New wildhunter predator 850

Shaner82

See wildhunter now doing an 850
They have a set with 3 coloured LEDs for 179
Think I'm goin to head to athlone tomorrow and purchase going on the review cass done on the 800
Anyone get one yet ?

Cass

Seems to be the same basic set up. Maybe a little more power, but key difference is the focus feature which did not come on the 800. Prices are the same for the torch and single LED as the 800, but it's a good price for the three LEDS as they are about €27 each.

If you get one let us know what you think.

Shaner82

Yeah seems like great value
How are you finding the 800 on ruggedness/build quality. Have you gave it heavy use. Will it last ?

Cass

The longest i've used it for was 2.5 hours, pretty much non stop, and no loss of brightness, power, etc. The same battery was in for another two outings that were not as heavy and it only started to show signs of dying on the way home.

Considering you've two batteries that's a minimum of 7 hours of good lamping with continued use.

1jay1

You could get an xsearcher for around the same money.
For $220 I got xsearcher, extension tube to hold 2 batteries, 2 batteries, 3 LEDs, 2nd neck section to hold a LED for quick change in the field
Superb piece of kit. Might be worth checking out before parting with your money.
I compared the wildhunter 800 to the nightmaster 800 one night while out with a mate and the nightmaster was far better. Since then I got the xsearcher and compared to the NM800 - no comparison!!
http://www.dereelight.com/Xsearch.php

Shaner82

Yeah was looking at it alright. Wildhunter just looks handier and you get the few extra bits
Your making me doubt myself now !!!!!!!

Cass

Not getting into a pissing match because frankly either one should do the what you wan/need, but between this:

Cass wrote:

The field at the back of my house is a yard or two short of 500 yards. There are "markers" along the field which give an idea of distance (from previously ranging them). The first is a stake at 101 yards. Another marker is a far set of tress to the right of the field at 212 yards. The next is a dip in the field at 254 yards. An incline after the dip which goes from 267 to 321 yards. Then flat ground from the 321 yard mark to the back of the field at 499 yards.

The torch easily lit up the 101 yard stake. Clear and easily. The dip at 254 yards was well lit up with the concentrated beam lighting up lumps of grass, etc on the incline. It lit up the brow of the incline at 321 yards, again showing clumps of grass, etc. It did not light up the back ditch of the field at 499 yards. The light went that far, but between the full moon, and frost/fog it was hard to make out any shape. It did light up eyes of sheep at the end of the field.

And this:

Cass wrote:

.... i'm just after doing a check as it dawned on me that every thing i checked so far has been with the naked eye. IOW i haven't actually looked through the scope of a rifle with the torch mounted.

I got the Father to hold the torch and stuck the rifle on the sticks. Under the lamp i can see a stake at the end of the field quite clearly. That's 497 yards and i can not only see the 4 foot stake, but can place the crosshairs on it without any searching for the light or crosshairs.


So with the naked eye it's a 250+ torch, but with the rifle scope (set on 8 power) it's a 500 yard torch. Result.

If you wanted to go for the Wildhunter and considering you won't be shooting more than 500+ yards at night it'll cover all your needs. I mean a torch or lap can shine out to 2 mile, but it's no good if you don't or cannot shoot that far.

Now i know half the battle is being able to identify your quarry, but either torch will do this, and as i said above i can confirm the Wildhunter will do this to 500 yards without any problems. I've still never tested it past this distance and honestly i have a Lightforce 140 scope mount lamp with battery pack too, so i'm not pushed on whether it can or cannot go to 800+ yards.

After that it's up to you lad as to which you'd prefer. Not being a dick but i'd rather see you go for what you want, rather than take my word and end up wondering should i have gone for something else.

Shaner82

I hear ya cass and as long as I live I'll never be shooting anything at 500 yards ha ha

Cass

That is all i'm saying lad.

Don't go for what i say or anyone else says. Take on board what people recommend, but make up your own mind based on what you'd prefer. Realistically the Night Master, Xsearcher or Wildhunter will do the job equally out to the distances you want to shoot.

1jay1

What I found with the wildhunter was when using the red LED the useable light more than halved (expected) but the xsearcher being a lot more powerful the red LED was useable at much greater distances.
I'm not trying to put you off one but more suggesting that you might get a better product for the same price.
You will still want to take the shot at sensible ranges but I like to be able to spot them a long way out.
I don't think you will be disappointed with whichever you go for.
I don't know where your from but if your ever up my way your more than welcome to have a look at it in action.

Cass

1jay1 wrote: »

....... when using the red LED the useable light more than halved (expected)...........

While i did not measure it so cannot say the distance the RED LED will reduce the visible distance. I have the RED one and the white, but not the Green.

I only used the red when testing, but i stick with the White as i have the orange filter on the Lightforce Lamp. Even with the Lightforce, double battery pack, etc. when using the filter it does decrease the distance.

The other factor to remember is it's torch, not a lamp. I use mine primarily for easy carrying, and because it's so much more compact when on the rifle than the Lightforce. Of course not having to carry two fecking big heavy batteries doesn't hurt either.

1jay1

You can't beat a good torch for solo lamping, I have a 3 quid picatinny rail on the scope and a 2 quid QD ring for the torch (both from eBay) - scan away and have the torch back on the rifle in 2 secs. I picked up the green LED also, $28 instead of the €60-€70 here, it's kinda like a HD nightvision looking through the scope...worth picking up for something different.
Well Shaner, you have a few things to think about. What I will add though is I was waiting around 3 weeks for mine to arrive - might be a factor for you.
Good luck with whatever you choose and let us know how you get on with it.

Cass

1jay1 wrote: »

............ instead of the €60-€70 here,.......

Which torch is that for? The Wildhunter ones are €27 each, here.

1jay1

The LEDs for the NM/xsearcher are quite a bit more here.
I got 3 with the predator 800 but it was a package deal so didn't know how much they were. Cheapest I've seen the NM LEDs here was €56

Sika98k

Take a look at www.ludicrouslumens.co.uk. They stock great torches,batteries and chargers at great prices even allowing for strong sterling.
T50 and T67 stick out especially.

Shaner82

I got the 850 with 3 LEDs for €170 cash after which I'm happy enough with
Unfortunately it pissed rain sat night and I'm up in dublin working for week so it will be probably Friday night before I shoot with it, but just shining it out the back field it looks more than good enough though