Hello to all -
I have been quite busy with work and have been away for some time - and it's good to be back. That said, I searched and only found one "working" thread on this new light and nothing on reviews, etc. so I am posting this in a new thread. If I'm missing something, maybe a Moderator could slap me and move this. Finally, I am not an employee or associate of 5.11 Tactical, nor do I have any vested interested in the product. I will provide a link to the website where I found some details (below). I really do have the lights and these are my personal real-world opinions, so please don't waste posting space by saying negative things about my post (you don't really have it, prove it, etc), as I'm not interested. Now, on to the good part!
Yesterday, while visiting a law enforcement supply store in California (see below) I noticed that they had a working display of the new "5.11 Tactical" Light for Life. I have only learned of these new lights recently, while browsing the new 5.11 Tactical catalog, so I was surprised to see one out so soon. While looking at the very impressive demo, I learned that the store had received some in yesterday and all were sold except two. I jumped at the chance and grabbed those two and ordered 6 more for my team. I have not taken photos, nor beamshots and will not have time because we have company visiting this weekend, but I wanted to share my initial observations on this excellent new product;
- The light is approximately the same size as the Streamlight SL20 that many of us in law enforcement have carried for years. The 5.11 Light for Life is much lighter however. It is also completely sealed.
- The head is six-sided to prevent rolling and the lens appears to be polycarbonate an held down by six hex-head screws.
- The switch is well made and operates as follows; click on (low setting) and push and hold for high (from either off mode or low/on mode). Click twice from off to activate 'strobe' mode. The switch appears to be secured in the body by four small phillips head screws.
- The beam pattern and throw are outstanding, IMHO. The pattern is best described as a nice hotspot with good spill (I'm not an expert) and is like two "rounded end triangles" which overlap to provide almost a flower looking six-rounded petals kind of thing. Think of the Jewish "Star of David" but with the points rounded off and you get the idea. This design allows for overlap in the spill and appears quite effective.
- The throw/output/color of the 5.11 LFL is also nice. I have a few lights for comparison; The 'low mode' appears to produce about the same as my Surefire L4, but with a better hotspot. Compared to my Malkoff/Maglight 3D, the low on the 5.11 LFL seems slightly less in "actual" visual output in the hotspot, while the high mode appears to be brighter. The spill on both modes appear to me to be stronger that my Malkoff (I LOVE my Malkoff, thanks again Gene!). In my opinion, the throw is outstanding! On low mode, I see this as a practical light with good "usability", while high mode can be used for added boost and/or defensive purposed very effectively. I cannot see how to activate the high mode continuously, but I may have missed something (not much time to play). Finally, the color of the beam appears to be very white, with no distinct color tone to my eyes.
- Now, the best part, charging! I opened the box and removed the new light and confirmed that it was completely discharged, dead, nothing. I plugged the charging base into my cigarette lighter (only a DC charger for now, but you can use an DC/AC converter) and dropped the light into the base. A blue LED on the base begins flashing, about once per second and flashes faster as the charge nears completion, finally becoming solid when fully-charged. I timed it with my cars clock and it was fully charged in well under two minutes - IT REALLY WAS!!!
To sum this up - SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!
The technology is really impressive. I may have missed something while I have been away, but I don't know of anything like this - especially for the price (about $169). Being the early-adopter geek that I really am (don't tell my "cool" friends, they wouldn't understand) I appreciate the innovation on this one and I expect to see it make the "Best of 2009" in several geek type publications.
Now, here's a scoop for my fellow light geeks - a source, who will absolutely remain confidential (sorry) advised that there is ongoing development of a smaller version of this light, say Poly-Stinger size or so. It would likely have a variation of switch and charging method methods but will employ the same overall capacitor technology and design elements. I'd expect output to be slightly reduced, but with advancements in LED technology, who knows. I would guess we may see one by early 2010, so I would not let that prevent you from grabbing one of the current ones.
Again, I have no connection with the makers or sellers of this light - that said, IT IS AMAZING!!!!!
I hope you enjoyed my review.
Hoppy
http://www.511tactical.com/lightforlife.html
If this is OK, I will say that I purchased the light from "Kip" at LC Action, in San Jose CA. He is a good guy, so you can tell him Ed sent you if you wish
I have been quite busy with work and have been away for some time - and it's good to be back. That said, I searched and only found one "working" thread on this new light and nothing on reviews, etc. so I am posting this in a new thread. If I'm missing something, maybe a Moderator could slap me and move this. Finally, I am not an employee or associate of 5.11 Tactical, nor do I have any vested interested in the product. I will provide a link to the website where I found some details (below). I really do have the lights and these are my personal real-world opinions, so please don't waste posting space by saying negative things about my post (you don't really have it, prove it, etc), as I'm not interested. Now, on to the good part!
Yesterday, while visiting a law enforcement supply store in California (see below) I noticed that they had a working display of the new "5.11 Tactical" Light for Life. I have only learned of these new lights recently, while browsing the new 5.11 Tactical catalog, so I was surprised to see one out so soon. While looking at the very impressive demo, I learned that the store had received some in yesterday and all were sold except two. I jumped at the chance and grabbed those two and ordered 6 more for my team. I have not taken photos, nor beamshots and will not have time because we have company visiting this weekend, but I wanted to share my initial observations on this excellent new product;
- The light is approximately the same size as the Streamlight SL20 that many of us in law enforcement have carried for years. The 5.11 Light for Life is much lighter however. It is also completely sealed.
- The head is six-sided to prevent rolling and the lens appears to be polycarbonate an held down by six hex-head screws.
- The switch is well made and operates as follows; click on (low setting) and push and hold for high (from either off mode or low/on mode). Click twice from off to activate 'strobe' mode. The switch appears to be secured in the body by four small phillips head screws.
- The beam pattern and throw are outstanding, IMHO. The pattern is best described as a nice hotspot with good spill (I'm not an expert) and is like two "rounded end triangles" which overlap to provide almost a flower looking six-rounded petals kind of thing. Think of the Jewish "Star of David" but with the points rounded off and you get the idea. This design allows for overlap in the spill and appears quite effective.
- The throw/output/color of the 5.11 LFL is also nice. I have a few lights for comparison; The 'low mode' appears to produce about the same as my Surefire L4, but with a better hotspot. Compared to my Malkoff/Maglight 3D, the low on the 5.11 LFL seems slightly less in "actual" visual output in the hotspot, while the high mode appears to be brighter. The spill on both modes appear to me to be stronger that my Malkoff (I LOVE my Malkoff, thanks again Gene!). In my opinion, the throw is outstanding! On low mode, I see this as a practical light with good "usability", while high mode can be used for added boost and/or defensive purposed very effectively. I cannot see how to activate the high mode continuously, but I may have missed something (not much time to play). Finally, the color of the beam appears to be very white, with no distinct color tone to my eyes.
- Now, the best part, charging! I opened the box and removed the new light and confirmed that it was completely discharged, dead, nothing. I plugged the charging base into my cigarette lighter (only a DC charger for now, but you can use an DC/AC converter) and dropped the light into the base. A blue LED on the base begins flashing, about once per second and flashes faster as the charge nears completion, finally becoming solid when fully-charged. I timed it with my cars clock and it was fully charged in well under two minutes - IT REALLY WAS!!!
To sum this up - SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!
The technology is really impressive. I may have missed something while I have been away, but I don't know of anything like this - especially for the price (about $169). Being the early-adopter geek that I really am (don't tell my "cool" friends, they wouldn't understand) I appreciate the innovation on this one and I expect to see it make the "Best of 2009" in several geek type publications.
Now, here's a scoop for my fellow light geeks - a source, who will absolutely remain confidential (sorry) advised that there is ongoing development of a smaller version of this light, say Poly-Stinger size or so. It would likely have a variation of switch and charging method methods but will employ the same overall capacitor technology and design elements. I'd expect output to be slightly reduced, but with advancements in LED technology, who knows. I would guess we may see one by early 2010, so I would not let that prevent you from grabbing one of the current ones.
Again, I have no connection with the makers or sellers of this light - that said, IT IS AMAZING!!!!!
I hope you enjoyed my review.
Hoppy
http://www.511tactical.com/lightforlife.html
If this is OK, I will say that I purchased the light from "Kip" at LC Action, in San Jose CA. He is a good guy, so you can tell him Ed sent you if you wish
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