Red LED Flashlights?

Gather App
Candle Power Forums

Help Support Candle Power:

BARBARIAN-X

BARBARIAN-X

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
60
City & State/Province
Canada
I have been looking for a CMG Infinity or Infinity Ultra with a red LED without much luck so I was wondering what alternatives are out there? I sometimes conduct cell searches while the occupants are sleeping so I'm not looking for a red LED hunting light. I need a light that won't mess up my night vision but allows me to go about my business. Thanks!
 
You can usually find the AA-Mini-Mag filter kits at most sporting stores that sell flashlight. The red filter coupled with a AA-Mini-Mag LED will work. There are several other options, but...what's your spending limit???
 
It might be too small for your use, but check out a Photon Freedom Micro; they make a 'covert' model that focuses the beam more and prevents side spill, and prevents the light from being seen from the side even when the beam is not being pointed that way.

Night vision issues have been discussed at length here, but the simple fact is that red is actually a lousy color for preserving night vision. There is a 'night vision green' photon freedom that is very close to the wavelength that the rod receptors in the retina are most sensitive to, and I find that it gives me much better night vision than a red light does, specifically it preserves my depth perception and focus whereas a red light does not.

Regardless of your color preference for such use, the simple fact is that ANY color of light will ruin your night vision if it's bright enough. That said, a plain white light can be used for what you're intending, as long as it is dim enough. You might want to look into an HDS because they can go down to very, very low levels, and are also tough as nails, so if you're a guard or cop, that durability would be useful.
 
Oh yeah, check out an Inova Micro-light...avail. in red, green, and blue...easy to change the batteries too!
 
I used to think red LEDs and night vision were cool, but unless you are stargazing or trying to hide from animals like others have said a properly dimmed white LED light ends up being a lot more useful than trying to deal with only one color of light. Although you can read with red or green light it is a lot harder on the eyes than a suitable white output. I have navigated around the house plenty of times with a single white 5mm LED as long as I don't hit a close white wall and bounce the light back into my eyes my night vision is not affected enough to worry with. For lighting close to you the white LED needs to be a fraction of the brightness normal single 5mm LED lights put out. A fauxton with a white LED running a partially depleted single 2032 puts out close the the right amount of light for that purpose I think.
 
I was going to give Peak LED Solutions a try but with all the reports of difficulty contacting them I have no desire to add to my daily frustration.

It's not just about preserving night vision, we often scan the lights over people's bodies during counts to make sure they are breathing and white lights, even dim ones, seem to wake people quite often where as I've yet to see this happen with a red light. I don't know about other colors, I only have experience with white and red. Below is the Gerber model that was discontinued and the CGM model.


Gerber Infinity Ultra M Red LED
Gerber-Infinity-Ultra-M-Red-large-22-80026.gif


CMG Infinity
led_cmg_infinity1.jpg
 
im new to the world of flashlights (high powered flashlights) but i do believe that there is a Led Lenser p2 tactical light I believe it is only 33 lumens but it has several coloured LED's including of course a red LED but i like it because it is not too overpriced. i had the problem of not being able to use a white light on my cadet camp but i found a pink mount franklin bottle cap, put it over the top of my torch and no-one could tell the difference.
 
BARBARIAN-X said:
Are there no other options besides going custom?
Click to expand...

Actually, the red color is a standard option on the Matterhorn. So its not really "custom" in a true sense, but one combination of the several that Peak offers as a convenience. The only thing you may want to call Peak first is the availability of the red led. If they confirm, then it should be built and sent your way in a reasonable amount of time. I absolutely love my single red LED matterhorn - it has enough brightness to go about in dark, without messing up nightvision. Has been on my bedstand since I got it about an year back.
 
I'd say the Proton Pro would be a nice choice. It's got a main white XRE that can ramp reasonably low, but also a secondary 3mm red led which you can activate on low from being switched off, and it is low enough that I'm sure it wouldn't wake anyone. If it isn't bright enough then just press and hold and it'll ramp up in red (you can avoid white completely if need be)
 
Last edited:
There are a couple 9V lights that fit your needs,http://www.rigelsys.com/ and http://9voltlight.com/ have no experience with the lights from Rigel Systems but I have a few white Pak-Lites that are used often.The Pak-Lites work great with the old smoke detector batteries I replace each year.Both companies offer RED only versions of thier lights.
 
Last edited:
I recently purchased a Solarforce P60 red led drop in which I will take with me on any future field exercises where we're tactical...but that will be few and far between as I am on an Air Force base right now..:)
 
StainlessSteel said:
if you want a less bright, long running, floodlight, that will drain the last drop out of 123a batteries, ONE at a time. Inova X5 red. I would not part with mine for less than 200 bucks. I use it ALL the time.

If you want bright, Olight M20 Crimson, http://www.batteryjunction.com/olight-m20-crimson.html
Click to expand...

X5 RED is a great light but I think it may be too bright for the OP's needs.I several X5 REDs and no intentions of ever getting rid of mine either! :D
 
Yeah, the X5 is too bright on a fresh cell...but put your half dead cell in there, and it's just right! There's one for sell in the MP right now.
 
choombak said:
Actually, the red color is a standard option on the Matterhorn. So its not really "custom" in a true sense, but one combination of the several that Peak offers as a convenience. The only thing you may want to call Peak first is the availability of the red led. If they confirm, then it should be built and sent your way in a reasonable amount of time. I absolutely love my single red LED matterhorn - it has enough brightness to go about in dark, without messing up nightvision. Has been on my bedstand since I got it about an year back.
Click to expand...

I'll check that out!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top