Military personnel, campers, hikers and hunters who often spend time in wild areas, should always have a suitable source of light. Not only the light will help these people search for others, set a tent, or find their way in caves or dark forrests, but it will make them feel safer and more secure on their job or adventure. Even though most campers or hikers can use torchlight, a much better choice will be a searchlight. These lights have a strong source of light that can illuminate at least fifty metres in the direction they are positioned at. If you're searching for search and rescue lights, here's what you need to know.
What are Searchlights?
Search lights are strong lighting gear that utilises a series of reflectors to create a strong beam of light that will is precisely oriented in any direction. Even though they look like something the modern men have created, in fact, searchlights were designed back in the late 19th century and have since been used for different military operations, advertising and entertainment endeavours. Back in the day, it was a stationary model, but nowadays these lights are made with several swivel mechanisms that will help you take them anywhere. These torches are handheld and much lighter, so people can carry them anywhere.
How Powerful Searchlights Are
Most people wonder if search and rescue lights are more powerful than a simple flashlight. These torches have a much more powerful beam that was specially made by the arrangement of reflectors and merged with a power source. The light is a series of parallel rays that are focused in any direction you need. When searchlights were first developed in the 19th century, their main use was for wartime purposes.The strong beam was supposed to spot small torpedo boats that could endanger larger battleships and get away undetected. With time, these searchlights became standard equipment for any marine vessel, thanks to their strong beams that are helpful for sailing during fog. As technology progressed, these lights became waterproof and easy to use underwater. Today you don't have to be a soldier or military personnel to use one; many people like hunters or campers use search and rescue torches for easier managing in nature.
Things to Consider
What Are You Lighting Up?
Before getting your searchlights make sure to determine what you'll light with them. If you're a hiker, camper or a hunter, or simply need one to carry one in your car, keep in mind that these lights are so strong and can illuminate anything between 30 metres to 5 kilometres. This is why you should determine what you will light up; a hiker surely doesn't need a torch that can enlighy things that are 5km away from them. Hikers will be good with a torch beam that can enlighten 60-40 metres in the dark. The strength of the beam should meet your needs and the type of adventures you're having.
Flashlight Performance
Light Output
The light output measures in lumens and stands for the intensity of the light that comes out of the flashlight when it's set on its brightest setting (when powered by new batteries). The light output ranges from 20 lumens (perfect for reading a book) to a terrain-scorching 3500 lumens.
Beam Distance
The beam distance is estimated in meters and shows how far the light will reach before the brightness falls to match the light from a full moon. Full moon illumination is calculated as ideal for safe and careful travel outdoors.
Run Time
Torches' run time measures in hours; it refers to how long the light output will need to drop to 10% while using new batteries. Some models' run time will decrease gradually over time or may stay constant and then suddenly drop.
Waterproof Searchlight
Not everyone needs a waterproof searchlight. It depends mainly on your adventures and activities. For instance, if you're a fisherman you'll surely need a waterproof searchlight. Campers, hunters, and military personnel too will need to get a waterproof searchlight. This way they can always be sure that no matter the weather, their searchlight will always remain in a good state and won't fail them when they most need it (searching for things or people submerged in a body of water).
LED Searchlights
The old-fashioned searchlights used halogen bulbs that ranged up to 3000 watts. Later as LED bulbs took over, the design of these torches changed and they are now mainly using LED lights. The beam range of LED searchlights differs and depends on a few factors including the light source, wattage and design of the searchlight. Some long-range searchlight models may have a narrow light bundle and can illuminate up to 9 kilometres (which can be achieved if using a 2000W model).
Why LED Is Better?
LED can extract much more light which makes them a better investment. You can carry only one search and rescue light and use it in various situations. LED use lesser energy, will last much longer and you won't have to replace the bulb. Also, you won't have to deal with heat production and will get a clear and myriad colour spectrum.
