Recommendations for officer

[Colonel]

Hey guys

Looking for a recommendation for my next duty light.

Background:
I've loaned out my Fenix P3D (CE, I think? 9/40/90/160 lumens) to an officer and am currently using an Inova Bolt 2A that was on clearance at Target.

I miss my Fenix P3D. I like the 9 lumen mode with the ability to switch up to the 160 or so lumens. (I dont recall the specs, and my model is older.) It's been a great light.. and I love it when some testosterone head makes fun of how small it is.. then I turn it on at 160 lumens and put their big expensive piece of crap to shame. :eek:

I use it for work.. counting inmates at 9 lumens.. and the 160 lumens while on patrol as a spotlight. It's much faster than turning the spotlight.

(Other lights on hand, 2 Pelican M6 xenons, 1 Streamlight Stinger XT xenon, 2 Energizer® Tactical Metal Light: 1watt LED/45 lumens/1 AA)

With this in mind, the officer I loaned my Fenix P3D to wants to buy it. So what better opportunity for an upgrade, right! :devil:

For starters, I was going to pick the Fenix LD20 on sale at outdoorbunker, but it's out of stock.

To the point:
What's an upgrade from what I had?
I like the low output / high output.. and use the in-between some as well. I've also used the strobe function. Having a holster is a need as well. I just got a bunch of those Energizer Advanced Lithiums on sale, as well as some CR123As. I'm not opposed to switching to a light that uses another type of battery. Size isn't an issue as long as it fits my output requests, I'd rather it not be 2D Maglite size.

Thanks in advance! :twothumbs

 

[carrot]

The Quark Tactical 123^2 may well be right up your alley. It is a very strong competitor to the P3D with brighter output and programmability. It lets you get two different output levels instantly (loosened head for one and tightened head for the other) and can be quickly reprogrammed in under a minute to select a new mode. It improves over the body design of the P3D by adding a pocket clip and generous knurling for grip.

Even better, on its second-highest output level (85 lumens) it will run for nearly 8 hours (7:51) on a single set of batteries. It'll run for nearly 2 hours (1:42) on turbo (230 lumens) if that isn't bright enough.

If you prefer the UI of the P3D, the Quark Regular offers many of the same advantages with the user interface you are used to.

 

[COAST]

Quick post.... Ra Clicky Tactical? I didn't really read your first post haha.... but still. Great light

 

[skinnypig]

I use an O-Light m30 with 2 185o batteries and a round tail cap (vs the stock squarish one). I put mine in a Bianchi Accumold ASP holder and it fits perfectly. The light has high/med/lo and also strobe. Someday im going to hit the lottery and get a Malkoff Wildcat.....i use a Malkoff m61 for my SWAT rifle light and for my SWAT tacvest.

 

[jabe1]

I'll reinforce carrot's suggestion. Either the Quark 2x123, or for a more "throwy" light, the 2x123 turbo.

 

[DaveTheDude]

You might also consider the EagleTac line of personal lights (which approximate the size of the P3D), and the more rugged and robust line of the company's Tactical duty lights. Both offer about the same levels of light performance.

 

[M@elstrom]

The Jetbeam Jet-III M would make a nice upgrade for you, 2Lm (programmable via IBS) up to 230Lm Max with flexible UI & battery options which according to Jetbeam are:

1 X 17670 (not "officially" listed but 100% successful)
1 x 18650
2 X CR123a
2 x RCR123 (I haven't been able to do this yet as last RCRs were unco-operative Trustfires)

 

[COAST]

I'll reinforce carrot's suggestion. Either the Quark 2x123, or for a more "throwy" light, the 2x123 turbo.

I have the Turbo... It's great! +1!

 

[jhc37013]

The Eagletac P20C2 MII or T20C2 MKII are very bright and both comes with a holster. The T20C2 MKII is bigger but has better throw. If you get one get the textured reflector because the smooth reflector has a dark spot in the center of the beam and does affect throw. With the textured reflector the beam is flawless.

http://www.eagletac-usa.com/

 

[carrot]

fwiw, the Quark also comes with a holster.

 

[interdictor]

I am a police officer near St Louis. I regularly work a high crime area. I stepped up to a Malkoff MD2 from the old magcharger about 6 months ago. WOW is all I can say. This handheld torch is great! Its taken a beating and kept on ticking. Great product, great service, and great company. Why would you ever go to an imported product when you have this option? Just my opinion from a guy who wants/needs a good light and doesn't know all the technical stuff.. The only reason I miss the magcharger is if the need presents itself for an impact weapon. Then again, I find myself needing illumination and being light on my feet more.

I am looking forward to the 1st shift with the new MD3 Wildcat very soon.

 

[carrot]

interdictor, you are right, the MD2 is a phenomenal product, one I also highly recommend.

I think most of us figured the next logical step up from the P3D is the Quark, but the MD2 is in a different class altogether. Malkoff is a real asset to the flashlight industry.

 

[bullettproof]

For LEO puposes I would not by anything that is not of quality and that is not proven. Shock proof water proof etc. If most of these lights I always here about were so tough and rugged why dont they have US Military NSN numbers?

As a former Medic there's only a few brands I would totally trust my life with. Neither Fenix or 4Sevens is one of them . China lights are ok but I wouldnt trust my life with one while on duty for playing around fun yes.So if you want good proven quality here are some of my pics below. The E2DL or LX2 is an amazing light with Tactical usage in mind.It will far exceed your Fenix you were using.Both have an XRE Led in them with an awesome optic and hi lo modes.Small extremely rugged and Military proven.The RA Light is also a great pic.However I must warn you although it does appear and feel to be extremely rugged there is no proof that I'm aware of how it would hold up under continuous hard usage.But it would be my 2nd choice over the Surefires. The Malkoff is great and simple to use and his dropins are proven to be reliable. It is just harder to find and not as small as the others but also an excellent choice.

1. Surefire E2DL 200/15 Lumens
2. Surefire LX2 200/15 Lumens
3. Ra Clicky Tactical 120 or better
4. Malkoff MD2 HI-LO

 

[lightfooted]

My recommendation? Olight M20S , can use CR123s until you buy rechargable 18650's for it and has a separate mode switch on the tailcap that also activates the strobe when the light is off.

 

[lightfooted]

For LEO puposes I would not by anything that is not of quality and that is not proven. Shock proof water proof etc. If most of these lights I always here about were so tough and rugged why dont they have US Military NSN numbers?

Remember that while adhering to certain standards, military equipment is still
supplied by the lowest bidder. After all how many of those G.I. Surefires are their top of line models? Heck, how many of them are even LED models?

I agree that Surefires are great...I even own a couple. Just saying that simply because a product isn't G.I. does not mean it's not of comparable quality.

Oh and having an NSN really means nothing, it is simply the government's way of labeling things they buy often and keep in stock for use by gov. employees. I'm sure the pens they use also have an NSN. Doesn't mean they are the best pens in the world.

 

[csa]

I'd say go with the surefires. They've been proven as making fantastically reliable lights for a long time. Too many of the newer manufacturers don't have the experience to provide that kind of assurance.

 

[bullettproof]

Remember that while adhering to certain standards, military equipment is still
supplied by the lowest bidder. After all how many of those G.I. Surefires are their top of line models? Heck, how many of them are even LED models?

I agree that Surefires are great...I even own a couple. Just saying that simply because a product isn't G.I. does not mean it's not of comparable quality.

Oh and having an NSN really means nothing, it is simply the government's way of labeling things they buy often and keep in stock for use by gov. employees. I'm sure the pens they use also have an NSN. Doesn't mean they are the best pens in the world.

So whats a comparable light on par with Surefire you didn't list any? If it were that easy to meet Military / Performance / Detail Specifications everyone would have NSN numbers assigned to there products.The Military dose not always use the cheapest stuff if that were the case there wouldn't be any Surefire in use buy the Military because they are not cheap.

Just because a light doesn't have an LED in it doesn't mean that it is inferior. Ill take an Incan light any day over an Led light in the Desert / Fog / Snow/ Forrest/ .

 

[bjt3833]

I have the Turbo... It's great! +1!

+2 to the Quark Turbo123 i love mine
I also like my new RRT-0 but it is a single cell 123 light so it may be a bit small for you

Edit: Surefire has been mentioned so the flaming has begun against every other brand. It really is a shame people can't just recommend a surefire without putting down any of the other "China" brands. Sure, surefires are proven but that does not make them the best for everyone. What is the best is a personal opinion

 

[Zivman]

For LEO puposes I would not by anything that is not of quality and that is not proven. Shock proof water proof etc. If most of these lights I always here about were so tough and rugged why dont they have US Military NSN numbers?

As a former Medic there's only a few brands I would totally trust my life with. Neither Fenix or 4Sevens is one of them . China lights are ok but I wouldnt trust my life with one while on duty for playing around fun yes.So if you want good proven quality here are some of my pics below. The E2DL or LX2 is an amazing light with Tactical usage in mind.It will far exceed your Fenix you were using.Both have an XRE Led in them with an awesome optic and hi lo modes.Small extremely rugged and Military proven.The RA Light is also a great pic.However I must warn you although it does appear and feel to be extremely rugged there is no proof that I'm aware of how it would hold up under continuous hard usage.But it would be my 2nd choice over the Surefires. The Malkoff is great and simple to use and his dropins are proven to be reliable. It is just harder to find and not as small as the others but also an excellent choice.

1. Surefire E2DL 200/15 Lumens
2. Surefire LX2 200/15 Lumens
3. Ra Clicky Tactical 120 or better
4. Malkoff MD2 HI-LO

get one of the surefires. I got my LX2 the same day as a T20C2 MKII eagletac. The surefire blows it out of the water.... keep in mind the T20C2 is no slouch. The feel of the surefire is nicer than any light I own, optics are among the best, and output is severely underated (or are other companies overrating their light's output). You have the choice of different UI with the E2DL or LX2.

I don't own a quark turbo, but do own one of their minis, and while it is a nice light, it's no surefire. The only light I own that feels of comparable quality to the surefire is my SR90.

I see the olight M20 recommended a lot. I would possibly look into that, but that said, it is probably on par with the eagletac I listed above. The surefire is handly a better choice than that..... and that is not to bad mouth the eagletac

 

[msmemt]

Another vote for the RA clicky.