I was going to get a 350 lumen light to mount on the newly added rail of my home defense shotgun, but then decided to get the 1000 lumen Streamlight. It should be relatively easy to move it to my AR for hunting hogs. I figured 1000 lumens should be fine for home - there are different brightness settings so we’ll see how they look when it arrives.
The price was just marginally more than the 350 lumen model, so I have no regrets after placing the order. But this still leaves me curious as to what others think is sufficient for identifying things at nighttime. I know there’s a big difference between ID-ing your kitty cat at 50 ft vs. a coyote at 75 yards. Should I have ordered the 350-, 1250- or even the 1500-lumen light, or, dare I say, 2500-lumen? Appreciate any input!
I initially went with a 100 lumen light on my PSA AR, however I decided to switch to a 400 lumen light. As an aside, you be surprised how bright just 100 lumens is in nearly pitch black conditions. That being said, if I were going to be doing night hunting, I think I would want at least 1000 lumens, the better to reach out and light up things at a distance.
Although I love flashlights and high Lumens, I actually dont stress much over lumen output on a home defense weapon light. It won’t take much brightness to identify a bad guy.
Also remember if you wake up from a dead sleep and blast 1500 lumens at a badguy, the reflection off an interior wall inside a house will blind you as well. Your eyes wont be ready for that coming out of a dead sleep.
I look for ergonomics and fit/function over lumens. Thats just my 2 centavos
I like green lights. I have a couple mounted that I think are around 350 lumens (on brightest setting). The green light does not seem to interfere with my night vision as a bright white light.
I don’t like lights. Because they give you up. Too be honest they look cool as hell . But in reality your going to be seen first most likely. So wouldnt brighter be better? Blinding effect?
You dont always need it on. You can flip it on for a second or so to navigate around then turn it off. You can keep it off then after you identify a threat you can draw down on them and light them up to ensure they dont reach for a knife, gun, etc. You can not use it at all if its not needed. You have options, its a tool, use it as needed.
Possibly. My rifle is for home defense, and I have no yard, so I can take the “seen first” off the list of worries. Otherwise, it is something I would consider. I would still mount a light; I’d just be very careful about when I use it.
I guess being in electricsl industry leans me to the conclusion. If I put a light on my firearm . I want it brighter than the surface of the sun I want it hard to look into . A blinding flash option would be cool. But might be equally bad for the user? What do you think? Im no expert just a long time target shooter.
The thing to remember is that a rising tide raises all boats, in other words you’ll be (presumably) in a dark room, your eyes will be accustomed to the dark, so you’ll be affected by the light on your firearm, too. Perhaps not to the effect of the person you’re burning out his retinas, but still. Now, while I have a 400 lumen light mounted on my AR, I mentioned previously how well a 100 lumen light does in a dark room.
I want it hard to look into . A blinding flash option would be cool. But might be equally bad for the user? What do you think? Im no expert just a long time target shooter.