Help choosing a gun-mounted light

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Mookle942

New member
So I have been looking around the forums recently and have not been able to find good, solid information about which budget lights most people prefer for hunting. I have lots of domestic cats as well as foxes who have a designated season here in California, so I am looking for a light that is capable of a 100% positive target ID at 150-200 yards during good conditions. I know a lot of advertisers say that they can identify targets out to 350 yards, but I have learned not to trust numbers that companies put out there, because I have been disappointed many times by misleading advertising. I have narrowed it down to a couple of possibilities: the Wicked 403IC (I really like the brightness control on this one) and the Predator Tactics Coyote Reaper (the statements and reviews about 400 yard target identification are very attractive), but I am looking for some more experienced night hunters to help me out on this one before I take the plunge. I am looking for a red light, but I am open to new ideas or models, but keep in mind the maximum that I want to spend on this is about $230. Thank you all in advance!
 
I have a night eyes and like it. My buddy has a reaper and it only outshines my night eyes when he puts the battery extender on and has 2 batteries in it. But then it's twice as long and heavy. I've heard lots of good about wicked
 
I only was able to take my light out a couple times last year. Spotted eyes no problem at 300yds. Positive Id hard to say for sure. 100yds for sure. 150 on a good night. I've heard nothing but good about the wicked.
 
Thanks for the help Illinois, that's a lot better than my cruddy Coleman CPX-6 that I have right now, that piece of garbage weighs at least two pounds. Anybody else have suggestions or information on some good gun mounted lights?
 
Sorry Shultzy my page didn't refresh and I didn't see you there. I did take a look at the coyote lights, but I am not willing to drop 300-400$ on a light although it is probably a lot better than what I am going to buy.
 
I bought the wicked light in red and I've been pretty happy with it. I can see eyes at about 400 maybe more and when you focus from flood to beam I can identify out to 250 pretty confidently. The battery life is really good and I really like the mount it comes with. I've never used any of these other lights so I can't give you any type of comparison.
 
"Coyote Light", none better! IMO. Not in budget, wait and save! If you stick with night hunting and using lights, you'll probably end up getting one anyways. Regards, Drop
 
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Anybody tried the Coyote reaper? I've heard that they can identify further than the wicked based on reviews, but that wicked looks very attractive. Might have to pick one up because everybody else seems to have one.
 
Originally Posted By: Mookle942Anybody tried the Coyote reaper? I've heard that they can identify further than the wicked based on reviews, but that wicked looks very attractive. Might have to pick one up because everybody else seems to have one. Yes, they are a recent PM sponsor and make great lights. I do use the "Reaper" on one of my night rigs, and the "Killbone" on a shotgun. They are lighter and smaller than the "Wicked" 402 & 403ic. Jmho, they both scan and identify similar. One thing I like over the "Reaper" is the adjustable end butt cap on the 403. Regards, Drop
 
Originally Posted By: DropadoglvOriginally Posted By: Mookle942Anybody tried the Coyote reaper? I've heard that they can identify further than the wicked based on reviews, but that wicked looks very attractive. Might have to pick one up because everybody else seems to have one. Yes, they are a recent PM sponsor and make great lights. I do use the "Reaper" on one of my night rigs, and the "Killbone" on a shotgun. They are lighter and smaller than the "Wicked" 402 & 403ic. Jmho, they both scan and identify similar. One thing I like over the "Reaper" is the adjustable end butt cap on the 403. Regards, Drop
Can I get a led maglight and tape a red plastic lense on it will that work ?
 
There are lots of lights on eBay, Do a search for LED hunting flashlight,,,,, I just purchased a infrared light for my photon that allows me to shoot to about 250 to 300 yards,,,,,, I've bought other Led lights that are pretty close to the brightness of my wicked light for under $50
 
Thank you all for your help, I think I'll get the 403ic. Looks like a sweet deal unless anybody else has a better suggestion. Hey drop, do you happen to have any numbers for id yardages on a good night? Looking for a comparison to my current handheld spotlight's power. If not that's fine just looking for a significant reason to spend $200+ on something other than ammunition.
 
What you see compared to what others see is all dependent on your vision, your optics. You can get a general idea but if you go by some guys recommendation that he can see 300 yards but he can't judge distance and it's really only 200 yards it's not gonna do you any good in making your decision. Any light on the market will work it's only a tool.

30 years ago my first microwave came with 50 presets and recipes to cook entire dinners and turn on by itself when I wasn't home, It cost over $400. Today I pay $100, I punch in a time, press start, the food tastes the same.

With the exception of the ability to zoom and reach out farther I only need my light to come on and allow me to shoot. IMO all the other features are being marketed to hunters who think having the latest and greatest will make them more successful. In reality how good a hunter you are, the more access you have and the more time you put in will play more on your success than which light you use.
 


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