Lights from Cabelas vs. XLR kill lights

R

Ricky Bobby

New member
I'm wondering if anyone has lights that they've purchased at Cabelas, and if they like them? I have some free time today and have been wanting to get myself setup for night hunting. Thinking about the scope mounted lights they sell that are a LED cree light. Also, might look for some type of handheld light for scanning while there. Let me know what you guys think. Otherwise, I might just order a couple kill lights from boondocks and try to patiently wait for them to show up if you guys think I'm much better off going that route.
 
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Don't mean to drive everyone crazy with my questions, but here you go! If I were to use the kill lights I would like to purchase 2 so that I can wear one on a headband for scanning & then mount the other on my scope on gun. Question is do I purchase 2 of the XLR250's or do I get 1 XLR100 & 1 XLR250? I need to hear from some guys that are using them to make an informed decision. Would 2 of the 250's be to much light? I thought about getting 1 of the 250 Pro Hunter packages that comes with all three led's, and then just getting the other 250 with just the red led. That way I can run both gun & headlamp on red or I can make one of them a different color, also. Or do I get a XLR100 in red and a XLR250 in red and be done with it? Tell me how to spend my money, I can't decide!
 
I have an XLR100 with white LED and the XLR250 in red. If I was doing it over I would get both of them in red and use the XLR100 for scanning. My 250 red will pick up a coyotes eyes at 100 yards with just the very outer edge of the beam. It will light up eyes 1/4 mile with the center spot of the beam.

Expect to be able to identify and shoot a minimum of 100 yards with the XLR250 red. On an ideal night with the right background i can identify out to 200 yards with it. Weather conditions seem to affect any LED a lot more than they do an regular light.

I don't think you would be over powered as far as brightness with the XLR250 as a scan light, but, with the red LED in it you won't get nearly the run time per battery that you will with the XLR100 in red.

PS: Seems I recall you are down around Carbondale? You shouldn't need anything more than the 100 in red for a scan light down there.

You want what I would consider the ultimate setup? Buy the XLR 250 package deal with the 3 color LED's. Then buy the XLR100 Red light only. You can buy just the XLR 100 without a charger or gun mounts for about $49.00. It is listed in with the blood trailing lights. Then but a pair of extra batteries.
 
a light I bought from Cabelas mounted on my shotgun, I think it is the 250,000 candle power and it works fine. Tried the smaller one and it wasn't bright enough for me with the red lense. For a scan light I use a head lamp mounted on a hard hat like coon hunters wear, works great, got it from these guys, http://www.huntsmart.com/
 
Jackindistress, I really appreciate your comment! It made my decision a whole lot easier, never thought about getting more run time from the XLR100 for using as a scan light. Just got off Elusive Wildlife's site and I just placed my order through them, I can't wait to try night hunting I'm so excited. Here's what I ordered: 1 - XLR250 Pro Hunter package which includes all three color led's, along with two switches, scope mount, barrel mount, two batteries, and a charger. Then I ordered 1 - XLR 100 Dual Mode Pro Bowhunter package which includes all three color led's, along with regular on/off end cap(to use as a standard flashlight), two switches, two batteries, and a charger. I went with the Dual Mode XLR100 bow model because I do a lot of bowhunting and thought instead of carrying a flashlight to the woods and fumbling for it in my pack all the time, why not spin it on the front of your bow and then you'll always know where it is. Also, the dual mode might be pretty cool for scanning when wearing it as a headlamp! I'm glad I didn't go to Cabelas today, I've heard nothing but positive things about the kill lights and I'm sure I'll be pleased.
 
layback04, I will be more than happy to let you know what I think! Glad to hear that someone else thinks it could be a great setup. I just thought that if I'm going to spend the money, why not make it as versatile as possible. I can even get use out of the lights when camping, working at night around the house, and with the different color led's, they should work as good blood trail lights! The Dual Mode feature on the XLR100 will have it's place to, I would think.
 
I'm telling you this as a friend, don't waste your money on cheap cabelas lights . You'll only end up buying a kill light later. I use a head lamp with a reostat for scanning from nitelite and the xlr250 for shooting. Haven't tried the 100 for scanning but it seems like it might be to bright. I hunt solo must times and the kill light is the best thing that's ever happen to me.
 
To bad you already ordered your lights from Elusive. Should have used Boondock Outdoors, Jeremiah is a sponsor on here and a great guy to deal with. Got my XLR100 from him and a XLR250 is on its way for xmas. Would have saved a few $$ too.

I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the lights. The XLR100 has already proven its worth, and I'm sure the 250 won't disappoint when I get it also.
 
seacowboy, I really did give Jeremiah deep consideration when I went to make my purchase but night hunting only last until Jan. 31st in Illinois and since I wanted to go with the Dual mode XLR100 bow kit I guess I automatically assumed he wouldn't have that in stock and it would possibly hold up arrival time. If I can be out there hunting this coming weekend with the setup, then I will be completely satisfied! I got an email already stating the order had been shipped this morning. Maybe I should have talked to Jeremiah first, if he could have gotten it to me as fast, then I do apologize. I emailed him about a month ago asking if he kept the XLR250 pro hunter packages in stock(the ones with all three color led's)and he responded with a no, but stated he could have it in about a week. Anyway, when I receive my lights and get them setup the way I'd like I'll try to post some pics! I can't wait! The 250 I plan to scope mount and the 100 I ordered a headband to mount it on for scanning. Should be SWEET!!!
 
I ordered the XLR100 Pro Hunter Kit, with the 3 bulbs, 2 remote switches, etc. He did not have it in stock. I too was on a little time crunch to have it before I left for a hunting trip on the 19th of Nov. He ordered it on the 8th, had it sent to him then he sent it to me, I received it 7 days later on the 15th. I asked ahead of time if there would be an issue and he assured me that it would be there in plenty of time. He11a good turn around time.
At least now you know he's good to go and deal with. Good luck with your set up. Look forward to seeing them.
 
Originally Posted By: Ricky Bobbyseacowboy, I really did give Jeremiah deep consideration when I went to make my purchase but night hunting only last until Jan. 31st in Illinois and since I wanted to go with the Dual mode XLR100 bow kit I guess I automatically assumed he wouldn't have that in stock and it would possibly hold up arrival time. If I can be out there hunting this coming weekend with the setup, then I will be completely satisfied! I got an email already stating the order had been shipped this morning. Maybe I should have talked to Jeremiah first, if he could have gotten it to me as fast, then I do apologize. I emailed him about a month ago asking if he kept the XLR250 pro hunter packages in stock(the ones with all three color led's)and he responded with a no, but stated he could have it in about a week. Anyway, when I receive my lights and get them setup the way I'd like I'll try to post some pics! I can't wait! The 250 I plan to scope mount and the 100 I ordered a headband to mount it on for scanning. Should be SWEET!!!

Ricky Bobby,
You have through Feb. 15 to hunt them 24 hours. They extended the date. From the 2010 - 2011 season dates and information pdf available for download on the ILLINOIS DNR web site:
COYOTE
1/2 hour before sunrise to
1/2 hr. after sunset; open 24
hours during Nov.10, 2010
thru Feb. 15, 2011d,e

You can also hunt from tree stands now. Previously the way the law was worded for coon hunting you could not use any tree climbing device in taking of fur bearing animals. Although the law was written to prevent the taking of 'coons by using tree spikes, etc. it technically made it illegal to hunt coyotes from a stand attached to a tree. I don't know that it was ever enforced for the taking of coyotes but I notified the DNR about it last winter and they said that the law had been changed but had not been published at that time. They ask me to pass on the information to any coyote hunters that I knew and said it would be published in time for this years hunting digest. I noticed the other day that they have noted the change in the 2010 - 2011 digest.

Please post how your like your XLR100 and try one of those green LED's at night and let us know how the coyotes react to it.
 
I did know about the change with using treestands, but I DID NOT know about the extended season. That's great news! Hunting is still pretty good in Feb. , atleast during daylight hours that I've experienced in the past. That will allow for a couple more chances at night hunting for me. Funny you mention the green led's because I've been wondering the same thing. They should allow you to see further than the red, but be more pleasing to the eye for the animal compared to the bright white. I will for sure try the green, also. I am always willing to experiment to gain some experience! I'm mainly targeting coyotes, though. Fox are very rare in my area and bobcats are not legal even though they're starting to get to be pretty common. I'm really confident with my .22 hornet as weapon of choice, but from all the reading I've been doing about night hunting I'm starting to think I should seriously consider setting up one of my shotguns for the night hunts.
 
I bought one of the "flashlight style cree pieces" It is the rechargeable 532 lumen one. I think it cost 179. I saw them on sale for 139 ish. I give it 2 thumbs up. I mounted it on an ar15. With a TA-11 ACOG scope. I can positively identify (with safety range) to 250 yards. I can see farther through the scope, but would not take the shot most likely.
Wags
 
I did buy the Cabela's 500 lumen lught a while back. It's good for 100-125 yards or so. The light has a red flip up filter which I haven't yet used. I don't know anything about the 250XL but it's spoken highly of in this forum. One thing though; the chintzy mounting system for the Cabela's light really stinks. It's plastic and wobbles quite easily. I only bought it because at $100 I figured you can't go that far wrong.
 
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