What's the "best and brightest" flashlight for hunting?

Wouldn't a red filter over an existing LED flashlight accomplish the same thing?

Does a filter "change" the emitted beam like a magnifying glass, or does it simply redefine the color?
 
We've used red filters over regular beams but the heat captured is serious. Actually melted the housing on a couple of hand held spotlights. Have not tried a red filter on any of my 1 wat white LEDs but I am betting, based on how the filter worked on the standard spotlight, that the output would be reduced to the point that it would be useless.

Will try what Wild.......... suggests..........give that a look.
 
The Hitman

The Surefire A Great,But Batteries.For The Other Way Are The Rechargeable Mag-Lite,These Are A Little Big,Compared With Surefire,Streamlite And Other,But The Battery Stick Last A Long Time And You Can Buy Another For Some Dollars.
 
I hear ya Art...
What I meant was to get the same candela out put of a light depends on what wavelength you want to use.
A green or red light will need more lumens to reach the same or similar candelas of your white spotlight.

As far as filters, don't use them unless you have no resort.
Adding a filter doesn't change the lightwave output of a bulb.
It literally absorbs all lightwaves but the one it lets thru.
So, a pure red lense will absorb all light of all other wavelengths/colors.
That is why the lense gets hot, and eventualy melts.
It has to do something with the energy it is absorbing. It stores it as heat.

So, the question of filters working well, just depends on how much of that specific wavelength light the original bulb was putting out.
If it doesn't generate much red light, it won't shine very far or bright.
And you will melt the lense.
Same with green or blue.

If shopping for LEDs, the best brightness they can come up with, vs power expended, is "cool white".
Blue isn't very good, red gets a bit better, Cyan is good, and green is very good.
Something to do with the chemical makeup of the LEDs.
A good reference is the LUXEON Rebel...
Just click "expand all" in the "Products" table.

http://www.philipslumileds.com/products/line.cfm?lineId=19

The human eye has trouble with blue light.
That is the reason why the "Royal Blue' is rated not in lumens but power output.
 
Every other cop and game warden in the states and me and every power plant operator in the states use a streamlight stinger.

I like it and it likes showing me the blood trail.
Just my 2 Cents.
 
streamlight

Streamlight would get my vote - get one with thr green/blue LEDs and a flashlight combo - rechargeable too. As far as tracking a wounded/downed deer a good old Coleman lantern works best. Seems to put out a yellow light which makes the blood stand out better - and if you are tracking 3 hours, no battery worries. Also keeps you warm in Dec- Jan. :D
 
I am still using an old AA Maglite but recently added one of those LED conversion bulbs. Not the most modern, but it sure does work.
 
in my opinion as an avid hunter, a hunting light must be hands free, bright and good on batteries. 95% of the lights mentioned above are only 1 of the 3 necessary qualities a good hunting light must have. high dollar stream lights and such are good tactical lights but have no place in my hunting gear, imo.
 
As a cop I have three different brands of "working" flashlights that I might take deer searching. My primary is the Scorpion, small light that is good and bright, I also have two stingers and one Pelican M6. All three are very bright, rugged, and compact. The scorpion is my favorite deer light because it is smaller and the others, Pelican is on the duty belt, one Stinger in my Tac vest and the other Stinger is on the night stand. With flashlight as with firearms you get what you pay for. More money, brighter and compact/rugged lights.
 
CamoCop, I grant that I have fairly large hands, but I found long ago that I can hold my Streamlight and the rifle's forearm together, quite easily. Detrimental to Ol' Wily. :)
 
i thought this was "best light for hunting"? i dunno about your state but in mine you better not be in the woods with a light and a gun. also i carry a scorpion on my duty belt, it compact and very bright but eat's batteries like you would not believe.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked at a few Surefire, Pelican and others, but found the Streamlight, Strion with a charger fit my needs best.
 
CamoCop, Texas has few restrictions on hunting equipment for nighttime varmint hunting. It's best to make a courtesy call to a deputy or a game warden, just to save hassle if somebody hears shots at night and jumps at the telephone.

For actual hunting with a flashlight, a lesser brightness can be better than the Streamlight or equivalent. Regardless, lighting up a critter's eyes with the edge of the beam disturbs them less, while direct shining with a bright light will or can discourage them.

My common calling procedure is to use a Q-Beam with a red lens cover to pick up eyes at a distance. Then no more Q-Beam. Keep calling, and use the edge of the Streamlight's beam very briefly to just spot where the eyes have moved to. Up close and personal, a regular old D-cell flashlight is plenty for seeing through the scope.

I haven't had a chance to try one, but one of these new-type lights folks have mentioned, with a red lens or whatever, oughta work. Critters are much less bothered by a red light.

Art
 
i apologize, i must have read his post wrong. i though he was looking for a light just to get him to and back from his stand and the occaisional blood track. i did not know he was inquiring on actually shooting with the light.
 
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