weapon mounted long throw options

[ksJoe]

I've been reading a lot of threads on here about weapon mounted lights, and seeing a lot of great info. But I see there's a lot of options, and I'm about as confused as when I started.


I'm wanting a light to put on an AR15 for hunting hogs in Texas (its legal there). The primary range will be 20 – 70 yards, maybe 100. What I'm looking for is a tight beam that will go as far as possible for the least amount of money.


I've seen several recommendations for this purpose on this board, ranging from $20 to $120. If a $20 or $30 light would work great out to 70 yards, and it would take $120 to see 90-120 yards, I could be very happy only hunting out to 70 yards. But I also don't want to spend $30 on something that won't go past 20 yards.



Here are some lights I've seen recommendations on.


Ultrafire WF-501B ($10-$20/ white, blue, green)
Task Force 3 Watt ($24), 100 lumins
Super Thrower Far Projection 3W Cree, $33 (reviews mention 100 yards)
4Sevens Quark AA^2 R2 ($49), 170 lumins
Felix TK10, ($55), 218 lumins
Surefire 6P, ($50), 120 lumins.
Lumapower MRV, $68, 200 lumens


What looks like a good value, is the Super Thrower Far Projection 3W. But I don't know how it compares to the others.


It would be great if on these lights you could tell me something like: "this light will light up a target very well to XXX yards, and be somewhat usable to XXX yards" Or at least give me some idea on this.


The ability to get a tape switch would be nice, but its not a deciding factor unless the lights are otherwise equal.


Thanks Guys!


-Joe

 

[haplo]

ksJoe,

Welcome to CPF. :welcome:

I've used this light on a weapon:

http://www.eagletac.com/flashlights/t100c2.html

Its relatively cheap, and it has a tight beam that throws really good.

I did a close range review of it here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=243447&highlight=review

They provide a kit for it that'll mount to a picatinny rail, with a tape switch. You can usually find it for around $85 shipped in that configuration. I got mine from: Illumination Gear

Good light - very bright, tight beam, runs on CR123s, RCR123s, or an 18650. I'm happy with my purchase, even after seeing other lights that have come after it.

Edit: Wanted to add that this light illuminates a group of trees 120 yards away on a clear night. If you get the neutral white, color rendition is a bit better (its what I have), but overall brightness is reduced.. However, I'm having good visibility at 120 yards with NW, so I think you'll do fine.

Enjoy the pork,
H.

 

[Beacon of Light]

I succumed to the laser/light combo I couldn't say no to at the latest gunshow I went to a few weeks ago. It's a NCStar red laser with cool rocker switch that is momentary on/off or fully on/off which you can control with your trigger finger or your second hand. It also has a tiny 3 way toggle switch that determines laser or flashlight or both. It was $110 but it is much cheaper than the Lazermax or Crimson Trace grip lasers. It runs on CR123s and I am about to test if it works on my (at this very moment) RCR123 LiPo 3.0v cells from Tenergy as the Ultrafire 3.7v protected cells didn't fit (possibly a good thing as if they fit the laser might have went poof). I will see if these fit and if they will power the light without a poof or a boom. To be continued...

 

[Pacecar]

Either the Sniper Hawg Lights Destroyer, or the BowLite Rifle Lite.

If you just want a white light, then the UniqueFire HS-802 is economical (it is likely the host for the custom Destroyer).

 

[HDS_Systems]

KsJoe,

I know several folks with AR15s that use the HDS Systems EDC Tactical 170 and are very happy. The light is designed to handle gun recoil and is very reliable. It will easily accommodate your distance requirement. It will fit your favorite 1" gun mount. It is a bit more expensive than many of the lights you have listed but in the end you may be happier with the results.

Henry.

 

[kingofwylietx]

I'm curious what optics you are planning to use....I think that is the most important part of the entire equation. It ranks higher than the type of light you mount.

With my scope, I can go 100 yards at night hunting hogs with quarter-moon or better with no additional illumination. When there is no moon, a single 6P is sufficient (using my scope).

With iron sights or a holographic sight, you will need MUCH more illumination at the same distance.

I'm in Texas and we love hunting hogs. All our hunting is done near Uvalde. I've experimented with iron sights, Eotechs, lasers, and now a regular illuminated scope. I've wasted a lot of money to find out that a nice illuminated reticle scope, coupled with any decent light source, will do the best job over 25 yards at night.

 

[ksJoe]

Thanks for the welcome, and all the suggestions!

You guys are suggesting higher end stuff than I was hoping .

Since posting, I found Romisen RC-B12, for $27 delivered, with remote pressure switch, and a UV mode for spotting blood trails. The reviews look promising, so that is really tempting me. As long as the UV is functional, that might be worthwhile as a backup. Or worst case, assuming it will at least turn on, it might be a decent around the house flashlight. Best case, if it works out adequately for hunting, its cheap enough I could get my Dad set up with lights and batteries too.

It may seem ironic that I'm trying to go cheap when its for an AR, since AR's are not budget guns. Its not that I'm excessively cheap, I just try to shop without a set budget. I try to size up up the price and performance of all the options, then decide what (if anything) makes sense. I own a very broad mix of things from ultra low end junk to very nice stuff. A week ago I was looking at night vision, but reached the conclusion that I wouldn't be happy with Gen 1 ($200-$400), and I didn't want to pay for Gen 2 ($600+)or 3 ($2k+). A month ago I was considering getting a $90 Mosin Nagant rifle for use as a hog gun. Then I went hog hunting and one of the guys had an AR. AR's are in an entirely different class in many ways. So I went from looking at $90 gun, to a $710 (I'm building it myself) gun without seriously considering anything in between.

I have no doubt that the higher end stuff is better, I'm just not sure how much. At 3-4x the price, I'm tempted to try a low end experiment. If it works out ok, I can set me and my Dad up, and get a spare.

Re: optics - I've already got a 3x9x40. Its not illuminated, but I also already have a laser. What I was imagining, is: turn on the laser, and aim for under the feeder or where I hear them, looking through the scope. Then turn on the big light, and shoot within a second or two. That way I shouldn't have to worry about the light scaring them.
Since you mentioned trying non-illuminated and a laser, and being happier with illuminated, I've very curious why? What will I be unhappy with? I have the non-illuminated and laser anyway, so its free to play with. But I'd like to know why the other would be better.

Thanks guys!

 

[ARguy123]

Hey ksJoe,

I was looking on the net for a review of the flashlight you mounted on your AR (I am looking to do the same), the RC-B12. Could you please follow up and let me know how it worked out for you??? Thanks!

 

[shipwreck]

I have tried a lot of lights on various weapons. For on the cheap, I'd get a Solarforce L2. $25-$30. A GREAT surefire clone.

For around $90, I'd get the Eagletac T20C2 Mk II. It's really the brightest light in its size class. it WILL fit into a 1" light mount. I have one on one of my PS90s...

I like that at the med setting, it will go abut 13 hours.. More than enough to make it thru an entire night if need be. And on Turbo - damn bright.

There are obviously brighter lights, but they usually necessitate a much bigger body and reflector. This is a great light for a rifle..

 

[cummins4x4]

I have a 7615 with a VX3 1.5-5 illuminated mounted on it. On anything but the blackest nights I can see just fine on the lower powers with the brightness turned way down. Right now I have a cheap 200 lumen UF barrel mounted which works fine up to 100 yards or so. I plan on mounting my Deree aspherical thrower on it, this light lites up coyotes out 2-300 yards easily with no spill distraction. For use with a scoped rifle I think less spill is easier to spot the target and not as hard on your night adapted eyes.

 

[kicker9898]

Have you thought about a streamlight supertac x? 200 lens, multimode
And strobe. I have a standard supertac at 135 lumens and it throws great. It's not 1", but its a great throw with not a lot of spill. For night hunting I'd rather
have a pure spot that doesn't spill onto my weapon much.

 

[roadkill1109]

you could try the Maestrom G5 or X7 was that? Those were primarily designed to be weapon lights, or you could also check out Jetbeam's BC25.

 

[varmint]

Last Thurs night I lit up a 200 meter target with my Deree VBS well enough to see bullet holes with my scope......

 

[ARguy123]

I like the fact that the RC-B12 has UV capabilities. I dont know what a remote pressure switch is, but whatever. Does the Solarforce L2 have UV?
Also, which light is mounted on your EOtech? Im going to get that sight in a few weeks, and i like the way yours is set up!

 

[ARguy123]

Also, I'm more looking for a budget light. It's more for show, or the random occasion where I may need to use one. I would like to stay under $40 for the light and the mounting hardware if possible