How do Spotlights work?

[andalucien]

In my local play group we have been using Spotlights in a certain way, but I don't think it's really how everyone else plays them.  I'd like to know how it's done at Battlegrounds tourneys?   Also, for anyone that goes to lots of big tournaments, is it pretty standard everywhere?

We've been doing this:
Using your spotlight is a completely separate act from shooting.

So if you have rhino A and rhino B, both with a spotlight and a stormbolter, trying to hit a unit of Bloodletters during nightfight, you can:
1. Try to spotlight the bloodletters with Rhino A (let's say it fails).
2. Try to spotlight the bloodletters with Rhino B (let's say it work).
3. Shoot the bloodletters with Rhino A (now it's lit up).
4. Shoot the bloodletters with Rhino B.

You can also:
1.  Try to spotlight the bloodletters with Rhino A (fail)
2.  Try to shoot the unit with Rhino A (separate range check).

Some related questions:
Can you use your spotlight if you're Crew Shaken/Stunned?
Can you use your spotlight after you moved flat out?

[Grimwulfe]

1. Try to spotlight the bloodletters with Rhino A (let's say it fails).
2. Try to spotlight the bloodletters with Rhino B (let's say it work).
3. Shoot the bloodletters with Rhino A (now it's lit up).
4. Shoot the bloodletters with Rhino B.

This is incorrect.  Using a searchlight is a shotting attack.  Therefore Rhino must shoot when attempting to use the searchlight.  If he fails to light it up he fails to shoot.

1.  Try to spotlight the bloodletters with Rhino A (fail)
2.  Try to shoot the unit with Rhino A (separate range check).

Range checks are the same.  If you fail with searchlight you fail to shoot.

Can you use your spotlight if you're Crew Shaken/Stunned?
Can you use your spotlight after you moved flat out?

No and No see above reasons why.

[Benjamin]

Grimwulfe is completely correct.

[andalucien]

thx guys.