Tactical Flashlights

[diverge]

Some things to think about:
1) Are you going to use the light primarily indoors(small rooms) or outdoors? If indoors then want a light with a lot of spill. The reflector will be textured. It produces a smooth beam from the center to the outer edges. If you want a light for outdoors then you would get a thrower. It has a smooth reflector. Most of the light is focused in a tight spot with little spill. This allows you so see objects at a greater distance. Indoors you have to scan the light more since it is concentrated in a smaller area than a different light with more spill. A light with a smooth reflector will also have dark rings. These dark rings are not helpful if you are trying to determine if that is a cell phone or gun in his hand. Unless you bounce the light off the roof.
2) I have a Fenix TK10 and Fenix P3D. My Surefire E2D-LED is better textured and the finish is not as "slippery" as the Fenix lights. This would be a concern if your hands sweat. The crenulations on the bezel of the Fenix TK10 remind me of the scissors designed for small children in comparison to the E2D. The selection of accessories with Surefire is also greater. If you plan on buying light mounts for your weapons or light pouches for carry this is important. Fenix accessories are almost non-existent. You can also buy a great variety of LEDS for the Surefire P6. Just using Fenix as an example on comparing lights. Comparing two lights on the internet is not the same as comparing them both in person.
3) If you plan to only use the light to only identify your target, get one with a switch that only has one setting. If you turn the light on and off and don't wait past the allotted time(usually one second) you willl be in a different light setting(usually a less intense one).
4) make sure the techniques you plan on using with you light work with the tailcap. IE Rogers-Surfire (cigar) technique.
5) If the LED is regulated, know how that works.

[metamurph]

great feedback Diverge.

[Ping]

Great input and many things to be considered on tactical flashlights. I would want something that would really be diverse in a indoor and outdoor setting along with disaster preparedness. What I keep on the nightstand is also the same thing I would want to keep in my Jeep (Which in the past has always been a Maglight). I did check out the Fenix, Surefire and Nova. Brilliant flashlights but still rather pricey. I did look at a Smith and Wesson version that I just happened upon.

[metamurph]

Great input and many things to be considered on tactical flashlights. I would want something that would really be diverse in a indoor and outdoor setting along with disaster preparedness. What I keep on the nightstand is also the same thing I would want to keep in my Jeep (Which in the past has always been a Maglight). I did check out the Fenix, Surefire and Nova. Brilliant flashlights but still rather pricey. I did look at a Smith and Wesson version that I just happened upon.

Since you have maglites (I have a number of them also...that is my wife's primary weapon 4 d-cell to the skull) the little AA version does have 3rd party replacement tailcaps that give you push button on/off like the "tactical" lights.  And you can "upgrade" from the little halogen to a 3 watt led but they all have the smooth reflector.

[warhawke]

I used to carry a cyclops light (which I got dirt cheap) and I carried it on duty for about a year. It was OK but I was buy 50 batteries a pop to get the price below $1.50 each. It was good and bright and worked well but It ate the batteries like tic-tac's. I eventually sold it and picked up a niteize conversion for LED and base switch. I found that I don't need an Uber-light, I just need to shine some light on the subject. Sure, a blinding light that you can use to beat your way through a cinder-block wall might be nice but I don't think that most of us need them. To say nothing of spending$200 or more for a good light that might get lost, broke or stolen.


http://www.niteize.com/

[Sponsor]

[Overload]

The stock LED MagLite 2AA is a great light for the cost.  I'm not a fan of the variable focus head, as I can never get it focused well for throw (vs flood).

The niteize comment reminded me of this.

I carry a Photon Rex as it's rechargeable with any 1.5v battery, and bright enough for close in work.  This is on my key-chain.  If I carry a light, it's a Surefire E1B Backup (which I just saw in silver which is very handsome).

At home I use the Maglite LED 2AA, both variations of the Photon Proton, and a Pak-Lite (a tiny 9v, 2-led light and great runtime.

[warhawke]

With the bottom on/off switch you have to twist the lens in the mini-mag to be 'always on', I got the beam where I wanted it and used some electricians tape to keep it there. The LED conversion eliminates most of the focus anyway so it's not that big a deal. I am looking at the Fenix light, but I don't want all the adjustments, I just want light when and where I need it, messing around to get the right amount and type of light is a waste of time in an emergency.

[PegLeg45]

A friend of mine is our county's coroner and their office uses Energizer lights. He gave one to my son and I'm thinking of getting one myself. They actually sell them at Wally-World for around $46.00. It is aluminum and rechargeable and I think it will also use 3 regular CR123 batteries. It comes with several colored lenses (if that's your need). It is a very bright light and you can focus the beam. With the tightest beam, it will shine well into the trees 100 yards across the field next to the house.

[dnittler]

I've carried a surefire of some flavor every day for the past five or six years.

The E2e is nice (small and bright), but the bulb is somwhat fragile

The C3 is tough as nails, but too big

The E1b is perfect for me. As bright as the C3, and smaller than the E2e. Plus the battery lasts longer and the LED will never burn out.

[Condition 1]

Looking forward to it.