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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Flashlight |
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09/04/2019 01:51PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm shopping for a new flashlight, primarily for duck hunting, but I might bring it to the BWCA if it is light enough. What is a good flashlight that can light up my decoys from 50 yards away or help me navigate the boat in near total darkness? I'm not certain what my budget is yet, but I'm not looking to splurge too much on this either.
09/04/2019 03:13PM
I was thinking about a hand held light, leaning more towards a torch than a spot light. I just don't know how many lumens I need. Often it can be a little foggy and I need to see more detail than if there is a tree in that direction.
It's just frustrating to know how bright I need it but not know how that rates in lumens or if all lumens are the same across lights.
It's just frustrating to know how bright I need it but not know how that rates in lumens or if all lumens are the same across lights.
09/04/2019 03:28PM
For a reasonably priced hand held, I have been using Surefire G2's for a number of years. Small and well built, and like the CR123 battery which does not lose its power in the cold. I often use this when visiting my sister's farm where we have to check for deer in the field before letting the dogs out after dark. Its will be plenty for you to light up a big spread of decoys or find your spot in the cattails at some distance. Flashlights have gotten better, so there may be better ones out there now but I still like my Surefire. About $60. 600 lumens.
That said, I duck hunt from a canoe and have switched from handheld to my Fenix HL60R headlamp. Runs on one lithium battery rechargeable miniUSB or two CR123s. Again, no loss of power in the cold - at all. Used if camping during polar vortex last winter 4 nights and didn't go below 50% power. Its heavier than a standard Petzel or Black Diamond headlamp, but in a very different league for throwing out light. On the brightest of 5 settings, it lights up the bean field better than my Surefire - and it leaves both my hands free to paddle or do whatever. I take this on all my camping trips now. Its a pretty broad beam is my only complaint - I'd rather be able to adjust the beam and make narrower but its still my favorite source of light. About $75. 950 lumens.
That said, I duck hunt from a canoe and have switched from handheld to my Fenix HL60R headlamp. Runs on one lithium battery rechargeable miniUSB or two CR123s. Again, no loss of power in the cold - at all. Used if camping during polar vortex last winter 4 nights and didn't go below 50% power. Its heavier than a standard Petzel or Black Diamond headlamp, but in a very different league for throwing out light. On the brightest of 5 settings, it lights up the bean field better than my Surefire - and it leaves both my hands free to paddle or do whatever. I take this on all my camping trips now. Its a pretty broad beam is my only complaint - I'd rather be able to adjust the beam and make narrower but its still my favorite source of light. About $75. 950 lumens.
09/04/2019 08:01PM
I have a Streamlight ProTac 1L. It runs on a single CR123 battery and it has all Aluminum construction. One switch on the rear of the unit runs high beam, low beam, and strobe. Comes with a nice, secure “holster” for belt carry. This will easily light up your deeks from 50 yards. Overall a very handy unit costing about $50 as I recall. I’ve gifted several to family members and everyone seemed real happy with it— no complaints whatsoever.
09/04/2019 08:40PM
Zebra light. You would want a spot light version if you want to reach out. The head lamps can be hand held or put on the head strap. Most run on one AA battery and have multiple brightness settings. They have free shipping too. ZebraLight
09/04/2019 09:16PM
Jaywalker: "For a reasonably priced hand held, I have been using Surefire G2's for a number of years. Small and well built, and like the CR123 battery which does not lose its power in the cold. I often use this when visiting my sister's farm where we have to check for deer in the field before letting the dogs out after dark. Its will be plenty for you to light up a big spread of decoys or find your spot in the cattails at some distance. Flashlights have gotten better, so there may be better ones out there now but I still like my Surefire. About $60. 600 lumens.
That said, I duck hunt from a canoe and have switched from handheld to my Fenix HL60R headlamp. Runs on one lithium battery rechargeable miniUSB or two CR123s. Again, no loss of power in the cold - at all. Used if camping during polar vortex last winter 4 nights and didn't go below 50% power. Its heavier than a standard Petzel or Black Diamond headlamp, but in a very different league for throwing out light. On the brightest of 5 settings, it lights up the bean field better than my Surefire - and it leaves both my hands free to paddle or do whatever. I take this on all my camping trips now. Its a pretty broad beam is my only complaint - I'd rather be able to adjust the beam and make narrower but its still my favorite source of light. About $75. 950 lumens. "
Agree on the Fenix HL60R. Love how it recharges via USB and your options of batteries - a high quality 18650 it will last nearly 15 hours on a 3500mh 12.6 watt/hr battery throwing 150 lumens. It's my go to light for paddling/portaging at night.
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
09/05/2019 08:37AM
May be inexpensive and unknown brand but on a whim I picked up 2 Ledeak 1200 High Lumens CREE XML-L2 first 1 then the other. Now my Princeton Tec flashlights sit idle.
Very bright and very adjustable (very tight to fairly wide patterns, high and low power, various flash), Lithium battery, charger, and AAA battery pack included. It is a bit heavy but all metal case. Have used both over 2 years now one in Cathy's vehicle 1 in mine. They are a bit heavy but not too bad compared to other aluminum cased torches.
butthead
Very bright and very adjustable (very tight to fairly wide patterns, high and low power, various flash), Lithium battery, charger, and AAA battery pack included. It is a bit heavy but all metal case. Have used both over 2 years now one in Cathy's vehicle 1 in mine. They are a bit heavy but not too bad compared to other aluminum cased torches.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
09/05/2019 09:54AM
On my duck boat I keep a hand held spot light similar to this guy... Hand held spot light
I use it for the ride from the ramp to wherever we're setting up, and then checking the spread once decoys are set. Btw, you mention fog - these lights are near useless in the fog. The glare can be minimized by holding the light outside the gunwale low to the water, and not pointed down at all, but it's still not too helpful in fog.
For everything else, I use a headlight.
I use it for the ride from the ramp to wherever we're setting up, and then checking the spread once decoys are set. Btw, you mention fog - these lights are near useless in the fog. The glare can be minimized by holding the light outside the gunwale low to the water, and not pointed down at all, but it's still not too helpful in fog.
For everything else, I use a headlight.
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” - Henry David Thoreau
09/09/2019 06:54AM
very pleased with Nitecore P12 for handheld. rechargeable 18650 batteries, 1000 lumens max with multiple settings, rugged construction.
as far as a headlamp, Nitecore HC30 works well. Uses rechargeable18650 batteries. 1000 lumens max, multiple settings, Rugged and dependable. Or Zebralight headlamp with either rechargeable 18650, or if you prefer something lighter choose one of their lamps that use AA batteries. Similar features to the NItecore but lighter in weight.
as far as a headlamp, Nitecore HC30 works well. Uses rechargeable18650 batteries. 1000 lumens max, multiple settings, Rugged and dependable. Or Zebralight headlamp with either rechargeable 18650, or if you prefer something lighter choose one of their lamps that use AA batteries. Similar features to the NItecore but lighter in weight.
09/17/2019 09:50AM
I picked up a Peak 10W 700 lumen spot light at Farm & Fleet for $30.
I already have a LED headlamp & flashlight.
I have used this spotlight to light up shore and find my way from well over 100 yards away. Really more like 150-200 yards. It could do second duty as a defense, it will surely blind anybody/anything.
I already have a LED headlamp & flashlight.
I have used this spotlight to light up shore and find my way from well over 100 yards away. Really more like 150-200 yards. It could do second duty as a defense, it will surely blind anybody/anything.
let science, not politics decide, ... but whose science?
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