The Tactical Flashlight

[speedsix]

...and I thought I was the brightest bulb on the block when I bought my Streamlight SL20(20,000CP) and could warm my hands with it...back in 1973...I think...

[Excaliber]

...and I thought I was the brightest bulb on the block when I bought my Streamlight SL20(20,000CP) and could warm my hands with it...back in 1973...I think...

I started out with a 3 cell aluminum Kel Lite (forerunner of MagLite and Streamlight) in 1974. It ran rings around the free Radio Shack 5 D cell battery eaters most of the force was carrying. (They put out pitiful illumination and consumed batteries at a prodigious rate, but the cops were happy because they were "free.")

I went to the rechargeable 3 cell MagLite when it came out because it put out more light and didn't need battery replacements, and I carried that for many years.

When Surefire came out with the 60 lumen 6P, I was the first in the department to adopt it. It blew away the rechargeable MagLites many of us used then, and we were thrilled to be using the pinnacle of technology.

Today my pocket carry is half the size and 3 times as bright, and has strobe and low settings as well.

That will be tough to beat. The next generation will have to at least make coffee and cook breakfast to attract any attention at all.

[speedsix]

...I've got a pawn shop Stinger and a Stinger LED which is about twice as bright...maybe have 60 in both of them...and have tried Surefire and other "name brands"...now, my boys and I each have the new Maglite mentioned above...awesome for identifying at defense ranges, blinding, slim, and cheap to feed...plus it's Maglite tough...
...my first police light wasn't...I bought a Kel-lite 4D and had the factory put my name on it...and had a wrecker driver steal it when I was in a wreck before I got to use it...

[Excaliber]

...I've got a pawn shop Stinger and a Stinger LED which is about twice as bright...maybe have 60 in both of them...and have tried Surefire and other "name brands"...now, my boys and I each have the new Maglite mentioned above...awesome for identifying at defense ranges, blinding, slim, and cheap to feed...plus it's Maglite tough...
...my first police light wasn't...I bought a Kel-lite 4D and had the factory put my name on it...and had a wrecker driver steal it when I was in a wreck before I got to use it...

That's cold.

I hope you found a way to express your appreciation to that individual at a later time.

[speedsix]

...nope...I looked for that light everytime that company pulled for us for at least two years...never found it...but I was all ready to pounce if I did...I was brand new and full of liquid waste and vinegar...

[Excaliber]

...nope...I looked for that light everytime that company pulled for us for at least two years...never found it...but I was all ready to pounce if I did...I was brand new and full of liquid waste and vinegar...

That's unfortunate.

It was apparently one of those many instances where, try as we might, justice isn't served in this life.

The thief will still have to answer for it in the next.

[speedsix]

...he prolly repented long ago...and gave the light away 'cause he was skeered to carry it...

[boba]

http://elektrolumens.com/Kong/Kong-12.html

That's right, 10,800 lumens. I think you could permanently blind someone with this tac-lite...lol.

For maximum light, I think the hand-held HID lights still beat LED.

[Excaliber]

...he prolly repented long ago...and gave the light away 'cause he was skeered to carry it...

You're probably right.

What seemed like a good idea at the time looked a lot less so later when he realized he couldn't carry it or use it without risking arrest (at least), especially with your name engraved into it.

[ELB]

I guess I am late to the party. I have two Surefire G2s. The older one is the lightbulb model, the newer one is LED. I think the rated lumens are 80 or so, which has been bright enough for my work as a volunteer firefighter/first responder. They have been used many times at 0-dark-30 car accidents, fires, medical calls and the like. Both have been very reliable. The LED is by far cheaper to run - it makes those expensie little batteries run MUCH longer than the older model. However, it puts out a bluish-white light that somehow just doesn't seem to illuminate small details a well as the older one's yellowish-white light. Might just be my eyes, dunno. I would like to have one of the smaller Surefires for pocket carry, but am too frugal/cheap to cough up the dough so far.

I ALWAYS carry a flashlight, make my wife carry one too (NRA version G2), and on the rare occasions I did not have a flashlight with me I regretted it. Even in the middle of a bright sunny Texas day, I have found it very useful, for example looking into the shadows of an engine compartment. Gun, knife, flashlight. The security device trinity.

[Excaliber]

I guess I am late to the party. I have two Surefire G2s. The older one is the lightbulb model, the newer one is LED. I think the rated lumens are 80 or so, which has been bright enough for my work as a volunteer firefighter/first responder. They have been used many times at 0-dark-30 car accidents, fires, medical calls and the like. Both have been very reliable. The LED is by far cheaper to run - it makes those expensie little batteries run MUCH longer than the older model. However, it puts out a bluish-white light that somehow just doesn't seem to illuminate small details a well as the older one's yellowish-white light. Might just be my eyes, dunno. I would like to have one of the smaller Surefires for pocket carry, but am too frugal/cheap to cough up the dough so far.

I ALWAYS carry a flashlight, make my wife carry one too (NRA version G2), and on the rare occasions I did not have a flashlight with me I regretted it. Even in the middle of a bright sunny Texas day, I have found it very useful, for example looking into the shadows of an engine compartment. Gun, knife, flashlight. The security device trinity.

I'm never without a flashlight either, and it's not at all unusual for me to have two or more of various types and sizes, depending on what I'm doing.

[glbedd53]

I have a Fenix PD-20 that claims 180 lumens and I don't doubt it, it's impressive. Uses one CR123A battery. It was a gift so I'm not sure what they cost but online it looks like about $60 or $70.

[BLG]

Picked up this http://www.klaruslight.com/products/Flash_light/68.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; last week. Maybe I am easily impressed, but for $75, I am impressed.

[Excaliber]

Picked up this http://www.klaruslight.com/products/Flash_light/68.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; last week. Maybe I am easily impressed, but for $75, I am impressed.

I've seen some video reviews and it looks like a terrific light and a terrific buy. You can find it for about $60 here.

There are several other lights in the same line, with one using just one CR123A battery, and two others that use AA batteries. The goinggear.com site also has some excellent videos that go over the pros and cons of each light in detail so you can be sure of what you're going to get before you buy.

[packina45]

I love my little Surefire G2 Nitrolon. As bright as you could ask for, compact as a roll of quarters. No strobe feature, but that's not something I'd use much anyway.

One note on CR123 battery-powered lights. At least with my experience with the G2s...

NO WARNING when your battery is getting low. Light will be full bright, turn it off, and it won't turn back on. Dead batteries.

Always carry spares.

I have a little velcro pouch on my duty belt right behind the weapon holster. In it, I keep three pairs of tightly rolled up latex gloves, a pair of disposable earplugs and a pair of CR123s.