Spot light Recommendations Please

bhw

bhw

New member
Gang,

I need some input please..

I currently use 1 million CP cordless handheld lights for spotting incoming critters (coyote & fox) I switch to my Optronics 350 scope mount light for the shot and do well with my technique.

However, the handhelds are causing problems, such as low battery life, swtiches breaking, etc. I have 2 from Cabela's and now buy cheapo's from the auto store. I bring 6 or 7 with me for long night hunts (in the car, I don't carry them to each stand)

I'd like to try one of the spot lights that are worn on the head/hat (6 volt , I believe). I have a couple of questions...

1.) How far can you see the eyes reflecting? 200- 300 yds or more?

2.) Will one battery get through a full nite of cold weather calling/hunting

3.) Which brand/model number do you recommend?
 
I have a buddy that used to carry a battery in with him for his hunts. We ran to wires from his truck battery to charge it while we were moving or if we called from the back of the truck. When we walked in we carried the battery and hooked up the cord we split on the spot light. It worked great except it was a little heavy to carry around. Better than running out of light and carring that many around.
-Rusty
 
I use a lightforce 170. It will reach way out there and the battery life is pretty good. It has a dimmer switch also to save when you don't need full power.
 
60X,

how does that lightforce mount? is it handheld or does it fit on headband, scope, etc

thanx
 
i have a coon rig,,,i wear the battery on my belt,,the light goes on my head connected to my hat,,then i have a powerfull spotlight that goes into a little holster on my side also,,i dont know what candlepower it is,,i have a red lens for the head lamp,,but i wish i could find a red or blue lens for my spotlight,,we have a coon dog store about 14 miles away,i might have to visit it here very soon
Bob
 
Lightforce all the way. they have hand helds and scope mounts and all. They have a good battery life. I love mine. I used a cheap light like you for about one night and bought the lightforce. It is the bomb. RickH2 from tuff lights is a member here and a lightforce sales person. HE will help you out getting what is right for you.
 
I got the lightforce that can mount to a gun. It's not legal on the gun yet in pa so I just use it as a hand held until they change the law. A head mount would be nice as well. It's very tough for me right now trying to hunt at night by myself.
 
On advice from PM members and Mr Watson's video "Calling the Night Shift" I bought a Lightforce from H2 Rick last year to mount to my riflescope. Prior to that my boy and I had used a Western Rivers scope mount light from Cabela's and it was a toy, a total and complete joke and waste of money.

The Lightforce on the other hand was/is AWSOME and I've used in in Washington State in habitats ranging from thicker woods on the west side to the wide open sagebrush country in the east. I got a second unit, walkabout kit, and the shotgun mount, too. I'm very satisfied. It is nice to hunt at night without thinking too much about your light--it just consistantly works well. I would add that H2 Rick gave great service and I recommend you buy yours from him, too.

Getting that light was some of the best advice I've gotten off this group. It is worth the money. Now I just need to book a hunt in Texas with the night hunting gurus at Varmint Masters and I'll be all set!
 
Do you guys scan the area with your gun? Seems like alot of motion. Or are you using lightforce hand helds?

Does the battery for the lightforce last all nite?

Thanks again,

BHW
 
BHW: I just bought a NightHunter 170 from Rick at http://www.tufflights.com. Haven't used it yet,BUT it came highly recommended from the guys here at PM. That was enough for me to order. This is going to be a great asset. You should be able to use the light as a hand held before the shot, then attach it to the scope for the shot. As for the battery lasting all night. Can't say. But what will? I, used to last all night. Wife says I'm only good for a hour. I may get a spare battery. 12v 7ah $10.95 on line. At that price I may get two. Rick at Tufflights is a great guy to do business with, very customer service concerned. My light didn't come with directions. I sent Rick a e-mail casually mentioned that I didn't have any instruction. He CALLED me right back to check that out. Instructions in the mail. That's customer service. Add my name as recommending the LightForce 170.
1der
 
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Lightforce! I have the handheld models, but understand that the scope mounted one can be quickly remounted to the rifle to allow for the shot.

Give Rick a call and tell him what you need; I will bet money that he can get you set up!
 
BHW, I scan with it in my hand then when I get a set of eyes, I quickly attach it too my rifle. Movement at night is not such a big deal as long as you keep the light on their eyes. The light shines enough to hide you. A little practice and it all can be easily done in the dark. If you are a total one man team, weasel has a great setup on a camera tripod that holds his light gun, range finder, spotting scope and camera. Many guys have started using the camera tripod for the light and scanning with it.

Using the light on full power it will last around 2 hours. If you use a lower power setting you can get close to 8 hours of life. Aditional batteries cost around $60. I plan on getting a back up battery for next year. Just in case. I never burnt my all the way dead as each trip out I got snowed out after a few hours.
 
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Lightforce 170! It comes with a mount for the scope and a mount for the shotgun. I mounted mine on my shotgun so it is on the bottomside of the barrel so I can still use and see my beads.

The Lightforce 170 has opened a whole new world of predator hunting for me! A great, solid unit and worth the money.

Moosetrot
 
The light force 170 is a great light for night hunting. I bought a second one after having a switch problem with my original (which was a $4.50 fix). You can never say enough about redundancy. Both lights were bought from Rick at tuff light who is great to deal with, and very informativeif you have any questions.
 
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