Law enforcement flashlight recommendations

[Primeight]

***Moderation note: This is the beginning thread for the "Best Law Enforcement Flashlight topic." It's not every thread, but more of the recent ones under that topic umbrella***



I've been an officer for 8 years now, and I have always had a small flashlights, my last being a stinger. Due to a recent encounter, I am looking for a larger flashlight. My Requirements are:

1. Rechargeable
2. A nice size, just in case I need last ditch personal weapon
3. Durable (See above)
4. Super Bright. I only work midnights. My stinger was ok, but I need somthing brighter

And probably where I'll lose alot of options:
5. Somewhere in the $110 range

Thinking about ultrastinger, And don't know Dept. policy on Tiger light
All opinions appreciated. Thank you

 

[JohnK]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

I had the same needs and purchased the Ultrastinger. Never looked back.

It fills the need for an effective impact weapon. Much brighter than the one you had.

 

[Bravo25]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

SL20 / SL20XP with SL35 lamp.

 

[Dukester]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

Can't go wrong with either choice...

 

[Size15's]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

The TigerLight comes in an 8 inch FBOP version.
I much prefer it over the UltraStinger.

Al

 

[Greg]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

Magcharger, pretty good stock with lots of options for upgrades as well.

 

[ibcj]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

I've used the Ultra Stinger and it is a very good light. The only issue is that if you use it alot during the shift, you run the battery down. Definitely need a secondary light or a car mounter charger.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

How small does it need to be? I vote Magcharger. Great personal weapon, great flashlight.

 

[dano]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

Can't go wrong with an Ultrastinger.

Traditional duty light size lights include the classic Streamlight SL-20X, and the Magcharger. I prefer the SL-20X, due to the uncertainty of the Magcharger's focus-point upon being used.

The Tigerlight (w/out the pepperspary option) is a good light, but is short in length and really wide. Some also don't like the switch position.

--dan

 

[NotRegulated]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

I have used an Streamlight SL-20 as primary and a Streamlight Stinger on my belt for many years. You can grab the SL-20 when time permits and when you need to bail out of the car I always had the Stinger (the belt light could be many other brands as well.) I really like the Streamlights because the focus is fixed and the beam is bright and certain. I have never been a fan of flashlights head that focus.

I also have and use a Surefire 10x as primary and a Surefire 8NX on my belt, but less often than the Streamlights.

I have found that the SL-20 aluminum light really can't be beat for price and reliability as a primary light. I have used mine to break open car windows, house windows, and used as an impact weapon. The only time I have replaced the bulb is when I dropped the light onto hard concrete. I have been using the SL-35 bulb in it too. The runtime is reduced but the light output is great.

Since this is my post so let me also recommend that you carry other lights to make it through the night if both your rechargables are exhausted. I have exhausted my rechargables on numerous occasions and a good alkaline battery backup with extra batteries is a must to make it through the shift.

 

[Ghostdog]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

Primeight, don't they have lights in your patrol cars? I always grab the rechargeable Maglite out of the car and keep my Dorcy Metal Gear on my belt for a backup. A maglite is a he!! of an impact weapon.

 

[bwaites]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

It constantly amazes me that the two groups who stand the risk of being killed because they have inadequate lights, policemen and firemen, don't spend more time figuring out what is the best light for them, I'm glad to see at least one is!!

There are two lights that really should top your list as described:

The MagCharger and the Tigerlight.

The Tigerlight FBOP is too short to serve as a last force option, so the regular Tigerlight is your best bet. If your department doesn't allow you to use the pepper spray option, just don't load it up!! Then you have the length and heft of a 3D cell light but don't break the rules.

Here is my reasoning over the other lights mentioned:

Both lights are HAIII (Hard Annodized III, the current toughest coating available.) Many people don't know this about the MagCharger, but it is. (None of the Streamlights are HAIII annodized to my knowledge)

Both lights are modifiable, though the MagCharger is more easily so. A simple bulb replacement nearly doubles the light output.

So far as the other lights go, none really will fit your criteria due to limitations. Some can be modified to do so, but none easily, (though the argument for the SL-20 could be made by replacing the lamp assembly with the SL-35 assembly, you still lose the HA).

Both are relatively easy to find replacement lamps for.

Here is a comparison of the two lights, along with the Surefire M6:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=88332

And a discussion of the MagCharger vs. SL20/35:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=82964

Hope that helps!!

Bill

Edited to change Surefire to Streamlight! Brain Fade!

 

[cazador]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

I carry a Stinger and SF A2 on my duty belt, and I have an SL20 in the patrol car (among others :naughty: ). I'll also recommed the SL20. Good size/weight, bright, durable, and within your budget. And like NotRegulated said, don't forget a good backup.

 

[Primeight]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I still have a stinger, a 3 cell mag, and getting a small surefire as back ups, I just didn't know to go with The Mag or Ultrastinger... I like the light the US puts out, but I'm not sure if it's meaty enough for a force option.

 

[onlinewarlord]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

First off I have to say CPF is a fantastic site.

I'm new to this flashmania thing but I do have a few words that might be useful to Primeight.

I recently purchased an Ultrastinger. Due to it's stock power and decent size it seemed like the perfect light for the job.

Well on my second midnight shift using the UltraStinger I dropped it during a traffic stop. Since that 1 drop it has only worked for random moments ( I tried switching bulbs and battery) . I sent it back to Streamlight for repairs which I've been told takes 6-8 weeks.

Since my Stinger deceased I have also been searching for a nice primary light. My next bet is on a Magcharger. Its potential power is awesome and it also gets alot of praise on these boards. Mine arrives tomorrow. Now if I can just find one of those super WA bulbs for it...

 

[js]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

TigerLight with or without pepper spray. Even stock it is an awesome light and it comes in very close to your $110 price. You could pick one up used for less than that here on B/S/T.

Plus, some exciting options will be emerging for the TL in the near future. :)

 

[RAF_Groundcrew]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

Have you considered the Surefire rechargeables (8NX, 8AX or 9AN)? I use the 8NX for work as an aircraft engineer, and have bought several spare batteries (got 5 in total now) to get through a night shift. 50 minute runtime, 110 lumens, fits a belt pouch, and the included charger has a 12 volt lead as well as mains adapter. If using for LE, then I second all the replies that suggest a lithium powered backup, but a few spare B90 Ni-Cd batteries (even one in a pouch on the belt) won't break the bank.

The 9AN has a dual light output lamp assembly, giving either 140 or 20 lumens for 40 minutes or 2 hours respectively. I really appreciate my rechargeable, I use about 3 hours of light per night, and the cost of lithium batteries for this would be huge, over a year. I'm sure I will eventually save the eqivalent of the cost of the 8NX

 

[zespectre]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

Former LEO here.
-MagCharger, still a hell of a light even after all these years. Keep your battery pack conditioned (run it stone dead about once a month) and you'll use it for years before it needs replacing. Keep a spare bulb in the foam inside the tailcap. I've had my magcharger for 9 years and have only blown one bulb after dropping it down a flight of concrete stairs. It has survived smashing open car windows, being used as a door knocker and once, unfortunately, as an impact weapon against a dog.

Plus, to be blunt, at $80 you aren't going to cry as much if you have to abuse the hell out of it.

Streamlight SL-20 another field proven light.

Inova T4. (not field prooven so take this one with a grain of salt) might be a good light, sure seems to be a durable design!

Regardless of what you get, have a long runtime backup someplace as well.

 

[larry2]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

unfortunately the mag charger is soo expensive here in australia.......
anyone here used a usa mag chargers overseas ?
can you just get a different transformer ?

(eg http://www.wellingtonsurplus.com.au/index.php?page=listProduct&cat=LIGHTING&subcat=RECHARGEABLE $275 AUD , which is about $206 USD)
the only this is the usa sellers have 110V chargers,
i should be able to find an equivalent transformer here is australia ?
the transformer is just a trickle charger ?
what voltage does it output ?

any companies that people recommend who ship the mag charger units internationally ?

 

[oklalawman]

Re: Looking for a decent Law- enforcement light

I have been doing a simular search for some months now. I work evenings, most of the time doing nothing but warrants. He is what I have observed or experimented with.

Stock sl-20.
Good light, adequate throw, time tested design. Switches wear out a lot and light is heavy. Can be upgraded to using the SL-35 bulb with reduction in run time.

Magcharger Again a good light. It has an adjustable beam head. It is heavy.
It has excellent throw. By changing bulbs to WA1160 it gets very bright with a reduction in run time. Both it and the modified SL-20 would benifit with a higher capacity battery. Wilkey is supposedly working on that. About 180 lumens stock 400-450 with the mag 60 mod.

Tigerlight. I got two of them at a great deal. Light weight and bright.
I dont are for the switch position though can live with it. The beam is a lot more of a flood beam. It is good for short distances ( a couple of houses) but lacks real throw. That has been my major complaint about it. It is a lot lighter than the MC or SL. It is slightly bigger in diameter. About 250 lumens but it is not as bright at range as the stock magcharger.

Stinger Hp. A good light. They are making extended run batteries for them now whi can double their run time. I beleive 100 lumens.

Fivemegas 2 li-ion cell conversion. This is the one my wife just told me to bring back, cause the TL did not throw far enough. It is small, extremely bright and a great beam. It uses rechargable li-ion batteries but can not use a stock charger, You can use either a Ultra stinget bulb overdriven or a WA1274. US is 295 lumens (factory spec) Overdriven in this application it is probably in the 400 lumen range base upon comparing it to other lights. With the 1274 it is around 500 lumens. You can use AW 18650 with the US bulb but not the 1274. If I had not been required to carry a taser this would be the light on my belt.It is that good. Since this is a mod it is well within your price.
Fivemegas 3 cell adapter. OMG this is by far my favorite light. It will out throw any of the other lights I have. It is rated at 750 bulb lumens. Earlier tonight a demoralized a friend from another dept. He was using an Ultrastinger. I lit up my modded stinger and blew his light away. It will run about an hour (the same as the 2 cell adapter). It is smaller diameter than any of the full size lights (easier to hold, especially with a gun in the other hand) This is about the same lenght as the mag or SL20 but is a LOT lighter.
For self defense you can use it as a large kubotan or use closed asp techniques. Also works good applying pressuere points. I am goin to get nother one and put in my farm truck. Again it being a mod it is in your price range. I have heard reports that this will melt the lenses but have yet to run it long enough to do so. It DO get hot though.

Tl-3 flashlight. The incandesent model is rated at 200 lumens but I expect around 150 is closer. It has longer throw and more lumens than a stinger.In fact it will out throw a Tigerlight and gives a magcharge a run for its money. I have installed 2-17550 li-ion batteries (from AW). It will last about an hour. In fact I have one of these on my m4 with really good results.

I did not look at certain lights like the surfire 500 lumen light as it is so expensive and no one makes a leateh holder for it.

Whie I am far from done.Here is my set up for now. On my belt the TL-3
more light, less weight and a smaller package than a stinger. My primary light
is the 3 cell Five mega conversion. In the car in the charger is a mag60. That away it is always hot and ready to go.

Hope it helps.