To mount on a kayak

[Samlittle]

Can anyone tell me with confidence that a Thrunite TN35 or a Supbeam X40 would serve well being lashed or some way mounted to a kayak and/or other marine use? I already own the X40vn.

I want a light that size, with that much power, rechargeable Li-ion batteries, twisty UI that can tolerate being wet or in ocean fog but not a dive light - no prolonged submersion.

I'm mostly concerned about the corrosive effects of salt and moisture galling up the parts so that I can't open the light and then of course the damage to the electronics on the inside.

Are there other brands or lights in the marketplace that meet my ideal (see italics above) that are better for on boat use?

Is there a way to protect a good flashlight - some sort of wrap or should I just forget mounting it and plan on keeping it stored in a waterproof container until I real need it? That kind of defeats the purpose of a boat light :sigh:.

I know that I can clean a light that has been wet or salt sprayed but I 'd rather not need to take apart a light every time I come ashore.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Samlittle]

Really? I've got you all stumped :thinking:.

I'm a big boy - if you tell me that I'm asking for the impossible I can deal with it. I was just hoping for a lead or 2.

Thanks if you can help.

 

[HotWire]

I used to keep a flashlight in a welding rod holder in one of my boats.... The welding rod holder kept it dry. Running lights were normal marine lights. I've seen battery-operated running lights in Walmart.... Maybe you could use that set-up.

 

[Illum]

nevermind, only read the title

 

[Trevtrain]

Not quite sure if you are asking about the mount or the light.

I would consider a good quality light and keep plenty of grease on the o-rings. Rinse after use. Stay away from magnetic rings or charging ports.

Probably better to use a clicky rather than twisty IMO.

 

[Samlittle]

Not quite sure if you are asking about the mount or the light.

I would consider a good quality light and keep plenty of grease on the o-rings. Rinse after use. Stay away from magnetic rings or charging ports.

Probably better to use a clicky rather than twisty IMO.

Yeah - the charging port and the twisty UI are the reasons I've been doubting the Supbeam X40 which is otherwise an outstanding light. I want a big throw/spill light with strobe though not just a tactical for a mountain bike or firearm. Maybe the Fenix TK75 - all the other criteria is met but it's getting a bit on the big size. Mounting it was not really the issue but I appreciate the ideas from HotWire & Illum- good place to start.

As for keeping the joints sealed might be a good solution to wrap them with X-treme Tape between battery change outs.

Still looking for suggestion for light options better suited. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Lumenologist]

My kayaking light is a Streamlight 4 cell (AA) Luxeon LED. It has a yellow plastic body so it is impervious to salt water. I use Sanyo eneloops so it is rechargeable. It is under the deck bungies and has a small carabiner clipped to a deck line. Simple on off tail clicker with manual flashing ability. Can also use with gloves. It works fine for camping trips and does not mind getting wet when rolling.

 

[Trevtrain]

How much light and what runtime do you need?

I sometimes train in the evenings on the river here, and sessions can be up to a couple of hours (but usually less). You are typically not travelling super fast in a canoe or kayak so only need to see far enough to avoid drifting debri or snags. But over water, light is just gobbled up. I'm rarely in completely unfamiliar water at night.

I've used my Armtek predator with some success but it needs to be angled down a little. Socially unacceptable to blind other paddlers who apparently have better night vision than me.

For ocean paddling I would have thought there wouldn't be anything much to run into and it would be more about having a small strobe so as to be visible to other craft. Perhaps a vertically mounted small light with a silicone or plastic dome diffuser mounted behind you and set to strobe.

Any forward-facing light mounted on the boat needs to be close to the front and elevated so as to cast no spill on the deck which kills your night vision. I know some people in here talk about using headlamps but I found that the beam reflects off my top arm during the stroke and kills night vision.

What environment are you paddling in?

 

[Samlittle]

It's funny I wasn't even thinking about using the light to see ahead. My thinking is to mount the light on a swivel base primarily so that I can see ashore as I cruise by looking for a good landing or just trying to spy a Bigfoot on the bank .

I am rarely out on the water past dark unless there is a good moon shining. Most local kayaking or other boating is in a sheltered bay or up and down the tidal rivers - island hopping on the island trail. Occasionally we are out on an unfamiliar lake but again not much after dark except for really bad planning. That does happen. Up until now I use a Fenix TK21 that can kick out almost 470 lumens down to 5 lumens which is quite good for general purposes but for scanning a big shore I am keen on the idea of much, much more light - say 4000 lumens. Why not?

I don't need a running light on the kayak but the idea of a low powered strobe as a signal device has merit. I agree with your comment Trevtrain about the headlamp. Not for me either. This might all come to nothing. I'll try a big light once and find that more of an aggravation and that the T21 is perfect enough kept on a holster on my chest. Worth a conversation in any case.

 

[Trevtrain]

...Up until now I use a Fenix TK21 that can kick out almost 470 lumens down to 5 lumens which is quite good for general purposes but for scanning a big shore I am keen on the idea of much, much more light - say 4000 lumens. Why not?

.....This might all come to nothing. I'll try a big light once and find that more of an aggravation and that the T21 is perfect enough kept on a holster on my chest. Worth a conversation in any case.

In that case, if you are happy to carry the weight, how about the BTU Shocker?

It has the reach for scanning large areas at a distance and dual O-rings for waterproofing. Reverse tailcap clicky, 4 modes with memory and no blinkies.

I've not had mine out in the boat but it's an awsome light. On par with my TN31 (which I personally wouldn't use in salt water due to the rotating selector ring) for all sane distances.

You would need a very large swivel mount!

 

[markr6]

I use my EA4 or EA4w when kayaking to see up on shore. The dark sure eats up lumens! This is a good example where you really can't have a torch that is too bright or with too much throw. I don't mount it to my kayak though. If I did, I think the spill would hit the kayak and be very distracting.

 

[Samlittle]

In that case, if you are happy to carry the weight, how about the BTU Shocker?

You would need a very large swivel mount!

Yikes - that is a BIG light. More than I want to carry if I flipped I wouldn't be able to upright the kayak . Still - this is precisely the kind of feedback I was hoping for - The simple click UI and the double O-rings and its power make it a contender but the weight is discouraging.

The Nitecore EA4 series are nice lights with all kinds of boat worthy options though a bit under lumened - at least until I can't find something else.

I'm thinking I might be able to modify a round closed oarlock for a swivel. I've got the ability and technology to do a nice job of it. Find the light first.

Thanks for the feedback.