Can someone recommend a quality zoomable light? Prefer pocket/tactical size, 18650 compatible, BRIGHT. My use for this light would be for finding then zeroing in on owls and critters for photographs.
I would recommend the Uniquefire UF-T20.
http://www.mackerrowphoto.com/night-photography-of-owls
points out the need to avoid white light when doing this
I’ve found it easy to swap in a replacement emitter
http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10007033/1574705-cree-xp-e-1w-620-630nm-red-light-led-emitter-on
http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10007033/1574707-cree-xp-e-1w-580-590nm-yellow-light-led-emitter
into various zoomies (put “zoom” in the search box, upper left corner of the page)
You are absolutely correct in advising discretion when spotlighting owls. I never hold the light on them for long. I use it to focus camera. Great info on red emitters. Gonna get one!
I have a Philips Luxeon Deep Red LED in my UniqueFire UF-T20. Minimal light pollution of the environment and of your night vision. I read Cree has a “photo red”.
The UniqueFire UF-T20 is excellent inside, but its external shape is horrible.