I know this topic has been probably beat to death over the years but as light technology has improved I'm curious as to if people's methods have changed....currently I'm using a hand held light and have been mostly happy with it but there is nights I wish I had use of both hands to reposition or use a mouth call or just warm them up! So that being said would you rather run a head lamp or a hand held? I have been really looking at nite eyes duel beam headlamp in red and white or upgrading my hand held to the wicked 402 zf. Let me here your expert opinions. Thanks guys
Head lamp vs hand held for scanning
- Thread starter dkarre
- Start date
Originally Posted By: dkarreI know this topic has been probably beat to death over the years but as light technology has improved I'm curious as to if people's methods have changed....currently I'm using a hand held light and have been mostly happy with it but there is nights I wish I had use of both hands to reposition or use a mouth call or just warm them up! So that being said would you rather run a head lamp or a hand held? I have been really looking at nite eyes duel beam headlamp in red and white or upgrading my hand held to the wicked 402 zf. Let me here your expert opinions. Thanks guys
I cannot imagine trying to hunt now with a hand held scan light. I have been using the Night Eyes since the very beginning and cannot imagine going back. I upgraded earlier this year and added the dual beam to my gear and it is great. It has all the features of the original Night Eyes Scan Light with the exception of the halo shield, which it doesn't really spill much any how, and the added convenience of the white light for tracking or other applications. You can't go wrong with it. Good luck with whatever your decision though.
I cannot imagine trying to hunt now with a hand held scan light. I have been using the Night Eyes since the very beginning and cannot imagine going back. I upgraded earlier this year and added the dual beam to my gear and it is great. It has all the features of the original Night Eyes Scan Light with the exception of the halo shield, which it doesn't really spill much any how, and the added convenience of the white light for tracking or other applications. You can't go wrong with it. Good luck with whatever your decision though.
hunterknapp16
New member
I now use a noxx headlamp after using a handheld for over 20 years. Used a big ole mag lite forever. I will never go back to handheld now. If you are looking for a good bright light that won't break the bank you can pick up the noxx one for around $70 and it is a great light with two brightness settings and fully focusable. The 402 is an amazing light too. That is what I use for my kill light now.
I would recommend going with a headlamp. You will love having both hands free and not having to deal with the light and gun in your hands at the same time.
I would recommend going with a headlamp. You will love having both hands free and not having to deal with the light and gun in your hands at the same time.
I use a headlamp only when I have a shotgun and use a handheld light with the rifle, actually the light is mounted to my bipod so essentialy I'm still kind of hands free. i dont like scanning the gun either which is why I went with the trigger stick and before that a monopod. The gun on top at rest and I scan the light which is attached to the handle. I also dont like a headlamp for a few reasons, one is that it is hard on the neck scanning quickly, and on those cold nights your vision is impaired by your breath....
ETA: I do wear a headlamp on most every stand walking in to the stand with all my gear in my hands i can scan the opening with the head lamp...
ETA: I do wear a headlamp on most every stand walking in to the stand with all my gear in my hands i can scan the opening with the head lamp...
Last edited:
CoyoteLight inc.
New member
I like my night eyes for walking in and out of the set hands free. If you are hunting solo a headlamp might be ok but I do not like hunting with someone with a headlamp. They blind me every time they look at me and they produce too much wash on the gun and surroundings. I think handhelds have much more control.
Powerstroke99
New member
When hunting by myself, I use an original Night Eyes Headlamp to scan with. I really like it as it frees up my hands to work the remote or operate a hand call. The negative side is that you have to constantly move your head versus your eyes while scanning and it is a bit harder to check your 4 to 8 o'clock position. I also have a gun mounted Wicked light that I use for shooting. After I turn on the gun light which I have pointed above the animal, I slowly lower the shooting light beam and then turn off my headlamp so it does not shine on my rifle. I don't know if this matters much, but it works for me. I would also recommend an adjustable light mount so you can concentrate the beam on the range you generally shoot.
When hunting with a partner, I normally stand behind them and scan with the halo of a handheld Wicked light, and lower the main beam when I am ready for them to shoot.
When hunting with a partner, I normally stand behind them and scan with the halo of a handheld Wicked light, and lower the main beam when I am ready for them to shoot.
Head mounted for sure but being an underground coal miner for 41yrs. has me accustomed to a light beam being where I am looking. Having used an EWT 100 for the last 2 winters (with no complaints except it catches on my door jam when getting into my vehicle)I bought an original nighteyes from Joe last month & am very happy with it. Battery life is awesome!!!
Detected eyes at 250-275yds. (per google earth) on a clear, cold night 2 days from the full moon with 4" snow cover on full power & have on 2 occasions have picked up a single eye (thick cover) 90 degrees to me @ 110 & 70 yds on 1/2 power.
Last night (~1/4 moon just rising & partial snow cover) picked up eyes at 200+ on about 60-70 % power. That equals 3 dead coyotes & a miss (that 275yder) in the last 2 weeks.
Detected eyes at 250-275yds. (per google earth) on a clear, cold night 2 days from the full moon with 4" snow cover on full power & have on 2 occasions have picked up a single eye (thick cover) 90 degrees to me @ 110 & 70 yds on 1/2 power.
Last night (~1/4 moon just rising & partial snow cover) picked up eyes at 200+ on about 60-70 % power. That equals 3 dead coyotes & a miss (that 275yder) in the last 2 weeks.
BUCKWHEAT
New member
The closer the light is to your eyes the better you can pick up eyes reflecting back. That alone is a very good reason to use a headlight.If you have never tried this with your hunting partner you should. Shine your light at an animial and have your partner stand 3 feet from you side and he will never see the eyes. He will need to get beside you and in line with the light to see eyes.So the next your hunting partner says he can not see the eyes you will know why.He was not in line with the light.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: CoyoteLight inc.I like my night eyes for walking in and out of the set hands free. If you are hunting solo a headlamp might be ok but I do not like hunting with someone with a headlamp. They blind me every time they look at me and they produce too much wash on the gun and surroundings. I think handhelds have much more control.
the wash is a problem. my night eyes light came with a halo shield to eliminate the wash problem. i probably would not even try to make a stand without the halo shield on the light. make sure if you get a head mounted light that it comes with a halo shield or at least can have one put on it.
the wash is a problem. my night eyes light came with a halo shield to eliminate the wash problem. i probably would not even try to make a stand without the halo shield on the light. make sure if you get a head mounted light that it comes with a halo shield or at least can have one put on it.
hunterknapp16
New member
Originally Posted By: 22catOriginally Posted By: CoyoteLight inc.I like my night eyes for walking in and out of the set hands free. If you are hunting solo a headlamp might be ok but I do not like hunting with someone with a headlamp. They blind me every time they look at me and they produce too much wash on the gun and surroundings. I think handhelds have much more control.
the wash is a problem. my night eyes light came with a halo shield to eliminate the wash problem. i probably would not even try to make a stand without the halo shield on the light. make sure if you get a head mounted light that it comes with a halo shield or at least can have one put on it.
Or is focusable. My noxx has no halo when you focus it down.
the wash is a problem. my night eyes light came with a halo shield to eliminate the wash problem. i probably would not even try to make a stand without the halo shield on the light. make sure if you get a head mounted light that it comes with a halo shield or at least can have one put on it.
Or is focusable. My noxx has no halo when you focus it down.
So would the dual beam headlamp from night eyes not be a good choice due to the lack of a halo shield? Or is the beam tight enough to not spill and cause issues....I really like the idea of having a white with a led light because I do a lot of coon hunting to and it would be helpful around the farm those late nights out irrigating....or would I be better off with just the single red headlamp?
Originally Posted By: dkarreSo would the dual beam headlamp from night eyes not be a good choice due to the lack of a halo shield? Or is the beam tight enough to not spill and cause issues....I really like the idea of having a white with a led light because I do a lot of coon hunting to and it would be helpful around the farm those late nights out irrigating....or would I be better off with just the single red headlamp?
I have about a half dozen friends and myself that have used them and while there is some spill, there is not enough that it effects us. The biggest thing I see from above is that people have issues with could be solved by getting used to what you are using. For example of people shining in each others eyes, that isn't a light problem, that is a self discipline problem, train yourself to look at the ground when you are talking to your partner or just reach up and shut the light off. While there is some spill due to the lack of a halo shield at this point, it isn't enough that it effects any of us when using them. In fact I have picked up the eyes at times in the halo. Take a look at his facebook page and note some of the recent kills and you can see the dual beam is the light that was used, in fact one of the most recent kills on there is one of the biggest fox I have ever seen. Also keep in mind that he offers a money back guarantee, buy it and try it, if you don't like it, return it. If you find you need a halo shield you may be able to make one yourself in the mean time. IMO the positives of this light, quality, having white, adjustable beam(intensity), etc. far out weight the fact that there is not a halo YET!! With whatever your decision good luck and keep us posted.
I have about a half dozen friends and myself that have used them and while there is some spill, there is not enough that it effects us. The biggest thing I see from above is that people have issues with could be solved by getting used to what you are using. For example of people shining in each others eyes, that isn't a light problem, that is a self discipline problem, train yourself to look at the ground when you are talking to your partner or just reach up and shut the light off. While there is some spill due to the lack of a halo shield at this point, it isn't enough that it effects any of us when using them. In fact I have picked up the eyes at times in the halo. Take a look at his facebook page and note some of the recent kills and you can see the dual beam is the light that was used, in fact one of the most recent kills on there is one of the biggest fox I have ever seen. Also keep in mind that he offers a money back guarantee, buy it and try it, if you don't like it, return it. If you find you need a halo shield you may be able to make one yourself in the mean time. IMO the positives of this light, quality, having white, adjustable beam(intensity), etc. far out weight the fact that there is not a halo YET!! With whatever your decision good luck and keep us posted.
Last edited:
Night Eyes head lamps ROCK........as far as light wash they all DISAPPOINT......I fixed mine with a paper towel tube and some black tape.....puts the wash about 12" out and gives me just enough room to move behind the light while scanning and still works for stop & spot walk out and isn't floppy because its still LIGHTWEIGHT....spotted eyes well over 300+ yards last night scoped it with gun & Coyote Light and was it deer but still caught eyes that far out in no moon conditions......good light before mod GREAT light after mod.....good luck!!!!!!!!
p.s. I want my percentage of engineer $ after this comes out as an option to purchase......hahahaha....BANG BANG!!!!
p.s. I want my percentage of engineer $ after this comes out as an option to purchase......hahahaha....BANG BANG!!!!
Last edited: