Tracer LEDRAY Review

[jamiedenny]

Hi all,

 

After registering some time ago; today is the first time I have been able to sit down and jump onto the forum. It looks great and everyone seems friendly.

 

I thought I would try and make one of my first post something mildly interesting.

 

I have often found its difficult to get an impartial user review of shooting equipment. You of course have the youtube reviews of items that "happen" to be sponsored by the manufacturer. And the magazine reviews that are usually exactly the same (been there, done that, know how it works and grown out of the tshirt).

In the interest of doing something abou it rather than just complaining. I have decided to put down reviews of the items I get to use and own. Hopefully someone will find my rambling attempts of a review helpful and at the very least it should help drive traffic to this great site.

 

So my first review is for the:

Tracer LEDRAY GL2

 

Now lets not underestimate the value of money. Very few things in life have a direct relationship between the amount of my hard earned pounds I put down. And the quality of whatever it is I am spending my rent money on. However, in the world of shooting sports it does seem that if you pay peanuts; you get, well .... peanuts. Perhaps this is because we are a canny lot and willing invest in the best we can. Or perhaps its because we are a load of tight **** farmer folk.

 

The reason I started by rambling on about money in the way that would have put my great grandfather to shame. Is to set the scene and highlight where in the market place this little torch fits. For £54.99 from my local gun shop it is still an investment but certainly a very affordable one. But does this relatively low price point place it in the "I should have just spent more" pile. After living with it for some time over a very rough winter I am confident in saying, no. I can say no because its actually lasted through that rough winter. It's lasted through being used as a multitool for such jobs as: a door stop, a hammer for my hide pegs, a community torch during the great kent black out of 2012 and as a gun light. I actually lost it a week ago and found it trampled into the mud of a local permission after cattle had been moved and a week of thunder storms. After not really cleaning it off (I should do that) it worked first time.

 

So what do you get for your money?.

 

The torch comes packaged with a pressure switch, rear push on/off switch, quick release mounting system, allen key, 2 CR123A batteries and the torch. The torch is a solid all metal construction and only weighs 87g. It looks good in a "tactical" way and has worked without fail for countless outings. The beam measures 130 Lumens and has a reach of around 90m. Now, we are clearly only talking about air rifle ranges here. Especially as any filter cuts the distance in half (as it will with any torch). With its slightly limited range in mind you have to think more about the way you tackle your hunt. Even though I will never shoot past 30yards in the dark with my sub 12ftlbs ar rifle. I do find myself cursing the restricted distance when scanning an open field. The distance of the torch is hit even harder when used in fog or mist. Because Tracer clearly feel a wide field of view is important (which it is), the beam struggles to cut through the mist. Due to the lack of adjustment on the torch you are stuck with the factory setup as there is no beam focus. The more expensive versions do come with a focus as well as a nice little man bag carry case; if thats your thing. The pressure switch would be better if it was a push on / off switch not a press and hold. This design isn't great for rifle shooting. The quick release fitting is excellent but I found it to be too low for my 50mm objective. Regardless of the many positions I tried; the torch beam was always half shaded by the scope. I now use a set of Deben weaver mounts and spend 20 minutes dropping an allen key then picking it up again.

 

Generally all my issues hark back to the "you get what you pay for" arguement. The price point of this little torch doesn't mean you get lower build quality or missing parts. It means you get less features and capabilities.

 

So all in all would I buy it again?. Yes, even compared to a maglite its better value and a better product. It comes with a set of batteries that would cost you £250 in Maplins and I use it as an everyday torch. With the introduction of affordable digital night vision there is a question as to whether you need a more powerful torch. Perhaps you can save you pennies, buy this and a night vision tool.

 

That another story fo another day so lets see how many flashes of Jamies' magic torch the Tracer LEDRAY GL2 gets:

 

Value for money:

9 / 10 flashes

Build

9 / 10 flahes

Extras

8 / 10 flashes

Longevity

10 / 10 flashes

Useability

9 / 10 flashes

 

Thanks for taking the time to read. And now I have exhausted the last possible distraction. I must get on with that tax return.

 

J

[remy 700]

Hi thanks for the review , and welcome to p.w

 

p.s fill out your profile as to your location cheers

[jamiedenny]

Hi thanks for the review , and welcome to p.w

 

p.s fill out your profile as to your location cheers

 

Done, thanks for the welcome

[TaxiDriver]

Quote "It comes with a set of batteries that would cost you £250 in Maplins "

 

That's surely a typo right = £25 tops