Help needed please - need good advice

[kaimaikid]

Hi,
have been reading the forums with great interest in regards to HID spotlights, however, the more I read the more confused I become and the more I feel like using the visa

anyway I am looking for a super thrower HID for around $160US or less - basically I am calling on the wealth of knowledge that you folk have in aiding me to make the right purchase.

Things I want:
throw
compact if possible (but not too important)
reasonable build quality

I have looked at the N30, POB and the Amondotech Titanium Mega Illuminator 35W HID Spotlight etc, but chances are that theres probably others out there worth looking at as well.

many thanks in advance... :thinking:

 

[Flashanator]

Mega Illuminator is HUGE, super thrower.

POB is medium & big throw, more manageable size.

N30 is very compact, least throw, more flood, most practical.

Those 3 will throw & out perform anything else with that budget you gave IMO.


If you want super thrower HID, meg illuminator is the one. Its big, as it needs a big reflector to focus light for more throw.

EDIT:
here is a comparison of those 3 in order from top (meg-illum,POB,N30...) (snapped from a shootout by CPF gurus CA, usa)

 

[kaimaikid]

I was almost sold on the N30 due to its performance and size until I read somewhere that it can't cloud bounce all that well and the other two out-performed it on throw.

Any ideas on distance the POB and MI will throw?

Is the MI still worth getting or does the ammount of extra throw over the POB not outweigh its extra bulk?

Thanks

 

[Flashanator]

I don't have the POB so I can't say how much more the MI throws then then it. I would assume it's worth the extra size.

I have the MI & the furthest I tested it was up to ~400M away no probs at all. It can cloud bounce on low level cloud, more impressive beam on clear night.

To impress people with throw Id go with the MI over the POB.:thumbsup:

EDIT: Here is my MI with different colour bulb, more blue.

 

[kaimaikid]

Thanks mate

 

[Flashanator]

I'm just an Aussie helping out a Kiwi.

Good luck on your choice, HID's are real fun...:naughty:

 

[kaimaikid]

Just got the scare of my life.... :mecry:

The MI will cost $474.62 New Zealand Dollars landed

The POB will cost $208.62 New Zealand Dollars landed

its becoming a real easy choice :huh:

I think the POB wins this round

cheers me Ocker mate

 

[Patriot]

Just got the scare of my life.... :mecry:

The MI will cost $474.62 New Zealand Dollars landed

The POB will cost $208.62 New Zealand Dollars landed

its becoming a real easy choice :huh:

I think the POB wins this round

cheers me Ocker mate

Did you price out a "shipped" N30 yet? I'm curious because it's half the size and weight. You may just get the most light for your money due to shipping costs. I'm not sure what types of lights you're used to, but the N30 is no slouch in the throw department.

 

[BlueBeam22]

I own both the N30 and POB, and the POB out throws it by quite a bit. The POB is amazing at cloud bouncing and puts a bright blue spot on low level clouds. The Mega Illuminator would definitely out perform the POB, but the POB is still an incredible thrower.

The N30 is a much nicer light than the POB and still has super long throwing range like Patriot36 said. The N30 is only half the size and weight of the POB and is actually quite a bit brighter! The N30 can light up low lying clouds, and IMO it is the best choice as it is the most practical and useful light I have ever owned.

 

[kaimaikid]

Who does the best deal on the N30 and ships internationaly?

POB shipping 59.95US
MI shipping $112.00US

 

[BlueBeam22]

Who does the best deal on the N30 and ships internationaly?

POB shipping 59.95US
MI shipping $112.00US

You can buy the N30 only from BatteryJunction.com for $150. Sorry but I am not sure about international shipping charges.

 

[kaimaikid]

At a good guess it would come to around $350 NZ dollars....

 

[BlueBeam22]

You can't go wrong with the POB. It is a great all-around light and is incredibly powerful. It will easily light up low lying clouds and very distant objects. I have brightly lit up the tops of 70+ story tall sky scrapers with the POB. I think you would be blown away by it.:thumbsup:

 

[kaimaikid]

If I had my way I'd get a PH50

ah well least dreams are free - thanks for all the advice guys :wave:

 

[Flashanator]

LOL kaimaikid,
I know how you feel with the expensive international shipping & conversion to NZ.

It turns me off alot of lights.

 

[kaimaikid]

Well I have consoled myself by ordering a new cree torch and cree/ash lens conversion for my maglite... :naughty: :thumbsup:

just waiting for a couple things to sell and a nice new HID will be on its way too.... :twothumbs

 

[kaimaikid]

Took the plunge and purchased a nice new POB from Sams this morning - can't wait to get it - watch out neighbours :naughty:

 

[Flashanator]

Nice,

So you didn't bother with that $339 Look alike you PM'd me about

 

[kaimaikid]

I thought long and hard about it as anything that comes from ebay is going to be real cheap - not :thinking:

 

[king2penn]

hmm kaimaikid could i have the link to the sam's clubs auction website? I thought they only sold the POB to people living nearby? Thanks!