Need a light with good throw

[yotehunter]

I have been looking for a decent priced LED flashlight with good throw as a weapons light. I would prefer AA powered, but open to CR123 if the light doesn't eat them too bad. I live in the country and sometimes have to grab the rifle and look for critters disturbing our livestock. I have a few AA and AAA powered LED flashlights supposedly rated from 120 to 150 lumens, but they aren't quite bright enough for my purpose except at fairly close range.
I have a Stanley FL5W10 spotlight that worked well, but the battery in it no longer holds a charge, plus it was difficult to use while looking through the rifle scope.
Anyone ever replaced the battery in one of those?

 

[Gunner12]

What about a 18650 powered light? The battery is around the same size as 2 CR123s and a bit thicker. The best throwing 2 AA light might be the Foursevens Quark Turbo.

How much throw would you like? Runtime? Modes?

:welcome:

 

[yotehunter]

What about a 18650 powered light? The battery is around the same size as 2 CR123s and a bit thicker. The best throwing 2 AA light might be the Foursevens Quark Turbo.

How much throw would you like? Runtime? Modes?

:welcome:

Thanks Gunner.

I forgot about 18650's. I modded a few lights back when Luxeon's were the big thing and still have a few of 'em stashed somewhere:whistle:

Looking for something that will illuminate a Coyote or other critter out to at least 100 yards. Want something that has a couple of brightness levels, but strobe or custom programming isn't important. Run time is pretty important, but just need a good balance between that and throw. So many manufactures misrepresent the lumens ratings that It's difficult for me to use that as reference, but one of the three cell AAA powered lights I have is rated at 150 lumens and it isn't quite bright enough, so 3 to 500 lumens might be adequate. The Stanly spotlight has (had) a killer throw, but was almost too focused. Had a post about battery replacement for it on the LED forum a day and a half ago, but the mods haven't approved it yet

Budget is a concern and can't spend a lot for some of the custom lights that fill the bill

 

[Gunner12]

Lumen rating isn't everything. Laser = low lumen, high lux. Floodlight = high lumen, low lux.

If you want a narrow beam light, look at the aspherical lens lights. Those at correct focus will project an image of the LED die. The Dereelight Nightmaster might be a good contender.

Would you prefer spill? How much runtime would you like? How much area would you like to light up at distance?

 

[yotehunter]

Lumen rating isn't everything. Laser = low lumen, high lux. Floodlight = high lumen, low lux.

If you want a narrow beam light, look at the aspherical lens lights. Those at correct focus will project an image of the LED die. The Dereelight Nightmaster might be a good contender.

Would you prefer spill? How much runtime would you like? How much area would you like to light up at distance?

I'm not knowledgeable enough to explain things in a scientific manner, so bear with me

I looked at some beam shots of the Nightmaster and from what I could see, it looked too tight for what I want. I need something with some spill and a good hotspot in the center, but not a light sabre:laughing:
A hi/lo or hi/med/lo light with at least a couple hours run time on high would be great. I don't know reflector ratios, but a generalization on the area would be maybe a 10 foot hot spot and 40 foot spill at 75 to 100 yards. (edit) Forgot to mention that too much weight is an issue as it will spend at least some time mounted on a rail under the front of the rifle, so a 4 or 6 D cell is not an option
If you can imagine looking for critters across the barn lot and seeing them pretty good in the spill, then moving the beam right on them if I need to make a shot is what I am looking for. Hunting with a spotlight is of course illegal, but property owners can shoot predators that are harassing or killing live stock and I'm tired of providing a free buffet:mad:

 

[Raze]

Sounds to me like the Malkoff Hound Dog might fit your needs perfectly. Run it with 2x 18650 cells in a MD4 head. Two modes - high and low via twisting the head.

In fact, reading your post reminds me of Gene Malkoff's history page on his website on how he started on making excellent drop-ins and then flashlights.

 

[TEEJ]

I'd get a Klarus XT11 and mount it with with its pressure switch, and 100 yard shots will be no problem. (You said coyotes at ~ 100 yards)

The light has a tactical UI, comes on in high (600 - 850 lumens depending on what you load it with), but can be ramped down to lower levels if needed...even from the pressure switch.

Its designed to be weapon mounted and can take recoil. It runs out of range after ~ 150 yards, but for your 100 yard ranges...its deadly. The beam is floody, so even if the 'yote runs for it, you'll be able to keep it in your sights.

It can run on one 18650, two RCR123's or two CR123's. It runs longest (Well over two hours on high) on an 18650 (They can be 3,400 mah) and proportionally shorter with CR and RCR123's (~750 mah). Its BRIGHTEST with two RCR123's, and proportionally dimmer with the longer lasting (lower voltage) options.

The ArmyTek Predator and a few other options could also work great for you in this context. I'm not big on "twisty" UI's on weapon lights though.

:D

 

[yotehunter]

Raze: Just looked at the Hound Dog and it fits the bill perfectly, but the price is out of my range:whining:

TEEJ: The Klarus looks pretty good and the Predator looks even better, but I don't need all the mode frills. The prices are under $90 and $100 which is at the upper end, but doable I think.

Next post might be opinions on rechargeable 18650's or other food for 'em:whistle::D

Thanks all for the input, and keep the suggestions coming:wave:

 

[asval]

I have a Crelant 7G5 V2 that has excellent throw and can be used in single or double mode, not too crazy about the way it changes modes though. If you're going to mount the light to a gun, you might want to look at lights that can handle the stresses of that task.

Here's some beamshots to help out.

http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/beamshot-vergleiche/14631-beamshotschiessen-arzt-kommt.html
http://www.wikilight.de/vergleich.php?a=130&b=61
http://fonarik.com/test/indexen.php

 

[yotehunter]

I have a Crelant 7G5 V2 that has excellent throw and can be used in single or double mode, not too crazy about the way it changes modes though. If you're going to mount the light to a gun, you might want to look at lights that can handle the stresses of that task.

Here's some beamshots to help out.

http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/beamshot-vergleiche/14631-beamshotschiessen-arzt-kommt.html
http://www.wikilight.de/vergleich.php?a=130&b=61
http://fonarik.com/test/indexen.php

Thanks asval:twothumbs I got some ideas from the beamshots on those sites. The rifle is an AR style .223, so not much recoil to contend with

 

[Bwolcott]

there are many great choices the klarus xt11 somebody mentioned would probably be a good choice