Any reasons I shouldn't buy the First Light Tomahawk ?

[spoonrobot]

I've seen a lot of the reviews and input about this light on the forum and am just about ready to order one but I have a question for those that already own one. Most of the things I have read about the light are very positive but I would like to here the complaints and the nitty gritty issue with the light, if any exist at all.

I understand there is a constant current draw even when the light is switched off and not in lock-out mode. Is it possible to unscrew the battery tube and physically lock the light out so this draw isn't there?

Any reasons not to get one? I'm looking at the MC version with blue/red LEDs.

 

[precisionworks]

My only concern, and the reason I don't own one, is that the warranty is limited to 3 years. Most other lights in that price range offer a lifetime warranty. Other than that, every review on every forum has be positive or better.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Spoonrobot,

The current drain is there when the light is locked out too. However, the 0.000185 amp draw doesn't seem to be too much to worry about...

Let's see now, if we start with 1500 mAh batteries, a 0.000185 amp draw would drain them in around one year.

There is no way to lock this out, so if you plan to store the light, remove the batteries.

I had issues with the belt clip, until I rebent it. Now it works great. My other issues have to do with using the light in very dim conditions. I think it is too bright. If you get into conditions with some ambient light, it works great, but if you are in total darkness, I think it is too bright, even on the lowest setting.

My only other issue has to do with the beam. This light has a large amount of spill light. Under normal conditions this is great. It is like having a flood light and a "throw" light all in one package. However, in heavy rain, fog, and heavy snow conditions, the back scatter from the excellent beam is high.

The SureFire L4 has long been know as projecting a wall of light. With this light, you can retire your L4.

Tom

 

[spoonrobot]

Silverfox;

Thank you for the excellent reply, that was exactly what I needed to know. I'm going to order one in the next few days.

precisionworks;

I was concerned about the warranty too but after doing some thinking I realized that I have only been involved in this hobby for 3 years total and have gone through dozens and dozens of lights. Chances are that when the warranty runs out I will have long retired "this dinosaur" from EDC and moved on. Or I could always have someone mod it with the new hot LED, seems like this form factor is never going to be too popular so it's worthwhile to keep the lights that are interesting to me.