Best hunting weapon light

[nova3930]

Total losses in output depends on both the LED and the filter. Here is the XM-L2 spectral distribution graph I referenced before along with a visible light spectrum added at the bottom, most lights will be using the 5000K-83000K CCT (aka Cool White) LED's:


Green light is generally around 510-560 nanometers in wavelength, red runs from around 640nm to about 700nm.

Unfortunately most filters will not allow the entire range to pass through -in fact, even at it's peak designed wavelength most decent filters only let through about 85% of the light IIRC. The only saving grace for using a filter on something like the XM-L2 is its frankly beastly luminous flux; of course then you run into the issues of surface brightness and viewing angle which are working against you when trying to collimate that light into a reasonably tight beam for spotting/hunting.

The physics of it makes perfect sense now that I think about it. It's facially obvious really that the most efficient way to get red light is just to use a red led to start. Any other way you're using a lot of power generating light you're stripping out.

[lobstradomus]

I use the VRL-1 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E63M7I0/...l_8nrkeefl2n_e

Interesting, it looks like they took the standard Uniquefire/Singfire/Orion/etc. clone and gave it a bit of quality control with better o-rings and included a whole lot of accessories. I would be careful with the battery charger though, the Trustfire/Cytac/etc. units seem to have a history of issues with not actually terminating the charge and could damage the batteries.


Another option for the OP would be a custom modded setup like this one: http://www.customlites.com/Solarforc...L-M3-COLOR.htm plus a host body and mount.

[BJV]

As an alternative to white light, has anyone tried hunting with a laser designator like the Laser Genetics ND5?

http://www.lasergenetics.com/nd5_mini.aspx