TurboCat Bicycle Lighting Systems

Bruce, MA -- A great system/my fifth year. Great for my winter commutes in the early a.m. and night rides.

Dallas, NM -- Works great, thank you. Great customer service and product.

Jay, AL -- The machine work is very precise and the overall quality very high; the instructions are thorough and easy to read.

Dale, PA -- “Very attractive light. The TG10 has blinding brightness. Job well done.”

Joseph, FL -- “Best system on the market. 2nd to none.”

Buzz, AZ - “I appreciate small attentive companies. You make a beautiful light.”

Allan, OR -- “Great system – used for 1 year through cold dark Oregon winter commuting. Cars give me more margin of safety than during daylight hours!”

Tim, IA -- “With three girls under 10 years old at home, I sometimes don’t have time to ride until after dark. Your light is great! Many thanks!”

Scott, NJ -- “Great, crisp lighting! Thanks!”

Joel, CO -- “This system is awesome! I really love the design of the quick release mount - it works great.”

Johanna, WA -- “well designed, bright, simple, small, great!”

Mark, CA -- “Excellent engineering and quality. Outstanding customer service.”

Robert, CA -- “I tried out my friend’s NiteRider Pro 12E - TurboCat blows it away!”

Don, CT -- “Excellent product - would recommend to others and will do so!!!”

Jon, WA -- “First rate craftsmanship. Perfect amount of light.”

Crashmeout (via e-mail) -- “got the dual beamers! i have now increased my riding time by 50%!!!!!!! don’t need no stinking fool moon man!!!”

OUTSIDE MAGAZINE
September 1999

Midnight Rambler's Ride

“If you ride faster than the speed of this light, maybe it’s time

to slow down.”

IF THERE’S ONE SENTIMENT ALL CYCLISTS SHARE, it’s the melancholy that comes with autumn’s shorter days: There are fewer and fewer hours in which to ride, until finally – woefully – the end of daylight savings time puts an end to the season.

That is, unless you’re acquainted with high-powered bike lights, halogen lamps that, in most cases, get their juice from rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries and light up your route like a runway. Many of the latest models have conveniences like low-battery indicators and handlebar-mounted controls.

All five systems below are good for commuting, and many can illuminate a midnight ramble down your favorite singletrack. Of course, wattage indicates brightness, though it doesn’t give you the full picture. What’s revealed along your path is dictated by a given light’s design. Fifteen watts from one light can look like 20 from another, depending on the beam angle – the degree to which the bulb’s dish shaped reflector is canted toward the bulb. As a general rule, eight to 12 degrees throws a fairly narrow spotlight, while 13 to 19 is more of a floodlight. You’ll want the former for flying down narrow trails and the latter for riding on roads, both paved and dirt. – MICHAEL KESSLER.

TURBOCAT DS30 -- $300. One 15-watt light mounts to the bars and runs on a six-volt nickel-cadmium battery that slips into a water-bottle cage; another 15-watt unit affixes to your helmet and uses a separate but equal battery that fits into a hydration system or saddle bag.

WEIGHT -- 3 pounds, 11 ounces

BURN TIME -- 2 hours, 6 minutes each

RECHARGE TIME -- 15 hours

SHINES BRIGHTEST -- in just about any setting. The 19-degree beam on the handlebar floods peripheral coyote dens while the 12-degere beam from the helmet spotlights the path ahead. If you ride faster than the speed of this light, maybe it’s time to slow down.

TURBOCAT NOTES: DS (DualSource) systems are available with 5, 10, or 15 watt spot beam helmet lights and 10 or 15 watt handlebar flood lights.

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