Title says it all:
I'm looking for the ultimate hunting light. No price limit might be extreme, but I can invest in good gear in the ~2500 range. This pretty much opens me up to any light on the used market. I spent ~500 on a Magnalight RL-85-HID and it was ok. When I put a red filter on it all of it's capability vanished. I understand a filter will filter light, it just filtered it to be unusable for the extremes I'm looking for. I also pondered if I needed a higher output HID to compensate or potentially look at a different type of light all together (maybe short-arc)? Also, I felt the magnalight had a very cheap feel to it. The plastic lens scratched super easy, just couldn't see where 500 dollars went. So after this, I decided to return it and invest in a light I want to keep regardless of cost. Also, I like having unique things so an exotic light is a plus.
Basic requirements:
I'd like a light that can provide lots of throw to get illumination out to the 500+ yard range using a red filter. I don't want a beam that is so narrow that when I'm scanning it becomes difficult to illuminate objects (or track them if they get skittish). Also, I plan on ruling the night at some point and investing in Night Vision. So, any light that is useful with IR filters is a plus.
Ergonomics is a plus, but not a deal breaker. We usually take turns spotting and shooting. So, lugging around a 10 pound gun or 10 pound light - what's the difference?
So the lights that are on the list so far:
Lightforce SL240 - Looking at the photos online this light reminds me of the magnalight. However, some have modified it with 85W HID's and got some amazing capability with it. Also, it looks like Lightforce has a custom shop now that will make this in a factory 75W HID.
Maxabeam - Definitely an exotic thrower. Looks like Gen 3 put out more light. Now, for my purposes, Maxabeam might be beneficial with its low lumen output. I don't want to blind an animal or cause it to be skittish when lit up. I just need to be able to see it and clearly identify the animal. The negative, I don't know what a short arc can do with a red filter. Also, the 500 yard range might be too close for the Maxabeam.
Hellfighter - Probably perform the same as my original magnalight, but at least it wouldn't feel cheap. Same - 35W HID - so I expect Red Light performance to suffer.
Night Hunter One - The name would make you think it's a perfect match. Looks to be portable (compared to my next suggestion) and can throw nicely. Again, not sure about red filter performance.
Megaray - Buy once cry once. Thank god for the used market. Definitely could light up anything at range. Again, this is a throw specific light so it might be too narrow of a beam to be useful at 500 yards. I'd have to hire a separate person to carry this bad boy at night - or just hunt with a light.
I'm open to suggestions or more input from people that have used these lights. Maybe none of these?
I'm looking for the ultimate hunting light. No price limit might be extreme, but I can invest in good gear in the ~2500 range. This pretty much opens me up to any light on the used market. I spent ~500 on a Magnalight RL-85-HID and it was ok. When I put a red filter on it all of it's capability vanished. I understand a filter will filter light, it just filtered it to be unusable for the extremes I'm looking for. I also pondered if I needed a higher output HID to compensate or potentially look at a different type of light all together (maybe short-arc)? Also, I felt the magnalight had a very cheap feel to it. The plastic lens scratched super easy, just couldn't see where 500 dollars went. So after this, I decided to return it and invest in a light I want to keep regardless of cost. Also, I like having unique things so an exotic light is a plus.
Basic requirements:
I'd like a light that can provide lots of throw to get illumination out to the 500+ yard range using a red filter. I don't want a beam that is so narrow that when I'm scanning it becomes difficult to illuminate objects (or track them if they get skittish). Also, I plan on ruling the night at some point and investing in Night Vision. So, any light that is useful with IR filters is a plus.
Ergonomics is a plus, but not a deal breaker. We usually take turns spotting and shooting. So, lugging around a 10 pound gun or 10 pound light - what's the difference?
So the lights that are on the list so far:
Lightforce SL240 - Looking at the photos online this light reminds me of the magnalight. However, some have modified it with 85W HID's and got some amazing capability with it. Also, it looks like Lightforce has a custom shop now that will make this in a factory 75W HID.
Maxabeam - Definitely an exotic thrower. Looks like Gen 3 put out more light. Now, for my purposes, Maxabeam might be beneficial with its low lumen output. I don't want to blind an animal or cause it to be skittish when lit up. I just need to be able to see it and clearly identify the animal. The negative, I don't know what a short arc can do with a red filter. Also, the 500 yard range might be too close for the Maxabeam.
Hellfighter - Probably perform the same as my original magnalight, but at least it wouldn't feel cheap. Same - 35W HID - so I expect Red Light performance to suffer.
Night Hunter One - The name would make you think it's a perfect match. Looks to be portable (compared to my next suggestion) and can throw nicely. Again, not sure about red filter performance.
Megaray - Buy once cry once. Thank god for the used market. Definitely could light up anything at range. Again, this is a throw specific light so it might be too narrow of a beam to be useful at 500 yards. I'd have to hire a separate person to carry this bad boy at night - or just hunt with a light.
I'm open to suggestions or more input from people that have used these lights. Maybe none of these?
