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Old 18-10-2014, 02:57   #1
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Handheld LED Spotlight

I'm looking at buying one of these handheld LED spotlights and wonder if anyone can recommend a brand or model. How many lumens is optimal?

This one seems good..."Brinkmann MaxFire Q-Beam LED Marine Rechargeable Spotlight"

Thanks!
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Old 18-10-2014, 03:29   #2
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Black & Decker LED Spotlight - Walmart.com

Best $15 ever spent (for handheld light)
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Old 18-10-2014, 03:31   #3
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Will really depend on how much you want to spend. There are some crazy bright LED spots out there but can cost a few hundred bucks.

I've owned several Q Beams over the years and thought they were OK but the switches tended to be a bit flaky, especially in salt water.
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Old 18-10-2014, 09:29   #4
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Do the LEDs really provide a true "spot" light with a focused beam?

I use my spot light mostly for momentarily lighting up buoys or other hazards ahead. I don't want to ruin my night vision lighting up the whole fore deck.

I'm a big fan of LEDs but they do seem to put out a diffused light that's caused me to shy away from LED spotlights.
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Old 18-10-2014, 09:39   #5
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Never had any luck getting a Qbeam to last very long at all.

Bought a Streamlight Waypoint rechargeable last year and have been very pleased with the brightness, battery, and build quality. Not cheap, but worth it in quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-44...oint+spotlight
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Old 18-10-2014, 10:00   #6
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReMetau View Post
Never had any luck getting a Qbeam to last very long at all.

Bought a Streamlight Waypoint rechargeable last year and have been very pleased with the brightness, battery, and build quality. Not cheap, but worth it in quality.

Streamlight 44910 Waypoint Spotlight with 120-volt AC Charger, Yellow - Basic Handheld Flashlights - Amazon.com

Not really endorsing the Q-Beam, like I said they seem kind of cheap, but I have a couple that are 30 years old that work fine after I replaced the POS switch that was flaky from the very beginning.

Beam diffusion and scatter is an issue with a lot of the cheaper LED lights but I've seen a few that made a nice spot, almost like a laser beam. I think the secret is the right reflector or using fewer high power LEDs (expensive) vs a bunch of low power (cheap).
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Old 18-10-2014, 10:03   #7
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom View Post
Do the LEDs really provide a true "spot" light with a focused beam?

I use my spot light mostly for momentarily lighting up buoys or other hazards ahead. I don't want to ruin my night vision lighting up the whole fore deck.

I'm a big fan of LEDs but they do seem to put out a diffused light that's caused me to shy away from LED spotlights.
You can models with quite a collimated beam. These are not the models with multiple 5mm LEDs, but a single chip LED.

I just took this photo for you. The rocks are 200 m away.
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Old 18-10-2014, 10:05   #8
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See Panbo review on the Marinebeam LED...

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2014/0...e_admired.html

I am hoping this makes its way to my Xmas list...
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Old 18-10-2014, 10:07   #9
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptTom View Post
Do the LEDs really provide a true "spot" light with a focused beam?

I use my spot light mostly for momentarily lighting up buoys or other hazards ahead. I don't want to ruin my night vision lighting up the whole fore deck.

I'm a big fan of LEDs but they do seem to put out a diffused light that's caused me to shy away from LED spotlights.
The one I referenced above has a very focused beam. It's great for spotting markers. They have underwater models also.
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Old 18-10-2014, 16:51   #10
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

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Originally Posted by noelex 77 View Post
You can models with quite a collimated beam. These are not the models with multiple 5mm LEDs, but a single chip LED.

I just took this photo for you. The rocks are 200 m away.
OK, I'm convinced! What model was that?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Norskip View Post
See Panbo review on the Marinebeam LED...

Panbo: The Marine Electronics Hub: Marinebeam: Ultra Long Range LED flashlight tested, MarineKinetix wind turbine admired

I am hoping this makes its way to my Xmas list...
That IS pretty amazing. Pricey though, especially considering...

Quote:
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The one I referenced above has a very focused beam. It's great for spotting markers. They have underwater models also.
That's the $15 Wally World special? OK, that's a no-brainer!
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Old 18-10-2014, 16:57   #11
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

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....
That's the $15 Wally World special? OK, that's a no-brainer!
Exactly! Bought a couple 2 years ago, still going strong.
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Old 19-10-2014, 00:24   #12
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

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OK, I'm convinced! What model was that?
It a model made by Thrunite called a Catapult V2.

A good torch/flashlight is a great bit of saftey equipment.

I would suggest a relatively large and bright model for boat use. They all have multiple levels so you can always turn it down if needed, but to pick out some rocks when coming into an anchorage, or to wake up another boat that is dragging lots of lumens can be useful.

Fenix make some good quality, but reasonably priced products.
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Old 19-10-2014, 00:30   #13
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

I made a bracket for mine so it can hang just inside the companionway.
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Old 19-10-2014, 02:08   #14
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

Quote:
Originally Posted by noelex 77 View Post
You can models with quite a collimated beam. These are not the models with multiple 5mm LEDs, but a single chip LED.

I just took this photo for you. The rocks are 200 m away.
And here is one with multiple LEDS and with a 10 degree beam. Not cheap and you have make the holder and switch as well, but pretty darn bright
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Old 19-10-2014, 02:52   #15
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Re: Handheld LED Spotlight

yep we have the fenex TK41 which takes 8 good quality rechargable AA batteries. really bright and has a few settings, waterproof to 1m or so, 900 lumins. We also have a smaller
Riff TL-WW wide beam dive torch that has its own rechargable battery, plus a dexter rechargable that can swap batteries with the cordless drill and recipro saw.
The FENIX is good quality at about $200
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