Spotlights For Hunters: 3 Important Things to Consider When Shopping
Any serious hunter knows that having the right equipment, from rifle to knife and light is essential. For night hunting, especially, the light you carry can play a crucial role in the success of your hunt. One of the most popular types of hunting lights are spotlights. Although hunting is oftentimes a game of chance, most of the time it comes down to skill and preparedness. That being said, it's in your best interested to leave as few things to chance as possible, and just make sure you're prepared to the best of your ability.
When choosing between the myriad of spotlights available nowadays, there are three key elements you need to consider: power source, mount type and light colour.
Wired vs Battery Powered
Wired units require a connection to a 12V power source through a cigarette adapter or a leisure battery. These models are ideal for setting up camp, or when roaming around looking for game with your vehicle. That being said, wired units have limited mobility since most wires don't exceed the 5-10 metre range.
Battery charged units, on the other hand, are typically lithium-ion battery powered, and they're ideal for hunters who hunt by foot. However, the downside to these models is that they're limited in operating time, approximately 2-3 hours. If you want more flexibility, you can probably find spotlight models that have both 12V and battery compatibility.
Handheld vs Mounted
Handheld units are the most popular option as they offer mobility and let you roam around without spending time to adjust a mount. However, if you opt for a handheld spotlight, you should consider getting a lightweight one that features an ergonomic, no-slip grip to ensure comfortable use even when it rains. Some units come with a locking option which allows them to keep illuminating without having to press the switch.
Mounted units are usually mounted using a magnet, which allows you to easily attach and detach them anytime you want. These models can usually be tilted and rotated so that you can adjust the beam as you see fit.
Light Colour
The ideal light colour of the spotlight will depend on what you're hunting. For instance, red lights are used for hunting coyotes and wild hogs. Green lights are used for hunting feral hogs, but also foxes. And lastly, infrared light technology is becoming increasingly more popular, as it's not visible to the naked eye, but when paired with night vision equipment, it can be the best option.
When choosing between the myriad of spotlights available nowadays, there are three key elements you need to consider: power source, mount type and light colour.
Wired vs Battery Powered
Wired units require a connection to a 12V power source through a cigarette adapter or a leisure battery. These models are ideal for setting up camp, or when roaming around looking for game with your vehicle. That being said, wired units have limited mobility since most wires don't exceed the 5-10 metre range.
Battery charged units, on the other hand, are typically lithium-ion battery powered, and they're ideal for hunters who hunt by foot. However, the downside to these models is that they're limited in operating time, approximately 2-3 hours. If you want more flexibility, you can probably find spotlight models that have both 12V and battery compatibility.
Handheld vs Mounted
Handheld units are the most popular option as they offer mobility and let you roam around without spending time to adjust a mount. However, if you opt for a handheld spotlight, you should consider getting a lightweight one that features an ergonomic, no-slip grip to ensure comfortable use even when it rains. Some units come with a locking option which allows them to keep illuminating without having to press the switch.
Mounted units are usually mounted using a magnet, which allows you to easily attach and detach them anytime you want. These models can usually be tilted and rotated so that you can adjust the beam as you see fit.
Light Colour
The ideal light colour of the spotlight will depend on what you're hunting. For instance, red lights are used for hunting coyotes and wild hogs. Green lights are used for hunting feral hogs, but also foxes. And lastly, infrared light technology is becoming increasingly more popular, as it's not visible to the naked eye, but when paired with night vision equipment, it can be the best option.
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