HID up to $500

[Przemo(c)]

Hi Folks,

Recently I went through different options in search for my powerfull light finally narrowing my choice to Microfire Warrior III and Surefire M6. However these are totally different light I had my reasons to focus on those two. Finally I decided to go for HID lights. I thought that MF WIII would be the final choice for me, but unfortunatally that 7000K beam colour put me away from buying that light.
Let's say I love everything about that light - beam throw vs spill, build quality, reliable make, and so on except that 7000K - and let it be the base point fo further research.
As some of you advised I started considering of buying Oracle 35W HID.
I saw some opinions on this forum, that if Microfire WIII had 4300K beam some of you would go for it without slightest hesitation. The Oracle has it, and it has all features wanted:

- it's a HID
- it's a 35W HID
- it's 4300K
- it's portrable size (not much bigger then MF)
- it's rechargeable
- nice leds built in battery pack
- nice carry case
- good throw / spill ratio
- good runtime
- good start-up time
?- I've read somewhere it's waterproof, not only splashproof - is that true???

But, I did not see much oohs and aahs about that lihgt here (like about Surefire M6, for instance), so where's the catch?

As for other possible suggestions - I don't want any custom build lights, and my budget for the HID is $500 - I really don't care if I spend $250 or $499. I set that budget, I have it ready and that's it. I just want to buy the light of which I won't be disappointed. I don't want a thrower, I don't want a spiller. I want an usable, powerfull HID. I'm not considering things like Stanley HID or Titanium Innovations (regardless their great price (!!!), because I would like that light to look like a proper flashlight, not some garage light (sorry if I offended someone) and be quite portable (for example lights like Oracle 35W, or even Mag 5D could seem big, but they're quite slim at the same time, so they dont make such problems as Titanium Innovations, for instance, when you want to put them into your suitcase).
Hope, you roughly know what I'm after, I would really appreciate all your responces and advices.
Rgds
Przemo

 

[Pfaulk54271]

You may want to check out HID Country, they have a 2800 lumen that fits your description pretty well, its not 4300K but it is a 5000K. I own one myself and LOVE it.

 

[jtrucktools34]

Hi Przemo,

I completely understand your dilema. I have been searching for more than a year for something with the same kind of requirements as you have posted. What I have come to understand is everyones perception is different. You have some specific criteria which narrow your choices but it still leaves you nervous to spend your limited funds on something you may or may not be happy with.

All that said, I will list a few suggestions that I have looked at and some of which I now own.

Because you are looking at the Oracle I would suggest you look carefully at the "Oracle 35w" thread in this forum. I do not own the 35w (Personally the 14" length was the deal breaker). I do however own the 24w. I had a lot of trouble with the batteries. The vendor I purchased it from eventually made it right with me but it was a pain. I have heard there have been some battery issues with the 35w as well. The bulb quality of the 24W I own IMO is not very good. It is listed at 4300K but it looks much cooler than that. I would guess around 5000 +. The light is a little yellow/green. There is also a "normal" brown/green pie shaped discoloration in the beam.

Some other lights to consider. I believe these are worthy of a look over. All three fit into your budget.

#1 AE 25w HID
#2 Olight SR-90 LED
#3 Tactical HID's "new" 26W HID

The only one of these three that I own is the SR-90. IMHO it plays ball with the other HID's It has a stated 6500k bulb temp but it looks white when using it. NOT the "bloody blue" of the MF. The LED projects a very clear beam with no artifacts. With the HID's I own the colors and electrode shadows make your eyes strain sometimes.

I do realize that the Oracle 35W and the SR-90 are the same length. Obviously I got over my length issue.

I am far from an expert in this field. These are just the humble opinions of a fellow CPF'er. Some of the other guys you have been getting advice from are far more seasoned. NOT sure how any of them taste though :laughing:

Final suggestion...

FIND A GOOD USED PH40 LIKE I JUST DID!! 3+ TIMES YOUR BUDGET BUT IT IS THE ULTIMATE :devil: I have been saving for a year. I have Patriot and Vee to thank for my empty bank account now. And not to forget PARKER VH for selling me the said PH40 at a great bargin!!!!! :twothumbs

 

[Pfaulk54271]

299.99 for 2800 Lumens and 2 hours of runtime....HID Country Sale

 

[Patriot]

The "catch" is that the M6 is one of the all time CPF favorites and the Oracle is just a generic, Asian HID light of decent quality. It doesn't, nor will it ever have the following and popularity that the M6 earned. For a good performing all around HID that doesn't break the bank, the 35W Tactical HID/Oracle HID would probably still be a good choice.

 

[Przemo(c)]

Thanks a lot for suggestions. I was wondering why Microfire Warrior don't offer 4300K bulb? Is there any particular reason for that? Maybe there are some issues with cheap 4300K coloured HID bulbs and only very expensive lights like Polearion or MaxaBeam can afford to fit them in their lights (not sure about Maxa Beam's colour temp.). Or maybe it's just pure marketing decision, as some people love blue lights...

 

[jtrucktools34]

Why not try to pick up a good used one in the MP. One just sold there for $170.00 USD It was the Tactical HID version but they seem to be the same light.

Look here http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=215955

There was also an M6 that went for $235.00.

With your budget you could own both...

 

[Przemo(c)]

Well, yeah... Seems like a good deal. My problem is though, I don't trust unbranded makes. I know, it's not fully unbranded, you can call it "Tactical HID", "Oracle" ot whatever you like. I've heard that this light is sold under 6 different names. You know, the company which produces something and it's good quality, usually is not ashamed of the brand's name and tries to burn that name into customers brains. Here we can observe a little bit different tactics. I wouldn't be so supicious as for unbranded products if not my sat navs. I have bought two from China, and that two broke in short period of time after I've purchased them. Both were unbranded and costed three times less then good brand ones with the same spec. I think the high price is not for nothing. We have a saying: if you buy cheap, you buy twice. And another one: Poor man cannot afford cheap things.
Thanks for the link and your help, it's nothing against you, I'm just sharing my second thoughts here.

 

[Patriot]

Przemo,

So far, I haven't heard of any broken Tactical HID's. It's not like Microfire is a US based company that you can easily mail warranty items back and forth to. Whatever chinese light you purchase, you'll be dealing with the dealer if any problems arise. The Microfire and Boxer, might be slightly better lights but you'd really be splitting hairs to say that one is substantially "better" than another. In any case, I'm just trying to be a realist since I own HIDs from every price point.

 

[Przemo(c)]

Thanks, Patriot.

I think I'll go for that light finally. I was leaning towards Microfire Warrior III, but that blueish beam slightly put me backwards from buying it. If not that - I would buy it without any doubt.
If Tactical HID is US based, somehow it makes me feel a lot better . No fence, of cource, I have few chinese LED lights, and I'm more then pleased with them, but they are top brand lights wich has earned they reputation over the years. As for my first HID I cannot take any risk that something will go wrong on the first day of using it and want to be quite sure about the purchase. There is probably nothing worse than hoping for the light to impress you and then "oh, crap, it just dont' work!" Of course, you can never be 100% sure, but you can try to minimize the risk by all means.
I don't wanna go for a budget HID, which ironically seems to be the only possible option for me at the moment, but unfortunatelly it looks like we don't have some middle class HIDs to choose from. There are lights like Tactical HID (around $300) then lights like MF Warrior (around $500 - wchich is not big difference anyway) and there is a huuuuuge gap which brings us up to the Polarions and MaxaBeams which costs well over $2000. Shame upon the market, I would say...I just cannot justify buying the $2000 or even $1500 light. Not now, unless I start earn $5000 monthly
Well, with that being said let's dig the forum once again in search for the Tactical HID beamshots...

 

[jtrucktools34]

Make sure you let us know what you choose and why. I am interested to find out.

 

[Przemo(c)]

Yes, I will, don't worry. If only I could see that Warrior's beam colour in real world... :sigh: Now I'm at 50/50 point, I'm just unable to make decision. I think, I need make a list of all pros and cons, and just decide using pure logic and facts.

 

[Przemo(c)]

Yeah, I think I made my decision. The winner is... Stanley HID, haha!
Yes, I think I will start from this light, because it's quite cheap and then I will decide what next: will I need more spill, different colour temperature, different form factor, etc.
My question now is, however, do you know the place where can I order it from to be shipped to the UK? It seem it's not available in the UK, and Amazon US dont ship it to the UK. Any suggestions / internet stores....? It seems, that only Amazon US sells that light. That's a bit odd...
I would really much appreciate your help. It's gonna be my first HID after all. I decided I will need some reference light for my future dream-HID purchase. That Stanley looks like a good deal for the beginning.

 

[jasonck08]

The Stanley I think is only sold in the US. So you'd have to pay someone $50 to ship it over to you...

 

[Przemo(c)]

Yeah, just found that light on e-bay.com. around $90 for the light and $50 for shipment. Hurts... It's not, what I expected...

 

[krash610]

Yeah, I think I made my decision. The winner is... Stanley HID, haha!
Yes, I think I will start from this light, because it's quite cheap and then I will decide what next: will I need more spill, different colour temperature, different form factor, etc.
My question now is, however, do you know the place where can I order it from to be shipped to the UK? It seem it's not available in the UK, and Amazon US dont ship it to the UK. Any suggestions / internet stores....? It seems, that only Amazon US sells that light. That's a bit odd...
I would really much appreciate your help. It's gonna be my first HID after all. I decided I will need some reference light for my future dream-HID purchase. That Stanley looks like a good deal for the beginning.

This is exactly what I did. Couldn't make up my mind on which light to go with. So today I decided to go with the Stanley to start of with and go from there. Fortunately for me I just went to the local Wal-mart and got the light.