Product Feedback (Switchback 3)

Since I haven't been riding my bike due to my friggin' back, and have more than few minutes, I thought I'd give some feedback and thoughts on the Princeton Tec Switchback light system I'm been using in 2008 as per Metro's request. I did get some time with the lights at Leesburg, but not nearly as much as I wished due to dehydration and vomit. In the time that time I did have, I have to say I really liked the set up I have going.

I'm using the SB3 on my helmet and a modified (by PT) Apex on my bars. I had the Apex projecting about 3' in front of my wheel and the SB3 to see further down the trail. The combo worked great for me. The Apex provided plenty of light for seeing what was on the trail immediately in front of me, runs for freaking EVER, stayed perfectly strapped in my down tube bottle cage, and it's weight was hardly noticeable compare to the something like a Nite Rider bottle mount. As I said, I had it strapped into my bottle cage, but it can also mount on the top tube. The version of the Apex I was able to get hold of from PT is sort of like a combo of the Apex head lamp and the Yukon Extreme Bike Light.

The PT Apex modified for bike use. This thing an burn
all night and kicks out some nice secondary light.

The Switchback 3 provides some great light. The beam could be a little wider, but the distance was just fine and I found the color of the LED infinitely better than the bright but purple-ish/white HID light. I did need to play around with the angle of the light on my helmet a bit while out on the trail, but that was more from not having had a lot trail time with the lights rather than the lights themselves.

The battery is a little chunky, and not the lightest in the LED world- BUT! And this is a big "but"- it gets over 6 hours of burn time on high, the weight is not that different from an HID battery pack, and it can still fit in my hydration pack no prob. AND it charges in 2 hours!!

The SB3s' headlamp is the biggest of the Switchback series, but it's STILL damn small and STILL weighs less on the noggin than an HID headlamp. No neck issues or helmet issues. It does sit a little higher on the helmet than I'm used to, but I had no problems riding with it. It more just freaks me out to see it that high up on the helmet.

Here's a shot of the head lamp with a AA batter to get an idea of the size.

Another big selling point for me is the locking connectors. Man I used to HATE it when my cord NR sure-loc connectors would come out during a crash. There is also a very positive interface with the connectors. I found the sure-locs on my old HID to be a bit mushy feeling. I also appreciate the big rubber on/off button on top. Very positive. My old HID would turn on and then gradually light up. This one push-HIGH and ready to go.

I know some folks will say that there are brighter or lighter LED lights available, and there are. I looked at other LEDs from NiteRider and the Light & Motion before pursuing the Switchbacks. But Princeton Tec kept coming out the winner. Then I was lucky to get hooked up with PT. And that just plain rocked.

I think many lights and systems are more personal than folks think. Some lights will seem perfect for me, and suck for you. Some people's eyes react differently to various shades of light. I found in doing my late fall/winter research on a new system that there's always a trade off of burn times, charge times, accessories, etc. For a "semi-self supported" Solo racer like myself, it's nice to not have to worry about too many batteries, lights, etc.,

I have one extra battery, and that gives me 12+ hours of light. No need for borrowing from friends or scurrying to charging stations to make it through the night. If you do average night riding, or most of your night racing is one a team where you may only need one to two hours of burn time and time to recharge, then you may be able to bet away with a lighter light like the SB2 or one of the newer LED set ups on the market.

I can't say I won't replace the Apex with a Switchback 1 or 2 in the future, but for now this combo is great. I've also yet to flip my current combo and run the SB3 on the bars/Apex on my helmet. That would keep even less weight off my back and may light up the trail a little more.

Pros- beam length, beam color, locking cord connectors, accessories, burn time, charge time.

Cons- battery a tad bit heavy, helmet mount sits a bit high (personal pref).

Some may say the $350 retail price tag is high. Given the amount of burn time, and the fact that you get a 2 hour charger, a car charger, and all the cords and mounts you need, it doesn't seem all that bad. I thank PT for giving me the opportunity to roll with the SB3 in 08. I can also say that during my time with the light I never once missed my old HID. I hope I'll have more feedback after Big Bear in a couple weeks for sure.

Later.