High-intensity low-cost searchlight
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NAW
Enlightened
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- May 18, 2006
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How big and cheap are we talking here?
Alot of places like Home Depot, etc should have some cheap rechargeable spotlights.
I got a spotlight like this once and was happy with it. It should put around 500 lumens.
http://www.rivermarinesupply.com/xcart/images2/t_11385_01.jpg
Alot of places like Home Depot, etc should have some cheap rechargeable spotlights.
I got a spotlight like this once and was happy with it. It should put around 500 lumens.
http://www.rivermarinesupply.com/xcart/images2/t_11385_01.jpg
Last edited:
FrogsInWinter
Enlightened
Mentioning your price range would be helpful.
Here are some good choices to start off with:
http://www.brightguy.com/manufacturer/bright_star_lighting.php#Spotlights
Here are some good choices to start off with:
http://www.brightguy.com/manufacturer/bright_star_lighting.php#Spotlights
I don't know what I'm willing to spend yet. I have to research and figure out what the general price trends are for this type of light.
LED based would be awesome, but I'm sure something like that would cost over a grand - which IS beyond my price range.
LED based would be awesome, but I'm sure something like that would cost over a grand - which IS beyond my price range.
MSI
Enlightened
TheEconomist, what are you going to use it for and what is the lowest runtime you can live with?
cy, I regard the SF M6 as a tactical light rather than a search light. The runtime is not good enough for it to be used as a search light. Btw, it can currently only be bought with 250 lumens LA.
cy, I regard the SF M6 as a tactical light rather than a search light. The runtime is not good enough for it to be used as a search light. Btw, it can currently only be bought with 250 lumens LA.
Hallis
Flashlight Enthusiast
I wonder if any of thoe Costco HID's are still floating around. I loved mine. I just didnt have a use for it. In retro spect i should have never gotten rid of it though.
Shane
Shane
Outdoors Fanatic
Flashlight Enthusiast
The M6 is great light, but it has only 20 minutes of non-regulated runtime. A compact HID is a much better option, cheaper too.cy said:
mdocod
Flashaholic
The amodotech illuminator... is more like 2500 lumens... runs for well over an hour on it's 7AH Lead acid battery. It's HID... I would consider it to be a very reasonable choice for a "budget" searchlight... bout $140 from amondotech.com
you can also get a less ideal version from sams club for $100.... the bulb in the amondotech is a more useful color temp and possibly a bit brighter.
I've had mine for awhile, use it once and awhile... mostly just show it off to people... (look, see that tower on the bluff way over there, nearly a mile away... light it up!)
besides being good for impressing people- this is one of those beam patterns that is VERY good for search work, the wide corona around the center beam is like having a medium flood combined with a spot beam.
you can also get a less ideal version from sams club for $100.... the bulb in the amondotech is a more useful color temp and possibly a bit brighter.
I've had mine for awhile, use it once and awhile... mostly just show it off to people... (look, see that tower on the bluff way over there, nearly a mile away... light it up!)
besides being good for impressing people- this is one of those beam patterns that is VERY good for search work, the wide corona around the center beam is like having a medium flood combined with a spot beam.
Go to Kmart and look for the Dorcy 1.5 million candlpower spotlight, it'll be about $20. For the cost, this is the finest handheld spotlight around. It's yellow, which helps you find it in the dark in an emergency (like if you look out the window and catch someone creeping around your yard).
If you can't find that, Walmart has the black Garrity 1 million candlpower spotlight for about $28. I've compared both side-by-side, the Garrity is actually slightly brighter due to a faceted reflector. This demonstrates the difference a quality reflector makes, since the Dorcy has a 75W bulb and the Garrity a 55W. Being all black, it looks more expensive and "professional" than the Dorcy. For maximum bang-for-the-buck, can't beat the Dorcy, though.
Of course, you have to realize they both have a runtime of 20 minutes, as almost all incadescent rechargable spotlights do - it is just the nature of the beast. But, at least both are rechargable, which will save a TON of money in the long run. The Surefire M6, while a gem of a light, uses $30 of disposable lithium batteries in 20 minutes - that can get expensive real quick.
HID is great, but you'd have to spend at least $100 more for that level of equipment. Kmart & Walmart have great return policies - you should try these first, you'll probably be amazed if you haven't seen this type of light in action before. I still remember the first time I saw a handheld rechargable spotlight in action, I thought "I can't beleive how much light that thing is putting out, for only a little bit more money than a 3-cell Maglite"
If you can't find that, Walmart has the black Garrity 1 million candlpower spotlight for about $28. I've compared both side-by-side, the Garrity is actually slightly brighter due to a faceted reflector. This demonstrates the difference a quality reflector makes, since the Dorcy has a 75W bulb and the Garrity a 55W. Being all black, it looks more expensive and "professional" than the Dorcy. For maximum bang-for-the-buck, can't beat the Dorcy, though.
Of course, you have to realize they both have a runtime of 20 minutes, as almost all incadescent rechargable spotlights do - it is just the nature of the beast. But, at least both are rechargable, which will save a TON of money in the long run. The Surefire M6, while a gem of a light, uses $30 of disposable lithium batteries in 20 minutes - that can get expensive real quick.
HID is great, but you'd have to spend at least $100 more for that level of equipment. Kmart & Walmart have great return policies - you should try these first, you'll probably be amazed if you haven't seen this type of light in action before. I still remember the first time I saw a handheld rechargable spotlight in action, I thought "I can't beleive how much light that thing is putting out, for only a little bit more money than a 3-cell Maglite"
Xenon
Enlightened
Have you consider the Magcharger? with a WA1160 superbulb it makes a good spot light at its tightest focus.
LEDcandle
Flashlight Enthusiast
If it doesn't have to be in a traditional flashlight cylindrical shape, I would also recommend the Amondotech Illuminator (aka 3152). I don't own one but from the reviews, it is an awesome searchlight. I have a Brightstar 24w and it's pretty good already; I can imagine the nicer color temp and extra 11w of power from the Illuminator.
NAW
Enlightened
- Joined
- May 18, 2006
- Messages
- 739
A good decent search light would be the Boxer 24W HID or the Microfire. These lights are aound the size of a Surefire M6 but much brighter and longer runtime.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=123549&highlight=Microfire
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=123549&highlight=Microfire
