Spotlight for truck/emergency use advice

[flasherByNight]

I'm looking for a good spotlight to keep in my truck for mostly emergencies. Other then the "usual" requirements lumens/throw etc.

The "pluses", but not necessarily requirements would ideally include: Rechargeable from cigarette lighter and outlet - powered BY lighter would be awesome as well. Good longevity w/*OUT consistent/often use. Weather resistant (it's for emergencies after all). Decent battery life. I keep a couple of small handheld surefires for "small jobs", but would really like a monster for those times you just need some LIGHT! I'll also be looking for some advice for headlamps, but I suppose I'll start a new thread.

The following are among my current thoughts (after reading a zillion threads). I'd like some additional suggestions as well:

POB HID
Mega Illuminator (discontinued I think, plus pretty damn big)
N30
L35

I really like the benefits of the L35, especially li-pol battery for longevity, but I think DOUBLE the price is excessive for not even more light output! (plus it's not even out yet) (currently leaning torwards the n30, even though it doesn't really fulfill any of my "pluses")

Budget started out at a "couple of hundred bucks", just a number pulled out of thin air...not a strict budget, but I am a "bang-for-the-buck" kind of guy. Meaning it doesn't take much convincing if I can get ALOT for relatively not much more.

Thanks!


*additional question, anyone have any experience with solar trickle chargers to combat slow drain? (do these even exist that would work with flashlights?)

 

[flasherByNight]

*great, n30 is currently out of stock :duh2: ....wonder if they're getting ready to push the 35 out

 

[Patriot]

If your budget is a couple hundred then sure, the N30 is a winner. It's a lot smaller than the POB too. My thought is that an emergency light should be portable. I know that I wouldn't want to walk a couple of miles with a POB on my shoulder if I could afford a better option.

 

[jmccalip]

I may be wrong, but aren't you limited to halogen or LED because of the required pulsing? I would say just get a POB and a $10 emergency flasher. Also, see about a way to hook the POB directly to your battery. I think the peak voltage for car batteries is 12.6 volts, I hope that's not too much.

 

[flasherByNight]

I may be wrong, but aren't you limited to halogen or LED because of the required pulsing?

cpf noob here...could you explain the above?

oops, I also meant to say "w/OUT" consistent use. derrr

 

[Flashanator]

when you say pulses.... do you mean turning the light on/off/on quickly?

If so, then you cant do that with HID lights, they require time (1min+) to cool off before turning back on.
the Mega Illuminator is available here, also see on bottom of page the N30.

Thought id add: You can turn a HID back on straight after you turn it off. It just reduces the bulb's life. But in an emergency situation id say it would be fine. Ive done it a few times.

 

[flasherByNight]

heh, either your reading sucks or you assumed my typing does ...then again, it's pretty bad grammar regardless on my part.

"pluses" guess I should have said..."extras I would like to have, but are not necessarily required". Although now that you mention it, add "pulses" ie strobe light to that list

 

[Patriot]

heh, either your reading sucks or you assumed my typing does ...then again, it's pretty bad grammar regardless on my part.

"pluses" guess I should have said..."extras I would like to have, but are not necessarily required". Although now that you mention it, add "pulses" ie strobe light to that list

If part of your requirement is not to also have a "pulses" the better terminology is strobe, the you'll really be limiting your options most likely to an LED flashlight of some time. HIDs don't strobe and halogens don't do it very well. Like another member stated, get two lights. Get a spot light of your choice....I like the N30 http://www.batteryjunction.com/n30-3161.html and get yourself a strobe light that accepts different colored lenses for traffic emergencies. I like the ones made by Tektite. http://www.tek-tite.com/src/products.php?c=7

 

[flasherByNight]

tragic choice of word, but "PLUSES" was/is not a typo for "PULSES".

So, just ignore all the confusion about strobe light functionality...

 

[Patriot]

tragic choice of word, but "PLUSES" was/is not a typo for "PULSES".

So, just ignore all the confusion about strobe light functionality...

sure, no prob. Back to the spotlights then.... In your price range there really isn't anything better than the N30. Anything less expensive uses SLA batteries and you'd have to spend about $350 to get any significant improvement beyond the N30. In that price range you'd want to consider the soon to be released L35 from Battery Junction.

 

[flasherByNight]

Thanks, that pretty much sums up what I was looking for then.

Guess I'll wait till the n30 comes back in stock, unless the L35 mysteriously appears first (<---conspiracy theory!)....in which case I'll fall for the trap and reconsider L35

 

[BlueBeam22]

sure, no prob. Back to the spotlights then.... In your price range there really isn't anything better than the N30. Anything less expensive uses SLA batteries and you'd have to spend about $350 to get any significant improvement beyond the N30. In that price range you'd want to consider the soon to be released L35 from Battery Junction.

+1. Go for the N30. I love everything about mine.:thumbsup: