About Accessories for TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT??

[frank13]

As we know, a tactical flashlight has a lot of accessories for it, such as Remote thread switch, mount, filter, momentary switch etc.
But all the accessories are not easy to find. So i have some ideas about the accessories. :tinfoil:

1.Is there any possibility to find a Remote thread switch that can fit most of tactical flashlight.

2.Also, if possible, is there a universal mount to work with all kind of guns and torches?:thinking:

3.Filter. It is even more difficult to find a right filter for a flashlight. An universal filter frame might be a good idea.

4.Once i saw one flashlight which is with two switches. One controls the ordinary brightness stages(High/ Low /Strobe). While the other momentary one is for tactical use. I do not know why they did not put the two switches together (One on the tail, the other on the side) .

I am really interested in tactical flashlights for which i am able to collect all the needed accessories easily. And the price for the flashlight including all the accessories should be between $40~$100. Any good suggestions? ?

 

[Owen]

As we know, a tactical flashlight has a lot of accessories for it, such as Remote thread switch, mount, filter, momentary switch etc.

Wow. Second post here, and you actually understand what "tactical" means.

I've seen manufacturers that offer some accessories for their lights like you're talking about, while Surefire is the only one I know of that actually makes what I'd call a tactical system.
I'm afraid you're not going to find such a system, or reasonable chunk thereof, for $40-100, though.

There are a lot of off-brand accessories out there that fit the Surefire C series lights, plus compatible lights from other makers.
I'd be more concerned about the quality than the cost, personally.

 

[frank13]

I'm afraid you're not going to find such a system, or reasonable chunk thereof, for $40-100, though.

There are a lot of off-brand accessories out there that fit the Surefire C series lights, plus compatible lights from other makers.
I'd be more concerned about the quality than the cost, personally.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I can find some "tactical" flashlight plus full set of accessories at $40-$100 price range. But you are right the quality is a big problem.
For me the price of SureFire is also a big big problem. But i have to say SureFire has got a great concept about TACTICAL flashlight.

 

[Solscud007]

sorry to say but will not find what you are looking for. The problem is that there is no universal accessory for every flashlight. Now there are established standards like a 1" diammeter body. But there isn't a universal mount for every gun. Here as many guns as there are cars on the road. Each model different than the other.

However if you buy or modify your guns to have weaver/picatinny rails then you could have one mount and switch it to all your guns.

In terms of a remote tail switch there are inexpensive ones but you will run into reliability issues. If you are using the remote switch for infrequent recreational use then you might be ok. But if you use it alot, then you will want a reliable system.

 

[Search]

1.Is there any possibility to find a Remote thread switch that can fit most of tactical flashlight.

No. There are quite a bit of manufacturers who produce remote switches for lights that really are tactical.

2.Also, if possible, is there a universal mount to work with all kind of guns and torches?:thinking:

Yes. La Rue Tactical is one that produces weapon light mounts. Not real sure if they offer different sizes but most that I have seen from varies companies fit 1 inch lights.

There are plenty of universal mounts.

3.Filter. It is even more difficult to find a right filter for a flashlight. An universal filter frame might be a good idea.

Any good company will produce it's own set of filters. However, not a lot offer IR filters which is why you would have to go with SureFire or one of the others that I don't personally know of.

4.Once i saw one flashlight which is with two switches. One controls the ordinary brightness stages(High/ Low /Strobe). While the other momentary one is for tactical use. I do not know why they did not put the two switches together (One on the tail, the other on the side) .

If it has modes that cycle stages it's 100% tacti-cool.

SureFire for instance offers switches where the pad has two different pressure pads. One for high and one for low. I would never buy it as I believe under stress your going to spend too much time hoping the finger you assigned to that pad is still on the same spot.

I don't understand the one on the tail and one on the side.

SureFire did a good job. Their dedicated fore ends and vertical fore grips have different buttons and pads that do different things. However, if one pad does two or three different things it probably entered air soft tactical.

I am really interested in tactical flashlights for which i am able to collect all the needed accessories easily. And the price for the flashlight including all the accessories should be between $40~$100. Any good suggestions? ?

Yes and no.

If you went with SureFire then yes, but you're going to pay more than 100.

If you go with Fenix you're going to not have the ability to have all of these things.

However, a Tactical Light is a single mode light that does one thing. Being as you don't need a pressure pad that does anything else, and you don't want two pressure pads close to each other that do seperate things, you shouldn't worry about it.

Get a SureFire Foregrip and press the pad on the grip and turn it on full brightness, then press the button and the top-back of the grip and turn on low level navigation lights, then press the button at the back of the actual light and turn it on constant. They offer you every type of filter.

You're going to go over 100 but it's the best option I can give you.

I have to stress it, one and only one mode. If it's tactical, in the real world, you can't have goodies that get in the way.

 

[frank13]

Thank you so much! Search.. ..
May i ask one more question?
a Tactical Light is a single mode light that does one thing.I saw lots of flashlight are of multiple brightness stages (3 modes / 5 modes).My question is why does the tactical light only need one mode? Aren't 3 / 5 modes flashlights more useful in practice? Maybe i do not quite understand "tactical flashlight".

 

[HKJ]

Thank you so much! Search.. ..
May i ask one more question?
a Tactical Light is a single mode light that does one thing.I saw lots of flashlight are of multiple brightness stages (3 modes / 5 modes).My question is why does the tactical light only need one mode? Aren't 3 / 5 modes flashlights more useful in practice? Maybe i do not quite understand "tactical flashlight".

Some types (Some will say all) of tactical lights are designed to be used under high stress where a single mistake might be fatal. For these situation a single mode light is best, because you have eliminated a lot of potential user errors.

 

[Solscud007]

Some types (Some will say all) of tactical lights are designed to be used under high stress where a single mistake might be fatal. For these situation a single mode light is best, because you have eliminated a lot of potential user errors.

Yep. Many LEO (law Enforcement Officers) and military will tell you that simple is always best. you do not want to bother switching modes and have to think about what mode you are on. At most you want two modes. low and high.

The Blackhawk Gladius has a clever user interface. The tailcap has a pressure switch in the back and it has a collar around the switch. you twist the collar to switch from constant, momentary and strobe. You can adjust the brightness of the constant by pressing down and holding the switch and then the light will dim or brighten depending on how you set up/program the light. Stock out of the box the Gladius is programed for full brightness when you hit constant on. However you can reprogram it. I set mine to be at the lowest setting. If I want full brightness I just twist the collar and smash down the momentary on mode. This way I have low, strobe, and high.

I like how the gladius collar switch is all at the tail end of the light. I can operate the light with one hand. I have to agree with the OP that some of SF lights cannot be operated with one hand. The SF Kroma comes to mind. the selector switch is at the head of the light. I suppose you could operate it with one hand but you would have to switch your hand's position and then reposition it again to turn the light on.

 

[Mjolnir]

The new Eagletac "tactical RGB" light will apparently have a pressure switch, as well as an integrated filter attachment system of some kind; I think the filters screw into the head in place of the stainless steel bezel.

 

[Search]

In my world, and many others, a "Tactical" flashlight should be intended to be used in a real-life tactical situation.

In a tactical, low-light situation the operator or officer needs a light that will do one thing. It needs to be able to turn on when the switch is pressed.

Where the switch is isn't important because there are a number of ways to handle a light and a gun.

This thread is 4 pages of discussion on what makes a tactical flashlight and why it needs to be single mode.

If it changes modes when you press the tailcap, or has buttons that change modes that can get in the way, or has features that take away from reliability (memory, ramping, mutli-functions, etc.) it's veering away from what operators and officers need to survive.

Lights with 3-5 modes, like you said, are general purpose lights.

Tactical: Single-mode, simple, very reliable.
General: Everything else.

We can't discuss this further in this thread or the mods will shut it down for going completely off topic.

 

[Marduke]

A tactical light can have as many modes as you want, as long as they are NOT accessed via a multi-click interface.

Fenix offers everything you want in your price range, including pressure pads and filters. Check out their tactical lineup.

 

[Search]

A tactical light can have as many modes as you want, as long as they are NOT accessed via a multi-click interface.

Fenix offers everything you want in your price range, including pressure pads and filters. Check out their tactical lineup.

Some will agree with Marduke, some will say to keep it even simpler.

As long as you know what mode you left it in, you will have no trouble with a multi-mode that changes via twist of bezel or selector ring.

 

[frank13]

A tactical light can have as many modes as you want, as long as they are NOT accessed via a multi-click interface.

Fenix offers everything you want in your price range, including pressure pads and filters. Check out their tactical lineup.

Wow, i hear two different views about the switch of a tactical light.
1.Only single mode. Simple, compact and practical
2.Multi-modes for purpose use

Thus, one single mode tactical switch is absolutely necessary. And one milti-mode standby switch for purpose use also sounds good. One flashlight with two switches for different situation, dose it make sense?lovecpf

 

[Search]

Wow, i hear two different views about the switch of a tactical light.
1.Only single mode. Simple, compact and practical
2.Multi-modes for purpose use

Thus, one single mode tactical switch is absolutely necessary. And one milti-mode standby switch for purpose use also sounds good. One flashlight with two switches for different situation, dose it make sense?lovecpf

I'm 98% sure it's not in existance.

SureFire has one pad with a constant on button. Another tape switch with two pads in one where one is for a laser and one for the light.

The closest you would get is a Dedicated Forend or Vertical Foregrip.

Marduke is talking about hand held lights where you twist the bezel or flip a selector ring. You could put one, like a TK series from Fenix, in a universal mount from LaRue Tactical and put a Fenix tape switch on it. You will still have to twist the bezel to change modes.

 

[Marduke]

The Olight M30 Triton has the dual switches. Immediate access to strobe via one, forward clicky via the other, change modes using the strobe button when the light is already turned on.

 

[Search]

The Olight M30 Triton has the dual switches. Immediate access to strobe via one, forward clicky via the other, change modes using the strobe button when the light is already turned on.

I thought he was talking about remote tape switches.

I think we've shown the best of both worlds now. Not sure which way you meant it though.

 

[frank13]

I thought he was talking about remote tape switches.

I think we've shown the best of both worlds now. Not sure which way you meant it though.

I see your point now. I thought you were talking about normal flashlight switches.hehe, it's my fault. I made the confusion here.

I think i am going to take a M30. Thanks for your information.^ ^

 

[Search]

I see your point now. I thought you were talking about normal flashlight switches.hehe, it's my fault. I made the confusion here.

I think i am going to take a M30. Thanks for your information.^ ^

Good deal.

In your first post you said remote switches and I thought remote tape switches. I took off with it.

I was lost wen later on it seemed you were talking about just hand held lights.

If you get a universal mount, given your weapon has rails, you can get a vertical grip (I recommend Tango Down) and mount the light on the right rail and you can press it with your thumb. Makes for an ergonomic feel.

Having no grip and mounting to the left side works, but is only recommended for personal defense, not tactical environments.

 

[tadbik]

In my opinion (only 20 years LEO) a good choice would be the Inova Inforce. It has a simple and foolproof interface. Turn switch (at rear of light) two clicks to the right for full power. Two clicks to the left for strobe. Accessories include a weapon mount with a quick release and a remote pressure switch.

It's made of carbon fibre (light weight and strong) and has a point to attach a lanyard.

Us flashaholics would prefer the option of using rechargeable 18650 batteries but for a SWAT team or army unit, just throw a new set of batteries in before an operation and you're guaranteed 2 hours light on high and over 6 using the strobe.

This is a great choice for dynamic entry tactics but the flashlight also offers 40 hours runtime at 11 lumen and over 6 hours of constant light at 80 lumens.

This is my number one choice for patrol work and until someone comes out with a rechargeable light with the same specs. will probably remain my favorite flashlight.

Only drawback, Your going to have to lay out some more cash!

 

[Search]

In my opinion (only 20 years LEO) a good choice would be the Inova Inforce. It has a simple and foolproof interface.