Handheld search light for backcountry SAR team

AHERRINGTON

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Joined
Jan 8, 2017
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6
Hello, my SAR team is looking for a handheld flashlight. We are running Zebra headlamps (18650), so I would like to standardize with that battery system. Our area is mountainous with dense undergrowth, but we also have fields, rivers, and lakes. Reliability is a top priority and this would be used to illuminate areas outside the throw of our headlamps when needed.

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light in person from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__X_This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :)

____I don't know yet
____Up to $25.
____Up to $50.
__X_Up to $100.
____Up to $200.
____Up to $300.
____Essentially unlimited.


3) Format:

____I am not sure, please help me decide.
__X__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
____I want a self-contained headlamp.
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)
____I want a lantern/area light.
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).
____Other ____________________________________________


4) Size:

____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
__X__SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
__X__MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.
____I don't know/I don't care.


5) Emitter/Light source:

__X_LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).


7) What power source do you want to use?

____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Alkaline batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
____I don't know/I need more information on power sources.

7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)
__X__I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)
____I don't care


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
__X_I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).

__X__SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.


9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.

____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
__X__Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
__X__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
__X__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).




11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
_X___Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't know.


12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):

____Any size switch will do.
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
 
Last edited:

parametrek

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Apr 3, 2013
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578
Armytek Barracuda perhaps. Or their Predator Pro if you want something smaller.
 

colight

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Dec 6, 2013
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I going to recommend four possibilities to you, all from Fenix. They are a reputable brand with a very good backup warranty. They are: the Fenix TK20R, then more recent ones: the UC52, the UC35 V2.0 and lastly the PD35 TAC (which stands for tactical). The first three all have built-in recharging, but if you're going to get a dedicated charger you can get rechargeable batteries, which is why I suggested the PD35 TAC. So far I've seen only good feedback from the first and the latter, while the other two are still fairly new and not much news is available on those. I have only Fenix lights myself, one of them the PD35 V2.0 - similar to the UC35 I suggested but without the built-in charging ability - and can vouch for them. I'm sure there will be other recommendations as well, but these are definitely worth checking out.
 

Timothybil

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Messages
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Location
The great state of Misery (Missouri)
The Nitecore P30 seems to be a good fit. It is a single 18650 light with a larger the normal reflector for really good throw. As a single cell light, it fits nicely on a belt with the included holster, or it could be fastened to a pack with the included MOLLE straps. Its rated throw is 600 meters, so it should make at least 300 yds of really usable throw. I like mine a whole lot. One really nice feature is that the spill is just bright enough to let you see the area outside the main beam without overpowering the beam, so one can see all the details at the end of the beam as well as the area closer in. Best of all, with some judicious searching one should be able to find one for around $50 USD, and maybe even less if you are buying enough together at one time.
 

TheShadowGuy

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Jun 10, 2015
Messages
365
The Emisar D1S would be worth looking at. Besides fitting well within budget (you could buy 2 and still be in budget!), it has excellent throw, small size, and can come in a warmer tint.

The Armytek Barracuda Pro would meet your throw requirements, plus is extremely durable. It is slightly above budget though. It also comes in a warmer tint.

I mention warmer tint because it makes it easier to pierce through fog and see your target at a distance.
 

Keitho

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Jun 7, 2017
Messages
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Location
CO, USA
I really want to second the D1s recommendation, but I'm afraid that the ramping UI might lead to unpredictable runtimes at the wrong times. I thought that an L16, or an L30 might be a nice choice.
 

DVH8

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May 15, 2018
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Denver CO USA
Something to consider: If your SAR work involves snow and avalanche beacons, the switching power supplies in LED lights can interfere with the beacon receivers. Depending on the design, switching them to full power MAY eliminate the interference if the switching driver is bypassed. Best to test when you're doing practice, but also know that temperature will also affect where in the RF spectrum the noise is emitted, so a light that performs well in a summer drill may deafen your receiver in winter. Avy beacon receivers are looking for a VERY weak signal, and unfortunately many switching power supplies radiate a lot of noise right across our frequency band.
 

Timothybil

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The great state of Misery (Missouri)
Something to consider: If your SAR work involves snow and avalanche beacons, the switching power supplies in LED lights can interfere with the beacon receivers. Depending on the design, switching them to full power MAY eliminate the interference if the switching driver is bypassed. Best to test when you're doing practice, but also know that temperature will also affect where in the RF spectrum the noise is emitted, so a light that performs well in a summer drill may deafen your receiver in winter. Avy beacon receivers are looking for a VERY weak signal, and unfortunately many switching power supplies radiate a lot of noise right across our frequency band.
Would one get the same interference with a constant current driver? The P30 I recommended does not use PWM, and utilizes a constant current driver circuit. I don't know anything else about the driver except that it obviously is a boost one.

You did raise a good point though, and one that most of use would have never had any inkling about. I can imagine the head scratching and frustration trying to find where the interference was coming from if you had not brought it to our attention.
 

flphotog

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Aug 7, 2017
Messages
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The Nitecore P30 seems to be a good fit. It is a single 18650 light with a larger the normal reflector for really good throw. As a single cell light, it fits nicely on a belt with the included holster, or it could be fastened to a pack with the included MOLLE straps. Its rated throw is 600 meters, so it should make at least 300 yds of really usable throw. I like mine a whole lot. One really nice feature is that the spill is just bright enough to let you see the area outside the main beam without overpowering the beam, so one can see all the details at the end of the beam as well as the area closer in. Best of all, with some judicious searching one should be able to find one for around $50 USD, and maybe even less if you are buying enough together at one time.

I'd go with the P30 as well, I have one and love it
 

AHERRINGTON

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Joined
Jan 8, 2017
Messages
6
Thanks to all. I will check all those options out

DVH8 - No avalanche beacons in our area, but that is really good info I was not aware of.
 

cp2315

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Aug 18, 2011
Messages
329
Location
New Jersey
You can also check out pflexpro website for the Austin police light. There is a very impressive video review/ torture test done that you can find by googling "Austin police pflexpro ". That shows how reliable they are built.
 

bykfixer

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Dust in the Wind
With lots of dense woods and under growth a bright, wide broadcast beam is going to be a drag.
Realizing speed is key and broader broadcast is ideal, it becomes a nuisance when trying to pick out details beyond the objects nearby being brightly lit. Especially when looking into the distance.

Trouble is, these days too many light makers are focusing on broad, even output.
A narrow hotspot without a lot of spill will best serve in the thick stuff. Your night adapted vision at the peripherals remains more intact with a narrower beam so when light hits objects at a distant the visual cues are noticed quicker than when everything near you is lit up from side to side. At 20 feet or so it is not as noticeable, but finding a darker object at a distance of say, 50 yards the pencil beam becomes more suitable.

The 320 SureFire G2x Pro is perhaps one of the best suited flashlights for search and rescue except for the 18650 request.

I would say the 360 lumen Streamlight Strion would be the next choice, except it charges in a cradle.

An Elzetta Bones can use an 18650, but that's beyond your price point.

Thinking.... thinking.... nope, drawing a blank here.

Check out Pelicans website to see if their lineup has a light that checks your boxes. They make great stuff with folks like you in mind.

Oh, and welcome to CPF.
 

Timothybil

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Joined
Nov 9, 2007
Messages
3,662
Location
The great state of Misery (Missouri)
With lots of dense woods and under growth a bright, wide broadcast beam is going to be a drag.
Realizing speed is key and broader broadcast is ideal, it becomes a nuisance when trying to pick out details beyond the objects nearby being brightly lit. Especially when looking into the distance.

Trouble is, these days too many light makers are focusing on broad, even output.
A narrow hotspot without a lot of spill will best serve in the thick stuff. Your night adapted vision at the peripherals remains more intact with a narrower beam so when light hits objects at a distant the visual cues are noticed quicker than when everything near you is lit up from side to side. At 20 feet or so it is not as noticeable, but finding a darker object at a distance of say, 50 yards the pencil beam becomes more suitable.
That's one of the reasons I like the Nitecore P30 so much. It has a very nice tight center beam, with just enough spill to the sides to make one aware of what is there without overpowering one's eyes to the point they can't make out details at the end of the center beam.

The only way one is really going to know how well a light works for you is to actually try it. Spend the $50 and get a P30. If it doesn't work for SAR, it is still a nice light to EDC, keep in a BOB, or leave in one's vehicle (I would use CR123s for that though).
 

bykfixer

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I've met several rescue workers at traffic accidents who like NiteCore products. Not familiar with which models and all that, but it seems like they get good service from them.
 

Poppy

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Dec 20, 2012
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Northern New Jersey
I'd like to suggest that you take a look at the Convoy C8 with the XPL Hi.
Some refer to it as the C8+
It's about $20, does about 1000 lumens, has a larger head, but is still small enough to carry, while humping your pack all day long.
Here is a video review with a comparison to other lights.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...nvoy-C8-(4K-vid-review)&p=5213857#post5213857

One might also consider that lumens are addable, or summable. In other words, if a person aims one light at a distant object it'll return a certain lux. If he aims another of the same light, he'll get double the lux in return.

On the other hand, if your team will need something to reach out across the valley, you may want something more powerful. Yet you may need binoculars to make out whatever you can light up. Depending upon the number of members of your SAR team, you might want to have every third or forth member carry a really long distance light, something that is larger than an EDC and that will consume batteries more rapidly than your Zebras.

You might look in Vinh's section for really high output throwers,
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?140-Vinhnguyen54
 
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