Gimmick or godsend? My review of the NiteRider Sentinel with “Laser Lanes”

laser_rear

The light has two lasers that project a bike lane on the road alongside your bike.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

A bike light that creates virtual bike lanes wherever you go? That’s the promise behind the NiteRider Sentinel 40, a rear light that comes with a special “laser lanes” mode that projects two bright lines on the ground around your bike.

With the days being so short this time of year, I was intrigued by the pitch from an old friend who works for NiteRider, the light company based in San Diego, California. They sent me a Sentinel recently and I’ve been using it for a few days now.

sentinelboth

The light is larger in size than others I’ve used. It feels strong and well made. There are two buttons on the top of the light, one of them controls the light and the other controls the laser. The light and laser both have several modes so you can choose between a strobe, long flash, or steady (my preferred setting). Light many lights these days, the Sentinel is USB rechargable. The USB port at the bottom of the light and there’s a solid rubber closure attached to it that keeps the water out.

The light itself has a 40 lumen output, which is plenty bright for me.

Then there are the lasers. Lasers. I just like saying it. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old, but there’s still a part of me that gets excited when I think about lasers. Having two of them in my bike’s tail-light is like the coolest thing ever.

But beyond the coolness factor, are the Sentinel’s “laser lanes” really effective as a safety device? Or are they just a fun gimmick?

Testing the flashing mode on my office carpet.
via GIPHY

In their marketing materials, NiteRider says the lasers are “designed to project ultra bright laser lines on the ground, giving the rider their own virtual lane… so that cars can see when they’re getting a little too close.”

There’s no denying that the lasers are ultra bright. When I first turned them and then hit my legs, I almost felt like I should jump out of the way in case they burned right through my skin and shoes. When I snapped the light onto the mount on my seatpost (and I will point out that I like the rubber strap mount it comes with, which makes it easy to swap the light between different bikes) the laser lanes appeared just as advertised.

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They’re definitely impressive at first glance. And from my perspective looking down at them while I ride around town, they add a feeling of stature and strength. Yes it’s just a strip of light (and a darn skinny one at that), but it’s something. It’s as if I’ve drawn a line on both sides of my bike that says: “Don’t cross these things or there will be trouble.”

But the true test is whether or not other road users can see them, and more importantly, will they adjust their behavior when they do?

Here are a few shots of them in the field:

laser_side

laser_above

My legs cut off several feet of the lasers toward the front of my bike. Also, as you can see, the lanes are only about 4-feet wide.
laser_far_rear

This image was taken about 30 feet behind my bike. Do you think someone in a car could see the lasers from this distance?

While riding up North Williams the other night, a friend who had ridden up behind me said, “Cool lights.” Then when I asked if he could see them from any distance behind me he said not, “Not really. I didn’t notice them until I was right behind you.” Then there was the TriMet bus operator. He noticed them while I waited next to his bus at a red light. He was very intrigued. “What do you think of these lights? Can you see them?” I asked as he rolled down his window to get a closer look. “Oh yeah,” he said, “I can see them.”

The one test I haven’t done yet is to get behind the wheel of a car to see if the lasers are still visible as I approach someone on a bike. My hunch is that even if they were visible, the person on the bike would already be visible too, so I’d already be driving more carefully.

In some ways I’ve felt like the lights are more useful to improve interactions with other bicycle riders. I ride slowly around town and too often get passed rudely by others. With these lasers, it’s like I’ve got a personal space buffer that will keep others as a safe distance.

Like the bike lanes they aspire to be, these laser lanes won’t save your life. But if you’re looking for extra visibility, cool factor, and a fun conversation starter, they’re worth buying.

The Sentinel 40 retails for $49.99. Get more info at NiteRider.com.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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LC
LC
8 years ago

Maybe if the “lanes” were three feet minimum in either direction. This looks like it would just encourage close passes by automobile operators, if anyone was able to see it from a car in the first place.

soren
8 years ago

This looks like a re-branding of the Xfire light that has been available for ~4 years.

http://www.gizmag.com/xfire-bike-lane-safety-light/24282/

Captain Karma
8 years ago
Reply to  soren

I had one of those. Yes sounds cool, but yes washout. Didn’t notice much difference with car driver behavior, not as much as with a larger (not brighter) tail light, and the dreaded hi-viz jacket. Calls ’em as I see ’em, your mileage may vary.

Kiel Johnson / Go By Bike
kiel johnson
8 years ago

starting conversations is one of my favorite things about riding a bike. One should never dismiss the appeal of talking with other people about how cool your bike is, thanks for adding that!

FauxPorteur
FauxPorteur
8 years ago

These laser+led lights definitely tug at my tech nerd heart strings, but low power red lasers are just going to get washed out by a cars headlights. I’d be interested in a dynamo powered version with higher intensity green lasers….

Travis
Travis
8 years ago

They’d look pretty cool in dense fog.

Jeff Snavely
Jeff Snavely
8 years ago

pointless, just as they were years ago when the first ones came out.

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
8 years ago

I have a $15 version with disposable batteries (sold as multiple random brand names on amazon) and the laser lines look about the same. I think they are more visible on dry pavement and on the white bike lane stripes than wet asphalt. The bus and truck drivers might see them better from the higher vantage point.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric Leifsdad

I was thinking the same thing: regarding the factors reducing / enhancing the product’s visibility to motorists.

Champs
Champs
8 years ago

I’m surprised that it flashes. Surely it was just last week when NiteRider said that they were replacing those annoying modes with pulse.

Champs
Champs
8 years ago
Reply to  Champs

Oops, it was Light & Motion:

“Pulse is the future of bike lights… [i]t is legal, whereas a flashing tail light is illegal in many places. It is also less obnoxious than a flash, yet equally noticeable to drivers.”

Rock on, I still like my Supernova dynamo rig.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
8 years ago

Thank you for this real world review.

From the lack of contrast of the laser lines versus the tail light I think that the lasers would need to be powerful enough to be illegal.

Or maybe 2 suitably powerful lasers could be purchased for $299 each: http://www.wickedlasers.com/inferno

Either way you’ll definitely get law enforcement attention.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
8 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

Or just 1 laser for your left side and get 2x the run time.

Todd Hudson
Todd Hudson
8 years ago

Gimmick. I have enough things that require constant battery charge/replacement. I don’t need another.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
8 years ago

It reminds me of the 1980s Danish accessory of the red reflector on a spring loaded wand that I used to have bolted to my rear rack.

I remember when I saw my first NR Sentinel a few weeks ago (in the office). Impressed at the concept but waiting for a good road test (for all the points mentioned above).

And sadly it still boils down to the fact that the drivers who need it the most still will not see it (distraction) and the cyclists most likely to have it already have good lighting/ propescuity (sp) to aware drivers.

eli bishop
eli bishop
8 years ago

This is the saddest paragraph ever: “In some ways I’ve felt like the lights are more useful to improve interactions with other bicycle riders. I ride slowly around town and too often get passed rudely by others. With these lasers, it’s like I’ve got a personal space buffer that will keep others as a safe distance.” 🙁

Dan A
Dan A
8 years ago

My bike is fitted with lightsabers sticking out on either side. Very effective.

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
8 years ago

For some real changes in driver behavior, try Wheel BrightZ wheel lights (~$10@Walmart). I have a set of blue on the front and back wheel, and I’ve watched in my rearview mirror how cars coming up on me (I’m in the bike lane) will move from the near lane to the outside lane (or oncoming traffic lane) to give me space, then move back into the adjacent lane after passing me.

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
8 years ago
Reply to  K'Tesh

I should add, they look good in dry weather, but in wet they really stand out when you have good batteries in them (I replaced the batteries after 5 months).

poopoo
poopoo
8 years ago
Reply to  K'Tesh

Blue lights are reserved for emergency vehicles…

Josh Chernoff
Josh Chernoff
8 years ago

I’m just gonna leave this here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7bYNAHXxw

Josh Chernoff
Josh Chernoff
8 years ago

Also heres a sorta like concept idea I’v really wanted to see happen for a long time.
http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/bicycle-grid-projector

m
m
8 years ago

“The bus and truck drivers might see them better from the higher vantage point.”

+1. Perfect solution? No. But a very cool tool.

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago

Kind of an amusing thing to note – I know someone that has one – and depending on how tall you are (or how “tall” your bike is rather: seat post or where you mount it etc) it can be compromised – she was having a ton of issues getting the laser lines to show before realizing that it was her fatter tires compromising the lights due to her lower post position. Just no clearance at all for the laser clearance on that bike… Something you might want to test before you buy if you’re a shorter rider…

Sam
Sam
8 years ago

Tangent – Does anyone else let people with super-bright heads lights with an annoying blink pattern pass them? I find such lights distracting and have an adverse effect on my sightlines where there are coming up behind me. I imagine blinded drivers careening into bike lines if all cyclists used such lights.

Sam
Sam
8 years ago
Reply to  Sam

…when they are… (not where there) [I wish I could blame auto-correct]

Birke
Birke
8 years ago
Reply to  Sam

My problem has been getting stuck behind a cyclist with a bright, blinking tail light. I don’t know if people who use these lights use them both fore and aft, but if I sensed a lot of blinkage coming up behind me I’d be tempted not to let them pull in front just in case it was worse being behind them.

Abraham
Abraham
8 years ago
Reply to  Sam

What do you mean, “let them pass?” As if you have control over that?

Patrick Barber
8 years ago
Reply to  Abraham

Yes, you slow down, and the following rider passes you. I do it all the time in this situation, because the insanely bright blinkies reflect on the inside of my glasses and (ironically!) make it hard for me to see.

Abraham
Abraham
8 years ago
Reply to  Patrick Barber

The comment I was replying to was making it sound as if they keep people from passing if they have blinking lights. Maybe I read the comment incorrectly?

Birke
Birke
8 years ago

If these became widespread — and from the comments it sounds like they’re not gonna — my concern would be a different kind of safety. You’re not supposed to let lasers shine in your eyes, or your pets’ eyes, or whatever, and it doesn’t seem to me that mounting lasers on your bike would give you much control. As long as your bike is upright and the light is fixed in place, it’d be fine, but if not…

Kevin Wagoner
Kevin Wagoner
8 years ago

I am confused. Is that a 3 foot passing area? If not, does it imply you can be inches of the laser lines? How early was the bus able to see you? In general I agree, more lights the better. I have 4 tail lights and 2 head lights. Yesterday on Barbur I had someone buzz me within inches and based on the photo if they stayed right outside the laser light I’m not sure I would feel that much safer.

Eric Leifsdad
Eric Leifsdad
8 years ago
Reply to  Kevin Wagoner

http://bicyclesafe.com/images/noodle.jpg <- I have setup my xtracycle with 2 taillights mounted on a length of grey pvc pipe which sticks out 16in on the left — in line with my elbow. Some drivers still pass closer than I would like, but it seems to help and maybe makes speed easier to judge by giving you a more visible width dimension. To the extent that these laser lines are visible from a distance, they may help in the same way just by marking a constant width reference.

Patrick Barber
8 years ago

Jonathan, I can see both the gimmick and the real value of this product, but either way I enjoyed your detailed and well written review.

B. Carfree
B. Carfree
8 years ago

I had some not very positive interactions with the owner of NiteRider and three of his staff a decade ago. I would never, ever use another of their products. They sold a defective product and then refused to correct the situation. I was pleased when I was able to convince all but one of the local bike shops where I lived to drop them completely. It didn’t take much encouragement since I wasn’t alone in having received bad products from NiteRider and then having them behave badly.

As a rule, I’ll forgive any defect, but the provider has to apologize and make a fair effort to make me whole. NiteRider failed on all counts.

Dead Salmon
Dead Salmon
8 years ago

Looks like a good idea IF car drivers can see it. Worth a try, but first defense is a flashing light that you KNOW they can see.

AIC
AIC
8 years ago

Will the lasers slice apart anything that comes close to them??? Huh!? Huh?Thats what I want to know!

Ayleen
8 years ago

Phones that alert a pedaler when a driver is nearby the bike
Cars that alert the driver when a bike is nearby
Lasers on bikes
Helmets that suggest safety tips

Everyone’s trying to make bike riding safer in some way by introducing new technology. I love that technology can help solve problems and make lives easier and healthier, but in this case I think it’s misguided effort. Attentive road users who take their task seriously is our best solution.

Ayleen
8 years ago

(And thanks for the thoughtful review, Jonathan. I’ve been curious about that product for a while now.)

rubbervose
rubbervose
8 years ago

i have a skull rear light that has two lasers like the above mentioned product. bought it because skulls are cool. lasers are cool too. when i made my purchase two years ago, and whenever i ride with them on no F’s are given about creating any lane, or if any driver can see the lasers. i see them and i like them and that is all that matters when i’m on my bike. the light is what matters, the lasers are just icing on my sweet cake of a bike.

Tomas LaPallela
Tomas LaPallela
8 years ago

I got tailgated tonight by a fellow with a “bike symbol” headlamp. Very annoying. It was constantly bouncing around near my front wheel, like someone shining a laser pointer. Not looking forward to stuff like this catching on. I can only hope that dude’s batteries run out by mid-season and he neglects to replace ’em.

brictop
brictop
7 years ago

I bought one of these for the fall/ winter of 2015-16. Great tail light, but one of the bike lane lasers stopped working (right side) after a few uses. I didn’t use it regularly during night rides, but given the defect, did not use it at all during the winter. buy the Solar–same light, watts, lumens, no lasers.