Night shooters - how long do you keep your torch on?

[Dave-G]

I'm doing a bit of R&D into modified LED lamping torch users habits. I have been looking at the thermal cooling path from the LED to the cooler air outside of a torch body - but am wondering if that aspect is only academic anyway.

 

I reckon that in contrast to the times a general torch user might keep a torch on, us night hunters don't generally keep our torch on for even a full minute at one time. I'm referring specifically to rifle mounted or pocket scanning torches rather than vehicle mounted lamps. Include Infra Red illuminators please.

 

What say you chaps - and why if applicable please.

Edited June 30, 2013 by Dave-G

[Davyo]

Scan with pocket torch lightforce tactical 700 less than 30 as we are scanning an area we exp rabbits to be its turned off asap we see eyes.Then ir poped on pick up target shoot turn.Use another small pocket torch for collecting

 

Scan with pocket torch lightforce tactical 700 less than 30 secs as we are scanning an area we exp rabbits to be its turned off asap we see eyes.Then ir poped on pick up target shoot turn.Use another small pocket torch for collecting

[Luckyshot]

All depends what ground I'm on, If I go up to the top end of my permission my torch stays on constantly as the ground is that rough you will break your legs the minute you cant see. I too use a cree zoom torch which I converted to run off my 12v lion battery so lasts as long as I need it to. On the lowest setting it doesn't bother the rabbits at all and can regular get to within 50-60 yards before they bolt. My torch doesn't have a problem with any over heating issues even when it has been on for a constant 60 minutes.

[ollie]

Same as Luckyshot, it depends on the situation. If I am in an area where I can scan a lot of ground at once then it doesn't stay on long. However, most of the ground I am on is quite hilly and small fields, so sometimes the light stays on a while.

[mick miller]

My little overdriven 501's I use as spotters Dave, so these can sometimes run for between 1 and 3 minutes as I scan the fields etc. I would never have need to keep an overdriven torch on for more than 5 minutes.

[Dave-G]

Thanks so far lads.

 

You guys using them for walking lamps - are they the same torch you use for eyeshine/shooting?

 

If so I can dis-regard them as hunters lamps. My fault for not thinking of all the potential answers there might be.

[Luckyshot]

Thanks so far lads.

 

You guys using them for walking lamps - are they the same torch you use for eyeshine/shooting?

 

If so I can dis-regard them as hunters lamps. My fault for not thinking of all the potential answers there might be.

 

No I use NV only use the torch for walking about and finding shot rabbits. When I first converted my torch to run off my 12v battery I left it outside switched on all night just to see how long it would last. There were no problems with it and I still use it now after around 6 months use.

[ollie]

Thanks so far lads.

 

You guys using them for walking lamps - are they the same torch you use for eyeshine/shooting?

 

If so I can dis-regard them as hunters lamps. My fault for not thinking of all the potential answers there might be.

 

I use my NM 800 for a walking & shooting lamp, but that is due to the lack of weight. If I had someone else with me, then I would consider carrying a different spotting light.

[njc110381]

I use the same lamp for picking up as I do for spotting, but it's rarely on for more than a minute? On for a scan for maybe 30 seconds then the same again once settled for the shot. I'll walk to where I think the quarry has dropped before putting the light on again.

[Dave-G]

I use the same lamp for picking up as I do for spotting, but it's rarely on for more than a minute? On for a scan for maybe 30 seconds then the same again once settled for the shot. I'll walk to where I think the quarry has dropped before putting the light on again.

Proper night shooter then.

 

Cheers lads, thanks for the help.