Scanning light
- Thread starter txhunter2
- Start date
I am looking to scan with a gun and be effective as possible. If I need to buy a light to be efficient for scanning I will and will probably do so if needed. I will be hunting 500 acres to myself so I don't see how a loaded gun is an issue or danger. Btw way how is a loaded gun dangerous by myself, I have always deer hunted that way? Scanning with a loaded gun is not an issue to me or dangerous. Please explain.
cultclassics
New member
get a xlr250 for spotting, and a smaller gun mounted light for the shot
hill1245
New member
A really good idea that my brother told me about is a magnetic strip on your light. Just scan til' you get eyes, then stick the light to your gun. I'd put some kind of sports tape on the barrel so the magnet won't mar up your barrel. There is a product out there like this, but I'm not sure where he found it. Maybe sportsmans guide.
It wouldn't be hard to affix a good magnet to a light.
I do agree that it will get tiresome to scan with your gunlight, especially since most pred hunters(including me) scan the whole time on stand. Even my dads M&P15 topped with gen4 nightvision is way too much to hold the whole time. It is also alot of unnecessary movement.
Whether it be handheld or a headlamp, I would strongly suggest a separate scanning light.
It wouldn't be hard to affix a good magnet to a light.
I do agree that it will get tiresome to scan with your gunlight, especially since most pred hunters(including me) scan the whole time on stand. Even my dads M&P15 topped with gen4 nightvision is way too much to hold the whole time. It is also alot of unnecessary movement.
Whether it be handheld or a headlamp, I would strongly suggest a separate scanning light.
weekender
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: txhunter2I am looking to scan with a gun and be effective as possible. If I need to buy a light to be efficient for scanning I will and will probably do so if needed. I will be hunting 500 acres to myself so I don't see how a loaded gun is an issue or danger. Btw way how is a loaded gun dangerous by myself, I have always deer hunted that way? Scanning with a loaded gun is not an issue to me or dangerous. Please explain.
If you are using a loaded gun to scan your light light it is dangerous. If you are using a loaded gun in place of binoculars that is also dangerous. Pointing a loaded gun at anything you don't intend to shoot is not recommended.
If you are using a loaded gun to scan your light light it is dangerous. If you are using a loaded gun in place of binoculars that is also dangerous. Pointing a loaded gun at anything you don't intend to shoot is not recommended.
SouthTXBowhunter
New member
Originally Posted By: txhunter2I am looking to scan with a gun and be effective as possible. If I need to buy a light to be efficient for scanning I will and will probably do so if needed. I will be hunting 500 acres to myself so I don't see how a loaded gun is an issue or danger. Btw way how is a loaded gun dangerous by myself, I have always deer hunted that way? Scanning with a loaded gun is not an issue to me or dangerous. Please explain.
Aside from the safety issue, it's a LOT more effective and efficient to scan with a handheld light. I scan very quickly, moving my light back and forth much more quickly than I ever could with a gun-mounted light. Eye's are easy to pick up and you don't need to move the beam slowly to find them effectively. The faster you can pick them up, the sooner you can become invisible by keeping your light in their eyes. Remember, when you have your light pointed away from their eyes (like when you're scanning another spot) you're making yourself more visible. So, especially when you're hunting solo, using a hand held light will be a real advantage over a gun mounted light - for scanning- because you will have to scan much more area than you would with a partner or two. Also, you will not get NEARLY as tired swinging a flashlight as you will swinging a gun, scope and light. This means that, when the shot comes, you will not be as fatigued and your shots will be better and easier.
Hunting solo (which is hard, period) I will scan with the flashlight and once I'm on eyes I use my other hand to move the weapon around, turn the light on (I use a regular push button tail switch) and bring the weapon light onto the eyes. Then I turn the scanning light off, put it in my pocket and finish using the weapon light. Sounds harder than it is. That said, it's WAY easier with a partner- when you can find one.
On the safety issue: I understand your point of view and I don't (IMHO) think that it's a huge safety issue; but it's not the safest method either! For one, when you're scanning with a weapon your focus is not 100% on the loaded weapon. Second, with your attention on the scanning beam and looking for eyes it would be easy to swing across a limb and get the trigger bumped against a twig or accidentally have a slip of the gun (or your hand) and accidentally discharge the weapon. Sure, these are unlikely scenarios but why take the chance when there's a more efficient way to scan that eliminate these kinds of scenarios? Keep in mind, that bullet would have NO trouble getting outside of your 500 acres if an accidental discharge was slightly elevated.
Hope this helps. Good hunting!
Aside from the safety issue, it's a LOT more effective and efficient to scan with a handheld light. I scan very quickly, moving my light back and forth much more quickly than I ever could with a gun-mounted light. Eye's are easy to pick up and you don't need to move the beam slowly to find them effectively. The faster you can pick them up, the sooner you can become invisible by keeping your light in their eyes. Remember, when you have your light pointed away from their eyes (like when you're scanning another spot) you're making yourself more visible. So, especially when you're hunting solo, using a hand held light will be a real advantage over a gun mounted light - for scanning- because you will have to scan much more area than you would with a partner or two. Also, you will not get NEARLY as tired swinging a flashlight as you will swinging a gun, scope and light. This means that, when the shot comes, you will not be as fatigued and your shots will be better and easier.
Hunting solo (which is hard, period) I will scan with the flashlight and once I'm on eyes I use my other hand to move the weapon around, turn the light on (I use a regular push button tail switch) and bring the weapon light onto the eyes. Then I turn the scanning light off, put it in my pocket and finish using the weapon light. Sounds harder than it is. That said, it's WAY easier with a partner- when you can find one.
On the safety issue: I understand your point of view and I don't (IMHO) think that it's a huge safety issue; but it's not the safest method either! For one, when you're scanning with a weapon your focus is not 100% on the loaded weapon. Second, with your attention on the scanning beam and looking for eyes it would be easy to swing across a limb and get the trigger bumped against a twig or accidentally have a slip of the gun (or your hand) and accidentally discharge the weapon. Sure, these are unlikely scenarios but why take the chance when there's a more efficient way to scan that eliminate these kinds of scenarios? Keep in mind, that bullet would have NO trouble getting outside of your 500 acres if an accidental discharge was slightly elevated.
Hope this helps. Good hunting!
SouthTXBowhunter
New member
Originally Posted By: txhunter2Thanks for the adivce. I am looking into a few diffeent hand held scanning lights to be more efficient hunting and to be more safe.
I'd take a look at Nite Hunter lights - that's what I use. I think they're superior to other brands, in the long run, and are only a little more than some of the more common brands. Plus, they have a 500 lumen module you can get if you decide you really need a LOT of light. It's enough to film at night - I've got one. But I use the 300 lumen green as a weapon and as my scan lights. You can contact them and request a custom configuration and they'll only charge you what the parts cost- they don't up-charge just for a custom configuration.
Good luck!
I'd take a look at Nite Hunter lights - that's what I use. I think they're superior to other brands, in the long run, and are only a little more than some of the more common brands. Plus, they have a 500 lumen module you can get if you decide you really need a LOT of light. It's enough to film at night - I've got one. But I use the 300 lumen green as a weapon and as my scan lights. You can contact them and request a custom configuration and they'll only charge you what the parts cost- they don't up-charge just for a custom configuration.
Good luck!
anyone who hunts much at night and thinks holding the light in their hands and over your head more often than not for 20 to 30 minutes at a time hasnt used any sort of head mounted light yet.......ive had the XLR250's and currently own (2) of the TLR Coyote lights and the 400 yard Coyote Light from All Predator calls and they are great lights......get the Night Eyes head mount light for scanning and u will not go back to any other scanning hand held type light.....less movement less fatigue and they work great.....good luck!
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
I can't recall ever holding my handheld light over my head. I typically hunt standing, I hold the light in my weak hand at waist level near my side and while leaving my feet stationary, twist my body side to side. This covers about 100 degrees of movement. I use wrist movement at the ends if each rotation to get 270-300 degrees of coverage with ease with zero arm fatigue. In necessary, I swing all the way behind me 360 degrees about 1/5 rotations or as needed. This requires little/no head turning and is not tiring at all.
To hunt while sitting, I place my arm on my knee and use wrist movement to easily cover 180+ degrees. Slight arm movement gets closer to 270 degrees as needed. If I need to cover more than that I'm typically standing instead of sitting.
While standing, I use a 1-pt or 3-pt sling etc to let my rifle/shotgun hang in front with my shooting hand on the grip. Weak hand does the scanning. The gun can easy be swung up and aligned with the scanning light when it's time to shoot.
To hunt while sitting, I place my arm on my knee and use wrist movement to easily cover 180+ degrees. Slight arm movement gets closer to 270 degrees as needed. If I need to cover more than that I'm typically standing instead of sitting.
While standing, I use a 1-pt or 3-pt sling etc to let my rifle/shotgun hang in front with my shooting hand on the grip. Weak hand does the scanning. The gun can easy be swung up and aligned with the scanning light when it's time to shoot.