December 20th, 2007 by 
Francois
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page | Mtbr Lights Reviews | Mtbr Lights Forum
NiteRider MiNewt.X2 $190.00
| Light | Price | Claimed Lumens | Runtime | Battery Type | Light head weight | Battery Weight | Installed Weight | Lumens per gram | Lumens per dollar |
| NiteRider MiNewt.X2 | $190 | 150 | 3.50hrs | Lithium Ion | 82g | 150g | 232g | .65 | .79 |
| NiteRider MiNewt.X2 Dual | $225 | 300 | 1:50hrs | Lithium Ion | 170g | 150g | 320g | .94 | 1.33 |
| NiteRider TriNewt | $500 | 500 | 3.25hrs | Lithium Ion | 216g | 346g | 562g | 0.89 | 1.00 |
Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.
Description:
The MiNewt.X2 features a tiny, 82 gram light head that feels sturdy and looks well-ventilated. The mount is a rubber band hook style onto the bars with a couple innovations. First, the rubber band has a tab that makes it easy to grip. Second, the mount has a pivot ball that allows left to right aiming of the light. The small battery is in a hard case and it is ideally mounted on the stem.
The MiNewt.X2 Dual is the same system with an additional light head and a y-cable. Brightness is doubled and the battery run time is cut in half. The Dual can only be used with both lights since the y-cable is permanently attached.
Light Meter Measurements:
The MiNewt.X2 measured 12 Lux on our ambient light measurement. This compares to 11 Lux for the Cateye Tripleshot and 14 Lux for the Exposure Joystick Maxx. The MiNewt.X2 dual measured in at 23 Lux.
Light Head Close ups:
Strengths:
- Incredibly light head and battery
- Good beam pattern
- Good value
- Simple, no-nonsense form factor and ergonomics
- Can mount two light heads for bar use
Weaknesses:
- Single MiNewt is not enough for a bar light
Bottom Line:
This is one of our favorites. It’s not the brightest but it’s so flexible and light that it give the user a lot of options at a good price.
Beam Pattern Photos:
MiNewt.X2, MiNewt.X2
Beam Pattern rollover and side by side comparison page available here.
Value Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars
Read or write reviews:
(MiNewt x2) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130162.shtml
NiteRider MiNewt.X2 Dual $ 225.00
Bottom Line:
Holy upgrade! For an extra $35, you get twice the light and the extra weight of only 90 grams. The Minewt.X2 Dual is bright and the beam pattern is adjustable since there are two heads. The Lux per dollar and Lux per gram shot through the roof just by having the dual setup
Value Rating:
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Overall Rating:
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Read or write reviews:
(MiNewt x2 Dual) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130163.shtml
NiteRider TriNewt $400.00
NiteRider TriNewt Wireless $500.00
Description:
The TriNewt features three LEDs in a compact reflector design. The lighthead is big, beefy and has ample cooling fins. Mounting is done with big, flat band that wraps around the handlebar. The lighthead is on a pivot ball to enable left to right aiming of the light.
The switch is on the battery that is meant to be mounted on the top tube. We also tried the wireless version which has a remote switch much like a car remote key. The switch has a special handlebar mounted sleeve that is installed beside the grip.
Light Head and Wireless Close ups:
Mounting Options:
The TriNewt can be mounted on the handlebar as well as on the helmet.
Light Meter Measurements:
The TriNewt measured 33Lux on our ambient light measurement. This compares to 33 Lux for the Dinotte 600L and 30 Lux for the Exposure Enduro Maxx.
Strengths:
- Very bright and wide beam pattern
- Overbuilt head will withstand the worst crashes
- Runs cool with all the heatsinks
- Lumens rating at 475 lumens seems accurate and conservative
Weaknesses:
- Overbuilt head is heavy, especially for helmet mounting.
- Wireless option is pricey and unnecessary for bar mounted setup
- We had trouble turning off the light when using the battery switch
Bottom Line:
This is a great handlebar light. It is wide and bright and it lasts a long time. The beam pattern is has a bright center. And the halo is quite big and sufficiently bright to give good peripheral vision.
We found that the remote switch was not really necessary when the light is used on the handlebar. The remote switch is more useful when the light is used on the helmet since the battery switch will most likely be inside the camelback.
As a helmet light, this illuminates very well too. But it can be a bit heavy, approaching 300 grams with the light mount.
Beam Pattern Photos:
TriNewt, TriNewt and MiNewt
TriNewt
Beam Pattern rollover and side by side comparison page available here.
Value Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars (for the $400 configuration)
Overall Rating:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Read or write reviews:
(TriNewt) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130564.shtml
(TriNewt Wireless) http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Lights/product_130565.shtml
Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page | Mtbr Lights Reviews | Mtbr Lights Forum
January 15th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
You noted above that the minewt.x2 puts out 280 lumens. The niterider website says that it puts out 150 as quoted below.
“By incorporating a new high powered LED, the MiNewt.X2’s output more than doubles for 2008 to 150 lumens on high and 92 lumens on low”
January 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
The Minewt X2 Dual can also be helmet mounted without too much fuss, though it partially depends on the venting of the helmet. However, the battery must also be helmet mounted unless you have an extension cord.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
The Tri Newt is really bright as you stated. I have had it for a couple of weeks now and it really does the job for pre dawn riding. I cannot see every mounting it on a helmet. It is way too heavy for that. I do not have the wireless option and have the same difficulty that you mention about turning off the light at the battery. I am bit concerned with the durabiliy of the mounting strap for the handlebar mount but so far so good.
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I have had the minewt x2 dual for a bit now. really impressed. i use it on my dirtbike for desert night rides, and for the price is one of the very best solutions for your nightriding needs. happy riding to all
January 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Keep in mind that street pricing for these lights is quite a bit lower than the MSRP listed above. For instance, the non-wireless Trinewt can be had for well under $300.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:45 am
does the minewt dual come with a helmet mount? no mention here or on niterider website. if not is it available and how much?
May 6th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
The TriNewt is still sold at $400 at most online stores. It is not on sale at $300 as others suggested. Dinotte offers more extra batter and better switch control than TriNewt.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Hi, I purchased both, MiNewt X.2 dual and TriNewt, and got them for 460 shipped.
replacing my cheap, 4 AAA 5 led headlights with this is simply amazing.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I rode the TriNewt last year in handle bar mount. It worked fine on my 29er with a flat bar but with a riser bar the mount interfers with the brakes. Niterider should rethink their handle bar mount and make it so it sits up above the bar rather than down in front of it to avoid interfering witht he brake master cylinder.
I’ve since mounted it on my helmet and I like it. The light sits back and is centered. I don’t notice the weight and actually it works a lot beter than the Niterider Enduro HID I was using. That was heavier and tended to force my helmet down in the front due to it being mounted further forward.
As for the battery, I have figured out how to wrap it around my camelback strap in front. On most camelback straps there is a web loop for attaching items. I just wrap the velcro cinch through that so it is between the web and the strap and then wrap around twice and velcro. Super secure and I can just reach over to hit the switch. Its cool mounted right up front on my chest. And it weighs nothing so I don’t even know it’s there really.
Right now I’m digging the Tri Newt LED. For a Handlebar light I’m going to run a L&M Arc. 675 Lumens of HID on the bar should do the trick.