Handheld spotlights
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 03:00
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Member - Kroozer (WA)
As i do alot of
camping in croc country, i thought it might be time i updated the lighting i use around
camp. Not that
camping around crocs bothers me, (common sense is all that is needed), i like to have a look around at night and see all the eyes. Its interesting to see how close they actually come at night over a period of time. What i am after is peoples thoughts on a good handheld spotlight. Have been using (apart from my dolphin torch) one of those cheap claimed ''1 million candlepower'' lights, which isnt too bad but would prefer something which is built to last and maybe a little brighter.
Have been looking at the Lightforce range of handheld lights and being a lightforce fan am impressed, anyone used these before, the 240 model in particular. Maybe even the 170 model, which i could also use on my rifle at night when out hunting. not loking at spending anything over $180 but wouldnt mind something that has ball tearing power. Interested to hear of any other lights that are might even represent better value for money, doesnt have to be worth a fortune. If the handheld 240 lightforce is anything like the 240
driving lights it would an awesome piece of gear though. The crocs will have burnt retinas for
miles down the river.
Reply By: blue one - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 07:38
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 07:38
Krooz,
I use an old aircraft landing light. Just made up a bracket to hold the lamp and fix to the rifle stock. Usually just wrap some cloth around the stock and tape the handle to it
A sealed motorcycle battery (12VDC) in a back pack and you are in business. I tried alot of handheld lights though none had the distance required and were too bulky.
AnswerID:
379064
Follow Up By: blue one - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 07:39
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 07:39
FollowupID:
646467
Follow Up By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:02
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:02
Backyard engineering at its best.
FollowupID:
646489
Follow Up By: blue one - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 19:52
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 19:52
Ta
I just needed something lightweight with a 200 - 400 metre spread.
I use a little head LED for walking in the bush and then hit them with the spotty, just like rabbits in the head lights. Ha
On the 222 not a problem though with a 308 you have to realign the light every 2 - 3 times.
Cheers
FollowupID:
646534
Reply By: Volvo driver - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 08:49
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 08:49
not sure whether you mean one of Lightforce's walk around rechargeable spotlights ( which l haven't got ) or a vehicle based one..
but l've got a 240 Lightforce Blitz which does the job nicely, you can feel a bit of wind drag though at higher speeds LOL,
my son has just bought a smaller, cheaper 100 watt HH light for $23 from the local servo, which 'seems' to have similiar lighting capabilities in the backyard,
also used the cheap rechargeables too, only work for an hour or so, heavy, after a couple of years of fairly heavy use the battery wouldn't hold charge anymore so went off to the joint where l bought it to get a replacement only to be told they don't supply that model anymore so it went in the bin
a rechargeable Lightforce would be the go for what you want
AnswerID:
379072
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 09:38
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 09:38
If you want lots of light running off a car battery, then the best way to go would be to buy an HID conversion kit for about $100 on eBay and put it in an existing housing.
They only draw 30 watts
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Serendipity of Mandurah (WA) - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 11:44
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 11:44
I use a light force 170 for hunting. Have tried other lights like rechargeable ones, other types of spot lights and none really do the job. The 240 is better but cost more and takes up more room to pack and it does have some wind drag at higher speeds. If I was to do more hunting and be more serious I would have the lightforce 240.
Also some of the red eyes you see at night are probably tarpon and cat fish coming to the surface to feed on insects.
David
AnswerID:
379090
Follow Up By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:01
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:01
''Also some of the red eyes you see at night are probably tarpon and cat fish coming to the surface to feed on insects''. Nah can clearly tell the difference between a crocs eyes and a fishs. Can just about tell the size of a critter by the size of the reflection. Did a bit of croc catching at night by spotlight, you pick up very quickly there behaviour and habits.
FollowupID:
646488
Reply By: Stu & "Bob" - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:16
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:16
I used to use a 4" Hella sealed beam unit. The last one I bought cost about $40 and worked really
well. Very effective for spotlighting at night also.
.
AnswerID:
379096
Reply By: Shaver - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:17
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:17
Have used Lightforce SL 240 Blitz's for years hog hunting & now have 3 spare globes in the handle recepticle as they never seem to blow them. They are a good light, but don't leave them facing down on your
seat & lean on the switch. (tends to burn holes & also melt the Lexan lense). Have also had the 170 but the 240 is far better. They are basically the same as the
driving lights, only they have the handle molded to it. If you want some thing basic to put in your pocket get a LED LENSER P7, it also will burn holes in Croc's eyes !
AnswerID:
379097
Reply By: Kurd - Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 14:02
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 at 14:02
I find the Coleman LED rechargeable spotlight to be more than adequate. Thows a very
bright beam a good distance. I have an interest in birds and owls etc and the Coleman illuminates tall trees extremely
well but also good for spotting wombats and dingoes in the distance. It is rated at 500 lumens.
RRP is $120 but a number of the
camping chains have it at $100.
AnswerID:
379112
Reply By: TerraFirma - Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 23:10
Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 at 23:10
I have various solutions, the Lightforce Sl240 with a $120 HID Kit installed, wow what a light this becomes once coverted to HID.!
I also have a HID Flashlight and a 600 Lumens LED Light however the SL240 HID modded wins the light contest but needs to be plugged into a battery etc, the HID torch is a good solution when you want 3500 Lumens without a power source. (Batteries last up to 2 hours)
The SL170 can also be converted to HID with the same kit from Ebay. The 240 on HID steroids lights up the horizon for hundreds of feet, you won't have any problems seeing the crocs.
AnswerID:
379270