Two neat hobbies…plus flashlights makes three!
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the deep red 660nm in person but it’s really nice. Most of what’s on the market will be the lower wavelength reds. I think for spotting owls or things in trees, the deep red can be a little more difficult to pick them out quickly, depending, while the lighter reds are a tad easier on the eyes for that purpose. When you’re talking about critter spotting, do you mean while out night hiking and such, so distances that are shorter/medium…or only for closer distances like when something rustles nearby and you want to peek around? Or longer range spotting for deer or coyotes or lions that probably won’t be very close to you?
I think the S2+ is a solid choice, and if you like the fatter body for the 26650 cells then the S11 will be pretty much like you’ve said. For up close use, the larger reflector on the S11 will produce a brighter hot spot, so that could get a little irritating if you’re not in the lowest modes. With his 12-group drivers you can probably find something you like…and if 100% is toooo bright you can pick one of the 50% max modes if you want (and configure those for either low-to-high or high-to-low sequence).
He also has the M1 model available in red, as well as the C8 style. The M1 is 18650 and basically the same as the S2+ with a larger head…bigger and deeper reflector, better cooling/cooling fins, and will put out more light at a distance than the S2 + will…but it’s still fairly compact and pocketable, plus that wider head will allow for more stability if you want to stand the light on a car or table that might not be quite level. The C8 is a larger head still and will give a pretty tight beam to reach out but still have a lot of useful spill light around your feet and such. For all around, the S11 or M1 might be the choice but if you need to reach out farther for critters, maybe consider the C8.
The SST-20 660nm will have a little broader beam (in the same light model) than the Osram CSLNM1.23 620nm. They’re both small but the Osram has a smaller actual surface that the light emits from, so it will give a tighter beam all things considered. I think he offers all the models in either emitter but if it’s not listed you can message him and he’ll get you what you want. The M1 is only in black but the S2+ and C8+ have lots of body colors to choose from if you want to differentiate the red light from others, or yours from other peoples’ lights.
M1: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802569407821.html
C8: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801433222841.html
Some other options are the lights from Hank…branded as either Emisar or Noctigon depending on model. He’s a little bit pricier but his drivers are a bit better and he uses the fancy Anduril firmware which allows you a TON of configuration options and features that no other firmware has. Most of his lights have 3 or 4 emitters but you can still get pretty low moonlight levels, and when the light is in lockout mode you can even have two different low/moon settings to choose from without risking really bright light accidentally. Anduril is complex and takes some getting used to but once you set up the light how you like it you don’t really have to remember or mess with settings. If you want only one or two modes, you can do it, or you can have ten modes, or you can use the smooth ramping and even limit the lowest and highest light levels on the ramp. They have tiny rgb aux emitters in addition to the main ones, and you could have those at different brightnesses, solid or flashing, just one color or a rainbow (the aux lights are kinda fun but they can be useful, too, and they can be turned off completely). He also has a more efficient “boost” driver that allows for a more steady output and longer run times if you’re using the light for longer periods at a time…however I’m not sure if that’s of much help on the red emitters….maybe (if spending the money on the boost driver upgrade is a waste for red, he’ll tell you so). These multi-emitter lights are more floody and don’t reach out as far unless they’re at higher mode levels, so quite a bit different than the normal reflectors that most lights and those Convoys use. He does have a single emitter version that (some assumption here since I don’t own that one) would probably behave like the C8 with a longer reaching beam, but a much more compact flashlight. Some other customization options, too, but they start adding up in price. Very nice lights, though, as long as the Anduril is something you can enjoy over more basic firmware/modes.
I’ll link a few models…in the dropdown boxes for the emitters he lists the SST Red for most…and like Convoy he’ll make you what you want if some combination isn’t listed. Have to pay for shipping, but it’s fast and dependable shipping compared to most on Aliexpress.
18650 4 emitters: Emisar D4V2 High Power LED Flashlight
26650 4 emitters: Emisar D4SV2 26650 High Power LED Flashlight
18650 4 emitters with a tail switch instead of side switch: Noctigon KR4 QUAD TAIL E-SWITCH 18650 EDC LED FLASHLIGHT
18650 single emitter thrower: New Emisar D1 mini pocket thrower - LED Flashlights
A small AA pocket light like the SP10 Pro from Jon would maybe be the most useful thing to always have around and you can use any chemistry you have or can find.
