Best Lights For Portable?

[FISHINGURU]

Lookin to buy some lighting for my Canvas Craft. What are some of the best options out there right now? I have some night time opportunities coming up, in the past I've just used a headlamp or a lantern.

What are you guys rollin with? Feel free to throw up some pics of what you got goin on.

[Chad Holst]

We run 5050 LED light strips that can be cut to any length. they take next to zero power and light it up like a christmas tree. the price? That auction place has them for $16.00 for 3 meters (about 16 feet).

In our hubs we use lanterns now, but are working on setting them up with 5050's as well.

EDIT: be sure to get the bright white light, not "soft white" light.

[harvey lee]

I put a set of these right over the zipper door in my Canvas Craft flipover. They light the house up very nice.

The Outdoor Prostore may be out of them and if so, you may find some online with a search.

http://outdoorprostore.com/products-page/categories/firebrite-led-ice-house-lights/

Not the lights with the green box but the long white lit ones. You can hook them up to a flasher battery and they last for quite some time.

I have 1 like these only like 24 inches.

[zppeterson]

I lucked out a few years ago. Clam was discontinuing the small LED pods and going to the bigger set ups that they have now. I ordered 4 sets of the lights from their HSOforum for $4/set. The work great and provide enough light that a headlamp isn't needed anymore. Just have them hung on the front, center, and rear poles of the portable. I don't have any pictures but will try to get some if you interested in seeing the set up.

To clarify, I have them wired back to a switch box and have 2 control switches. One switch controls only the rear set of lights for digging through the tub for rods/bait/jigs/ect. and the other switch controls the 2 sets on the center bar and the one set on the front bar. They run off a 12 volt battery which is more than enough juice for a full weekend of fishing.

[Gordie]

I was going to post what Harvey Lee did

[aczr2k]

I just ordered one of the Clam light tubes that you cut into your existing framework, after seeing how bright they were in a new X2 a couple weeks ago. It should be a nice clean install.

[McGurk]

I know these might not be what every body is thinking of, but I was plenty impressed with them last weekend in my Clam Bigfoot hub: Gama Sonic DL-713LS, with a rechargeable lantern with a built in battery and included charger. They have 40 leds and a wide dispersal lense, and are rated for 7 hours of continuous use (doubtful but what are you gonna do?). They are around $40 each typically, but I got a 3 pack shipped to my door for $50. Amazon has them for $25 each with free shipping right now.

Not only are they great for fishing at night, but I used them for tear-down and packing up and they worked AWESOME as you just carry them around and set them down wherever you need loads of light.

[panfishpounder00]

Fishing guru, I sent a pm

[TLH713]

I used these and LOVE them! Dimmer really makes it worthwhile too!

http://shop.FireBrite_LEDs.com/12-Volt-D...LLER-NBL0120-1.

[Northlander]

I have used the LED's from Northern Bright Lights and they are very well made. Plus you can get a real small blue battery pack to run them off of. I like to run one of their dimmer switches when fishing shallow.

[wishing for walleyes]

I buy 48 cm and 96 cm led strips on the big auction site very cheap. Here`s a picture of a strip of 48. I put the 96 cm strip on my center pole and 48 cm on the rear and front poles.

[panfishpounder00]

Northlander, that's what I pm'd to fishing guru.I didn't know if I should post another mfg on here

[TLH713]

Northlander, that's what I pm'd to fishing guru.I didn't know if I should post another mfg on here

If you follow the link I posted, that's where it heads too!

[fishwater]

I like these samsung 5630 light bars, very durable and cheap @ $20. The aluminum channel is thick and sturdy. I typically plug them into an otter box with 12volt 5.5mm female ports.

[LakeDocktor]

I just saw a post on Facebook about some lights from M&B Jigs. They look pretty bright and might be worth trying out.

[panfishpounder00]

TLH, I pm'd fish guru before your link was up..this forum used to be touchy on posting non sponsor products.

[PFUNK]

I was originally planning on doing the strip lighting like a lot of guys do but then I thought of another way to light up the portable with a setup that could be much more mobile. I figured I could take it in and out of the fish house and use it other places where I needed lighting (worked great in elk camp for lighting the cook tent). I bought a 3W 12V LED light bulb for $6 off the internet, a regular light socket from Mills for a couple bucks., and a 1 inch spring clamp for a couple bucks. Mounted the light socket inside a bracket which then got welded to the spring clamp and that was it. Rig up some speaker wire and run that to a flasher battery and you have plenty of light to light up a portable. I don't know how long this will run off a single charge, but I have yet to come close to draining one. I left it on overnight once just to see and it was still going strong in the morning. I believe the current draw is like 280 mA so it should last 25 hours on a 7 Ah flasher battery. I like that I can hang it up when I need it, and when I am done it fits easily in the side pouch of my rod locker. If I happen to be fishing with someone else I can still bring the light along. Here is a picture of the setup.

[Might_B_A_Pike]

I just purchased a 16' stip of LED ribbon from amazon for $8, still in the mail, once I get them set up I will let you know. but they are waterproof and can be cut to any length. just do a search for 12v led ribbon

[Dave]

Have used these for years. Add a 12 volt bulb, clip plug off and attach clips for a battery.

[Northlander]

I had one of them a few years ago and it got too hot for my liking. Plus I like to be able to control the amount of light I need.

[FISHINGURU]

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas guys. I ordered up some lights last night. Could of saved some money going a different route but liked what I was hearing and seeing about these.

I went with the Northern Bright Deluxe Guide Series lights and the Deluxe Guide Kit Dimmer. When I get some more coin I will probably also get one of the 12 Volt Li-Ion Battery Pack with Charger.

I was thinking about ordering the FireBrites from HSO but it seemed they were all out of stock, they must sell like hot cakes.

[BoxMN]

I have a couple strings of the 48cm led lights for my portables, and they work great. A couple I made rigid "rails" for them and hang them up above door area, or over middle. Light it up great. I have them so they can be taken out easily, and hooked to extra vex battery.

In my 12x14 I have two 16' sections I put into clear tube, and powered by spare small 12v (garden tractor) battery or a 300/500 amp Jumper pack, and that works great and very nicely lit and easy.

But my Mom got me these cheapo LED flashlights from the Axman, for like $8 each or something, and I gotta say, for a portable they are very bright, EASY to use and hang, and you don't need to bring along a heavy 12v battery. I have use it a lot and still on the same first 4 cheap AA batts that came with it. Has three light settings:

front panel

top "flashlight"

both together

Also have the hook which works great, and a magnet for any steel to attach to (my atv rack, etc.). Super lighweight, and if the batts go, you just need to have 4 AA to get it like new. Also helps more than "permanent" type lights when packing everything up, and works GREAT for lighting glo jigs. Sorry to sound like such a salesman, but I just this thing at Xmas and thought, "haha, another cheap flashlight..." but it has been great in action on the ice. Good luck.

[FISHINGURU]

OK, got my lights today, I zip tied them across my middle pole right above my head when I'm sitting down. What do you guys like to do with the wires and dimmer?

I plan on putting the 12V battery in my side pocket of my porty, do you guys like to velcro the wires to the pole that runs down and keep it like that permanently or do you velcro the wires on the same pole as the lights until you plan on using them?

[Might_B_A_Pike]

I just purchased a 16' stip of LED ribbon from amazon for $8, still in the mail, once I get them set up I will let you know. but they are waterproof and can be cut to any length. just do a search for 12v led ribbon

I ended up getting the lights in the mail and installing them last night. I have 2 5' strips going accross the two of my bars. It lights up the inside perfectly, bright and even. Paid $8 for the lights, probably another $10-15 for wire and a switch.

[candiru]

I use 3 or 4 of the hockey puck style LED lights that stick to the portable frames with magnets. The ride in my tackle bag fine and use AA or AAA batts. They work well for my style which is taking in the morning or evening walleye bite. If I stayed out longer hours I might look into other options.