Compact HID for boating at night??

[bimemrboy318]

Can you guys recommend a compact HID for navigating at night on an inland lake from a boat?

The lake is Lake Cumberland in KY which is no more than a mile wide at its widest. Problem is that there are so many turns and coves that on a moonless night, getting caught in the dark makes getting back to the launch ramp very difficult.

I've been using my Sam's 35W spot but it's tiring to hold up over the windshield for extended periods.

I see AE Light is highly regarded but I'm not sure what the difference is between the Xenide version and Powerlight version. Advice?

 

[Patriot]

The N30 or the soon to be released L35 would both be great lights because of their compact size. The N30 weighs roughly 1/3 that of the POB. The L35 will be lighter still yet because of a lighter battery.

The AE lights are nice but if you're used to a 35W large reflectored HID, I'm not sure if you'll be completely satisfied with the output and throw.

In any case, the Powerlight is the predessesor to the Xenide. The main differences are the placement of the switch and the diameter. The body of the Xenide is more narrow than the Powerlight and it also as a conventionaly body mounted switch instead of the Powerlight's rear toggle style.

 

[Patriot]

I just saw this at the market place:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2204456#post2204456

That's a very good deal for that light, especially considering the condition and how new it is. I would consider is a step up from the N30 because of the Li-ioin battery. Acro also has a good reputation for build quality.

 

[dudemar]

The Xenide is more compact, powerful and efficient than the Powerlight series. The Xenide also has a far shorter start-up time, that is the time it takes to get to full brightness. It takes just 15 seconds to get to full brightness, versus 60 seconds for the Powerlight. The Xenide's power switch is a button along the body, much like a Maglight; while the Powerlight's switch is a twist-switch towards the back.

It is also IP68 capable with the waterproof battery (Totally protected against dust and long periods of immersion under pressure), versus the Powerlight's IP57 (Dust & water resistant).

It boils down to what your cup of tea is, personally I prefer the Xenide.

 

[Oznog]

GPS... I know that wasn't your question but it's the best answer.

 

[Morepower!]

I do a bit of night boating myself, as well as prawning. I found the higher colour temps to be more of a hinderance than a help. You will want whatever you decide on to be 4000-4300K temp. It's much better for penetrating through the water and any fog/mist. Also that temp. range dosn't produce as much glare off the deck, mine unfortunately is white.

 

[Patriot]

It boils down to what your cup of tea is, personally I prefer the Xenide.

Absolutely! The only reason I could see one opting for the Powerlight instead would be because of a great deal on the price. Since it's the predecessor a person would be more likely to find a good deal on one.

 

[FredM]

If it will only be used on a boat then drop the battery and run a cable to your boats 12V supply. That will drop the weight significantly and be cheaper than a new light.

 

[Patriot]

If it will only be used on a boat then drop the battery and run a cable to your boats 12V supply. That will drop the weight significantly and be cheaper than a new light.

That's what I was originally thinking also, but the HID spotlight options which can use 12V plug without the battery in place are limited. There might be a few different options, but the only ones that comes to mind at the moment are the Acro X990 and the Acro RL-11. The X990 has a pseudo battery back that fits into the light handle but is actually operating from a 12V lighter socket. The RL-11 has a pigtail that plugs into a 12V lighter directly.

For the X990 set-up, this:
http://magnalight.com/pc-320-30-hid-rechargeable-handheld-light--rl-10--3200-lumen.aspx

Plus this:
http://magnalight.com/pc-160-9999-990-dca-acro-990-car-adaptor--1224-volt-dc.aspx


For the RL-11, this:
http://magnalight.com/pc-316-30-rechargeable-hid-handheld-light--rl-11.aspx

Plus this:
http://magnalight.com/pc-370-9999-c-10-cc-coil-cord-with-deutsch-connector.aspx



Don't forget about the RL-11 at the MarketPlace either
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2204456#post2204456

 

[dudemar]

Would this work?

http://www.aelight.com/product.php?category=13&id=101

I don't know if boats have cigarette lighter sockets.

If it will only be used on a boat then drop the battery and run a cable to your boats 12V supply. That will drop the weight significantly and be cheaper than a new light.

The Xenide/PL is pretty light (no pun intended) with the battery. I have no problem carrying it for extended periods of time.

 

[Patriot]

It sure would. I never knew that the Xenide lights had that accessory or capability. I might have to get one. Neat.



bimmerboy, just remember that the AE light is 1500 lumens compared to the 3000+ that you've been used to with the POB. The Xenide obviously won't throw as far either.

 

[FredM]

Whats so hard about taking out the battery and soldering on some wires then running that to the battery or cig lighter? POB is so cheap compared to the other options you are mentioning and probably lighter without the battery.
Who cares if it has a hole drilled in the back plate.

 

[BlueBeam22]

Would you consider a super powerful, high quality 12 volt plug-in Halogen spotlight?
The one I recommend is the "Brinkmann Qbeam Spot/Flood Max Million III 3 Million MAXPOWER" black pistol grip spotlight for $26 from Walmart. It has a spot mode that illuminates objects brightly up to ½ a mile away, and a very nice flood beam mode.
It is 100 watts so it puts out around 2000 lumens, and competes nicely with my Sam's POB HID. It is featherweight and should illuminate everything within ½ a mile just as well as the POB.
When compared to the POB the Brinkmann seems nearly as bright but just has a wider beam without the laser like throw. However, the Brinkmann throws just as far as my 10 million candlepower spotlight.
IMO it might actually do better than the POB on your boat as its beam is a much larger and more uniform circle of light that illuminates a broader area and gives better color rendition.

 

[Illum]

The N30 or the soon to be released L35 would both be great lights because of their compact size. The N30 weighs roughly 1/3 that of the POB. The L35 will be lighter still yet because of a lighter battery.

be advised that the N30 is not equipped with any waterproofing devices like o-rings or epoxy and that its water resistance is splashable at best...if your planning to use it for marine purposes I'd suggest either holding on to your light with your life or stuff it in a plastic bag and tote it along. surprisingly, the business end of the light doesn't emit as much heat as a 30 watt incandescent...like a mag85 and I haven't experienced my N30 burning through a plastic bag....yet

 

[IgNITEor]

If you're interested in hands-free:

100 Watts strapped to one's head?
Seen these used on airboats.

 

[quantico]

I run a pontoon boat on a river and at night it is plenty dark out... the problem that I have is unless you want to draw every bug in the world...and leave the light on for your entire trip you might be better off with a lot less light and keep your night vision in tact. I typically carry a surefire 6p with an 80 lumen LED conversion. It is way too much light so I use a ten dollar led light from sears ( with about 19 leds ) and it is much more flood and less focused. With the cheap led I would get enough light to see where I was going without any huge loss in night vision. I would consider using your boat battery to power a simple 12 volt incandesent light as you might find on a garden tractor or snowblower. The rubber cover would keep any light from coming back at you and give you plenty of light for few dollars and not too much power. If you want to get into a high power setup for fun... I completely get that, I am considering that myself... I just know a simple basic setup would serve me better, but with a lot less fun of scaring the neighbors. Scott