Brite Strike blue dot

[sfca]

I'd like to know the take on these lights by anyone who's used them.

I don't care about the rolling distraction balls, civilian safety or any of the other products.

I like the 5" length, the 1" diameter. 2 hour high is acceptable. The premium price, hard to swallow but I can afford it.
Hi/low/strobe is all I'll ever need.
I like the idea of 3 bigger crenelations vs 5 smaller ones. I'm always afraid of dropping and chipping mine. And I definitely like the shape and grip.
- Though it may not 198 lumens, besides the brightness I like everything else.

The rest - from what I've been told, found out, researched:

7150 aircraft grade aluminum
type III anodizing
high carbon spring steel clip

Waterproof
Shock-proof
Ergonomic grip

User interface/tactical touch

Click onto high
Touch/press for low
Touch/press again for strobe
Click for off
One handed operation
I like this the best!

Indicators of low battery:

light switching from high to low on its own
Strobe stopping and going steady on

Yes I know they are the same as the Nuwai rebels but

6061T4 grade aluminum
Stainless steel pocket clip
Same type III Anodizing
No US military standard for resistance to dropping

I'd especially like to hear from any law enforcement and your thoughts.

Cheers!

 

[post tenebras]

I don't have experience. I have the single-cell Nuwai Rebel on order through LiteMania.

I think the model you're interested in is also sold as the Walther RBL 800 Rebel Taclight. I've only seen this version for sale through European vendors, but even with the Euro conversion and shipping, it comes out less than the Brite Strike. This is only if you can live without the blue tailcap .

Here's a photo set with beam shots, etc. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gettactical/sets/72157621444875690/show/

 

[sfca]

Wow that's perfect. I still have to see if it's the Nuwai version (lower grade aluminum, stainless steel clip), or hopefully the Brite Strike.

I've found a good review here. Messer forum google translation. Scroll down for comparison with Nitecore Defender, Nitecore Extreme, Fenix P3D Q5.
Include pics, beamshots, (10m, basement shot, vehicle inspection)
- Unfortunately the lense scratches easily.
- And the threads in the rear are drilled through (for the clip)!

Modders taking a look at the head/lamp how easy would it be to mod?

Anyone wishing to buy you can get the flashlight here and here.

Gettactical.net video

Koltertv video


Now all I'm waiting for is for Brite Strike to come out with a newer version with a Cree or Seoul LED. Only a matter of time.

Post tenebras, do you know the official website for Walther?

 

[post tenebras]

Sorry, I don't know any more about Walther.

I wonder if the heads are removable like the previous Nuwai's (e.g. Q-100). On those prior models, it took some effort because the threads were glued with lock-tite.

 

[sfca]

After much exhausting searching and browsing found

Shy Kuang version of light (TM-308XRM with strobe)

Quantum Lighting version of light

Carl Walther Sportwaffen page for RBL 800

3 others besides Nuwai (TM-308XR momentary/high) and Brite Strike.
I'm not sure if being USA made, higher grade aluminum, spring steel clip and 198lumen vs 176 lumen output is really worth that much more.


Of the 3 Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturers I wonder if anyone knows who's the original?

 

[dano]

I think Brite Strike is made overseas and only "designed" in the U.S.

 

[sfca]

In that case what's the deal with the markup?? You know for sure if they designed it.

Man for some reason I really like this light, I just wish I could get the same thing for less. Or a brighter version to justify the cost.

 

[post tenebras]

Looks like Brite-Strike is dropping its prices down to almost realistic levels, and they'll price that 2-cell at $69.

http://flashlightnews.org/story2529.shtml

 

[sfca]

Post you are really on top of things! Did you notice their stock price went up too?
220 lumen rechargeable version shipping next month! Will be watching and waiting!
$420K in revenues in 2008, and an order to a European distributor worth wholesale $100000. Looks like they'll be around for sure.

If these are the same lights but with a different LED I foresee that they'll have to lower the price of the old blue dots to max 2 X the new models.
But if it's a new design or new model ...naah I think a price adjustment is still in order.

It might end up being the Nuwai version with 6061 aluminum and stainless steel clip and a lesser LED.

One thing that bothers me is that they always claim it as waterproof but I wonder what's been done about those holes drilled in the threads in the review of the Walther.

I think I'm going to get the one from Nuwai and the same from Brite strike just to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[MattK]

I wonder if anyone knows who's the original?

Quantum is the real factory behind these products. If you commit to a large enough order they'll give a buyer a market exclusive and that's what these 'Brite Strike' flashlights are - a market exclusive for a standard product. It's possible that Brite Strike has had some improvements done to the stock products. Nuwai lights are made by Quantum and Shing Fung.

It's quite brilliant actually - they've been managing to sell a $15-20 product for $150-200.

 

[sfca]

That's good to know.
I did inquire about the Nuwai version but the Minimum Order Quantity was 100pcs(!) though MOQ's not needed now.

I know now that the threads aren't drilled through like in the Walther, so different in that respect.
Info about them is so sparse can't even get weight specs, though there's snippets here and there. I'll post this in another thread later but is this current technology?

"(Brite strike) products take the excess heat created by most LED products and converts into brighter light and longer lasting battery power", also known as "Active Heat Sink Technology."
[Patented]
"Twenty-foot diameter circle of illumination was specifically designed to illuminate an entire vehicle by an approaching police officer."
[Didn't say at what distance though]


I wouldn't say they've been managing to sell them for $150-$200. I've seen consistent sales for $100-$150, and now >$100.

If they have a market exclusive for a standard product how is Walther and Brite Strike selling the same build in Europe? Litemania's also got the 1-cell version on sale at the marketplace in the US.

 

[MattK]

If they have a market exclusive for a standard product how is Walther and Brite Strike selling the same build in Europe? Litemania's also got the 1-cell version on sale at the marketplace in the US.

A 'market exclusive' means exclusivity within a specific market; here referencing a geographical market.
B.S.'s exclusivity is clearly for the US or N. America. Litemania is located in S Korea and the Walthers is obviously in Europe.

 

[post tenebras]

Looks like SOG has rebranded one of these, now.

http://sogknives.com/store/strobe_LT-01.html

 

[UrbanLegend]

I have the Brite Strike BDRC-HLS tactical light.

It is my favorite small flashlight - rated at 340 lumens, yet small enough to slip into a shirt, jacket or pants pocket easily.

The pocket clip is handy. It also comes with a canvas holster that is sturdy and strong. The belt loop on the holster has a strong velcro and snap closure which makes it easy to take on and off your belt without unfastening the belt. My only complaint with teh light is that the holster is a tad on teh snug side and the light sometimes will snag when removing it from the holster. If you always used the holster and never needed the pocket clip, removing the clip which removes with two small screws, should make the profile of teh light a little smaller and probably easier for quick removal from the holster.

My light (ordered through Amazon) came with a Brite Strike 2400 mAh 18650 style battery. I replaced it with an Orbtronics 3400 mAh battery, which is based on the new Panasonic protected cell. This should increase battery life. In a tactical situation, or really any situation where need the light to work, a dead or weak battery is a concern, so I go with teh best batteries on teh market and use a good smart charger to keep them conditioned and protect my investment.

I have read both pros and cons to the blue dot one-touch control. A pro is you don't have to find two different buttons like some Fenix lights might require. Also, you can use one hand, unlike a twist cap which requires two hands or using your mouth to turn the tail cap if one hand is aiming a weapon. The con is that with one button, you have to step through a couple of phases to get to strobe mode. You push once to turn it on, press lightly to go to dim, then again to go into strobe. Hopefully you haven't been shot yet. But, it still has its advantages as I stated, so might be a personal preference.

The scalloped crown on each end of the light should let you break out a vehicle window or possibly land a damaging blow to an attacker in a hand to hand combat situation.

The size and light weight of this light is what I like about it. I am not in LE but keep this in the console tray of my SUV and use it frequently.

On teh other hand the 340 lumens is not nearly as effective as, say, 860 lumens in a TK41 from Fenix. But that light is at least 8" long and would hang from a belt loop more like a D-cell Maglite. But, it would be a MUCH more effective light at temporarily blinding a suspect or disorienting them with the strobe function, especially indoors. But again, a TK41 is not a pocket light like teh Bright Strike BDRC-HLS.

I am perfectly happy with my Brite Strike tactical light, and would buy another if I lost it.

 

[Shurefire]

How would you describe the beam? It sounds like it was designed primarily for flood with little throw. If you have any surefires, how would you compare the beam?
Thanks