Surefire Hellfighter (picture intensive)

[ShortArc]

Does anyone here have the Amber filter by the way?

I've also got one of those on the way but it may take another month before it arrives... am already curious though as to how the colour of the beam would be like with and without the amber filter.

The amber filter works great in fog/mist etc. and ofcouse it just looks cool!

[Entrope]

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[ShortArc]

Aye, the whole coolness factor is the reason why I'm getting one (;

Does it affect throw/output by any margin though?

When the filter is used in it's intended application every other factor becomes a moot point. That being said, I do not have a good feel (perceived versus real) on output reduction under normal conditions.
Cheers.

[Patriot]

Most HID amber filters reduce the overall output by 10-15%. I'm not sure if the Hellfighter follows that same general theme or not.

[Entrope]

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[DaFABRICATA]

With the weather getting nicer, the HellFighter has been getting a bit more use.
A freind was over last weekend and was freakin' out about how bright it was and how far it throws.
I've sold off most of my collection, but the HellFighter will likely be sticking around for some time.

[kramer5150]

Great thread resurrection. thanks!!

My CPF grail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbqk60di6Jg

[IlluminatedOne]

That's a nice video of the hellfighter in action.

[kramer5150]

That's a nice video of the hellfighter in action.

Towards the end Don mentions a Hellfighter II and Hellfighter III...

[andromeda.73]

great video!

[Hog Sniper]

ShortArc , first of all let me say that I truly enjoyed reading this thread as well as looking at the pics and videos from you and all others as well . I live in South Texas and just aquired several new Hellfighters and am in the process of getting power cords and power supply parts ordered as mine did not come with either yet they are brand new in the factory Pelican cases . Both were purchased on Ebay . Question is , I was about to buy 12V motorcycle batteries and mount them inside a Pelican iM2050 Storm case along with an onboard charger for recharging and install a normal 12V lighter receptacle on top to plug my power cord into . I just read the full article that informs me that the Hellfighters shuts off between 11.5 to 12Volts . This being said , I would guess that my 12V motorcycle battery pack dream is shot all to crap . What would you suggest as a chargable , cost effective power source that can be charged in a relatively short amount of time or carry spare batteries ready to go . the BB290's ??? Then get the charger for them ??? As a car guy and NOT an electronics guy , I thought I had this whipped ! LOL

[socom1970]

Hey all,

I am resurrecting this thread to celebrate buying a Hellfighter and rechargeable kit from BrighterisBetter.

I cannot wait to see what this supremely awesome illumination tool can do. I may need to find a bigger field to test it with.

Scout campouts will never be the same.

Incidentally, any Hellfighter owners still enjoying their lights? Any suggestions regarding ownership and usage are quite welcome.

[angelofwar]

Congrats Socom! I was thinking what I could trade for that one in the WTT section...maybe a gun or something. Can't wait to hear (or see ) what it is does! Some photos and beamshot's are in order when it arrives!

[Superdave]

We got some beam shots but the wind was messing with us a little so they didn't turn out like we planned. It was moving the tripod and we were holding the light by hand which didn't help either.


We were standing on the bank of the Mississippi river (Iowa side), Here is one shot lighting up a construction site a little less than a mile away.




We're going to gear back up soon and go back for some better pics using 2 tripods. That light was very impressive though, we were lighting up houses on the other side of the river.. in another state

[socom1970]

When Superdave and I were doing the photoshoot of my Hellfighter, it really impressed me just how much light the HID's put out, as well as how much they really THROW. The pictures that get posted don't do these throwmonsters justice. The HID lights are really quite amazing in person, looking like huge lasers that shoot forever into the night.

Because both Dave and I work on a riverboat on the Mississippi, we see barges with various different spotlights being used on the river. The Hellfighter is rated at 35 watts, which is VERY impressive to see in person. The spotlight on our boat is 100 watts (don't know if it is HID or not...) Boats on the Mississippi generally seem to have approximately 75 to 100 watt spots (very rough guess-timate based on what I've seen and heard).

But when I think of some of you HID'ers who have 50 watt, 100 watt, 200 watt, 400 watt HID's, etc..., I can only imagine how those look.

[KevinL]

The picture with the measuring tape finally gives me a good idea of the size. Mentally, I had always thought of the Hellfighter as a 12" bezel. It comes as quite a shock to realize it is much smaller than I imagined.

4 inch is definitely very manageable.

Sigh.....one of the things I don't think I'll ever get to own (I'd probably get in trouble trying to ship it to begin with).

Time to go light up my $50 Vector 35W HID in its plastic case and pretend!! (the poor man's hardware store solution)

(I did put A123's into it though - the sealed lead acid was getting way too heavy.)

[Solscud007]

edit nvm just read more and answered my own question

[ShortArc]

I had quite a few inquiries regarding which power packs to use.
Lately I have replaced my original A123 source with LiMnNi Rechargeable 26650 Cell: 3.7V 4000 mAh, 10A. They are higher capacity and a larger voltage span hence more runtime. A 4S1P pack will last over an hour. You can find these cell here:
http://www.batteryspace.com/limnnire...ated148wh.aspx
Unfortunately, the "Shotgun Tubes" are no longer made....
Cheers.

[avius]

Post deleted you need to join the Marketplace and post there. The MarketPlace requires a separate registration. Your CPF registration doesn't work there. You can reuse the same User Name and Password when you register if you wish - Norm

[jamesmtl514]

excellent thread....anyone want to trade a hellfighter for my entire collection?

[H-nu]

Being the paranoid freak that I am, can one get spare bulbs for the Hellfighter? Or do I not need to worry about the bulb burning out. As for vibration and damage, this thing is designed to be mounted on an M2 so it should be good for some abuse eh?

[dudemar]

Depending on how often you plan on using it, it should last a very long time. A lot of people end up comparing LEDs to HID bulbs based purely on lumen output, apples and oranges.

[matthewcyho]

Awesome light , Love Surefire !!

[ShortArc]

Cmacclel (Mac) is in the middle of a "little" Hellfighter project (more on this later) which required a good look at how the HF is wired.
Mac took some pictures of the PCB contacting the handle and internally going to the ballast. I posted a few of these pictures with his permission (post #1).
Stay tuned to see what add on Mac will (hopefully) be offering is short term .

[MDJAK]

I've seen this light for sale at B&H for years now but was shocked at the price. Really interesting thread though. Sorry it's so old that a lot of the pics are gone.

[cmacclel]

I've seen this light for sale at B&H for years now but was shocked at the price. Really interesting thread though. Sorry it's so old that a lot of the pics are gone.

Every Picture works for me.

[Rat]

Great thread most of the pics are working for me as well.
I just got myself a Hellfire with no cable so this thread was just what I was looking for you got to love CPF.
cheers

[jamesmtl514]

congrats on your hellfighter!!! I want one, but i'm just not there yet.

[cmacclel]

congrats on your hellfighter!!! I want one, but i'm just not there yet.

Why fight it you know you want one

[Patriot]

Had no idea until now that you made a custom battery tube for the Hellfighter. Very cool Mac!