Need ID (Sherlock) Help

Hi guys. New here but have been lurking for a while. I spent most of the last few days sifting through the forum reading reviews and trying to narrow my search for a hunting light. I was hoping that you guys could ID the three lights here that I have been considering. I dont mind spending money on a good light, but I want to make sure Im not getting ripped off either :) Basically im looking for a weapon mounted light with low spill and good throw so if you have a better option than what I have below, I am open for suggestions. The specs on the lights are Thanks for the help.

http://www.boondock-outdoors.com/EWT_Kill-lights.html

No specs on this light.

Functions:

  • High Mode used for long range spotlighting or work where intense illumination is required
  • Low Mode used for normal flashlight tasks and every day work
  • Interchangeable Lenses clear, red and green lenses for low impact illumination

Features (All Included):

  • Light Source 5 watt CREE LED light
  • Beam Intensity over 12,000 candelas
  • Length 8"
  • Weight 7.8oz
  • Slide Focusing Head
  • Maximum Beam Distance 240 yards
  • Construction high grade aluminum alloy body
  • Power Source two (2) standard high quality "C" batteries (recommended for best performance)
  • Wrist Band
  • Belt Mount Carrying Case
  • Lenses clear, red and green
  • Water Resistant
  • Side Mount Power Switch
  • Machined End Cap Compartment with extra lens storage
  • Warranty

Functions:
  • High Mode used for long range spotlighting
  • Low Mode used for normal flashlight tasks, going to and from location

Features (All Included):

  • Light Source 5 watt red CREE LED light
  • Beam Intensity over 12,000 candelas
  • Length 4.25”
  • Weight 3.5oz
  • Slide Focusing Head
  • Maximum Beam Distance 200 yards
  • Construction high grade aluminum alloy body
  • Power Source three (3) standard high quality “AAA” batteries (recommended for best performance)
  • Wrist Band
  • Belt Mount Carrying Case
  • Water Resistant
  • End Cap Switch easy access recessed rear mount power button
  • Fits most standard universal gun mounts
  • Warranty

All are unknown to me ecept for the 1st one.

We can help you of course. It would be better if you answer this 1st:

Effective range needed (100m, less or more?!)

Runtime needed

Special optics? (colored lenses)

Type of barrel to mount it on (i'm no expert, but there are many picatinny or something that sounds like and some others)

Welcome Btw. ;)

Need a small one with disposable CR123A battery or want to go the 18650 route with such batteries and decent charger?

Pressure switch? (yes, no, both)

Maximum size allowed? Looking for a very compact?

Umm that would considerally narrow the choices.

Welcome to BLF!

First one looks like HS-802 clone of some sort. There are many clones of that one, one being Brinyte C5 which is available with XM-L both driven at 1.4A and 2.8A.

Same or similar thrower with excellent throw and little spill is Lumapower MRV (and it's many clones) and UF-980L.

If you want NO spill, look into recoil throwers and aspheric throwers. There is a bunch of good threads on BLF about all types that I've mentioned.

I'm not so deep into hunting applications. I own none of these lights, just reporting on what I've read on BLF and other places.

Happy hunting! ;)

Viktor

+1 on the HS-802 clone. Nice light if you want a really thin pencil-type beam with long range, minimal spill, and a really annoying resistor-based high/low mode built into the tailcap switch that requires a second click through low mode to turn it off every time. The other two look like fairly generic lights; the 2C side-switch light would be interesting if it could take P60 drop-ins though...

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas. Ideally, I would like an efficient light that provides a nice tight beam with minimal spill. The "halo" nearest the light should be non-existent if possible. The closer the halo the more chanice it has to light up your surroundings which is not a good thing. if possible I would like to keep the light under $75usd. If I need to spend more to get a beer light than so be it. I have no preference on battery style, and would be looking for best choice for max poweR/light. Thanks for the help, im sure this death topic has been beaten to death. Sorry for all the noob questions and responses.

Edit: I would like minimal modes as well. I don't need a strobe mode ans a hi/lo setting would be perfect. 5 modes is too many. Thx.

You need a recoil thrower or aspheric. Those have no spill. Recoil is probably better if you are going to mount it to a gun, they are designed for that.

Something like HS-009:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/2720

Or similar. There are cheaper alternatives as well.

Viktor

You guys know your stuff, thanks a bunch. Without being too needy, could you guys suggest a light and battery combos that I should be looking for. I dont care what type of batteries they are, im thinking that rechargeable batteries would be the best option. There are sooo many choices out there I dont even know where I would start.

Is the HS-802 the best option for that size light and style?

I do like the recoil lights and will be looking to get one of them as well. So it looks like I will need two lights, one for throw and another one for throw with some spill (ie. hs-802).

The spill from the HS-802 is negligible. You need to check out the C8 if you want a light that has decent throw and still lights up a wider area.

I purchased this light for my brother for Christmas, and it's crazy-bright: http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/c8-xml-t6-900lumen-5modes-led-flashlight-118650-p-6402?rp=032201 - $21.95

He showed it off to some of his work friends and they are asking me to get them ones as well now. The entire kit with decent batteries and a charger would be about $40 from Manafont. My typical target is a white barn about 700' from my house and the C8 illuminated it brightly with a the surrounding area lit as well. My only concern would be mounting it on a rifle; I don't know how well it would handle recoil...

So if I get a c8 and a hs-009 that should cover me. Can I use the same batteries in both. Can you guys recommend a good battery and charger. Thanks again

Batteries:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/protected-trustfire-18650-37v-3000mah-rechargeable-batteries-2pcsset-p-7941

Charger:

http://www.dinodirect.com/trustfire-tr-001-charger-multifunctional-ac100-240v.html?cur=USD

Those are the exact batteries and charger that I have, and I can recommend both. You can seek elsewhere for other stuff, from my experience this combination should work perfectly.

My charger terminates at 4.18V, which is good for battery life, and safe for a few hours more of trickle charge.

Please note, Li-Ion batteries can be dangerous if discharged too low or charged too high. The Red Trustfires 3000 that I recommended have protection, but never ever leave them charging nor the flashlight on unsupervised.

Viktor

Viktor, thank you for all the help. Without trying to be a total noob, how long do they take to charge and how do you know when the charge is complete? I dont want to burn up the batteries the first go.

No shame in being noob. Ask a few questions, try new stuff and soon you are a noob no more. ;)

I cant say with confidence how long it takes to charge depleted TF 3000s. When I got them they were at 3.8V and it took several hours to charge them.

With this charger, from fully depleted (roughly 3 to 3.5V) I'd hazard a guess of maybe 9 hours? Or even 12? Someone that is more familiar with charging currents could probably give a better estimate. I know there are simple formulas out there, but I don't know them by heart.

This charger is rated 500mA. I wanted it to be in that neighborhood because it should be easier on the batteries if you don't force too high current while charging.

For "normal" charge, these TF 3000s should be charged at 1-1.5A, or 1/2 of rated capacity (0.5C). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

About the finished charge, that's easy. When you put a non-full battery in, it will light up red (charging). Once the battery is charged, the charger light will turn green (charged).

Small edit: You can charge batteries independently. Only one, two at once, different charge level, different capacity, and even different types of batteries.

Oh, one safety measure: always check the batteries with a DMM (a voltmeter) before and after charging. Don't ever "just" charge Li-Ions below 2.5V and never use Li-Ions if they were somehow (anyhow) charged above 4.3V.

Viktor

P.S.

Once you get and try out your gear, I'd love to hear opinions! :)

Awesome thanks. I was going to ask about the volt meter to test the cells... I have a digital charger that I can regulate charging current, so this will work out perfect. It's a left over from charging r/c batteries. Guess I need to flex the credit card tomorrow morning. :)

Last thing. From reading the boards it seems like shipping of the items will take a few weeks, is this the norm?

MF usually ships pretty quick (10-15 days), but I fear If you order the charger from DD it might be a while. Might I suggest an upgrade? Take a look at the Xtar WP II, can be sourced from US supplier SBFlashlights.com for under $20. Very well rated charger. There are US sources for batteries, but they will cost a lot more. TF3000 from MF is a good budget priced battery.

I think this is my first purchase line up... I can see how this is addicting, I can't really afford another hobby though :-/ Ah, it's only money right? You can't take it with you lol.

lode dyes this selection look? Are there others I should consider over the lights I have selected?

Protected TrustFire 18650 3.7V 3000mAh Rechargeable Batteries (2pcs/set) $22.70
Sky Ray 1JC8 Q4 LED Flashlight (1*18650) $13.39
UltraFire UF-009 Supreme Dual LED Flood & Recoil Thrower 4-Mode Memory LED Flashlight (1*18650) $43.80
UltraFire C8 XM-L T6 3-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650)

Personally, I'm not digging the SkyRay; for the same money, I would have bought the Dongrui ALL-920 that GarryBunk likes so much. I'm saving my Manafont points now, and should have enough to get that light for free pretty soon... The C8 should be an excellent choice; I just wish the 3-mode had the same driver the Ultrafire 3-mode P60 dropin has. I can't comment on the recoil thrower; I've always wanted one 'just because' but I already have enough throwers, including an aspheric Maglite that would outperform any of the UniqueFire HS-80x lights or the budget recoil lights. For the price, I would have been severely tempted to throw the Small Sun ZY-C10-S in that order... While you are at it, buy this Sky Ray STL V2 so you would have a nice XM-L thrower as well...

(I don't think I'm helping the OP here very much...SealedMoney Mouth)

I will look into those lights you mentioned, i havent placed the order yet… still on the fence about the 009. Thanks for the ideas

I do disagree. The 1JC8 at manafontis very well made with a decent pill and aluminium refelector. Be sure to get the 1 mode or you will regret it for a gun especially if you wish to use a pressure switch (also available at MF for 3usd, and yes fits the skyray, at least did on 3 i had.) The dongrui is heavily overdriven and the pill has yet to be seen to comment on heatsinking. I know the 1JC8 isn't a particularly fancy flashlight in general but it is really nice as a weapon light (if long range is needed).

Any of the others are not really what i would get for a weapon perhaps the C3 if it were 1 mode. Also be sure to get a proper mount since the C8 has a larger head.

Be sure to ask yourself if you really like a multimode light and plan to use a pressure switch. Such combination has always proven to be irritating at best.

I really dont want a multi mode light but it seems like most all of them are MM. If there are other that are not MM im all ears. Hi/low mode would b ideal

Ultimately i need a weapon mounted lite with minimal spill good for positive id at 100m. I also need a search light good for picking up eyes at extended ranges.

**Edit**

Can I make a 5 mode light into a 1 mode light?