Mark-70 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'm just about to order a lamp for my .22lr and Ive sort of settled on the Tracer Max Pro from Deben. I'm not sure that a want something as big as a lightforce but at the same time I have an ledray tactical light on my air rifle and I don't like the light that it throws, so I'm going to steer clear of led lamps I think. So any opinions on this lamp would be great, what's the beam like, is it powerful enough etc? Also welcome views on other lamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 For "ish" money, you could have a look at the Clulite Shootalite range - the mounts are superb. They'll still do the job even with a red filter if necessary and would also transfer to a CF (mid range) if you wished. Point taken though if you think that they may be OTT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy Holt Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Hiya, I use a Max pro for all my night shooting on the FAC, .17HMR and when foxing with the .222 and cant fault it. You can pick eyes out to over 400yrds, clearly ID the target at about 200 yards which is normally as far as I shoot at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 i also use this lamp on my .22cz no prob at all i would consider upgrading the battery if anything . Well worth the money . I am also tryin to knock something up to go lamping from inside the 4x4 pictures coming soon . . . I hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'm just about to order a lamp for my .22lr and Ive sort of settled on the Tracer Max Pro from Deben. I'm not sure that a want something as big as a lightforce but at the same time I have an ledray tactical light on my air rifle and I don't like the light that it throws, so I'm going to steer clear of led lamps I think. So any opinions on this lamp would be great, what's the beam like, is it powerful enough etc? Also welcome views on other lamps. Personally my experience with Deben lamps has not been happy. I've had Tracer Atom and Tracer Max. Atom is too weak for rimfire use and Max did not stand the test of time. Others like them so maybe I was just unlucky. I have a Cluson Shootalite now and have to say if you held the two in your hand and went on build quality alone you'd pick the Cluson every time. Wymberley is quite right about the mounts- best in the business and they allow you to mount the lamp on the underside of the barrel to avoid glare. Don't be put off by lead acid battery either. Max will do the job but I would always have the Cluson. Don't buy the 1000,000 candle power model though. The only difference between that and the 500,000 is the bulb wattage. You can buy bulbs from internet wholesalers for next to nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'm just about to order a lamp for my .22lr and Ive sort of settled on the Tracer Max Pro from Deben. I'm not sure that a want something as big as a lightforce but at the same time I have an ledray tactical light on my air rifle and I don't like the light that it throws, so I'm going to steer clear of led lamps I think. So any opinions on this lamp would be great, what's the beam like, is it powerful enough etc? Also welcome views on other lamps. PS. whatever lamp you get, for rabbit shooting get a dimmer switch with it and bring the lamp up from nothing to the minimum you need to shoot by. You'll shoot twice as many rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 i dont want to hijack the op thread but would you need the original makers dimmer or is there some other dimmer you could use ie cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark-70 Posted May 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 The cluson does seem alot more lamp for money but what drew me too the tracer max was the neatness of the setup with the smaller battery and what appears to be a neater cable setup and smaller mount that I can leave attached to the scope. I would go straight out and buy the cluson lamp as it looks awesome! The only thing holding me back is that the cables and battery look like a mix up of parts from a hardware store! But maybe that's a good thing as you could alter and make up cables and configurations to suit yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 i dont want to hijack the op thread but would you need the original makers dimmer or is there some other dimmer you could use ie cheaper They're all about £30. But Deben dimmers for some reason convert the power to 6v. So if you stick a Deben dimmer on a Max you'll end up with the power output of an Atom. The Cluson dimmers don't so I'd go for them but you'll need to get the soldering iron out. As long as any switch you choose is compatible with the battery voltage you can't do any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 The cluson does seem alot more lamp for money but what drew me too the tracer max was the neatness of the setup with the smaller battery and what appears to be a neater cable setup and smaller mount that I can leave attached to the scope. I would go straight out and buy the cluson lamp as it looks awesome! The only thing holding me back is that the cables and battery look like a mix up of parts from a hardware store! But maybe that's a good thing as you could alter and make up cables and configurations to suit yourself. I guess your looking at the lithium pack which I admit does look like a crows nest. The lead acid battery is one spiral cable on a big pin connector and thats it. As far as I know any lithium pack with an output compatible with the lamp can be used. Lithium battery technology is developing rapidly. There's no reason why you couldn't up-grade the power pack in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Gimlet is that true about the bulb on the sl2? As I'm just about to buy one and was going to buy the 1,000000 candle power jobbie but if all I need to do to the 500 000 one only needs a simple bulb change to be twice as powerfull then I'll buy the less powerfull one and get a new more powerfull bulb! atb Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Gimlet is that true about the bulb on the sl2? As I'm just about to buy one and was going to buy the 1,000000 candle power jobbie but if all I need to do to the 500 000 one only needs a simple bulb change to be twice as powerfull then I'll buy the less powerfull one and get a new more powerfull bulb! atb Danny Yep. Had it from Cluson themselves (after a bit of cajoling). Don't know what you want the lamp for but if its rabbit shooting with a rimfire the 500,000 will be more than enough. I can ID and shoot rabbits to 70 yards with mine with a red filter on (homemade acetate sheet behind the lens) which is plenty shooting free hand. They're not that tight a beam (though no different to a Tracer Max) but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. You often spot other targets in the periphery. The only disadvantage to the lead acid battery is that when the power starts to drain it does so gradually so its useful to have a test target at a known distance after acouple of trips to see if it needs a charge. The lithium batteries stay on full power to the bitter end and then just go out. The Deben packs now have 'fuel' lights on them to tell you how much is left so you don't get suddenly left in the lurch. Don't know if the Cluson ones do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I want it primarily as a fox lamp. 200yds with filter on that don't seem very far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 What is the best lamp to buy? Ideally I want to be able to use it both hand held and gun mounted and have a good strong beam for long distance foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I want it primarily as a fox lamp. 200yds with filter on that don't seem very far! No! It will when you're out there trying to do it. Thing is though, at those sort of distances, less even, a filter isn't necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I'm not sure I'll use filter was thinking about a dimmer switch. Realistically what distance is the sl2 usable to without a filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 No! It will when you're out there trying to do it. Thing is though, at those sort of distances, less even, a filter isn't necessary. Danny, Don't ask me, mate, used to love to drive at night, hate it now, eyes are getting old, you need an answer from a younger pair. What I can tell you is that the bulb you want is an Osram HLX 62138 - 100watt. He doesn't tend to shout/brag about it, but one of our members deals in these. If he doesn't spot this/PM you, let me know if you go for it and I'll pass his details (don't know whether he wants it generally broadcast, so won't). PS I can manage a good 200yds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Ok mate thanks appreciate that I'll give you a pm when I get the sl1 or 2 which ever I decide on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 What is the best lamp to buy? Ideally I want to be able to use it both hand held and gun mounted and have a good strong beam for long distance foxes. The Shootalite has a hand-held attachment with it so you can do either. Personally I think if you're shooting foxes to 200 yds you need a powerful hand-held and a mate to hold it. The Shootalite is really a gun mounted lamp so for foxing you need the 1000,000 cp model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Yeah I really want to be able to use it both scope mounted and hand held. As I won't always have a lamp man. Is the sl2 capale of 400m clear shooting range? Would it run with the 100w bulb as has been suggested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Personally my experience with Deben lamps has not been happy. I've had Tracer Atom and Tracer Max. Atom is too weak for rimfire use and Max did not stand the test of time. Others like them so maybe I was just unlucky. I have a Cluson Shootalite now and have to say if you held the two in your hand and went on build quality alone you'd pick the Cluson every time. Wymberley is quite right about the mounts- best in the business and they allow you to mount the lamp on the underside of the barrel to avoid glare. Don't be put off by lead acid battery either. Max will do the job but I would always have the Cluson. Don't buy the 1000,000 candle power model though. The only difference between that and the 500,000 is the bulb wattage. You can buy bulbs from internet wholesalers for next to nothing. sorry not wanting to but in but is this the same result for my deben max it has a 50w bulb in at min can i change it to a 100w or will it cause problems reg m1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 sorry not wanting to but in but is this the same result for my deben max it has a 50w bulb in at min can i change it to a 100w or will it cause problems reg m1 Two possible problems. You've doubled your amps so you may get a fuse problem; easily solved. Have a look at the Clulite website and the Mini Lazers in particular. One 20watt and the other, 50 watt bulb. They look identical but look closer and at the back of the 50watt version you'll see some vanes. Cooling. This is your second problem. On good sense business grounds, Deben may not wish to answer the question so the only sensible answer is suck it and see. Either way, you'll definitely be restricted as to how long you can switch it on for before meltdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Yeah I really want to be able to use it both scope mounted and hand held. As I won't always have a lamp man. Is the sl2 capale of 400m clear shooting range? Would it run with the 100w bulb as has been suggested? Given the angle of beam on mine at 100/150 yards I'd be suprised if it produced a pool concentrated enough to id and shoot by at 400. Thats a long range for a gun mounted lamp. I've never gone beyond about 200 on my own so the short answer is I don't know. No problem with the 100w bulb but of course it will drain the battery quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannywayoflife Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 I don't really expect to shoot out to 400 but would like it to project that far so I can really I'd and check back stops! Think I may get the sl2 then and pop one of them osram 100w bulbs in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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