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Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:34 am
by OleMsVa
In the market for a new handheld plug-in spotlight for my rig. What are some opinions?

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:48 am
by deltadukman
In my serach for the same thing, I have found that "best" "spotlight" and "rechargeable" should not be used in the same sentence...every rechargeable spotlight I have ever seen runs out too quick and after multiple recharges, the run time seems to get shorter....fwiw, we rigged a plug in type spotlight with some extra cord to run the length of the boat, cut the cigarette plug off and put a male trolling motor plug and use my trolling motor battery to run my spotlight...alot more "sturdy" than a cigarette plug or alligator batter clips.

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:56 am
by OleMsVa
Thanks for the correction, wasn't thinking when I typed my message. We've always run a plug in spotlight...so that's what I am looking for suggestions on: Best Plug-in Handheld Spotlight

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:08 am
by deltadukman
Oh just the regular ole million+ Qbeam(yellow and black)....cheap

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:10 am
by SHANE704
anything 1 million cp or better will do...the main thing to look at is weight. Holding a heavy spotlight up gets old quick, make sure to buy the lightest one possible and also get one that has a switch not the lil trigger that turns them on and off

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:16 am
by DeltaCotton12
We use the light dukman is referring to I believe. Black light with yellow switch. 1 million candle with the plug in. Very light and bright. Has worked well for us. The guy on the front holding the light is one hell of a wind breaker on those extra cool mornings coming across the river!

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:17 am
by Trip
Cyclops light from Cabelas for $29.99

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:17 am
by Take 'em
try to find one with an HID bulb at 1M cp. It is amazing how big of a difference it is compared to the the ones that give off the yellowish light

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:22 am
by MrGoodtime
Check out the el-cheapo black and decker w-mart is selling for 20 bucks, it's made just like the streamlight that uses 4 c batteries, i've been useing one all deer season for tracking and working around the house and havent changed the batteries yet, it is bright as heck, and last for 70 hrs on high and 120hrs on low

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:39 am
by chevy01234

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:46 am
by OleMsVa
Jody - Man that first link looks nasty, not sure I feel 100% confident replicating it though. Wish I could buy one like that.

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:14 am
by cuttemalljack
I use an optroxix 500,000 candlepower. The lesser candlepower makes it cut through fog better than the one million candlepower. Just my opinion and experience

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:44 am
by Tedl10
Trip wrote:Cyclops light from Cabelas for $29.99


+1, three million candle light power and it's half the size of a normal q-beam.

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:54 am
by drake slayer
Yea we bought that black and decker one morning at like 2:30 cause the other light we had broke. Didnt expect the light to be so good and it has lasted longer than I thought as well.

Re: Best Handheld Spotlight for Boat?

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:55 am
by blgros1
Nah boyz, i've gone thru a few of them and i'd have to say this rig im using now is the cats booty. It's a hard hat with a 66,0000 candle power sealed beam tractor headlight on it. i put gator clips on it. hands free and the cord runs 20 foot so i can jump out the front of my boat and grab a frog. the candle power doesnt seem much but the sealed beam is the key. never going back to that other bull chit. end of subject