Need a long thrower...

[corrections operator]

I'm helping evaluate and upgrade our team's illumination devices and would welcome any suggestions(working under a tight budget.) Here's what we are looking for:

Long thrower that is:
1. LED with white/neutral tint(blue, okay...other tints do not work as well in our operating environment, don't know if it's psychological, but other team members agree with me on this) Shock isolated incan could work if tint was right, maybe???

2. durable(minimal damage when dropped on concrete or steel flooring from chest and waist level)

3. reasonable size, ease of carry

4. can be carried in widely available holsters, for both duty belt and vest configurations

5. uses batteries that are commonly available, use of both regular and rechargebles(cr123's and related a big plus)

6. Non-custom, single stage, simple...

7. Usable hotspot at a distance , flood characteristics not a factor, looking for a thrower significantly beyond the capabilities of a Fenix TK-11 or Olight M 20

8. Manufacturer with good reputation/customer service or vendor with the same, parts availability also (Surefire is out, our department had a recent bad experience with them and won't be going back to them anytime soon)

9. Price point $200 or less per light, batteries can come out of a different budget(office supplies...hehehe)

Will purchase 2-4 of these.

Am I asking the impossible?

Also would entertain suggestions on a HID search type light with a price point $500 or under per unit, something that produces a monster amount of light. Adjustable beam focus a possibility, or one with flood characteristics and one with tight beam characteristics. Rechargeble power source a big plus. Reasonable size...a carriage mounted light wouldn't be useful in our operating environment!

Thank you in advance for any suggestions or help. Need a starting point or help narrowing the search!

 

[BlueBeam22]

First of all, :welcome:

There are 2 lights which I can recommend for you. One is the Husky 4 watt 2D 200 lumen Tactical LED flashlight $25 from Home Depot, and the other one is the AmondoTech N30 compact HID Searchlight bought at BatteryJunction.com for around $150. The N30 is currently out of stock but will be back in stock in the first quarter of 2009.

The Husky 2D from Home Depot is solid metal so being dropped will not damage it at all. It is one of the farthest LED throwers currently on the market and has a bright and effective beam well over 300 yards. It has a super bright hotspot and an extremely bright flood of spill. I own many LED flashlights and none of them come near the Husky.

The N30 is an extremely powerful HID searchlight which is very compact and small. It is only about as large as a 6 volt lantern flashlight. It puts out about 3200 lumens in a huge flood of light, lights up objects nicely out to 1/2 a mile away, and is rechargeable. It runs for an hour at full brightness on a full charge.
I own 3 handheld HID searchlights including the N30, and the N30 is by far the most useful out of the 3.

Here is a compilation of beamshots I took comparing the N30 to my other HID spotlights and a few of my halogen spotlights: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2729546&postcount=116


Here are some beamshots I just took this evening to show you:


First, the two lights I am recommending. The green one is the N30, and the black and silver one is the Husky 2D.

Here is the Husky 2D 4 watt lighting up a shed 50 yards away:

Here is the Husky 2D lighting up the base of a plant 20 yards from where I was standing:

Here is the N30 lighting up the same shed:

Here is the N30 lighting up the base of the plant:

Here is the N30 lighting up a swath of my backyard, aimed at the base of a tree:

I am really amazed by my N30 and Husky 2D. They are some of the best and most useful lights I have ever owned.

 

[ToeMoss]

The Dereelight DBS V3 w/ 1S Cree XR-E pill might do the trick.

 

[Gunner12]

The Dereelight DBS or Tiablo lights be a good choice.

As for HIDs, remember that they need a start up time. Also will you prefer a lamp type casing or more of a flashlight tube type casing?

 

[corrections operator]

Flashlight tube type body on the HID, preferably...thanks for the input.

 

[M@elstrom]

The Dereelight DBS V3 w/ 1S Cree XR-E pill might do the trick.

Some would consider the Dereelights a custom/specialized item due to their small (compared to Maglite/SureFire) production runs, however the upgrade-ability, size (152mm x 48mm x 27mm) and (purported) insane throw make it a real contender IMHO :thumbsup:

I just want to point out however (according to Dereelight's spec's) the single stage 1S (module/pill) requires an input range of 2.8~4.2v which negates the ability to run CR123 primaries unlike the more versatile 1SM-2 due to it's 3~16v input range

More details @ Dereelight.com

@ BlueBeam22 both suggestions are good perfomers but neither will fit a duty belt/vest holster... and the Husky is as ugly as sin IMHO
* slaps the Husky design team *

 

[ToeMoss]

I just want to point out however (according to Dereelight's spec's) the single stage 1S (module/pill) requires an input range of 2.8~4.2v which negates the ability to run CR123 primaries

True, but the OP did say he wants a rechargeable solution, so form-factor probably isn't really an issue for this application.
I would prefer a single 18650 to two or three CR123 cells any day.

 

[cyberspyder]

I was about to say Streamlight UltraStinger, but you wanted a LED, so that's out of the question.

 

[M@elstrom]

True, but the OP did say he wants a rechargeable solution, so form-factor probably isn't really an issue for this application.
I would prefer a single 18650 to two or three CR123 cells any day.

uses batteries that are commonly available, use of both regular and rechargeables (cr123's and related a big plus)

The stated requirement was for either OR both, why limit your possibilities? remember 2 Li-Ion **123s equals 7.2~8.4v, also we're talking about a drop-in module not altering the form factor


FWIW I also would prefer to use a single Li-Ion cell over Lithium primary combinations in any given application :thumbsup:

 

[xpea]

+1 for the dbs. And Alan from Dereelight offers premium customer support :bow:

 

[corrections operator]

FWIW I also would prefer to use a single Li-Ion cell over Lithium primary combinations in any given application :thumbsup:[/quote]Maelstrom

Any particular reason for that, other than economical?

 

[ToeMoss]

There may be other reasons, but one advantage of using a single cell vs multiple cells, is you don't have to be concerned about imbalanced cell charges.

 

[dudemar]

Heliotek HTE-1A is an excellent thrower, though it's not rechargeable...

Just throwing out ideas.

 

[ToeMoss]

The link below does a real fine job comparing good throwers, it may help
you make an informed decision.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=190999

 

[corrections operator]

Thanks for the input, taking a hard look at all suggestions!!!!!:thumbsup:

 

[asfaltpiloot]

The Tiablo A9 or A10:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=217045

 

[M@elstrom]

FWIW I also would prefer to use a single Li-Ion cell over Lithium primary combinations in any given application :thumbsup:

Any particular reason for that, other than economical?

There may be other reasons, but one advantage of using a single cell vs multiple cells, is you don't have to be concerned about imbalanced cell charges.

You're both correct... though I must admit it's the financial driving force that guides me primarily as CR123A cells retail @ $30.00AUD a pair here, then there is environmental considerations


I've always been a huge fan of all rechargeable technologies! :thumbsup:

 

[andy955i]

Hi,

If its bright enough for your needs I would go with the Dereelight DBS.

Good customer service. Easily upgradeable. Replacement parts available rather than having to buy a complete unit.

Andy

 

[TKC]

What about the Pelican 7060?

 

[curlyfry562]

I am surprised none of you have mentioned the Malkoff M60, it seems perfect for what you are asking. Just toss it in a surefire 6P or 9P host. Unless there is something I missed this seems like a practicle option. Here is the link:
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_14_18&products_id=7