I had some cateye ABS 25 things, 15W spot + 10w flood, NiMh cells. They retailed for about £130 a few years ago. They were OK, lasted a couple of hours if used carefully, gave enough light to see with.
Last year picked up a L&M HID. Its amazing. Lasts 3hrs+ with smaller battery, one light unit so smaller and neater. Much more light, and more useable too. Very nice unit all round.
Given the price of some of the Hids about now (the rush etc), this would be good.
BUT LEDs are stomping forwards now, though not seen any of this years models in the flesh. The devices are really coming down in price, so would look carefully at getting some of these next if it were me.