Handheld Spotlight

[seekermeister]

After some problems with my vehicle being broken into and vandalized, I moved it to a location where I could see it from my apartment, but recently, the street light above it has become intermittent, being off as much or more than on. I spoke with the apt. management about it, and was left with the feeling that what I got was lip service about replacing it.

Since I have not had any luck with getting a night vision serveilance camera working, I'm considering buying a handheld spotlight, so I can at least take a look if I hear anything suspicious. I have found a few that are affordable, but was surprised at how expensive some are.

Not having any experience with these, I get somewhat confused comparing them, because some only specify a wattage output, and some in candle power, like this one:

1-Million-CP Spotlight - Hand-Held, Cordless - Rechargeable w/ 6-Volt DC Charger - Yellow Optronics Lights GR-100Y

That sounds like a lot, but the price would seem to indicate less that it appears. I want a light that will brightly illuminate an area of ~ 20ft or more at a distance of 100-125ft away.

Most lights do not specify this in a fashion that I understand. Is there a way to evaluate this for my purposes?

 

[boohbah]

there are more powerful lights at a similar price,

Amazon.com: Peak PKC0TN 2.5 Million Candle Power Spotlight: Automotive

apparently cyclops are a recommended brand, but are more expensive at around $40

 

[seekermeister]

Thanks, all of those are in my price range. When I spoke of those too expensive, I found some on eBay going up to $375. I noticed a link at the bottom of your linked page for a 5 million candle power light of the same brand, for only a bit more. When I Googled Cyclops, I found some going up to 18 million cp. Is that why they were recommended, or for some other reason?

 

[seekermeister]

I thought it funny that those ads for the Peak lights said "This item is not for sale in Catalina Island". It makes you wonder what the rich and famous doesn't want anyone to see on their beach or in their bushes?

 

[seekermeister]

I was on the verge of ordering this one:

Amazon.com: Cyclops C18MIL Thor X Colossus 18 Million Candle Power Rechargable Halogen Spotlight: Home Improvement

but after reading the consumer reviews, I had second thoughts. As would be expected, some liked it and some not, but the ones that didn't seemed to have a stronger case. Some in relationship to it's brightness, and other due to it short use time on a charge, and how long it takes to recharge. Some spoke about the lack of manufacturer's support, and the lack of proper packing. I'll have to give it more thought.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Dorcy International 41-4299 220-Lumens Rechargeable LED Flashlight with AC and DC Charging Adaptors: Amazon.com: Home Improvement

 

[seekermeister]

That looks like a pretty good light, but two things bother me...first, the reviews complain that it uses a Ni-Cad battery, thus requires depleting the battery before recharging. Secondly, it is a LED light, which may be okay, but my only experience with LED lights is with some cheap little ones that I bought at AutoZone. I asked whether they were as bright as a regular flashlight light of their type, and was assured that they were...but they are not. This tends to make me doubt that light would produce a sufficiently bright beam at the 200ft distance it claims. I want a light would "blind" the person that I flashed it at.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I have two Dorcy's this rechargeable one and a smaller non-rechargeable. I'm a flashlight nut and I can assure you this is one of my best lanterns and man is it bright. It will hold a charge well and if need run for a long time on it's charge. Plus is small but all aluminum so if you needed to swing it it will make quite an impression, short of my D cell Maglight with it's custom lanyard I carry this.

 

[boohbah]

i had a look at this forum about spotlights and the chap endorses cyclops, thet have a few on amazon.

Cyclops CYC-S6X Thor X Scout 6.5 Million Candle Power Rechargeable Halogen Spotlight Reviewed | Million Candle Power

 

[seekermeister]

I have two Dorcy's this rechargeable one and a smaller non-rechargeable. I'm a flashlight nut and I can assure you this is one of my best lanterns and man is it bright. It will hold a charge well and if need run for a long time on it's charge. Plus is small but all aluminum so if you needed to swing it it will make quite an impression, short of my D cell Maglight with it's custom lanyard I carry this.

I'm sure that it is a good light, but at only 200 lumens, it is not in the class I'm thinking about. Even the Peak light that I linked previously, has something like 1400 lumens, and one person claimed that he replaced the bulb with some kind of automotive bulb, and got up to ~4500 lumens.

 

[seekermeister]

Something that I have been trying to figure out...what is a HID light? I know what HID means on a computer, but not on a light.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

High Intensity Discharge uses an arc in gas to produce light.

 

[seekermeister]

Sound a little like neon, but obviously it must be something more than that.

 

[carwiz]

Usually the cars you see at night with bluish headlights. Very bright. Great lights if you're the driver. Not so much for the folks going the other way. Take a bag a money with you if you have to replace one.

 

[seekermeister]

I'm not having much luck find the perfect light for me. It seems that if I was determined to buy the perfect light, I would have to pay several hundred dollars...or more. I came across one light that was military spec. that had a price tag of ~$1500. Need I say, that is out of my ball park.

 

[carwiz]

Is this light to be used in an vehicle (plug-in) or to carry around (battery powered)? You might check with a boat or RV center. They have hand-held and remote controlled. If it's to carry around, check the sporting goods outlets.

 

[seekermeister]

No, I suppose that I might use it on rare occasion on the vehicle, but my primary intent is to use it from my apartment to observe the vehicle. That would not mean carrying it around much. I want a light that has rechargeable batteries and can recharge from AC (if it could also operate directly from AC without batteries, that would be a plus). I would prefer that the battery wasn't lead acid or ni-cad, but the price of li-ion, but it seems that carries a price toll. I did find a Klein light:

Klein X44 Xenon NiMH Rechargeable Spotlight - Klein Tools

with NIMH batteries, but the lumens is lower than I would like (600). It has a xenon bulb...how does that compare to halogen?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

How far away is your car from your apt. could you use a baby monitor and just listen in ! Then I would fix a powerful beam on the car and flick the light when you hear or see anything odd. It sounds like an area where it doesn't pay to have anything too nice in plan view.......bummer drag !

 

[seekermeister]

I estimate the car at 100-125ft distance. I did see some remote controlled lights, but they were not cheap, and I can't think of a way to place it around the vehicle, except inside of it, and that would not illuminate the area around the vehicle in the fashion that I want. Besides, if I happened to be asleep when they were messing around, the light would just become another target for the thieves.

 

[carwiz]

Wow! That's a very expensive FLASHLIGHT. 600 lumens is not very much. That would be like shining a 60W lamp outside. I thought you were looking for a spotlight.