Review: Niterider MiNewt Mini-USB

Today, we'll be taking a look at NiteRider's latest offering: the MiNewt Mini-USB LED Light. We've used this light for about three weeks now, and it's performed admirably throughout our tests.

The unit is incredibly small. The battery pack is about the size of a large Swiss army knife, and the light itself is small enough to fit anywhere on your handlebars. The battery attaches to your frame using a Velcro strap, and the light attaches quite securely using a rubber O-ring. The only disadvantage of this simple mounting mechanism is that side-to-side adjustment of the beam requires adjusting the position of the mount, which is attached to the bottom of the light with a single screw.

The Mini-USB has several features, the most surprising of which is obviously the built-in USB charging port. The USB port allows you to charge the light wherever you are, provided you have a computer (or USB wall adapter, which is included) and a Mini-USB charging cable. The charging cable is of the same format used by many cell phones, MP3 players, and practically every digital camera. Odds are, you already have a handful of these cables lying around your house. This is a huge benefit for commuters- you can charge the light at home and at the office without having to carry around a charger.

Although the USB charging port is a useful add-on, the real reason people purchase a bike light is to be able to see in the dark. The Mini-USB throws a powerful 110 lumen beam from its single LED diode, in a traditional circular pattern. The first time I tested the Mini-USB on a night ride, I doubted its ability to safely light the road ahead of me, and I brought along my TriNewt (486 lumens) just in case. Although the Mini-USB isn't nearly as bright as more expensive options, it is surprisingly effective at helping you see where you are headed. We wouldn't recommend you try an unknown route at night with the Mini-USB, but well-known roads, even descents, can be safely navigated with this light. Trail riding, however, is a different story- the Mini-USB just isn't bright enough to be used as a trail light. If you're interested in doing some nighttime trail riding, you'll need to invest in a light that likely costs three times the price of the Mini-USB.

The Mini-USB has just one lighting mode, so don't expect any high/medium/low or continuous/flashing settings here. Claimed battery life is 3 hours, and we were able to extract an impressive 3:10 from the Li-Ion battery pack.

Overall, we were impressed with the Mini-USB's ability to pack so many lumens into such a small, portable, and elegant package. The Mini-USB is the ultimate minimalist's light, with just two parts in the whole system, and no need for a proprietary charger. If you're looking for a good all-around light for road riding or commuting, the Mini-USB should be at the top of your list.