Law enforcement light

[bjadamsr6]

Hello all,

i am looking for a full size duty light. I carry an inova t4 on my belt for everyday work and I am looking for a full size primary light now that I'm on nights. I like the size of the streamlight sl-20 light or the 4d maglight. I want it big enough to tuck under my arm on a traffic stop and be bright enough to completely light up the inside of a car. And be powerful enough t search open fields and wooded areas.

I would like something that is cradle chargeable but not opposed to removable rechargeable batteries.

My budget is around $300

My main requirement is it be able to hold up to the abuse at work.

Thanks

 

[matt4350]

I've bought a few larger duty lights, my wants are similar to yours for the same reasons. I won't recommend one over the other because my biases might be irrelevant to you, but if you do an "advanced search" for posts with "police" or "duty light" in the title you'll find a whole shedload of food for thought. Something I have found though, and it's all down to personal preference of course, is anything around 10" easily tucks under my arm. If you're willing to go shorter than the lights you mentioned it may open up a few more options for you. Stay safe...

 

[Phry]

Most 2 x 18650 lights can be held under the arm. Is there any other reason you want a light bigger than this?

If not then there are tons of good options.

 

[bjadamsr6]

It looks like the ones made for 2x18650 batteries are about 8-9 inches long. The t4 I have is that long and I struggle to keep it under my arm. Especially when I'm wearing my jacket. The jacket gets in the way if the front of the light blocking it. Therefore I have to struggle to keep it angled a certain way. I am really looking for something bigger. Thanks.

however, if I have to get a 2 x18650 battery light. What is the best?

 

[alpg88]

Is there any other reason you want a light bigger than this?

.

may be :twak:

 

[alpg88]

It looks like the ones made for 2x18650 batteries are about 8-9 inches long. The t4 I have is that long and I struggle to keep it under my arm. Especially when I'm wearing my jacket. The jacket gets in the way if the front of the light blocking it. Therefore I have to struggle to keep it angled a certain way. I am really looking for something bigger. Thanks.

however, if I have to get a 2 x18650 battery light. What is the best?

there are dozens of 18650 lights, most are good, but they are too thin for underarm hold, you need 3-4d maglite sized light. also very few offer cradle, like magcharger's

are you set to get a new light, or you open to upgrading maglite. malkoff offers great xml (500-600 otf lumens) drop ins for D mag and also for magcharger. you still have abusabuility and reliabuility of maglite.

also with 2-3 cell li ion lights, in most lights you just don't know how much battery is left, protection pcb shuts off light when 1 of the cells discharges to 2,5v. some offer meters, but even they mostly mesure total voltage, not ind. cells. in short there is a chance the light will go out on you with no warning. unlike good ol' mag that dims and you see how bad the battery is drained. i have had "dark moments" in the wood, cuz light just went out. with these modern lights you'd want a small back up just in case.
nimg, (magcharger), and regular alkalines do not have pcb, and will dim gradually. you will not have light with nimh cells go out all of a sudden.
you can of course monitor voltage, remove cells and mesure voltage, but do you really need that? i understand as leo you have bigger things to worry about besides batteries.

 

[PhillyRube]

Take a look at the Jetbeam BC40. I am retiring from the cops after 23 years, and used everything out there: Magcharger, Streamlight SL15s, 20s. Both have good and bad points, with the Streamlight, it's battery life. They literally burn out batteries just sitting in the charger. I have had a BC40 for the past 3 years, and it has been a tried and true workhorse. You have to learn about 18650 chemistry and precautions, but I think it is the way to go. I also carried a Surefire with an upgraded LED drop in. Check out Vinhnguyen on this website, he has some really serious lumen blasters for a decent price, stuff he builds himself. I have 4 of his Solarforce L2 hosts with his engineered drop=ins, for serious lumens in small packages.
Another great light is the Tigerlight. It has a decent light at one end, and OC spray at the other. I modded mine with a Terralux dropin to get LED performance and extra battery life.