400L, Take Two
Some of you might remember that there was--oh... around a year or so ago--a 400L from DiNotte landed on our doorstep. It had two white LED's and a single Amber LED. I'm not sure it was ever really offered for sale. Now, DiNotte has revived the name, but the light is completely different.
This time, it's billed as a helmet mounted light, primarily. There is a handlebar mount as well.
Actually, more than one handlebar mount. Also, for the first time they are offering an optional lens kit so you can swap out the lenses yourself. So, if you think you might want wide beams, or one of each, you can do that.
Essentially, what you've got here is a Dual 200L in a single housing. This should make it a good helmet mounted choice--just right for pairing with the 600L. I say should because... well... I don't have one... yet.
And, don't think that they've left you tail light lovers out in the cold. They've added a dual emitter, based on the 400L, to the mix.
As you can see, unlike the white light, the red version has a translucent bezel. Like the single emitter version, this will help motorists see you from the side.
First NiteRider, then Light and Motion--though theirs isn't available yet, get on it L&M!--and now DiNotte; light manufacturers are gearing up for an interesting Summer/Fall season. Who's next? I suspect that Lupine will be making some announcements before too long, and it's time to see what the others, like CatEye are up to. As soon as I know anything, you'll see it here.
3 comments:
As a long time fan of Dinotte products, I think this is an interesting direction for them to go in the ever escalating arms race in the light market. I still contend most people only need so much light, but that is a matter of opinion.
The one thing I miss in this new lineup is Dinotte's signature silver barrel look with the rubber O ring. This new offering loses their distinctive look and feel, thereby forcing Dinotte to compete on lumens and other technical specs. In other words, they seem to be moving away from elegant "form" and more towards practical "function"....
I just received the 400 L taillight. It is an extraordinary light. I am using it for both DAYtime and night visibility, something that non-Dinotte taillights are not capable of. I agree in part with Craig's comments about the aesthetics of the light, but the shorter "barrel" of the light housing is actually appealing and the lights are still "things of beauty" in keeping with the dinotte tradition.
Anon:
I, too, just got a 400L tail light. And I got the helmet light, too.
Craig,
One thing that I think is missing from the pictures you've seen is that the 400L is roughly the same size as the 200L, oriented the other way, though. I should have some images up tomorrow (Friday the 18th) that shows what I am talking about.
The switch placement is interesting, too.
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