Best light for searching all nite

My only concern about the LC100 is that the lamp is expensive and possibly fragile. It is also 3x the price of the D8.

The D8 is not a penetrating light to be sure...you need the SL6 for that <smile>.

Craig's www.ledmuseum.org has an indepth review of the LC 100.

Damn sad about the kid and the parents.

Somehow, I'm afraid even the brightest light doesn't solve all the problems, but it makes you feel better carrying it.

Good luck!

Richard
 
OK, if you are going to do it NOW, go to Wal-mart and your sporting goods store, and buy what ever they have. Time is an issue. You should be searching NOW during the daylight.

I am assuming that you are going to have a whole huge group of people searching, right?

I second Velcro's suggestion (I started the thread he referenced!) That light is on my list of lights to get "complete" my collection.

If I were to PLAN to be out in the dark all NIGHT, in total darkness, no ambient light, a million miles from nowhere search and rescue, and NOT be in a base camp or with a group, but actually hiking all night, and money was a realistic object (can't use 2 M6's in both hands, all night!) here is what I might want:

WALK IN A TEAM OF AT LEAST TWO OR THREE or FOUR.

The middle person would hold a wide area walking lantern. my choice (as of 3 days ago) would be the Inretech Super6 light.

The other person or persons, would be searching with the high powered beams.

Here is what I would want on my body:

One, possibly 2, freshly, and fully charged, Optronics 2 mil CP spotlights, strapped around my shoulder. (30-40 min run time each) Maybe just 1, with a fully charged, spare battery in my backpack. Why this light? Actually I had to use it last night (for real) in a little search and rescue for a "search and rescue" dog (no joke!) This baby lights up the night! I was able to light the dog's eyes up, easily a half mile away or more away, and the beam is just incredible. When you need this light you really NEED this light. It would not be the primary search light, as the battery life is 30-40 minutes. Not enough for a 14 hour trek.

The above mentioned LSI Kohler OR the UKE Sunlight D8 or UKE Light Cannon 100
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or the UKE Light Cannon 100 with the optional Lantern grip:

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und44805.jpg

Both UKE lights takes 8 D batteries, and you could throw another set or two into a backpack, no problem, whereas the rechargable light, if it should go out, well, you are out.

(I did not know the lantern option was available for the UKE lights, that opens up a new possibility as to a future purchase!)

A Princeton Tec Aurora, maybe two (they are very light) and wear one backwards, with the blinking mode on, to be seen from a distance from behind.

In my pocket, a Legend LX, or, if I owned one, a SureFire M3, a 2AA LS light, and the Streamlight 4AA, 7 led light.

Water, some candy bars, a poncho, cell phone, a little first aid kit, POWERFUL, 100% DEET bug repellant, and a towel. Bring enought water for you, plus water for your search and rescue person.

3 Princeton Tec Surge's in the backpack, just because I have them, and find that they work great because of the wrist lanyard, for having a light, but still being able to use your hands when necessary.

HIGH PITCHED POLICEMAN's Whistle around your neck.

I am sure that there are alternative selections, but I would feel pretty secure in my selection.
 
Has any one tried out Sears craftsman 500,000 cp gel cel light? I have a old first alert gel cell that looks similar to the Craftsman that I would never part with. You get about 3 hours use with it and the case is very rugged. I have found I need to replace the battery about every two years because the run time decreases with time.
 
Carbonsparky, Can you link me to a picture of this light. Sounds interesting.
 
Many (all?) gel-cell lights are slow to recharge, as in several hours. Gels pack much more capacity per $ than ni-cad or ni-mh, though. On the plus side, they self discharge much slower than other rechargables. A month between charges probably wouldn't be noticed.

Are the run times of 6-7 hours for a UKD8, and 4 for the UK-SL6 actual or advertised?
 
Hi, Tom,

The times are estimated from published power and published battery curves. They are shorter than advertised for the lights.

I have not measured the UKE lights for usage, but I am pleased so far with the battery life in the D8 and the SL6. I use them intermittently.

The D8 is a 14W lamp. That means it draws about 1.25A. Let's consider it a constant draw at that. Refer to http://data.energizer.com/datasheets/library/primary/alkaline/energizer/consumer_oem/e95.pdf

You get about 6 hours to 0.9V per cell. At that point the lumen output has dropped to (theoretically) about 25%, but the wattage has dropped to 50% so it's drawing a bit less current.

I'm comfortable in 6-7 hours of useable light. The constant current is the worst case. Constant resistance overstates life.

The SL6 is an 8W lamp. It's running of 9V so let's call the initial discharge 1A (it will drop as the voltage drops)

http://data.energizer.com/datasheets/library/primary/alkaline/energizer/consumer_oem/e93.pdf

Again, fudging bettween the constant current and constant voltage, I'm comfortable with a 3-4 hour estimate of run time.

I also see the SL6 as a more intermittant-use light due to its penetrating sharp beam. As you know, alkalines recover and will deliver more total energy if used intermittantly.

Cheers,

Richard

By the way, after 5.25 hours the SL 4AA LED falls to 20cd and after 7 hours it stabilizes at 10cd. So much for their "after 155 hours still delivers plenty of light to illuminate a path, read a manual, or search a toolbox. After 7 hours it's half of an Arc AAA LE!
 
How about a 4D or 5D Mag like the ones I have tweaked with shims and stuff 'til they shoot a pretty nice light. One could actually carry two or even three on belt hangers and cover all night.

Actually I have a 4D Mag tweaked and a 5-3-2 Brinkman tweaked. I have an old Rayovac 6D made from two 3Ds (looks like a Mag but has a fixed beam. With a 5 cell bulb it is bright and supprisingly smooth!

Any of them with D Alkys should last a good while and light up the night pretty good.

Where I live and usually go, I have no need of a Million CP Laser beam....
 
Originally posted by Velcro:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by PlayboyJoeShmoe:
Where I live and usually go, I have no need of a Million CP Laser beam....
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">That's because you're cheap.
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Greetings,
Velcro
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Well yes, that is part of it sure. But I don't need to burn houses down with 1 million, or at least blind anyone permanently. This is the suburbs, not the deep woods.
 
Lightwave 4000 with Eveready Titaniums, or Mag 3D with Pro Series 3 Cell WHITE LS bulb. The latter give a long run time and even longer with Titanium D cells. The Titaniums increase battery capacity by 65 percent and output by 65 percent. The advantage of the Mag-Lite/LEDCorp Pro Series LS White is that you get superb area and smooth focus beam with excellent throw. It you drop the light, you won't break the bulb. You do have to get the matching bulb for the number of cells.

2D runtime Pro Series w/Alkaline: 75 hours

2D runtime Pro Series w/Titanium: 123.75 hours (expected)

Interestingly, the 4 cell has the longest runtime.

Also think in other terms: Tropical storms, hurricanes, post severe storm/tornado, etc.

The Mag-Lite/Pro Series will cost $10 or so more than the lightwave 4000. Additional advantage: Pro Series is replacable.

I was lucky enough to call LEDCorp and find out that they found some 2 Cell White Luxeon Stars (LS) in their newest batch of LSes. That's rare enough, that they can only regularly have 3 and 4 Cell LS bulbs available. I ordered a 2 Cell one for my 2D Mag.

http://www.ledcorp.com/

and check out LED Museum for the reviews. Extremely informative website.

http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledleft.htm
 
Charles,

Respectfully, I would not want to be searching for a little girl all night long, in fields and brush and dirt roads etc, with your light selections.

Now, stranded on a deserted island, with only one set of batteries, your choices would be excellent. Long run times, and as the batteries get weaker, the light still stays white, just less intense.

But to do search and rescue, when you have to look up trees, down wells, in caves, lighting up "that noise in the brush", etc, you need "car headlight" type of lights.

You picked some high quality lights, but, in my opinion, the wrong tools for the job.

(Not at all meant to be a flame - Just thinking if people read this and actually do have to search for a child).
 
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