12v Spotlight Recommendations

[Mario]

While we have a good flashlight on board, we have yet to purchase a good 12V spotlight. Having looked at what's out there, the lights seem to range from inexpensive lights that plug into the 12V socket, to those that have batteries that are 12V and 110 rechargeable at three times the cost, which are considerably heavier.

Are the benefits of the more expensive lights worth the weight and extra cost? I have yet to figure out how long the lights will operate on the rechargeable battery alone (e.g., in a dinghy.)

Thanks for any insights.

Mario



capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Chris Scheck]

A searchlight is the most important piece of equipment you can have if you're going to come into harbors in the dark. West has quite a selection, and they have a 1,000,000 candlepower corded model on sale this weekend for $10! I just bought one. Don't know if the sale's over or not. While the cordless, rechargeable model sounds great, I'm afraid it might turn out like my rechargeable power tools -- rarely used, and then dead when you need it most. And I just don't have a green thumb when it comes to rechargeables ... I get a year or so of use out of a drill and then the battery won't take a charge anymore. And replacement batteries always cost more than the device they came in! So my advice would be, buy a rechargeable searchlight if you want to, but get a (cheaper) corded version as a backup. Couldn't hurt.

Chris Scheck
RAGTIME CD33
Newport



cscheck@aol.com

[John D.]

While we have a good flashlight on board, we have yet to purchase a good 12V spotlight. Having looked at what's out there, the lights seem to range from inexpensive lights that plug into the 12V socket, to those that have batteries that are 12V and 110 rechargeable at three times the cost, which are considerably heavier.

Are the benefits of the more expensive lights worth the weight and extra cost? I have yet to figure out how long the lights will operate on the rechargeable battery alone (e.g., in a dinghy.)

Thanks for any insights.

Mario

Mario, I own both types of lights. For me, the plug-in type is a pain. I am limited by the length of the cord, which always seems to get hooked on something while I am trying to use it. My son bought me a Brinkmann "Q-Beam" 1,000,000 candle power battery powered light for under $50.00 at Walmart (I think). I use this 99% of the time. What are your circumstances? Are you hooked on a mooring or are you tied up at a slip? Do you have shore power to your craft? Do you have A.C. available to recharge your battery as needed? Do you now have, or anticipate installing, a 12V. outlet to plug in a non-battery light near your helm or farther foreward? You can't leave a battery powered lamp on for long periods.The1-2 mile and 1 mile lamps are very powerful and are very useful in picking up buoys and markers from a distance. They do use up the battery in short order if you leave them on constantly. I can't imagine rowing a dink solo and using one of these handhelds at the same time. Where I keep my boat, several people use lamps that they strap to their foreheads, D cell size. Maybe you should have more than one light for emergencies and different uses. Shop around, see what's available. Five people will give you five different opinions. You have to decide and live with your decisions. Lotsa luck. John Dunn



choppedliveroy@aol.com

[Paul Hierstein]

A searchlight is the most important piece of equipment you can have if you're going to come into harbors in the dark. West has quite a selection, and they have a 1,000,000 candlepower corded model on sale this weekend for $10! I just bought one. Don't know if the sale's over or not. While the cordless, rechargeable model sounds great, I'm afraid it might turn out like my rechargeable power tools -- rarely used, and then dead when you need it most. And I just don't have a green thumb when it comes to rechargeables ... I get a year or so of use out of a drill and then the battery won't take a charge anymore. And replacement batteries always cost more than the device they came in! So my advice would be, buy a rechargeable searchlight if you want to, but get a (cheaper) corded version as a backup. Couldn't hurt.

Chris Scheck
RAGTIME CD33
Newport

Chris,
I have an LSI, two million cp model that is great. It is both 110v and 12v rechargeable and comes with a 12v plug in for non-battery use. It's made by LSI Industries and costs around $60. I've had mine for a couple years now and have had no problems.
Go lightly!

Sinsailorly,
Paul H.



paulhstn@aol.com