Looking for an entry spotlight/HID for around $150

[Showmethelight]

Hello, I'm very new to flashlights and was hoping some of the more knowledgeable members could help inform me of what is available. I currently have a spotlight from northerntool that is labeled as 10 million candle power; it's served me well for a couple of years now, though I know others have reported problems with theirs, to any degree, I enjoy it's power and it being rechargeable was a must; but it's bulky and the run time on "high" is pretty crummy.
I've read what I could find about the AmondoTech TITANIUM N30 from battery junction and it sounds very good, but unavailable?
I've read a lot of the recent chatter on the POB light, but I can't seem to find a retailer (not a SAM's member) and also trouble judging whether it's better than the "10mill" one I have from northern?
Is what northern labels as the 25million candlepower HID a large step up in brightness and throw vs the 10million?

Is there anything else out there that fits this category and price range? Any help would be appreciatted

 

[BlueBeam22]

I highly recommend you get the AmondoTech Titanium Mega Illuminator $160 from BatteryJunction.com. The SunForce 25 million candlepower HID spotlight would most likely be a large step up in brightness and throw over you 10mcp, but the Mega Illuminator should easily out throw and by brighter than the SunForce 25 million candlepower.

The Mega Illuminator is large and heavy, but IMHO its unbelievable throw more than makes up for its bulk. I own a 10 million candlepower spotlight, and the Mega Illuminator is nearly twice as bright and has an incredible amount more throw. I own the AmondoTech N30, and the Mega Illuminator is brighter and out throws it by a large amount. I also have the Sam's POB and the Mega Illuminator easily out throws it.

My Mega Illuminator:

Shining at the top of a church:

 

[BVH]

It is indeed, a throw monster but if you want a light you will regularly use for many tasks, I don't think this is the light you will want. It's really very, very large and heavy. IIRC, 12 or 13 lbs. The N30 really is the perfect light. I don't know if member "Mattk" (Battery Junction) is bringing in more of the N30's with his order of L35's or not. You might try a PM to him. For your budget, the POB is your next choice but it, too, is fairly large and heavy as compared to the N30.

 

[BlueBeam22]

I certainly agree with BVH about how perfect the N30 is. If you are not just looking for the light with the most throw, then the N30 is a much more practical choice as it is only a fraction of the size and weight of the Mega Illuminator, and would be much smaller than your 10mcp. The N30 is much brighter than my 10mcp spotlight and out throws it by a noticeably amount, which is pretty amazing! Both the N30 and Mega Illuminator should run for a little over 1 hour at full brightness, which is much better than any incandescent spotlight.

 

[Patriot]

If the N30 is just going to be impossible to get, a possible option might the the POB converted to Li-po. I'm not sure if that's a project that you'd be interested in taking on but it would lighten the POB by a several pounds. The overall cost would still be half the price of the L35 too.

Just a thought

 

[M@elstrom]

STOP teasing this poor fellow with a light that isn't available anymore

Is what northern labels as the 25million candlepower HID a large step up in brightness and throw vs the 10million?

Hard to say because they don't mention much on the specifications I did note however that their 'BIG GUN' 40 MCP HID light utilizes a 35w burner, this in itself causes me to ponder what rating is the bulb used in the 25MCP unit? :thinking:

Besides the Sunforce units, POB & the Mega Illuminator there's also the MotoMaster 35w HID sold @ Canadian Tire for $80.00CAD unfortunately it's not something they advertise they'll ship so you may need to nip over the border eh?

Considering it weighs in at 3.8Kg (8.4lbs) I wouldn't consider it too heavy to be unwieldy, in fact my Scout HID hybrid is about the same mass and I have no issue using that for extended perimeter foot patrols :thumbsup:

 

[Showmethelight]

I wasn't aware the AmondoTech Titanium Mega Illuminator was even out there; with the extra output and run time over what I currently have, I could deal with the bulk and unless the smaller N30 pops up for sale soon, I think it's the right fit for me as it's not going to be a major multitasking light, it'll be used as a niche light for scanning the property mainly.

 

[Richie086]

MotoMaster 35w HID sold @ Canadian Tire for $80.00CAD unfortunately it's not something they advertise they'll ship so you may need to nip over the border eh?

If anyone in the forum puts together a group buy for this beautiful HID, count me in:twothumbs:twothumbs

 

[Gunner12]

First off, ignore the "XX million Candlepower" rating, those are luck to even get 1% of that. I remember reading that the best peak at around 300,000 cp.

The one main thing with HIDs is that they require a starting time and once turned off, need some time to cool down before turning them back on. There are a few without those "problems" but cost a good sum of money.

If those aren't too big of a deal, go with the Mega Illuminator the smaller N30 if you can find one. Coupon at Batteryjunction is "cpf2006".

:welcome:

 

[Showmethelight]

I probably bought into the gimmick of "XX candlepower" when I first purchased my spotlight and the other, bigger models were not available yet (to my knowledge and where I rarely looked), but once the onslaught of bigger and more expensive started to pour on over the last 5 years I questioned what I would be getting for the extra coin, and now, not being able to decipher what is actually better- came here.

In ways it's funny as they've created the market of lies and they really can't break away from it; if someone is offering a spotlight for $20 and claiming it to be 2million candle power, it's difficult for someone else to place a more expensive unit on the shelf next to it for more money but rate it accurately at a lower candlepower, so the 'one upping' game goes on.

You mentioned that a HID needs some time to cool down before restarting, I presume there a risk of damage if this isn't adhered to?

 

[Patriot]

it'll be used as a niche light for scanning the property mainly.

No question about it then, the Ti Mega will be a perfect fit.

 

[Parker VH]

How does the N30 compare to the POB as far as throw? I have the POB with the 4300K upgrade and I'm debating on an N30.

 

[BlueBeam22]

How does the N30 compare to the POB as far as throw? I have the POB with the 4300K upgrade and I'm debating on an N30.

The POB out throws the N30 quite easily.

You mentioned that a HID needs some time to cool down before restarting, I presume there a risk of damage if this isn't adhered to?

You should wait at least 1 minute before turning an HID light back on (or longer if possible), and also leave it on for at least 1 minute before turning it off as turning it off while it is still warming up will shorten the bulb life.

 

[M@elstrom]

If anyone in the forum puts together a group buy for this beautiful HID, count me in:twothumbs:twothumbs

Funny you should say that, I reckon it's an attractive looking light as well and interestingly enough they are available through an alternative retailer here, sadly they cost significantly more $160.00 AUD


Bluebeam22 - you haven't by chance placed that Mega Illuminator on the scales yet to weigh it's mass? :thinking:

 

[BlueBeam22]

Bluebeam22 - you haven't by chance placed that Mega Illuminator on the scales yet to weigh it's mass? :thinking:

Good idea M@elstrom. I just weighed it, and my scale indicated about 13 pounds.

No question about it then, the Ti Mega will be a perfect fit.

Patriot36 is right. The Mega Illuminator is a proven thrower, and to my knowledge the most powerful and longest throwing 35 watt HID spotlight currently available.

 

[litegod]

i just bought the canadian tire hid light a few days ago(thanks to you guys showing it on here) and i am very impressed for the price. it is not too heavy you cannot carry it around. it does take several seconds for the beam to "warm up". when it does though it is very nice.

i tested it in the warehouse at my work. the back of the bay is at least 80-90 feet away and it lit it up very well, at that distance there was a bright spot of about a 10 foot diameter.would be very good for patrol of a property or a large warehouse. too bright for a house though.

one thing i liked is it had an auxillary 12volt outlet in the back of the unit and it also had led lights on the far side of the light that are nice for smaller task lighting when you do not need to fry whatever you are working on.

i was playing around with the light for about ten minutes and the battery bar went from fully charged to 2/3 bars in that time. i will have to run it longer to see what the actual run time is. i figured i would give it several charges to make sure the battery charge is level.

 

[Richie086]

i just bought the canadian tire hid light a few days ago(thanks to you guys showing it on here) and i am very impressed for the price. it is not too heavy you cannot carry it around. it does take several seconds for the beam to "warm up". when it does though it is very nice.

If you can post some beam shots and perhaps a few for size comparison we'd appreciate it.

 

[monkeyboy]

I have also just purchased the Canadian Tire "25MCP" HID. Excellent value for money IMO. Start up time is not too bad actually, I reckon around 15 sec to max brightness. The tint is a little blue for my liking though; it says 6000K on the bulb but it looks more like 7000K to me. I'd be interested to know if there is a 4300K bulb available. I expect this would also give more output.

I think it's very well designed as far as "low cost" spotlights go. It's surprisingly compact considering the massive 12V 7Ah SLA battery that it houses. I believe that this is the same battery used in the much larger Thor Cyclops. The instruction leaflet is a little sparse to say the least and doesn't really give any good advice on HID usage. It says the runtime is 60mins but I think with that battery capacity it should be more like 2 hrs. I don't want to test the runtime as I don't know if the light will shut down at a safe battery voltage.

litegod, don't worry about the battery meter, mine does the same.

 

[Richie086]

I have also just purchased the Canadian Tire "25MCP" HID. Excellent value for money IMO. Start up time is not too bad actually, I reckon around 15 sec to max brightness. The tint is a little blue for my liking though; it says 6000K on the bulb but it looks more like 7000K to me. I'd be interested to know if there is a 4300K bulb available. I expect this would also give more output.

Yeah, that startup time seems great to me. From the photo of the reflector area, it sure appears to me to have a modular type bulb in there, maybe even H7 or similar. The only way to know is to open it up, take some photos so we can help you determine your options. You could even get lucky and the bulb and ballast may even have part numbers on them. Great looking HID :thumbsup:

 

[rala]

Hey Showme, I recently noticed a new HID at Walmart for $70. I haven't got one yet, but others have got it and are currently testing it. Click to see.