Recommend me a powerful 12v hand-held spotlight

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I don't have a fixed spotlight on the boat, and don't think I could justify spending £££ for an expensive fixed one however want one for the odd time I need one

So i'm looking for a 12v, big-ass hand-held spotlight that can connect into say a cigarette adapter. Doesn't have to be pretty

Is it possible to get hand-held spotlights that have an adjustable beam? ie. narrow/wide beam?

Inspire me! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I bought the cheapest I could find in my local car parts shop about 20 years ago. It's not used often but always performs when asked. Quite a lot of candle powers but I don't remember how many. Don't buy an expensive one in case you drop it, either overboard or on deck.

The beam doesn't adjust on mine but then I wouldn't expect it to on a cheap one. Why would you want it to?

Unless you are singlehanded, when you don't have much option, I suggest you install an electrical outlet forward, base of mast or foredeck. We found the reflected glare from mast, sails and rigging destroyed the helm's night vision when it was used in the cockpit.
 
As the cockpit is an open sports cruiser (Sealine S23) i've found in the past that the passenger just holds the light up high, there's no glare - I have a really good torch (damn powerful) that accepts a 12v in for permanent power, but because there's a big battery in it, it gets heavy to hold after a while
 
Thank's for that - Looking at the price though, I think i'll just stick with the heavy torch I use at the moment!
 
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Aqua Signal do a 12/24v 50w searchlight

Here

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Totally agree! This is a really fantastic light with an amazing beam. We have had two versions of this aboard for the last 15 or more years. One is the 50w 'pencil' beam which gives long distance illumination, and the second is 35w which has a 'flat', wide angle beam a bit like car fog lamps.

The latter is superb for finding the way through moorings, a buoyed river or narrow creek for example, as the light is not so intense that it significantly affects one's night sight.

Excellent products. (No connection etc)
 
Nightsearcher do some.
They used to do a really cheapo one, but was discontinued before I could get one !
Only problem with the rechargeable ones,is, is it charged? And if you do run it down, no torch for the next 15 hours...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Nightsearcher do some.
They used to do a really cheapo one, but was discontinued before I could get one !
Only problem with the rechargeable ones,is, is it charged? And if you do run it down, no torch for the next 15 hours...

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I'm looking for a 12v one though, as opposed to one with a rechargable battery

I already have a big fupoff Torch with a battery, but that can also be hooked straight into 12v feed - As I said it's great but has an intense narrow beam and gets heavy after a while
 
I have a cheapo one that takes an H1 halogen bulb. At least 15yrs old now. I think they used to be in Argos!
 
We have 10 million candle power which is cool but the 3.5 million is better as a 'spot' light. Best to just try them.
 
ok
but nightsearcher do them...
My other comment was just on torches in general. Sorry perhaps wasnt clear...
 
Blackspur (cheap and cheerful) do a 3 million candle hand-held lamp with an absurdly large reflector (8") - although it's rechargeable, there's also a connector on the handle which allows you to connect directly to 12V.
 
Think that may be the one I have - it has quite a narrow beam, but I reckon it'll do the job
 
The good thing about Nightsearcher 2m candlethingies is that it is not only rechargeable but does also operate direct from a 12v supply. £28 from Machine Mart.

Some rechargeables are rubbish because you get 20 mins and then need a 15 hour recharge.
 
Another vote for Clulite. I've used their products daily, for many years. Robust, durable and British. Very highly recommended.
 
alt
I was in Homebase the other day and they had various spotlights from 1 to 5 million cp and prices from £14.99 to £29.99 (I think).

They were all rechargable type ~ came with a warning about not pointing it at anyone.

Peter.
 
We have a Nitetracker rechargeable 1 million cp one that can also be run whilst plugged in which I bought in the USA 10 years ago. The battery still lasts about 30 minutes but in practice as the use is very intermittent using it's built in trigger switch the battery time is irrelevant, these are not for continuous operation. Ours charges from a 12v cigarette lighter socket or will run from that as well with it's long lead. Ours cost $60 or so back then but I've seen similar in Homebase et al for around a tenner, almost disposable!

Personally I would go with a rechargeable that can run when plugged in as well, but 99% of the time it is much better to have the freedom to use it anywhere unimpeded by leads.

We actually use ours very rarely but it has real merit when needed, such as searching for a visitor buoy on a really really dark night or lighting the sails even flashing the bridge as a steamer waker upper. I have to say that these things are so bright that once used your night vision will be lost for some time, so IMO not for continuous use like a car uses headlights more like for when a taxi driver uses one on the roof for picking up house numbers.
 
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