Spotlight recommendations?

[GotALunker]

Hail you flashlight king! (you like my garage logic reference? love that show!)

Anyway, I'm in the market for a spotlight, and I'm looking for your thoughts on a good one to get. I don't really want to spend a ton of money as it wont probably get used very often so I'm thinking in the 30-50 dollar range...

I'm not sure on a minimum of candlepower either or if I even need to be concerned about that...

basically I'll use it for navigation at night on lakes I'm not familiar with where there might be buoys or other obstructions involved.

[DTro]

Since night time is the right time, I have a few thoughts for you.

First of all, be careful buying a cheap rechargeable spotlight. You will end up throwing the thing away. I prefer a direct connection.

Second look into LED and HID technology, it costs a bit more but worth every cent.

I've seen a lot of spotlights over the years and currently I do believe this one here is a great choice.

Stanley 5W LED. Durable, waterproof (floats), small enough to throw in a tackle bag and the first time you see it throw a beam of light, you will say WOW!

And best of all around $20

[lakeshoremunster]

I would look for a led light with the cree bulb, those cree bulbs are nice and bright.

[Jacob]

I have gone through so many dang spotlights throughout the years...I finally figured it out, buy one that only plugs into the cirgarete lighter in your boat (no batteries)and you never have to worry about the batteries dying or getting low. I bought a cheapy 4 years ago and it's still going strong.

[Hookey]

Someone on this site turned me on to a headlight made by Coast. Sold at Lowes this high power led light throws a beam that can be focused or dimmed. Works great in the ice house, on the water in the woods and under the car .

It might replace the hand held , check Lowes Coast H7

[SalmonSlayer]

Anyone seen the Guidesman HID light at Menards? Claims up to 1500 lumens, plugs directly into cig lighter outlet for direct power. Stanley has a the same light in yellow I guess, same manufacturer, different branding.

Link to light

[dan z]

Fixed lights with male and females ends so you can remove them, hook them to the bow and stern lights and they'll turn on with them. Doing some upgrades on you wires wouldn't hurt if you went this route. Look up lighting for catfish boats and you'll se some great ideas.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I was going to suggest that you post this in the Cat forum, but seeing that DTRO already replied, I would seriously consider his thoughts.

[Alagnak]

+1 on the yellow Stanley. I've tried multiple plug in ones and cordless ones and this one is brighter, smaller, waterproof, cheap, and holds a charge for a long time.

[ozzie]

I bought a black n decker ION spotlight and it kicks but for a rechargable!!! It lights up a field or a lake but it is smaller and lightweight to carry around and with the ION batteries the charge lasts a long time. I used mine a few times in the portable fishhouse by locking the trigger and pointing it at the ceiling and then pushing in a dimmer. It hasn't gone dead on me yet and I have ran the thing for 3 hours straight. Oh and it comes with a cig adapter also

[FishinLogician]

I purchased the Menard's HID unit. Have not had the chance to use it on the river for a night yet but it works well so far. I returned the first one as the bulb was misaligned and there was no way into the unit to correct it (believe me I tried). It caused a weird light from the reflector and reduced the power. They exchanged it without a problem and the next one was fine.

[Scott K]

I am a coon hunter, and I just use my coon hunting light. It is a huge over kill, and by far exceeds your suggested amount you wanted to spend, but they are rechargeable, they last well over 10 years, they are light weight, and portable. I use mine for tracking deer, coon hunting, fishing, and about anything else that I need a light. You can strap them on your hat, pocket, or carry it. Very bright, and can shine a good hundred yards on high. There are many different models, and price ranges, and different manufacturers.

[SalmonSlayer]

I am a coon hunter, and I just use my coon hunting light. It is a huge over kill, and by far exceeds your suggested amount you wanted to spend, but they are rechargeable, they last well over 10 years, they are light weight, and portable. I use mine for tracking deer, coon hunting, fishing, and about anything else that I need a light. You can strap them on your hat, pocket, or carry it. Very bright, and can shine a good hundred yards on high. There are many different models, and price ranges, and different manufacturers.

Could you post a link to the one you have?

[mnhunter79]

Cyclops 3.5 million candlepower, 12 volt cig. lighter plug in. works great in the boat. rechargeables ALWAYS go dead when u need em most.

[TruthWalleyes]

I have a cheap 3 million candlepower that plugs into cigarette lighter for when i'm on the Minnesota river or need to shine someone on the st. croix. Might have paid $25 for it. Think it's about 2-3 years old now. It doesn't see through the clouds of bugs though

Have a rechargable die on you when you need it most and you'll never buy a battery powered one again.

[Scott K]

Could you post a link to the one you have?

http://www.valleycreekhuntingsupply.com/Products/lights/vclight.htm

This is just one company, and I happen to use the Mini Pro II myself, and my son uses the 21 volt belt light. But there are many different companies out there, Such as Brighteyes, they are also a top brand in coon hunting lights. If you can find a used one, or a refurbished one, that is the route I would take, you can usually get them for about half of the new price.

[Fish Head]

Doing a little search and I found this review of hand held spotlights

Hand held spotlight review