best light for long distances?

[Xeper]

Hello,

I need a lamp for long distances (around 300 feet and more?). I´m interested in the Surefire L6. Is this the right choice? Any alternatives?

Thanks

 

[X33]

You really want the megaray 175watt. Cones has a review with beamshots on his homepage. www.cones.free-online.co.uk/
www.megaray.com/ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Xeper]

Nice, but a little bit to big! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Size15's]

Welcome to CPF!

What sort of size are you looking for?
What is your application - what do you need to see at that range and for how long?

Al

 

[Xeper]

The size is not realy important. The L4 to L6 range is ok.

I need this lamp for watching animals and other living things in the dark. ;-) Runtime? 1 h or more would be nice. But I must use the light only for short moments.

Thanks

 

[X33]

Sorry, obviously welcome to CPF. I think the L4 can use PILA rechargeable batteries. Maybe thats a consideration.

 

[leukos]

I wouldn't consider the L4 a long distance light. Are you wanting an LED that can throw a long distance? You might look at the Inova T3 (XO3). Otherwise you should be looking at incandescent lights if throw is what you want. You might consider the new Streamlight Strion for example. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[sithjedi333]

Tigerlight.

 

[Catman10]

I would also recommend the Inova X03 or T3.

 

[NikolaTesla]

Arco X990. 3200 lumens, totally rechargeable. $500 at Brighguy.com. Very nifty. Size comparison in my picture. Check on Superlight review beam shot. Some photo's on my page too. Welcome.

L6 on my page too. Its really out of power at 100 meters. The L6 is a really good LED. Probably the best single 5 watt there is. The X990 on tight focus can do 1000 meters. Turns darkness into daylight (as claimed).

NikolaTesla /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

An Arc lamp is the Spark that takes away the Dark--HID Forever!

My Lights

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Click the picture itself to get a big one. The X990 is on the right next to the Coleman Lantern (About the same size)

 

[Xeper]

The Inova T3 sounds interesting. Any comments about the L6? Not recommendable?

 

[NikolaTesla]

L6 is very good but expensive. It has very nice pattern and out shines others. The Nuwai 5 watts are good bit cheaper and close in qaulity/power (75%) as good IMHO. Nuwai less than $100. L6 SF > $270. You make the choice.

NikolaTesla /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

An Arc lamp is the Spark that takes away the Dark--HID Forever!

My Lights

 

[McShawn]

I like the magcharger, a bad word around here to many, with a replacement lamp. It outshines my tiger light and about the same as my Surefire M6

 

[paulr]

If you want to look at animals or anything else in the dark, with a light like that it won't be dark any more, and they'll probably notice the light and react. Maybe you want a night vision scope, not a big flashlight.

 

[StEaLtH_]

Yep ditto on the Magcharger.
In stock form it already throws like hell.

 

[Vbeez]

How about light with green filter ?

 

[pjandyho]

The Surefire L6 is a very nice light that is bright and powerful. But I would rather you get an incandescent if your intention is to spot animals about 300 feet or more away. To me, LED lacks the full spectrum to really bring out details compared to an incandescent light. LED lights are way overpriced too. You would get better lumens per watt and dollar if you go for an incandescent.

I have been visiting a rural and rustic island somewhere in Singapore and one of our past times at night is to spot animals like wild boars and owls. I used LEDs for general illumination like walking and cycling. The L5 I have with me is very bright but I find it quite hard to make out details as fast and well as my M2 on P61 lamp and M3 on MN11 lamp. With my L5, everything just looks monotonous but my incandescent brought out all the details.

You may want a small LED light for general use and a powerful incandescent for long range lighting needs.

Recently, I had some chance to play with my friend's Pelican M6 and I am very much pleased to see it's power for long range usage. Although not as bright as my M2 and M3 on high output lamps but the design of the reflector throws the light really far. To me, that is a good light for spotting animals. If you have more budget to spend, go for the Surefire M3T which is a lot brighter.

 

[voodoogreg]

[ QUOTE ]
McShawn said:
I like the magcharger, a bad word around here to many, with a replacement lamp. It outshines my tiger light and about the same as my Surefire M6

[/ QUOTE ]

WORD. VDG

 

[Penguin]

Xeper,

It maybe a bit big and a bit heavier but my Thor-X spotlight is AWESOME at spotting things WAY past 300 feet. If you could live with its size, it would be a perfect 'long distance' light for you. It's really fun to use /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif i still smile everytime i turn it on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Josh

 

[brightnorm]

Xeper,

You said size isn't important but L4-L6 size is OK. Does this indicate a preference? If so your options are limited but there is at least one light that will meet your requirements. The aforementioned PM6 is one of the three longest-throwing 2x123 size lights, but you can get considerably more power in a very small package: the Streamlight TL-3 (xenon) which is a 3x123 light. It is the longest-throwing non-turbohead light in its size/weight class.

MODEL…….…….....LGTH …..BZL DIA ……BOD DIA ……WT…….LUMENS/CP<>

Streamlight TL-3…..…6 ¼”………..1 5/8”………….7/8”…………..6.7oz….….175-200 L

Pjandyho's suggestion of an LED for general use/walking and an incandescent for distance is most practical for your use. Of course if size/weight really isn't important then your options are wide open. Bear in mind that any small very bright incandescent claiming a "runtime of one hour" is bending the truth since it will begin to dim noticeably within a few minutes. However, since you indicated short periods of use this shouldn't be a major problem though you would be smart to carry extra batteries.

Brightnorm