I tried the nitelights. They were cheap and put out a good spread of light. I used them for about 3 months be fore they died during a very wet commute home one night. That wet dark long walk home convinced me I needed the Lupines. They're not cheap, but they aren't that bad when compared in price and output to lights inexcess of $1000 dollars only 6 years ago. They have never let me down, even in the worst conditions.
Not sure how the nitelights go in the wet now but it would be a question worth asking if you intend riding in the wet at night.
These are re marketed Magicshines (MJ 808). Light is actually very good for the price (I have 3 generation of these) and more than adequate for trail use BUT actual lumens are about 70% stated and batteries and chargers are poor. I also have the supposed 1400 lumen version (MJ 816) which is a capable unit (good spread, but heavy - used on bars).
Dogey batteries and crap chargers have encouraged me to purchase one of these for my helmet:
http://www.glowormlites.co.nz/products?product_id=24315
More money yes, but; low profile; high performance; quality battery (Panasonic) and charger; cheaper than similar quality lights; deliver stated output; really bloody good actually!
Use this on helmet and Magicshine (MJ 816 as per link in earlier post) on bars (with better quality aftermarket battery and charger - hmmm might as well just cough up for two glows).
In any case serious use requires a spread beam on bars and spot on helmet.
Even Magicshines make AY up look poor performance in $$ (and absolute) terms but more reliable. Quality units.
Comparison with others I ride with shows Glowlite equally capable in $ and performance.
