Don't buy Topeak lights!

[jmaccelari]

In May last year, I decided to splash out on a decent light for winter. I was prepared to

spend enough to get a decent light and blew R3k on a Topeak Moonshine.

 

From the start the unit gave trouble - it was difficult to start, but once on, worked fantastically well. I packed it away in August after 4 months use. I then took it out in

February to do an MTB night ride, and it was even worse than ever - switching off after

a few seconds for about 10 to 20 minutes until I finally managed to get it to stay on.

 

Thinking I had bought a decent unit at a price that would ensure after sales backup,

I sent it to the agents for repair - stating to my LBS that the problem was the unit was

switching on, but not staying on. R640 later, they had replaced the globe and when I

got home, I found the unit was exactly as before! I then sent it back. I got it back again,

and they had replaced a "faulty" component. I then said I wanted my money back for

the working globe they had replaced for no reason and charged me (which my LBS

had kindly tossed in the bin for me).

 

I have just gotten off the phone from Supersport Cycles (the Topeak agents) and

their story is:

- the globe was faulty. In fact they stated the globe was dead. This is complete BS

  as the problem was the unit switching off. How does a completely dead globe

  switch on and then off repeatedly?

- they stated they had then replaced the starter and proudly said that since they had

  replaced the globe, they had not charged for it, saving me "over R200". Why did they

  do this repair free when they had charged me three times that to replace the globe?

  Do I detect them trying to recover from an expensive (for the customer) c0ck-up?

 

When I stated the unit was less  than a year old, I was told to check my manual and

refer the the limited warranty - this basically states that the battery, globe and starter

have no warranty (essentially the entire unit!).

 

So, I have now stumped up close on R4k for a unit that has no dealer support and

where the dealer will screw the customer if he makes a mistake. Nice.

 

I have been chatting to several people with Topeak Moonshines and it seems that

problems with these units are common (switching off and batteries dying are the

two common complaints - neither of which are covered by warranties).

 

My advice (after an expensive lesson): steer clear of Topeak lights. I have now given up on Topeak rubbish and forked out for a Light & Motion ARC Li-Ion.

 

Let's see how that goes...

 

[Mudsimus]

Then again I think its the best lights and I think supersport gives great service.

[Brandon]

Interesting, nearly got myself one of those a few months ago but ended up with the Sigma PowerLED instead. Been very happy with it so far, using it for early morning road sessions.

[Guest Big H]

Sigma is the best!!!!!! ....... with lights that is, their HR monitors sucks!!!!!!!

[Christie]

I'm also unhappy with The Topeak Moonshine light I bought. 2 handlebar clamps broke, the battery cept coming loose from its mounting clamp, and it rattled. Used it for about a month or so, then bought a Cateye light. I love the Cateye - brighter and longer time between charging.

[porky]

A company that sticks EXACTLY to the words of the warranty needs to do some customer relationship courses.

 

Warranties like this are written to protect the manufacturer from 2nd source product warranty claims (ie) Topeak dos not manufacture batteries or globes or in this case obviously starters, so they exclude it from their warranty on paper - HOWEVER any manufacturer worth their salt WILL replace these items if faulty (its plain customer service, why must you be out of pocket because you dont know who to call or contact to replace a faulty bulb for instance) they in turn simply claim them back from the second source - it seems like the distributor here is just hiding behind the warranty as they obviously cant or dont know how to fix the issue.

 

Personally I think you have every reason to be disgrunteled, a light that costs 4k is not your average chain store product and you deserve better treatment a better attitude from the ditributor and an offer of an exchange at least. 

[mountain_lion]

 

Light & Motion manufacture great products ($$$), but the Arc is HID.

I believe HID lights are history. Their lamps are expensive and fragile.

LEDs are starting to equal and even exceed HID in terms of light output and do not have the lamp problems of HID.

 

Rather get a decent LED light.

 

 

mountain_lion2008-04-24 14:39:08

[Jules]

hmmmm, I think next time Supersport Cycles has an unhappy customer they should ask:

 

 

 

"do you post on the hub?"

 

 

 

answer: "what's the hub" = "read your warranty properly."

 

 

 

answer: "i'm an Ultimate Hubber" = "here's your new light, sir/madam"

[Pocketbikes]

 

hmmmm' date=' I think next time Supersport Cycles has an unhappy customer they should ask:

 

 

 

"do you post on the hub?"

 

 

 

answer: "what's the hub" = "read your warranty properly."

 

 

 

answer: "i'm an Ultimate Hubber" = "here's your new light, sir/madam"[/quote']

 

LOL

 

[Anticlimb]

I used my Sigma EVO X or something like that for one winter no problem . Took them out this winter and it wasn't holding charge . Sent it in to lbs whith charger . They sent it away and sigma replaced everything no charge . GO SIGMA

[slowpoke]

yep Anticlimb - that's standard practice with Sigma. When i decided i was willing to fork out big bucks for a light my LBS told me flat-out that Sigma's warranty and support and service is the BEST on the off-chance that it is needed (apparently they don't often have probs either...)

[AndreZA]

One thing must be remembered and is stated in the mauals. Batteries loose their charge over time and must always be stored fully charged.

 

 

[Eugene]

One thing must be remembered and is stated in the mauals. Batteries loose their charge over time and must always be stored fully charged.

 

 

 

Not neccessarily. Depends on the type of battery. NiCads for example MUST be stored completely discharged (I know that NiCads are not too common anymore).

 

Best is to read the manual of your particular battery and adhere to their instructions.

[RABUBI]

So are we now going to see a flood of Topeak light on classifieds?

[jmaccelari]

 

So are we now going to see a flood of Topeak light on classifieds?

I have one. Newly serviced - globe and starter replaced. I was thinking

of putting it in the Junk Mail (oohh - nassstyyy).

 

[scotty]

I have the Top Peak white lights (1w and 3w) for over a year now and have had no issues with them so far.