Help please. Is there a better light for L.E. use?

[Combatvet]

My sister just graduated from a law enforcement academy, I want to buy her a sturdy, bright light. I've done some research and I think I've found the light for her.

The Olight M30. I found one for about $130.00 which is within my budget. Is there a better alternative in the price range? Will it stand up for L.E. usage?

I'm in a time crunch, she starts late next week with her FTO.

ETA: What batteries should I get, CR123's or rechargeable? (Link or model # please)

As always, thank you for your help.

 

[jhc37013]

The M30 is a good light but it may be to large for duty use but that is just my opinion. I would look at the M20, Jetbeam III Military, Eagletac T20C2 their is a new model T20C2 shipping next week even brighter then the current model.

If you do go with the M30 get rechargeables like the 18650 and she can use CR123 as backup. Be sure if she uses CR123's that she uses the extender tube that allows use of 4 CR123 if you only use 3 the light will only regulate at constant max output for about 15-20 mins then start declining rapidly. Using 4xCr123 the output stays much better regulated for about 1.5hr. In short using 3xCr123 is almost a waste of battery's IMO.

I think you may be better off going with a single 18650 light as mentioned above and get a recharger it will be smaller and easier to maintain the power supply, less 18650 battery's.

Eagletac T20C2 380 lumen (300) real out the front- http://eagletac-usa.com/products/product.aspx?pid=16-6861

 

[Combatvet]

When I casually trying to get info from her I gathered she wants something bigger than the Surefire G2, but smaller than the Maglight.

If I go with the M30 should I get the 18500's or 18650? 1600 mah or 3000 mah? Boy this is confusing.

 

[glockboy]

18650, much longer run time.

When I casually trying to get info from her I gathered she wants something bigger than the Surefire G2, but smaller than the Maglight.

If I go with the M30 should I get the 18500's or 18650?

 

[jhc37013]

Well two 18500's can be used without the extender tube making the light smaller but you get about 30mins less runtime then using the extender tube with 2x18650.

 

[jhc37013]

Sorry I forgot you asked about battery's the AW 18650 2600mah is about as good as you can get and the Ultrafire Wf-139 charger works well enough.

http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/liionbatteries.html

 

[Combatvet]

I doubt she'll use the extender. So which one and how many?

Thank you for the Awesome answers, you guys are really helping me/her out.

ETA: I was looking at this, they offer it in 2400, 2600, and 3000 mah.http://www.batteryjunction.com/combo-tl100.html

 

[jhc37013]

To use 18650 battery's you have to use the extender its really the best way to use this light. Using 2x18650 you get about 1.5hr of light nicely regulated if you don't use the extender you have to use the 18500 and only get about 1hr. runtime. I'm sure the extra 30mins would come in handy during her shift it she had to use max output for any extended time.

The AW brand batterys are a bit more expensive but worth it many around here don't like the Ultrafire at all. Reports of dead out of the box, rapid power loss and a few more naughty things.

 

[jhc37013]

BTW I don't know if you have seen this great review on the M30 showing pics and runtime graphs with different battery's. You can dig up all sorts of great info on the M30 using the search box at the top of the page.

M30 Review thanks to selfbuilt- http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=231491

 

[skyfire]

how about get her 2x 18650, and 2x 18500, so she may experiment, and find which suits her better. if anything, she will have a set of backup batteries.

 

[Combatvet]

Yes I did, I think that is what pushed me towards it. I really want to get her a quality light, I think the Olight is hard to beat for under $130.00. I can't find the mah rating on the AW batteries, I want to keep it at 1600mah or more. Again, I appreciate your help

BTW I don't know if you have seen this great review on the M30 showing pics and runtime graphs with different battery's. You can dig up all sorts of great info on the M30 using the search box at the top of the page.

M30 Review thanks to selfbuilt- http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=231491

 

[jhc37013]

Right here is the newer 2600mah not the older 2200mah keep it mind the picture shows two battery's but you actually only get one for that price but again thier the best. I think the M30 is a wonderful light, a wall of light with good medium range throw.

http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/aw186502600mah.html

 

[jhc37013]

I see you may have been talking about 1600mah or more of the 18500 type battery. The AW is 18500 is 1500mah true 1500mah some cheaper battery's that advertise 1600mah or more don't turn out to have that much stored energy but you can be sure the AW 1500mah is for real 1500mah.

You can see a clearer pic here.

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-18500-Protected-Rechargeable-Lithium-Battery_p_104.html

 

[jhc37013]

I'm not sure their is any real reason why we love lights other than they are just really cool and their is always something new to explore, that cool new light that just came out or is just about to be released.

Maybe its a constant need to want the very best idk. I do know that if you are now looking at Surefire's your hopeless

 

[GMLRS]

There is another active thread for Law Enforcement. I would think its a compact, durable, MC-E or SST-50.

I just ordered a ITP Polestar for the 6xAA batteries, and MC-E, its kinda cheap but I like to throw stuff.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=258008

 

[GMLRS]

My sister just graduated from a law enforcement academy, I want to buy her a sturdy, bright light. I've done some research and I think I've found the light for her.

The Olight M30. I found one for about $130.00 which is within my budget. Is there a better alternative in the price range? Will it stand up for L.E. usage?

I'm in a time crunch, she starts late next week with her FTO.

ETA: What batteries should I get, CR123's or rechargeable? (Link or model # please)

As always, thank you for your help.

Probably good for the car or backpack, it is a little large. Olight M21 1x18650 500lumens a little less in price, was used by an officer on the other thread.

 

[Brasso]

Think Surefire C2 with a Malkoff. Or a D cell Maglite with a Malkoff. These lights are just tougher. You want simple on/off, rugged, durable lights for leo use. All the fancy outputs and other features are great for a house light or edc, but for a tactical light you just want it to come on, and come on bright when you push the button. And nothing else.

 

[Brigadier]

NovaTac 120T and some RCR123's or the SureFire G3 LED Kit

http://www.surefire.com/G3L-Holster-Kit

You can always upgrade the drop in if need be.

 

[Apollo Cree]

If she's not a flashaholic/geek, be sure she understands about rechargeable lithiums.

Get protected cells, understand about not mixing cells, not overdischarging, proper charging procedure. Don't recharge non-rechargeable lithiums, etc.

Or BOOM!!!

 

[DuncanHynes]

Malkoff MD2 body is bullet-proof (takes a single 18650 cell, no worries of one cell being improperly charged) offers 235 or so real world lumens out the front with an optic using Malkoff's own M60 drop-in (has a hot hotspot great overall beam with usable spill) and runs for 2 hours or so on HIGH. The head and body (no LED engine) are $35-$49 depending and the LED is $50 or so if you get the M60. The new M61 is just out and hard to find and may not have the hotspot as it's a reflector not an optic. I'd just find an M60 for sale. Don't forget now that you're a member you can use the coupon codes from various websites to save 5% or more. http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=181841 I have the MD3 body that takes 2 18500 cells that can run 3-4 hours on HIGH, who knows how long on low. I currently use a diffuser cap that I built and enjoy it a great deal, a massive room lighter. http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad65/DuncanHynes/

Good luck finding a suitable light, Just my opinion on a nice setup that is super simple and absolutely reliable. Malkoff and his crew make outstanding devices here in the States. One small note, it's a forward clicky, the momentary on is silent, the click to push 'on' is a bit loud; maybe an issue for S.W.A.T. but not for a street beat officer. Otherwise the light is truly worthy. Just get a good Pila IBC charger for the Li-Ion cells. I use a simple volt meter to test each pair after I charge them and keep each set mated so the voltages drain at the same rate.