Gunlamp round up

When the first Digital Nightvision scope the Pulsar N550 first came to these shores back in 2010 the prophets of doom were quick to say this heralded the end of traditional night hunting with lamp n rifle. Nearly 5 years later and despite the expansion of Digital NV, sales prove that traditional lamping kit, though having taken a knock in the market place is still very popular.

This is because the lamping manufacturers didn’t take the NV threat lightly and developed lightweight, compact lamping units with high performance LEDs, battery management systems plus in-unit battery compartments thus negating trailing leads and cumbersome external battery packs. Here I’m highlighting gunlight kits that over the last year have proved the most popular with night hunters of many disciplines. To save on repetition, unless specified all kits are supplied with tail switches, remote switches, required amount of re-chargeable batteries, a mains and/or vehicle charger plus scope mount.

FENIX TK15 S2 RE-CHARGEABLE GUNLIGHT

Fenix have made big inroads into the UK lamping scene offering a host of headlamps and torches – they now also have two high quality gun-mounted lights – the TK15 S2 and more powerful TK22.

The TK15 S2s Cree XP-G R5 LED puts out a 400 lumen beam on its highest setting, with 3 lower power levels making it versatile enough for longer range rabbiting or close range ratting. A red filter is included – others are optional extras. The black anodised, aircraft grade aluminium body measures 135 x 25.4mm and weighs 152g (excluding batteries) and is waterproof and impact resistant.

While the switch at the front of the unit accesses the 4-brightness settings plus strobe it also has a memory function. At the £118 rear and side is a handy ON/OFF switch allowing the light to be kept constantly on instead of you having to keep the remote pressed down.

CLULITE PRO-SCANNER 3000 GUNLIGHT KIT

This is just one of the top quality models of tactical torch/gunlights Cluson Engineering Ltd have amongst their comprehensive portfolio. Manufactured from black anodised aircraft grade aluminium the torch measures 8 3⁄4 x 1” with a 2 1⁄4” diameter lens housing with heat-sink. It comes with an extension tube allowing the fitting of an extra battery for a longer run time. Three pre-focused CREE LEDs produce a 3000 lumen beam that’s capable of reaching out to 300m and will identify quarry at 200m. Run times are 2 hours on high beam - 6 hours on low beam when used with 3 batteries.

TRACER LEDRAY TAC500 RECHARGEABLE TORCH GUNLIGHT KIT

The Tracer LEDRay range from Deben Group Industries Ltd has now grown to include both low to high power Tactical Torch kits. The Tac500 is a typical example and as well as coming supplied with all the usual accessories – included is a 4-colour (red, amber, green & blue) filter kit plus a unique Remote Digital Switch - all contained for storage and safety in a foam- lined carry case. Measuring 140mm long the waterproof, black anodised 1” diameter aluminium body tube has a 33mm diameter Stainless Steel bezel, plus a shatterproof reflector and lens.

The CREE R5 LED on this model produces a tight beam that can reach out to over 180m. Power and range are the deciding factors of which model of LEDRay will suit your requirements. There’s also a mode control switch on the side of the body that accesses 3 power levels of low, medium & high plus strobe facility.

The 3-Key Digital Dimmer Switch has a sensible length of coiled lead with a straight run of cable running to the control pad. The middle button turns it ON/OFF, the rear increases brightness the other lowers it – this ancillary unit alone offers a high level of user control when operating any Tracer LEDRay Torch

TRACER STINGRAY GUNLIGHT KIT

The Stingray would seem to indicate a return to a familiar design of lamp once found throughout the Tracer range of gunlights. Not so - as this robust design houses an integral, high performance re-chargeable Lithium polymer battery. This powers an LED that creates a 1000 Lumen beam capable of reaching out to 500m. To mention just one unique feature common to many of Deben’s lamping kits is their combined ON/OFF dimmer switch wired into the rear of the lamp casing. So allowing the shooter to vary the intensity (hands on) as required. There’s a built in fuel gauge – this is a 5-LED bar indicator at the rear showing the battery charge status. Measuring 6.9” X 2.7” and weighing 18oz – run-times vary from 85 hrs on low to 2.5 hrs on full power. Flip-up red and amber filters come supplied. £239.95

LIGHTFORCE PRED9X & PRED 3X GUNLIGHTS

Australian lighting specialist and fullbore shooter favourites Lightforce held onto the traditional large lamp units longer than all other companies. Now they offer the PRED9X and PRED3X. The design is pretty much the same but the PRED3X (Ratter) is less powerful, lighter and more compact. Weighing 180 grams it utilises a CREE LED and produces a 220 lumen beam with a quoted range of 80yds with a run time of 90 minutes. There is no remote operating system, which means breaking your firing grip to turn it on.

The PRED9X weighs 375 grams and has two light intensities – HIGH it throws a beam out to 250yds, LOW this drops to approximately 150 with a continuous runtime of up to 10hrs. It offers a wireless remote with a push button that can be located where you want. Both the 9X and 3X show an integral QD, Weaver/Picatinny base with cam-lock lever. Included is a scope body adapter so lamp and optic can be easily mated, this is 30mm with 1” insert. They also run on rechargeable batteries and come complete with chargers.

NITECORE

Back in May we tested three items - the Chameleon CR6 and C16 gun torches and HC50 head light. They showed a quality build: toughened mineral glass with anti-reflective coating, aero-grade aluminium alloy, HAIII military grade hard-anodized finish, waterproof in accordance with IPX-8 (two meters submersible) and impact- resistant to 1.5 meters. They can run on disposable CR123A cells or single, 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery. Included are lanyard, tactical grip ring, removable clothing clip, spare O-rings, replacement rubber tail cap button and a belt holster. Multi-functional, both models offer a number of white and coloured LEDs in a dual reflector head; the C16 features an integral 1500mW, 850nm Infrared function so making the torch the IR source too. Dimensions are identical 143mm x 25.4mm with a 40mm head weighing and 138 grams. With three power levels and the option of selecting white and coloured LEDs for various tasks maximum output is 440 lumen.

The HC 50 is the mother of all head lamps! Build quality and materials are identical, power comes from either 2 x disposable or 1 x rechargeable cells. A maximum output of 565 lumens from a Cree XM-L2 LED is quoted. There are also two red LEDs for close work. Given an effective range of 50 yards+ on main beam it could be used as a shooting torch too.

NIGHT MASTER NM400 HUNTING TORCH

This company emerged when they launched a much praised high power IR torch for use with dedicated Nightvision units – now they’ve added a small but unique selection of torches.

The Dereelight Night Master NM400 is the smaller more compact relative of the company’s high power NM800 model and used with the green ENVY LED, Red Demon or White HD LED claims to spot eyes up to 400 metres and clearly identify quarry out to 200m. The black anodised aircraft grade aluminium casing is built to a waterproof IPX-8 standard rating. Measuring 138 x 25mm with a 34mm diameter reflector housing and weighs 185g plus battery.

A twist head focusable convex aspherical lens changes the beam from spot to flood. While light levels of High, Mid and Low are selected by simply twisting the body tube - thus tailoring the intensity of the torch to suit your requirements. It comes with the usual accessories but also separate coloured LEDs - Green Envy, Red Demon, White HD and White. There’s also the option to purchase separate, screw-on, one-colour LED Modules that fit in the neck section for quick changes between different LED colours or IR options.

GRAB HOLD!

As gun mounted lamping kits have become more compact, lightweight and self-contained – handheld lamps have followed suit. The Clulite (PLR-400) re-chargeable Pistol Light is a prime example. The toughened ABS casing has a black anodised aluminium lens collar.

The slab sided handle drops down 4 3⁄4” from the upper section of the unit, while the ON/OFF pressure switch is ideally positioned for operating with the forefinger. It uses integral lightweight Lithium-ion re-chargeable batteries to power the 1000 Lumen CREE T6 LED that projects an unfiltered beam out to 400m.

HEAD WORKER

An accessory most nighthunters take with them is a headlight – these have also become more advanced using higher quality LEDs and offer a useful amount of mode functions/light levels for the main white beam and include one or more red LEDs that can be switched on separately for saving your nightvision. Fenix, Deben, Cluson, Petzl, Gerber, NITECORE and Princeton Tec from Whitby & Co all have models that’ll suit virtually any hunting discipline.

FENIX TK15 S2:
Fenix TK red filter Fenix AR102 remote MX1101 glass reinforced nylon mount Cytac dual bay charger 2 x Cytac 2400 mah 18650 batteries.
Price: £118 Optional Extras Green or Blue Filter £5.95 each
Contact:www.thephotonshop.co.uk www.fenixlight.co.UK

CLULITE PRO-SCANNER 3000 GUNLIGHT KIT
Price: £120
Filter Kit: £22.20
Contact: Cluson Engineering Ltd, 01730 264672 for nearest stockists www.cluson.co.uk

TRACER LEDRAY TACTICAL 500 RECHARGEABLE TORCH
Price: £149.95

TRACER STINGRAY GUNLIGHT KIT
Price: RRP£239.95
Contact: Deben Group Industries, Ltd 01394 387762, www.deben.com

LIGHTFORCE PRED9X & PRED 3X GUNLIGHTS
Price: £285 and £126 respectively
Contact: RUAG Ammotec UK Ltd 01579 362319 www.ruag.co.uk

THE CLULITE (PLR-400) RE-CHARGEABLE PISTOL LIGHT
Price:SRP£67.20 Filter Kit: SRP£22.20 - red, yellow and orange
Contact:Cluson Engineering Ltd 01730 264672 for nearest stockists www.cluson.co.uk