Best Light For Gator Hunting: Perfect Tool For A Swamp Navi-Gator

Introduction

Alligators are nocturnal hunters. So your best bet in finding the biggest gators is at night. Unfortunately we humans don’t have night vision, so using a flashlight is your best bet.

But how do you choose a light for gator hunting? There are so many articles floating around the net about this. So which one do you choose?

The answer is simple, you choose our post on the best light for gator hunting. 

We’ve put together a list of the top 5 flashlights suited for the job. We’ve even put together a buying guide at the end for your convenience. This was brought to you by the courtesy of our research team, who slaved for hours on this.

So what are you waiting for? Strap in your hunting gears and let’s go on a hunt-

Comparison Table

ThruNite’s Archer 2A V3 LED Flashlight

The Archer can fit in the palm of your hands, as it’s just 6-inches long. Plus it has a well-placed dual-button that allows you easily turn it on or off. There is zero chance of you accidentally turning it off in the middle of a hunt.

It’s made with aerospace-quality aluminum, which is overkill in our opinion. This is one of the most durable flashlights on the list. It even has an IPX8 rating as it can stay submerged for 4 hours at a depth of 1.5 meters.

It even has a decent performance, providing over 500 lumens of light within a beam distance of 93 meters. It has highly efficient LED emitters that have 5 brightness settings. 

It has a max runtime of about 15 days on just 2 batteries. It’s powered by 2 double-A batteries, but these are not included inside the flashlight.

Pros

• Excellent Durability.
• Great Light Output.
• Convenient to use.
• Excellent Runtime.

Cons

• Batteries have to be purchased separately. 
• Awkward design.

Nitecore’s TINI 2 Rechargeable LED Flashlight 

Moreover, its performance isn’t that shabby either. It can produce 500 Lumens of light at a distance of about 88-89 meters. All while weighing in at an ounce!

It has a USB C port to recharge itself when it’s drained. This rechargeable feature earned it the 2nd spot here.

However, the USB C cable needs to be purchased separately. And its runtime isn’t that great either as it can maintain its maximum brightness for only 15 minutes.

Pros

• It is user-friendly.
• Decent durability.
• Great illumination.
• Rechargeable.

Cons

• Low runtime.

ThruNite’s TN36 LED Flashlight

It has an IPX8 rating and is suitable for gator hunting. The light even has an impact resistance of about 2 meters.

Moreover, the TN36 is easy to carry. It may not be as portable as the first two on the list, but it’s no burden at all.

So why isn’t this at the top then?

It’s because its batteries and chargers are not sold with it. Moreover, they are extremely rare to find and you’d have a better chance of finding a needle in a haystack. This is why it got demoted down to number 3.

Pros

• Excellent Lumen Rating.
• Decent durability.
• Excellent range.
• Water-proof.
• Impact-resistant.

Cons

• The battery and charger are not sold together.
• Batteries and chargers are extremely hard to find.

EdisonBrightstore’s FENIX TK75 LED Flashlight

The FENIX specializes in locating alligators using this. It has the best green eyes reflecting ability of the bunch. This earned it the number 4 ranking on our list.

The FENIX has a high Lumen rating of 5,100. It even has the second-highest beam distance on the list (849.5 meters).

The FENIX is also durable and is credited to its stainless steel exterior. Its LEDs have a lifespan of about 50,000 hours.

Pros

• High Beam distance.
• Decent durability.
• Decent Lumen rating.
• Excellent runtime.

Cons

• Batteries don’t always fit properly.
• Buttons aren’t comfortable.

Nitecore’s SBT-70 TM36 Rechargeable LED Flashlight

Like the previous one on the list, the TM36 is also rechargeable. And it doesn’t use rare or faulty batteries. It has a decent lumen rating of about 1,800 Lumens.

But a standout feature of the TM36 is that it has the highest beam distance of the bunch. It measures a staggering 1,100 meters. This means it can scope out gators from afar quite easily.

However, the TM36 is quite bulky and heavy to use. It’s the heaviest on the list, weighing in at 3 pounds. So it might cause quite a wrist sprain if used for long periods.

Pros

• Highest Runtime.
• Excellent beam distance.
• Excellent durability.

Cons

• Bulky to use.

Things You Need To Consider Before Buying ILF Riser

Now, this section is dedicated to the keenest of hunters in the audience. The main focus of this section is to shed light on the basics. Most flashlights have a myriad of specs that sound like gibberish to beginners.

We’re aiming to simplify these specs so that anyone can understand what they mean. That way even a novice can have access to the knowledge to buy the right tools. With that being said I think it’s time for us to dive right in.

Light-Output & Bulb Type

The first and most important factor you have to consider before buying a flashlight is its light output. The unit of that measurement is Lumens. 

It’s when the intensity of the light emitted by the flashlight when it’s turned on to its maximum brightness setting. This output has to be powered by fresh batteries to get a realistic output level. This Lumen intensity can be shown in various light settings. 

The higher the Lumen level the more powerful the flashlight. Light output can range from a modest 20 lumens to a searing 3500 lumens. 20 lumens are appropriate for reading books while 3500 lumens are appropriate for illuminating a pathway.

Now let’s talk about bulb types. There are mainly two types of Flashlights; LED lights and incandescent bulbs.

Although there may be two different types of bulbs, there is one clear winner nowadays. Other bulb kinds have practically become obsolete due to advancements in LED technology. 

Incandescent bulbs, such as krypton bulbs, are still used in a few flashlight types. However, the energy efficiency, run duration, impact resistance, and brightness options of an LED flashlight are sublime.

Beam Length, Distance & Type

This is another key aspect you have to consider before buying a flashlight. When you shine a light from a flashlight it tends to disperse at one point. So you need to know the length till which it won’t disperse.

That length is called the beam length of a flashlight. The beam distance on the other hand is a bit different. It’s the distance of how far the light can go before it disperses into the intensity of a full moon.

This peculiar “full moon” metric is used because it’s considered a standard illumination for traveling outdoors. It is measured in meters.

Now, let’s move on to the type of beams. There are mainly three and these are floodlights, spotlights, and adjustable lights.

A flood or fixed light is a single beam of light that is good for walking. Most traditional flashlights have this type making them perfect for camping.

Spotlights are condensed beams of light that are focused to go a long distance. This is ideal for finding routes and other heart-exhilarating activities.

Lastly, we have adjustable lights. These are exactly as their name suggests. The beam width can be adjusted from wide areas to focused areas.

Battery Type

There are mainly two types of batteries that flashlights use. This section focuses on the different types there are. So let’s get to it-

Firstly, we have disposable batteries. These are the most often used battery sizes, AAA or AA, which can be found anywhere. The CR123A is another popular option, although it is more costly and more difficult to find. 

Their advantage is a greater voltage output in a smaller and lighter device. This allows for a brighter illumination in a smaller package. 

If you need a baton-sized light that won’t get lost in your pocket, D cell flashlights should be your go-to choice.

Secondly, we have rechargeable batteries. The built-in lithium-ion batteries may be recharged by USB from a computer, an AC, or a DC outlet. Although they cost more, these batteries are cheaper in the long run.

This is due to their low operational costs and reduction of waste batteries.

Pro Tip: Do not mismatch batteries with their flashlights. Using Lithium or Lithium-Ion Batteries on any flashlight that doesn’t use it may harm the flashlight.

Runtime & Regulated Supply

Runtime is counted in hours on a fresh battery supply. This is the measure of how long it takes for the light output to reduce to 10% of the rated brightness. This is usually rounded to the closest quarter-hour.

Light output may gradually decline over time. It may also remain steady for a short period before abruptly decreasing. Each light set is usually assigned a run time. A runtime graph gives you the best approximation of a battery’s performance.

Throughout the life of the batteries, lights with a regulated power source maintain a near-constant brightness level. However, in its dying hours, light production abruptly decreases. 

This is a sign of unregulated power sources. They begin bright and gradually decrease as the batteries drain.

Impact And Water Resistance

Impact tests are used by flashlight manufacturers daily. It is measured in meters.

Lights are put to the test by being dropped six times onto concrete at a specified distance. The purpose of this test is to confirm if the flashlight remains operational after being dropped. 

The IPX rating system is used for water resistance. When you’re planning to use flashlights near water bodies, this is a crucial thing to check.

There are mainly 3 IPX grades. Firstly, the IPX4 grade indicates that it’s splash resistant from all sides.

The IPX7 and IPX8 tests determine submersion time limits. IPX7 grade indicates a temporary immersion: up to 30 minutes at 1m depth. IPX8 grade determines if a flashlight is functioning after 4 hours of submersion at the specified depth.

FAQs

Question: Do Alligators have night vision?

Answer: Alligators are nighttime predators and they are well equipped to hunt at night. They do have night vision. It’s one of the key senses they use other than smell to hunt in complete darkness.

Question: What’s the best bait for alligators?

Answer: Chicken leg quarters make excellent bait. Allowing them to “age” for two or three days before setting makes them incredibly delicious (to an alligator). A set can be made in a variety of ways. The most common way is to use a 2-foot cane pole buried three feet in the mud. This can be thrown out over the water in the marsh, which will attract gators.

Question: When are alligators most active?

Answer: Alligators are most active between the hours of dusk till dawn. So prepare to avoid going out in marshes during these hours if you want to avoid them. However, if you’re an alligator hunter this is the best time to encounter and hunt them.

Final Words

Well it seems like we’re at the end of the hunt here. This was all we had on the best light for gator hunting. At the very least, we hope that you found our article to be a good read.

Since we’ve shed enough light on the matter you’ve probably made up your choice. If you haven’t then your safest bet would be the top pick on the list.

Well, that’s all from us for now. Till then, take care and stay safe!