soldered on. You're not even supposed to be able to replace it - the manufacturer wants you to throw the toothbrush into a landfill and then buy a whole new assembly. Why would I do such a thing? Thankfully, there are 3rd-party batteries available on Amazon - so I just doubled the life of my toothbrush AND kept it out of a landfill for only $10. No, I don't expect everyone to have a soldering iron and know how to solder. But I will not be giving any more money to that toothbrush manufacturer any more.

Is Niterider in the business of developing and selling batteries or lights? Because I'm pretty sure they're just repackaging someone else's battery. Hardly any value they're adding in there. OP, I would suggest looking for another light, it's not like there's a lack of competition in that space.

veganbikes

Go dynamo and don't worry about lights or charging or batteries : )

Kapusta

phughes

I have had a Lupine Piko 3 since 2011 and am still using the original battery. The system is pricy, but I have had to spend zero on it since buying it seven years ago.

autonomy

Yeah, but is it a fancy battery? Is it reliable? I don't think so, given OP's experience. Probably made in China like the rest of them, unless it's one of these or similar BT-70791CK, BB-2590/U 7.5 Ah Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Seriously, the tiny battery in my phone lasts more than 2 years and I charge/discharge it daily.

Kapusta

autonomy

Yeah, it's a military-grade battery. Point being that unless NR has military-spec LiON tech in their batteries, they shouldn't be charging $25 for a single-cell 18650 battery.

u235

Apparently not. OP has a "reputable" NR and his battery crapped out in a short time. I use the run of the mill 18650 batteries and lights on and off the bike. I don't have an hour meter on my flashlights but I've used them 2 winters riding at night and every other non dark ride as a front blinky and countless times as a regular flashlight. I live in the woods and its can't see hand in front of your face pitch black at night so I use a those lights and batteries pretty much every day. No doubt some will be junk but statistically I've been great. I also use a decent smart charger, not a generic walwart of unknown capability.

CliffordK

If it was simply $25 to repair vs $50 to replace, then economics would dictate the $25 repair.

However, there are many headlights that cost in excess of $100... so a repair would be more favorable... presumably.

On the other hand, other parts wear. I've had nothing but grief from the Android charging plugs, and really hate that they've become standard on so many lights.

My current headlight will barely charge with the plug. So, if the battery was to go bad, the only reasonable choice would be to get a new light (or replace both the battery + charging plug). I think the mount may be wearing.

Anyway, there would be benefits of buying all new (and perhaps going with a different brand or model).

52telecaster

never had a dyno or a dyno headlight fail. have had a dyno tailight fail but it didnt kill me.