I commute in Seattle a couple days a week year around and bought this 15 months ago with the hope of being able to take the round-about way home when its not raining. However, the battery life even on the 100 lumen economy mode was just over 3 hours instead of the 10 hours advertised when new and now it's down to closer to 2 hours so I need to pack my old headlight as a backup if I want to get in some extra miles. When I do need the full power on unlit gravel trails, it does a great job lighting things up but that kills the battery very quickly. If you don't mind charging often, it's a fine light but don't expect to be out too long after dark.
Long time road rider. I have worn out the battery on 3 varia units, much quicker than the head unit battery. The battery charge lasts through a couple of long rides, same as Garmin. I am hoping, but don't know, if it will do better than the varia at holding that charge 2 years from now. My hope is based on a newer design and electronics. The mount is sturdy, and easier to secure to the seat post. Some of the features are controlled through a separate app, although you won't need to use the app after initial set up. Radar function works as well as the Garmin, and there are more flash patterns, the light turns off if there are no cars detected, and it has a brake light function.
I had a night rider light before and liked it. Unfortunatly I misplaced or lost it after I had it for 6-8 years.
So I love my new nightrider light even more because it is smaller, and more powerfull. The different brightness modes are awesome and easy to change.
Also I like the nightrider light because it is being manufactured in San Diego were I live and ride. I went to their shop once and had my older light rebuilt under warrenty.
I now have the brightest taillight in our riding group, though I'd like to set it lower and then brighten or flash when the radar is triggered (and maybe I haven't found that setting). The radar function works really well and integrates with my Garmin 1040 perfectly. You get an audible notification from the Garmin then a dot (or dots for multiple cars) that rises up the side of the display signifying as the car approaches. When paired, the taillight powers on and off automatically with the Garmin. There are frequent "false positives", but they are easily discernable as the cars don't advance. And I am OK with that and don't callout to the group until the car advances halfway up the screen (30-50 yards) when its more actionable and I pretty certain that its not a false positive. Of course, sometimes a car pulls off once it's been detected. Battery life is good, seemingly lasting 15+ hours on my setting. I'm in a habit, however, to charge when I charge my Garmin. A little bulkier than the Garmin Vario but much, much brighter and much cheaper.
