511 Flashlight

[bauerdj]

Anyone have any expierence with the 511 "Lite for Life" flashlight? I am interested in it, primarily because of the 90 sec recharge time, but would like to hear from someone who has had one before spending that much money.

[gigag04]

A buddy of mine on K-9 had one and did not recommend it - he said it was a cool novelty but doesn't really work that well with regular use.

I still think Streamlight is one of the toughest, best values out there. Usually cheaper and brighter than the corresponding Surefire product (which are also great).

[Fire1141]

I think a 90 sec recharge time is unrealistic. I love and use a ton of 5.11 products, but not that light. As stated before, streamlight is great. Also, pelican rechargeable, which I have, is the best and brightest I've ever seen.

[srothstein]

I have been a dedicated Streamlight user for duty flashlights for as long as I can remember. I am still using one that they have not made in probably 10 years or more (the SL-35). And GT Distributors still fixes it for free when I need it due to the lifetime warranty.

But I am intrigued by the 5-11 light. The 90 sec charge time is because it does not use a traditional battery. It stores the electricity in a specially designed capacitor that allows a slow release instead of the normal sudden release of a capacitor. I think it is an interesting concept and maybe a step in the reformulation of batteries. If I need a new light, I might get it for around the house, but I would not trust it for police duty (or any thing where life depends on it) until after I had a chance to test it.

[FiveOh]

I've used the full size 5.11 light on duty for about two years, it serves my purposes perfectly. I retired my SL-20 and the polymer foam version (XP?), I was tired of replacing batteries, switches and lenses.

This is strictly an "admin" light for me, as I don't care for the strobe feature, specifically the switching. One click for regular lighting, hold for brighter lighting, strobe by two rapid clicks. The differing "clicks" can get frustrating in tactical scenarios, see below. No bueno when light discipline is necessary.

Additionally, I used the personal size 5.11 on my belt for a time when I seemed to be in the dark ALOT. I took it to a Low Light class at ALERRT and promptly ditched it in favor of the surefire, because I could not reliably and consistently go dark when necessary (rapid activation and deactivation results in inadvertant strobing, light on, light off when you intended something else-this is a user problem, but one I dont feel I need to address for this specific light). Again, it was a great "admin" light for searching cars, directing traffic, the like, and a good backup for a tactical light like my Surefire. Two lights on the belt got to be a little much, though, and I went back to the surefire on the belt and the 5.11 in a ring when I needed it. Still, I like the idea of a backup belt light that is rechargeable.

The 90 second recharge is 90 seconds. Depending on how much you use it, it can last a whole shift or a few hours between charges. IMHO it's well worth the money.

[shipwreck]

I am a flashlight fanatic. I have like 20+ of them. Eagletac is my fav, followed by Solarforce. You can easily have lights made as nice as Surefires for 1/3 the price, and 2,3 or even 4x the brightness.

Anyway - I read a LOT of info on flashlights and many reviews.

That 5.11 light uses a capacitor. That's how it is able to "recharge" - its not really a battery.

Every review I have read is pretty much negative. At max brightness, the light dies very, very quickly. You better have a backup light because you will need it.

Now, if you are going outside every night and using it for just a few minutes. You'll probably be okay. But, why spend that much coin for such a usage. If you are considering such a light with the cost, you are probably looking for actual usage for longer than that.

Get you a nice 18650 light... An 18650 is a rechargable lithium ion battery that is almost like two 123 batteries stacked on top of each other. These batteries are like $9.99 for a good one (shipped). The charger is like $20 from Illumination Gear. The charger is a 1x cost. Then, you can recharge your lithium batteries tons of times, and use your light guilt free without having to worry about the cost of those 123 batteries all the time. The light will go longer with the 18650 too.