Police LED flashlight...Klarus XT11 or Klarus RS11 or something else entirely?

[1c3d0g]

Hey guys,

My excellent Wolf-Eyes Digital Police (Cree MC-E, supposedly ~ 700 lumens) flashlight has served me well, but after about 2 years of heavy use, it's time to move to something new. I love this light, but unfortunately the new version called Digital Pro Police (Cree XM-L U2, supposedly 1070 lumens) is almost impossible to find online. There's a seller in Australia that sells it, but they want $200 (that's without S&H!), which is more than double than most flashlights of similar capability cost. I have the money to buy it, but I'm also a bang-for-the-buck guy, so unfortunately my beloved Wolf-Eyes is out of the question, for now at least.

Since I'm loyal to Wolf-Eyes as I've had great experiences with them, I'm not too excited about moving to another brand (most manufacturers seem to have lower lumens than Wolf-Eyes flashlights as well). However, since most of the folks here seem to recommend Klarus for LEO/tactical use (and they seem to have a good reputation), I figure I'd take the plunge.

Now, I'm torn between the XT11 version and the RS11 one. Aside from the minor difference in lumens (600 vs 620 respectively), which flashlight do you think will serve a Police officer better, in your opinion, and why?

Also, if there is a better flashlight out there in similar size (I'd love a Tiny Monster, but that is unpractical for belt use), with strobe capability, extreme throw, and long run times...I'm all ears. :thumbsup:

Links Removed as per the policy at the top of the page - Norm

 

[Chevy-SS]

I've bought maybe 100 lights in the past couple of years. First off, I'm not a LEO, but I have lent some of my lights to LEO buddies. Done plenty of ride-alongs too (yeah, I know, that does NOT make me a police officer, LOL. I would have been a "Special", but insurance regs prohibited that recently). The favorite LEO light (a year ago) was my Surefire 6P modified with 18650 battery and Nailbender direct drive SST-90 emitter, measured at 1200 lumens. But that light only had one mode, plus it was VERY floody. Still, it was an awesome amount of light coming from small host.

The Klarus XT-11 is almost as bright as that modified 6P, but the XT-11 has a more functional UI (especially for LE, IMHO), and it has more throw.

I just took a quick look at the RS11 specs. If that thing had a car-mounted charging cradle, then I might be swayed. But with the USB-magnetic cable, it just doesn't look too functional for LE work in a squad car. My LEO buddies all loved their Maglite in a charging cradle though.

Soooooo, IMHO the XT-11 is the way to go.

Since you mentioned a smaller form factor, you might consider the Eagletac P20C2 if you wish something a little smaller, but still with good power, throw and strobe.

Good luck

 

[Daddy of 2]

What exactly are people looking for when asking for a LEO flashlight? Is it suppose to cause more damage when officers and taking down a criminal when used as a weapon? Or it is just a good functional flashlight that stands up to extended use? Or am I totally missing the point?

 

[madecov]

As a Police Officer I can not speak highly enough of the XT-11. It is on my duty belt all the time. It runs on several different battery sources, 18650/CR123/ 16340. the tail switch is just about perfect for an officer who needs to keep a second hand free. The output levels are great and easily changed one handed. Medium and low work well for paperwork and vehicle searches while high is more than enough for general encounters like traffic stops and yard to yard searches. I have not seen or handled the rechargeable series but I think it is better suited to household emergency use.

 

[ToNIX]

As a LEO, I'm going to recommend the Malkoff MD2 with a M61 neutral/warm module and high/low ring. To me, having a neutral/warm tint is essential when looking into cars (to spot drugs, weapons, etc.). It's reliably and I know it will always turn on when I need it.

I haven't tried the XT-11 though and I know it's getting a lot of recommendations.

 

[MSFenixE20]

I must suggest that you re-think the RS11... It has no tailcap clicky and the way it is would not be prudent for switching modes or turning the light on with any sort of ease. The other Klarus lights with dual switches on the tailcap will be your best bet!

Good luck!

PS: You tube, "going prepared" and look at his reviews.

 

[1c3d0g]

What exactly are people looking for when asking for a LEO flashlight? Is it suppose to cause more damage when officers and taking down a criminal when used as a weapon? Or it is just a good functional flashlight that stands up to extended use? Or am I totally missing the point?

Well, for one it has to withstand additional abuse (mostly unintended). When you sit in a vehicle, depending on where you have your flashlight on you belt (mine's on the side), it will get crushed quite easily if it doesn't have a good body to withstand the pressure. The less bells and whistles the flashlight body has, the better. Things get caught on your belt pretty quickly if the flashlight has lots of protrusions and other unnecessary additions to it.

Since the flashlight is used almost daily, the on/off buttons must be dependable and work properly every single time. This cannot be said of every flashlight (sadly).

Also, a crenelated bezel is a must, for those cases where you have your light in your hand and you need to use the flashlight defensively against a suspect that's suddenly turned violent.

Throw (in my case) is extremely important as most of the chases are in outdoors-type settings. For those in urban areas, a flood-type beam would be more useful.

Run times are also important. At least 1 hour on full beam is the minimum, IMO (depending on the scenario, some may need way more than this).

For a Police officer, most of the time you need quick access to the highest brightness available. Also, a strobe feature is a must. I cannot stress on this enough! There's been more times than I can count where the strobe has saved my life by warning oncoming traffic (when you're too far away from your patrol vehicle to be seen) etc.



Guys, thanks for the tips. I've settled on the Klarus XT11 for LEO use. As many of you have said, it's more tactical than the RS11. I hope it will not disappoint compared to my trusty Wolf-Eyes. 🙂

 

[RickDel]

This thread was helpful! I'm also an LEO and I have been looking to upgrade my flashlights. I have six older Surefire 6P's and six Polystinger Streamlights that were all issued to me by my department. I'm currently in the process of updating the Surefires with some Dealextreme Cree R2 dropins, SKU: 118. I normally carry three lights on me at all times, two PolyStinger Streamlights with LED conversion heads in my tactical vest carrier and one Surefire on my belt.

I have been researching several days for a new light and narrowed my search down to the Klarus XT11, so I'm glad to see it recommended on this post.

As for the question: "what exactly are people looking from in an LOE flashlight", here's my criteria. (I'm a street level officer that primarily focuses on drug and gang related offenses, not traffic control.)

1. It must be BRIGHT!!! I want a spotlight on subjects <20 meters away. I also want to blind people without it being obvious that I'm intentionally blinding them. Sure, I could shine my light directly in their eyes, but that's often a sure way to escalate many situations. I like to shine my light on their torso and have it appear they are being blinded inadvertently. When they complain I normally say, "relax, I'm not shining it in your eyes" (in a firm, but respectful manner)

2. It's got to last a long time. It's normal for me to use my flashlight several hours in one shift (that's why I carry three... not to mention, one of my partners' lights will normally die during a search and they will ask to borrow mine.)

3. It should be a good size. Not big, but big enough to use as a striking device. Also, durable enough to knock on doors (I normally keep a light in my hand and my other hand on my weapon in all operational situations, and I use the light to knock on doors.

4. I don't want a lot of modes, but do want an easy transition from bright to strobe (easy, meaning my muscle memory can do it without really thinking about it in a stressful situation....most tactical situations I'm in require me to transition back and forth between those two modes - bright and strobe) **I don't have strobe on my current lights, but have used it in training and find it VERY effective.... this is also one of the reasons I'm upgrading**

5. I want something that's easy to recharge.

6. I don't want to break the bank. Although, this may be the most important piece of equipment I carry, we are VERY active in my unit and I can't afford to spend more than $100 on something that could be lost of broken at any time. So I need to balance performance and cost.

7. Did I mention I want it BRIGHT!!! I use my flashlight daily, which includes during the day! Most houses are poorly lit and it's always a rough transition going from daylight into an uncleared building. I also use my light while searching, regardless if it's a lit environment or not, because it personally helps me to focus while doing systematic searching. (I just visualized the Super Trooper's scene when the trooper uses his giant Maglight on a traffic stop during the day... CLASSIC 🙂


Anyhow, just wanted to share some opinions. Thanks - Rick

 

[madecov]

Again, the XT-11 is bright enough out beyond 20 meters. It is floody enough to get them in the eyes while pointed at the chest. Build quality is very good. The strobe is activated by the second switch located just below the primary switch on the tail. No memory mode so it always comes on in high. Will run about as long as anything else available . Uses an external charger, but just get a second battery. You can charge the other battery in the car.

 

[Ragnar66]

As a cop I carry the sunwayman t20 and a tiny monster on my belt. I have the xt 11 and rs 11 incoming. I still carry a jacked up mag in the car with a bezel and glass breaker......

 

[RickDel]

Besides the xt11, I've also been looking at that sunwayman t20, but coincidently, I was researching the Tiny Monster when you responded. I'd LOVE to have that, but I don't know how I'd carry it. You carry it on your belt?!?! It seems too bulky for a belt to me. How's that working? I don't think I could use that as a primary light, but can see how that could be really handy in a ton of situations!

Oh, and I failed several times attempting to break car windows with my PolyStinger Streamlight (ASP too, if you can believe that!!). I've never had a light with one of those tactical bezels. Is that what you're calling a "glass breaker"?

 

[M@elstrom]

The Klarus XT11 is an excellent light, it throws about as far as my (similarly sized) Jet III-M which has the XRE-R2 emitter so I was more than satisfied with that (it's now my primary light), fit and finish is comparable if not slightly better than lights I've purchased at this price point additionally I like the UI but I'm still adjusting to orientating the light so I can access all buttons as intended...

The only things I didn't get overly excited about (but were easily rectified) were

• The included holster
• Grip ring (removed anyway)
• Light clip (removed anyway)

I believe the Thrunite Scorpion (XML U2 emitter) would out throw the XT11 but that plastic control tailcap was a turn off for me, a nice light and I'd like to chase one down BUT not as a primary light...

 

[ToNIX]

This thread was helpful! I'm also an LEO and I have been looking to upgrade my flashlights. I have six older Surefire 6P's and six Polystinger Streamlights that were all issued to me by my department. I'm currently in the process of updating the Surefires with some Dealextreme Cree R2 dropins, SKU: 118. I normally carry three lights on me at all times, two PolyStinger Streamlights with LED conversion heads in my tactical vest carrier and one Surefire on my belt.

I have been researching several days for a new light and narrowed my search down to the Klarus XT11, so I'm glad to see it recommended on this post.

As for the question: "what exactly are people looking from in an LOE flashlight", here's my criteria. (I'm a street level officer that primarily focuses on drug and gang related offenses, not traffic control.)

1. It must be BRIGHT!!! I want a spotlight on subjects <20 meters away. I also want to blind people without it being obvious that I'm intentionally blinding them. Sure, I could shine my light directly in their eyes, but that's often a sure way to escalate many situations. I like to shine my light on their torso and have it appear they are being blinded inadvertently. When they complain I normally say, "relax, I'm not shining it in your eyes" (in a firm, but respectful manner)

2. It's got to last a long time. It's normal for me to use my flashlight several hours in one shift (that's why I carry three... not to mention, one of my partners' lights will normally die during a search and they will ask to borrow mine.)

3. It should be a good size. Not big, but big enough to use as a striking device. Also, durable enough to knock on doors (I normally keep a light in my hand and my other hand on my weapon in all operational situations, and I use the light to knock on doors.

4. I don't want a lot of modes, but do want an easy transition from bright to strobe (easy, meaning my muscle memory can do it without really thinking about it in a stressful situation....most tactical situations I'm in require me to transition back and forth between those two modes - bright and strobe) **I don't have strobe on my current lights, but have used it in training and find it VERY effective.... this is also one of the reasons I'm upgrading**

5. I want something that's easy to recharge.

6. I don't want to break the bank. Although, this may be the most important piece of equipment I carry, we are VERY active in my unit and I can't afford to spend more than $100 on something that could be lost of broken at any time. So I need to balance performance and cost.

7. Did I mention I want it BRIGHT!!! I use my flashlight daily, which includes during the day! Most houses are poorly lit and it's always a rough transition going from daylight into an uncleared building. I also use my light while searching, regardless if it's a lit environment or not, because it personally helps me to focus while doing systematic searching. (I just visualized the Super Trooper's scene when the trooper uses his giant Maglight on a traffic stop during the day... CLASSIC 🙂


Anyhow, just wanted to share some opinions. Thanks - Rick

I would NEVER put my life in the hands of a DX dropin. First thing you'll know, it'll die when you'll be clearing a house with 1 armed suspect inside.

 

[RickDel]

I would NEVER put my life in the hands of a DX dropin. First thing you'll know, it'll die when you'll be clearing a house with 1 armed suspect inside.

I totally agree. I carry three flashlights at all times, two in my vest and one on the belt. I'm planning to get either a Sunwayman T20 or a Klarus xt11 for my primary go to, and then a couple cheaper DX flashlights and dropins for the normal everyday stuff. I'm thinking of getting a FandyFire STL-V6 Cree XM-LT6 and a FandyFire STL-V2 Cree XM-LT6 (SKU 91136 and 91137) for the non-operational/day to day duties, and the Cree MC-E LED 3-Mode 410-Lumen Drop-in for my Surefire 6p, which is strictly a backup I carry on my belt.

Thanks for the reply. - Rick

 

[ToNIX]

I totally agree. I carry three flashlights at all times, two in my vest and one on the belt. I'm planning to get either a Sunwayman T20 or a Klarus xt11 for my primary go to, and then a couple cheaper DX flashlights and dropins for the normal everyday stuff. I'm thinking of getting a FandyFire STL-V6 Cree XM-LT6 and a FandyFire STL-V2 Cree XM-LT6 (SKU 91136 and 91137) for the non-operational/day to day duties, and the Cree MC-E LED 3-Mode 410-Lumen Drop-in for my Surefire 6p, which is strictly a backup I carry on my belt.

Thanks for the reply. - Rick

Just get some Malkoff M61 219 droping for your Surefire lights, enjoy and never regret 😀

 

[jorn]

I would NEVER put my life in the hands of a DX dropin. First thing you'll know, it'll die when you'll be clearing a house with 1 armed suspect inside.

Completly wrong. It will die when he starts using it to knock on doors. So it might be dead long before he finds the hosue with the suspect. I dont own any dx dropins, but i have bought several of them I do still have the reflectors and the pills. They are quite nice 🙂
Still got every single malkoff i have bought.

The edc+ x60l seems to be solid in constrution and potted from every angle if you need a solid multimode drop in without breaking the bank. Havent had mine too long, but it seems to handle my accidental drops just fine.

 

[1c3d0g]

My Klarus XT11 is finally on its way. I'll be sure to make a small review of it, especially compared to my trusty Wolf-Eyes (it better outgun that flashlight or I'm throwing out the Klarus!). 😀

 

[RickDel]

I put my order in for the Klarus too!!!! (backordered, but I'm sure it will be here faster then the ones I ordered from Dealextreme)

 

[ToNIX]

I'd love to get a XT11 in neutral/warm, not cool 🙁

 

[M@elstrom]

I'd love to get a XT11 in neutral/warm, not cool 🙁

Make your back up light an incandescent for when colour rendition is required 😗