Greetings from Iraq - Need compact HID spotlight help!

[foogoo]

Hi all!

I'm here in the sandbox running mounted missions. We are currently using huge HID spotlights similar to the ones from Northern Tool as handheld spotlights to check things out that may be 30 meters or so away while on the move.The problem is, those things are huge in cramped vehicles where space is premium - not to mention it's not easy to pick up and turn on in a jiffy.

Is there something more compact that will be able to give me similar in brightness and distance as those large spotlights? I'm looking to buy this on my own dime too so I'm hoping to find something on a budget. The Amondotech N30, AEX 25W and Tactical HID look like good candidates (though pricey :sigh. Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Richie086]

Thank you for the great job and sacrifices you are making for us here at home. Our prays are always with you all. :thumbsup:


If I had to go with any of them, I'd likely pick the N30 for it's compact size and 30w output. I'd go with the L35 after it's latest design has proved itself reliable.

 

[BVH]

For your use, you're ok with the typical warm-up time of HID's or would instant-on be better? Trying to get a better feel for what would serve you best.

 

[foogoo]

For your use, you're ok with the typical warm-up time of HID's or would instant-on be better? Trying to get a better feel for what would serve you best.

I assume the spotlight we are currently using is HID in which I'm not noticing a warm up time. We generally turn it on only when needed for a short amount of time, so something with an excessive warm up time probably would not work well.

 

[Patriot]

:welcome:

If the warm up time on the Northern Tools type is acceptable, and what you're currently using is indeed HID, the N30 would be a good choice when they become available again and it's also a well proven light for general use. The L35 is more than double the price and still new so it doesn't have much of a track record.

The Tactical HID and Xenide25W might work but as you mentioned they're more expensive and will not have the lumen output that you're used to seeing from the large reflectored 35W style HID.

One big plus of the N30 or other 4200K color temperature lights is that the color rendering is so much better than the 6000K class bulbs. If you're attempting to ID suspicious items near the road's edge it's going to be easier with a light like the N30, L35, or ACRO RL-11. All of which use 4200-4300K bulbs.

The POB or Power On Board by Vector is also about 1/3 smaller and about 2 pounds lighter than what you're currently using. It does have a 6000K bulb, but it's easily replaceable with a 4300K bulb in about 5 minutes.


A big THANK YOU to you and your squad mates for what you're doing over there. You're very appreciated and I pray for all of you, including two members of my extended family.
:thanks:

 

[Patriot]

I assume the spotlight we are currently using is HID in which I'm not noticing a warm up time. We generally turn it on only when needed for a short amount of time, so something with an excessive warm up time probably would not work well.

A standard Halogen spotlight will fire up to full brightness in a half a second or less.

A typical 35W HID takes 6-8 seconds to fully warm up and another 6-8 seconds for the full color to settle in. That said, the typical 35W HID is producing 50-75% of its full ouput within 3 seconds. They're still very bright rather quickly, especially when considering that they're much brighter than the average 100W incan bulb powered by an internal SLA battery.

Does the light you're looking for have to be portable or can it be plugged into a 12V lighter type socket with a long cord?

 

[DM51]

... handheld spotlights to check things out that may be 30 meters or so away while on the move

30 meters / 100 feet is not very far - if that is the requirement, the power of a HID is not really necessary, and there are many small and very portable solutions open to you. Or did you mean 300 meters? For that sort of distance, HID will be your best option.

As Patriot36 says, although HIDs take a few seconds to get to full power, the "instant" part of the light is still very bright.

 

[foogoo]

Does the light you're looking for have to be portable or can it be plugged into a 12V lighter type socket with a long cord?

Yes, forgot to mention this part. Needs to be portable or at least rechargeable.

And while I noticed that our current spotlight can light up out to about 300 meters, we use it mostly for lighting up things in the 10-100 meter range.

 

[DM51]

while I noticed that our current spotlight can light up out to about 300 meters, we use it mostly for lighting up things in the 10-100 meter range.

Something like a Mag85 would be perfectly capable of 10-100 meters, and being a lot smaller than your spotlight, it would be far less clumsy in actual use. You could keep the big spotlight for when you need the extra distance.

 

[HIDSGT]

Thanx for ur service.

 

[Patriot]

I think the Mag85 would physically work for you also but it is a custom modified maglite with different bulb, bulb socket, reflector, and batteries. Charging the batteries can be somewhat tedious since depending on the configuration you'd have to charge between 3 and 9 cells. The bulbs are not readily available, especially where you're at and it's made worse by the fact that mag85's aren't easy on bulbs. I'd probably go with something generic but just smaller than what you're using now. Something that you can plug into the wall to recharge and forget about it until the following night.

One CPF member gave this light good reviews and I think it will cover any distance that you typically would be using it for:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=222999

 

[foogoo]

Hi all, thanks for all the recommendations and kind words . We went out the other night and I had a chance to take note of the spotlight so I can offer better criteria.

This is the spotlight I have (older model however). It says 100W, almost definitely a halogen spotlight. It is huge. I had a different vehicle and I could not clear the turret with it. The giant reflector catching wind in a moving vehicle made it felt like it was trying to fly away. Almost everything I used it for the other night was no more than 50 meters away, but we do use it for further distances, especially for signaling. So here's my refined requirements:

Brightness - Nothing can ever be "too bright". The brighter the better. But for the price, needs to at least illuminate brightly to 50 meters and max reach (i.e. for signaling) of 300 meters.

Size - Anything smaller than that hulking spotlight would work, although preferably something the size of a large Maglite so I can aim it comfortably.

Price - I'm hoping for something cheap as possible since this is a personal purchase I'm paying for out of pocket (although I wouldn't be surprised if the unit decides to purchase a bunch if I can convince them small spotlights do exist!). The Tactical HID is probably the most I'd spend (BTW, would that satisfy my criteria?) but I'd like to keep it under $100 if possible.

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[groo01]

Groo here
I know this is a Hid forum but would one of the new 500+lum
Led lights work???
There are some new throwers out there.
Also check on Black Bear Flashlights for a M*g light based recharage
light that you don"t need to build
Any of these lights are small enough to fit in a cargo pocket or
stuff in a belt and would double as a hand light for those
PERSONAL incounters .
Keep up the good work
and remember more of us see and remember
than you Know

 

[Patriot]

The only HID spotlight that has been widely available and under $100 is the Vector POB. It's about 1/3 smaller and a couple of pounds lighter. It's brighter than what you have now but there is several seconds of warm up time for full brightness. Add to that that fact that HID's shouldn't be constantly switched on an off, because it hard on the components, and I'm not sure any HID would work for you, except something very expensive.


One of the only fairly high quality halogen lights around that's a non-spotlight, comes at the price you're looking at, which could be used "tactically" and fits within the KISS methodology, would be the Magcharger. It will provide plenty of light at 50 meters and can been seen for well over 300 meters for signaling purposes. It could be seen for miles given the right circumstances.

http://www.brightguy.com/products/MagLite_Rechargeable_Flashlight.php


Besides the Magcharger, you'll pretty much be limited to hand held SLA battery powered spotlights such as the one I linked two posts ago. CPF member Bluebeam22 is a true incan spotlight connoisseur and speaks very highly of it. There are many hand held SLAs available but if I was to purchase one myself I'd probably go with the one he recommend since he owns and tests so many of them.

Given the two choices above I'd chose the Magcharger because of its size and convenience, even though it's more expensive. The Black and Decker is still going to throw further, but if the requirement is indeed 50-75 meters the Mag will work fine.

You'll have to keep in mind that there's never going to be a perfect light for every task and a reduction in size usually is going to mean less overall output or throw. The ones which come the closest to being able to "do it all" cost $2000 or more and wouldn't be practical since you're doing this out of pocket. You may still occasionally need the big incan that you're using now but maybe it could ride in the back or at the very least, not have to be with you up in the turret bucking the wind at all times. Most of us candle power junkies own an array of lights that we employ for different purposes.

Hope that helps some.

Paul

 

[foogoo]

It's brighter than what you have now but there is several seconds of warm up time for full brightness. Add to that that fact that HID's shouldn't be constantly switched on an off, because it hard on the components, and I'm not sure any HID would work for you, except something very expensive.

That's a good point regarding HID flashlights I was not aware of. In that case, I probably need a VERY bright incan or LED light...

I just found this thread regarding the Blackbear Borealis and it's impressive, especially since I think the spotlight he compared it with is the same one I'm using (rebranded)! It is a bit pricey and I'll need a large battery charger with it too...

 

[american lockpicker]

What about Surefire Heelfighter?

 

[foogoo]

What about Surefire Heelfighter?

You mean the Hellfire? I almost forgot, that's actually what the crews with M2's use. I have an M240 however and we're restricted from using the Hellfire as a handheld spotlight (someone kept breaking the $800 cable). The Hellfire IS an awesome light however (as long as I didn't have to buy it!)!

 

[SwatDude]

What about Surefire Heelfighter?

Is the heel fighter a distant cousin to the ankle biter?

I think he was looking for something inexpensive.

 

[foogoo]

Sorry if I'm derailing from HID....

I did more reading on the Borealis and this post comparing it to the type of spotlight similar to what I'm using makes it sound really good. Can anyone comment on how the Borealis fares as a spotlight?

 

[BVH]

The Borealis is essentially a Mag85 mod give or take. It uses an uncommon bulb that is driven near it's point to obtain the wonderful brightness and it has a relatively short lifespan and a battery carrier holding 8 AA cells. All of these are weak/failure points. These lights are great to play with and put out lots of light, but to paraphrase Patriot36, I would not use one of these in situations where my life depends on it functioning every single time.

I don't remember if you said you could use a corded light? If so, the Blitz 240 commercially available light would do a great job. It is an excellent performing, very light weight, focus-adjustable 100 Watt Hologen light that throws a beam that's hard to believe. The stock coil cord could easily and reliably be extended to any convenient length. You could also retro-fit with a 130 Watt Halogen. This is assuming you have a 12 Volt source.