LED searchlights

[richardabeattie]

I need a new portable searchlight that can be carried onto the foredeck to pick my way through the moorings - the one I have now has a cable and when used from the cockpit too much light bounces off the rigging! So what's best in the way of 12V rechargeables? Are LEDs now as good or better than the old types?

 

[sarabande]

These CREE based torches from Cluson are in common use on farms. Pretty well bullet proof. And BRITISH !

http://clulite.cluson.co.uk/10-led-torches

 

[VicS]

I need a new portable searchlight that can be carried onto the foredeck to pick my way through the moorings - the one I have now has a cable and when used from the cockpit too much light bounces off the rigging! So what's best in the way of 12V rechargeables? Are LEDs now as good or better than the old types?

We always found that a crew member on the bow with a decent ordinary torch was adequate. Certainly never seen the need for these zillion candle power things that blind anyone within a couple of miles.

If you go for a rechargeable you need to have some charging system in place that guarantees that the battery is not flat when you need to use it.

Limited experience with LEDS but I think I would be looking at an LED lantern and alkaline batteries.

 

[ostell]

Got this one from Aldi. Mains and 12 V charging. Reasonable beam, with multiple LEDs, and a work light, though the similar one I bought from the local hardware store has a better focussed beam but only a single LED to do it..

 

[mick]

Led Lenser T7. Powerful spot/flood, and small.

 

[mcframe]

I need a new portable searchlight that can be carried onto the foredeck to pick my way through the moorings - the one I have now has a cable and when used from the cockpit too much light bounces off the rigging! So what's best in the way of 12V rechargeables? Are LEDs now as good or better than the old types?

I'd say yes.

http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/

A LED Lenser P14 (4*AA) suits me (loop of sail-tie webbing screwed to companionway as bracket).

Disclaimer: I err, justified, an M1 and MT7 for keyring & other duties, (+Petzel headtorch) 'cos I'm a torchoholic...

 

[BlueChip]

Led Lenser T7. Powerful spot/flood, and small.

+1 try one of these and you'll never use any other torch. Keep one in my oilies pocket and got one mounted in the cockpit.

 

[Giblets]

Yet another vote for the Lenser T7.

 

[bikedaft]

i got a lenser p7 - not sure what the difference between t and p is?

its magic, and you will never want another torch. except a bigger and more expensive lenser.

also good for rangefinding in the dark cos it goes 200m so if you can see the land you are too close

police buy them rather than use their standard issue

 

[Ruffles]

I have a Lenser T7. It IS excellent but it defaults to high power when you turn it on. Most of the time I use low power which will easily carry 50m and there's a danger of losing night vision while turning it on.

I believe there's a version with continuously variable brightness.

 

[noelex]

An LEd torch is the way to go. There have been a lot of recommendations for Ledlenser, but there are better torches available for similar prices. Look at the range from Fenix.
For boat use size is not too critical and a large reflector will give the torch better throw, which is often useful on a boat.

 

[colvic987]

i use a sealed beam lucas light from old car, and fitted a handle and long flex with a dri plug on end, so i can plug into cockpit driplug fitting....

 

[johna]

Torch on boat

i use a sealed beam lucas light from old car, and fitted a handle and long flex with a dri plug on end, so i can plug into cockpit driplug fitting....

Now this is a real PBO approach that seems to have been lost these days.

Looking at the links in some of these LED torch posts show prices of £48+ I would not want a torch of this value at any time and especially not in a cockpit at night.

 

[landlockedpirate]

I also have a Lenser P7, floorless as a torch. But I use the LED Clu-Briter as a spotlight, its got a slightly wider beam and I feel a bit better penetration when using it at the 200-300m range.

They are rechargable and waterproof.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I have the TRIO Nightsearcher LED Rechargeable ~ £30 , 15 hours on one charge, very bright, long beam (half a mile), excellent quality, keeps its charge even when not in use for months. Good piece of kit.

 

[micha571]

We carry a Fenix TK15. Great light, good spot, very bright. Has different "stages" of brightness. Not too expensive.

 

[2Tizwoz]

A few people are pleased with the Lenser but its only 200 lumens.

I bought one of these. 1400 lumens.

Five modes including SOS. Lithium batteries which hold their charge for prolonged periods without attention and a waterproof alloy case with adjustable focus from flood to spotlight.

£21 from ebay

 

[Pleiades]

Search light

If it is a searchlight you are after as opposed to a powerful torch then I have not found anything to compare with the Led Lenser X21. I have tried it against a 6 cell Maglite, a Ronson 6 volt rechargeable and one of those Halfords Yellow 2 million candle power jobbies.
The Led Lenser is in a completely different league - on it's half power setting it was about three times brighter than any of the others and on full power it is astonishly bright. It is better on it's flood setting (wide beam) than the others on their spot beam. For example, on passing Itchenor Sailing Club I could light up all the boats on the entire length of Itchenor Reach when coming up there in a foul black night when visibility was about nil. If looking for a buoy, mark or something/ someone in the water it could be simply fantastically effective. Given that it is reasonably water resistant, beautifully made and extremely durable I think it is worth the £211 or thereabouts. Comes with a sling for hands- free use which I think is essential.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5

 

[noelex]

If it is a searchlight you are after as opposed to a powerful torch then I have not found anything to compare with the Led Lenser X21. I have tried it against a 6 cell Maglite, a Ronson 6 volt rechargeable and one of those Halfords Yellow 2 million candle power jobbies.
The Led Lenser is in a completely different league - on it's half power setting it was about three times brighter than any of the others and on full power it is astonishly bright. It is better on it's flood setting (wide beam) than the others on their spot beam. For example, on passing Itchenor Sailing Club I could light up all the boats on the entire length of Itchenor Reach when coming up there in a foul black night when visibility was about nil. If looking for a buoy, mark or something/ someone in the water it could be simply fantastically effective. Given that it is reasonably water resistant, beautifully made and extremely durable I think it is worth the £211 or thereabouts. Comes with a sling for hands- free use which I think is essential.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5

Virtually all the well made, much smaller led torches, with a single led, will be much, much brighter than the torches you have compared to the x21.
If you compared it to say Fenix tk70 you would find the x21 is about half as bright, unregulated (so the light level will drop off rapidly), less waterprof, softer type 2 anodising, plastic (rather than antireflective coated glass lenses), fewer light levels, shorter run time and its more expensive in most countries.
If you have never seen a good led torch the Ledlenser range is very impressive, but their are better alternatives.

 

[davidpbo]

I bought a 3 watt LED torch from Aldi which I have been very pleased with. Well made, 2 AA batteries. £10.99 or so. Want more when they get them in again.

50 + metre range, arc eye if you ignore the warning and look into it. Perhaps not what op is looking for but a very useful but of kit on and off the boat.