Recommend me a light for a close protection officer!

I work in security as a regular uniformed officer as well as, what most people call a bodyguard. I need a light that I can EDC and use when I'm in either roll. So I'm open to what you have to say.

Flashlight Recommendation Checklist

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I would like to purchase the light in person from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter)<br />
<br />
<br />
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after you answering the rest!<br />
____I don't know yet<br />
____Up to $25.<br />
____Up to $50.<br />
__x_Up to $100.<br />
____Up to $200.<br />
____Up to $300.<br />
____Essentially unlimited.<br />
<br />
3) Format<br />
____I am not sure, please help me decide.<br />
__x__I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).<br />
____I want a self-contained headlamp.<br />
____I want a headlamp with an external pack/power source.<br />
____I want a mounted light (typically for a bicycle or vehicle)<br />
____I want a lantern/area light.<br />
____I want a portable spotlight (it may have an external power source).<br />
____Other ____________________________________________<br />
4) Size:<br />
<br />
____MICRO - Keychain size.<br />
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).<br />
__x__SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).<br />
____MEDIUM - Holster/belt ring carry. (>7 inches)<br />
____LARGE - Big enough to need its own travel case.<br />
____I don't know/I don't care.<br />
<br />
5) Emitter/Light source:<br />
__x__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)<br />
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)<br />
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)<br />
____I don't know.<br />
<br />
6) Manufacturer:<br />
__x__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.<br />
____I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).<br />
____I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).<br />
<br />
7) What power source do you want to use?<br />
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable <b>Alkaline</b> batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.<br />
____I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable <b>Lithium</b> batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).<br />
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells[/B] (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.<br />
____I intend to use Rechargeable cells[/B] based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).<br />
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.<br />
__x__I don't know/I need more information on power sources.<br />
<br />
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option<br />
____I want a light that plugs directly into the wall (literally with prongs built into the light)<br />
____I want a light that has a recharging adapter (your typical "wall wart")<br />
____I want a light that snaps into a cradle (usually mounted on a wall)<br />
____I want a separate/stand-alone charger (this involves removing the batteries to charge)<br />
_x__I don't care<br />
<br />
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).<br />
<br />
____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).<br />
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)<br />
____I want to confidently walk around an unlit/unpaved rural area (60-150 lumens).<br />
____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).<br />
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).<br />
__x__I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).<br />
____<b>SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category</b> - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.<br />
<br />
<br />
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.<br />
<br />
____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.<br />
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.<br />
____Narrow Flood: I want a sharply defined flood area that will project some distance for tasks like trail walking.<br />
____Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.<br />
__x__Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.<br />
____Turbohead: I want a far-distance projector with a sharply focused spot of light and minimal or zero side-spill. Good for extreme distance and impressing your friends.<br />
<br />
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light? (check all that apply)<br />
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)<br />
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)<br />
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)<br />
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)<br />
__x__50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)<br />
____150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)<br />
<br />
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).<br />
<br />
____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)<br />
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)<br />
__x__90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)<br />
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).<br />
<br />
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.<br />
____Not Important (A "night-stand" light).<br />
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).<br />
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).<br />
__x__Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).<br />
____I don't know.<br />
<br />
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):<br />
____Any size switch will do.<br />
____I need a BIG switch (I'll be using gloves or have very large hands or coordination issues).<br />
____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).<br />
____I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).<br />
____I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).<br />
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).<br />
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).<br />
__x__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).<br />
____I want a remote switch (usually found on high-end bicycle headlights)<br />
____I don't care.<br />
____I don't know.<br />
____Other, please specify____________________.<br />
<br />
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.<br />
<br />
____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.<br />
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)<br />
__x__I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)<br />
____I want a programmable light.<br />
____I want a selector ring.<br />
__x__I want a strobe mode. (Oscillating pattern to confuse/blind aka "Police Mode")<br />
____I want SOS mode. (blinks in ---...--- emergency pattern)<br />
____I want a beacon mode. (Regular flashes at full power to show location.)<br />
____I don't care.<br />
____I don't know.<br />
<br />
14)Material/Finish/Coating<br />
____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).<br />
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today's higher end flashlights).<br />
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)<br />
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).<br />
____I don't care.<br />
__x__I don't know.<br />
____Other, please specify____________.<br />
<br />
15) Water resistance<br />
____None needed<br />
____IPX4 (Splash resistant)<br />
__x__IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)<br />
____IPX8 (Submersible to greater than 1 meter for 4 hours)<br />
<br />
16) Storage conditions<br />
____In house (temperature/climate controlled environment)<br />
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)<br />
____Automobile glove-box (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)<br />
__x__Other_____EDC_____________________________________<br />
<br />
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.<br />
<br />
____Red filter (for preserving night vision).<br />
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).<br />
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.<br />
____"Hybrid" light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)<br />
__x__Pocket/belt clip<br />
__x__Holster<br />
____Wrist/Neck Lanyardl2<br />
____Crenulated bezel<br />
____Non-sparking, Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments[/QUOTE]<br/>

You might read through this thread.
Police Study of tactical use of Strobe

Poppy
I have been following that discussion for a long while. Unfortunately, there is no direct recommendations of lights in the post. If you have some insight please share with me either here or by pm. I am also looking for training in the Dallas, Texas area if anyone knows of any!

For best strobe, you would want an Fenix, or Thrunite.

You should visit a dedicated blue light industry store as they specialize in lights for the industry.I use Police style leather memo books for work due to ruggedness and they are the only stores i can get them to fit the holder.

dazed1 said:

For best strobe, you would want an Fenix, or Thrunite.

Click to expand...

Can you qualify why Fenix and Thrunite are the best on strobe please

medic75142 said:

Poppy
I have been following that discussion for a long while. Unfortunately, there is no direct recommendations of lights in the post. If you have some insight please share with me either here or by pm.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I followed that thread for the first number of pages, and didn't see a specific recommendation. I'd probably PM GrizzlyB and ask him.

He is very knowledgeable, and quite the gentleman.

Will you have other weapons available while working?

Yes, my company prefers the non-leathal route first though.

I would sort out the training and see what they offer before committing to buying a strobe light, there's little point in choosing the tool that doesn't fit in with the training.

The flashlight developed with the Dutch Police is the Eden TDL 20.

medic75142 said:

Yes, my company prefers the non-leathal route first though.

Click to expand...

You mean less-lethal, right?

I think the strobe is a only momentary step on the path to something else: escape, control and take-down, or escalating force to whatever is next.

If I were choosing, I'd pick a hand-held optimized for admin/daily function tasks, and have a weapon-mounted light. Depending on who's buying the batteries, the recs may vary.

See your other thread about this for recommendations.

Klarus XT series, with XT2C probably being your best choice. You get instant access to both high and strobe, and easy access to medium and low, without changing your grip. Plan on using 18650 Li-Ion cells in order to get the advertised run time.

FourSevens Quark Tacticals are also a good choice, with the QT2L probably being your best option. Get one with the XP-G2 emitter for the faster, more effective strobe rate. Unfortunately without the burst mode, it does not quite get up to your output preferences.

I carry one or the other of these lights every day.

+1 on the Klarus. I can personally attest as I used one on duty for quite some time after reading the police study linked above. I only used it for protection against a combative patient once and it was very effective. It does take a little practice getting your thumb to always go to the instant access strobe button but once you get it down it's easy.

medic2491 said:

+1 on the Klarus. I can personally attest as I used one on duty for quite some time after reading the police study linked above. I only used it for protection against a combative patient once and it was very effective. It does take a little practice getting your thumb to always go to the instant access strobe button but once you get it down it's easy.

Click to expand...

Klarus has updated the XT11 to a 2nd gen strobe switch. I have the gen1.
www.klaruslight.com/plist_show.php?id=63