S
silviacrazed
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
- Messages
- 10
As the title says, I need help deciding on a light for a patrol carbine. I currently work as an LEO for a major city. I work morning watch (10pm-8am) and will be on this watch until I decide I want to transfer (no rotating watches). I am looking for a light to mount to my carbine. I've played with the idea of buying at TLR-1 or an X300 and purchasing the tape switch for either. I've also looked at other lights (Scout M600U, Elzetta) , but I figured I'd come here for some recommendations by individuals who know more about lights than I do. I use a Streamlight Stinger DS LED for my main light and a Streamlight ProTac HL as a backup. I've thought about mounting the ProTac HL, but there's no option for a tape switch (if anyone knows another brand that will fit, let me know and I'll just use it). I've decided to fill out the questionnaire, so here it goes.
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Somewhere in the 100-200 range preferably (can go up a little, but looking to keep it economical).
3) Format:
I want a mounted light (for carbine)
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
or
I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
(Light will be used in a wide variety of areas. Could be used inside of houses, inside of large high schools, large apartment complexes or in open parks.)
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
or
Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Hall ways to open spaces (~100m, I know I'll have to concede in some areas, just giving a rough idea of what I'll see distance wise)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
Critical (Police).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Other, please specify: TAPE SWITCH.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I don’t care.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
__X__Automobile trunk (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Somewhere in the 100-200 range preferably (can go up a little, but looking to keep it economical).
3) Format:
I want a mounted light (for carbine)
4) Size:
SMALL - Every day carry (4-7 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
or
I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
I don't know/I need more information on power sources.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
(Light will be used in a wide variety of areas. Could be used inside of houses, inside of large high schools, large apartment complexes or in open parks.)
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
or
Narrow Throw: I want a beam with a very tight "hot center" and minimal "side-spill". Good for distance viewing, fog, and looking through dense undergrowth.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
Hall ways to open spaces (~100m, I know I'll have to concede in some areas, just giving a rough idea of what I'll see distance wise)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
Critical (Police).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
Other, please specify: TAPE SWITCH.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I don’t care.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s higher end flashlights).
15) Water resistance
IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter/30min)
16) Storage conditions
__X__Automobile trunk (wide temperature swings, long standby periods, critical reliability)
