Excellent Portable Spotlight

Casey · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 10:12 am Post subject: Excellent Portable Spotlight

Several months ago, during my last trip to Lake Powell, I had to re-anchor to a better location during the dark-of-night. Although I had pre-marked some GPS waypoints that helped avoid nearby hazards, it turned out that my very good "dive flashlight" wasn't up to the job; I needed a good spotlight.

After looking at several spotlights I decided on a rechargeable LED spotlight made by "Dr. LED" for West Marine:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=10926442&langId=-1

It seems very well made, floats, handy sized, and recharges from either 110V or 12V.

If you're looking for a spotlight - check it out.

Casey

hardee · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject:

Casey,

Number one question

Is it BRIGHT Idea

Personally, I have pretty much given up on rechargable spot lights. I have gone through 3 and the batteries do not seem to hold up. Yep, tried recharging regularly, but in the end, the spot light use is just not often enough to keep em working. I use a 2M cp that plugs into the cigarette power plug, and has a 10ft cord. works when it is plugged in, every time. I also use a small, LED head lamp. It is pretty effective, out to about 75 yards. Maybe your LED battery one will work better. Hope so.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Dreamer · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject:

I figure that one can usually get a better deal than at West Marine, where their moto is "Never Pay Retail Again". I looked around and just ordered one of These They're about half the price and they get rave reviews for long battery life and a powerful beam. We'll see Rolling Eyes

localboy · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject:

I'd like to know how it works, Roger. I have a cigarette lighter one I used to use on patrol that's says it's "1 million candle-power"...whatever that means but something wireless has more appeal.

Aurelia · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 7:28 pm Post subject:

We have been happy with this one for a couple of years and it seems to be holding a charge well enough and comes with both charging options. It's not LED but I have a smaller backup one of those as well.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/power-tools/VEC156BD.aspx

Casey · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject:

Is it bright(?) ... YES! Amazingly so....

How long will it actually last? Who knows, but I plan to give it a work-out. The battery is NiMH, so the typical NiCad "memory" shouldn't be an issue.

By the same token I chose to buy WM's extra two year warranty for $23. If the light goes T/U for whatever reason I take it back to a WM store for an exchange.

I'm sure there are other decent spotlights out there, but this one seemed a nice combination of size, portability and power.

...so far I've mostly played with the red laser beam (fun, fun, fun).

Casey

Doryman · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

I got burned on a Black & Decker spotlight I bought that could not be left plugged in without damaging the unit. I would look carefully at any future spotlights with that in mind.

The West Marine unit is made by Dr. LED. I have examined their products at Fisheries Supply and have read good things about them. I almost bought a highly-rated Dr. LED spotlight there which costs $6 more than the West Marine unit. They look identical except for the color and the specs are the same.

Warren

Robbi · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 9:01 pm Post subject:

For me, the most important feature of a spot light is that it have a narrow beam of light. If it does not, the "stray" light reflects off of the white gel coat of the boat and blinds you. I had one that I had to hold out at arms length away from the hull and it still refected light into my eyes. I have a 3 D cell Maglite that works much better
Second, is the measure of brightness. The Doctor LED spot from WM produces 500 Lumens and it seems to be concentrated in a narrow beam. The Cyclops is rated at 240 Lumens. Not sure about the shape of the beam.

Robbi

localboy · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 9:34 am Post subject:

Have to agree w/ Robbi. The ones on our patrol cars have a very slim beam of light and even those can be blinding & ruin night vision. Add fog or drizzle and it gets worse.

breausaw · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject:

I was just looking at this spot light on WM’s website last night, have some WM credit to burn up from a prop return and it’s just burning a hole in my pocket. Don’t often have much use for a spot light here because it’s light most of the boating season. Fact is I dig flashlights and this one seems to have some nice features.

thataway · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 12:15 am Post subject:

Looks like a great light. I have yet to burn out a bulb on any of the many spot lights I have. Usually the battery dies at some point--and it has been cheaper to buy a new light than replace the battery. I have several lights which are considerably less expensive and are lasting well.
One is a "Peak"--which I am guessing is somewhere about 400 lumen (2.5 million CP??) (I am comparing with an expensive tactical light which I know is 270 lumen)
and a Vector which is 3 brighteness and 1 million CP--and about 300 Lumen (again an estimate). I like the lights which allow charging directly from a 110 V extension cord (Hard to keep track of those chargers).

Agree with the narrow beam--important.