bonvivantmike
Enlightened
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2004
- Messages
- 299
I recently had the opportunity to try out OpticsHQ's Tactical Light Solution, which is called an LED Drop-In and Multi-Function Tailcap Kit on their website. I think Tactical Light Solution, or TLS, is much better than the larger, wordy description! My thanks to Mike at OpticsHQ for providing this sample.
The TLS consists of a Cree Q5 LED drop-in to replace the Surefire P60 lamp assembly, plus a unique tailcap that controls this multi-function upgrade. Here is a photograph of the components:
The drop-in is an extremely bright Cree Q5 with the typical aluminum reflector. The drop-in has no label or other identifying marks. I'm thinking of engraving it, since I have several different P60 drop-ins, with different voltage characteristics.
This particular one has a working voltage of 4.0 volts to 15.0 volts, according to the product insert. The OpticsHQ website lists 4.2 volts to 18.0 volts. I'm not sure which is correct, but I do know that this drop-in did not function properly with a 3.7 volt 17670 cell. Most of my use up to this point has been with 2 x 3.7 volt AW RCR123 cells, and it has functioned flawlessly on these cells.
The drop-in at full brightness appears to be as bright as any of my other Cree Q5 emitters.
The real heart of the system is the tail cap. It is an HAIII natural tail cap, with two switches and prongs on the bottom to allow tail standing. A black anodized version is also available, but as far as I know this is not hard anodized. On my particular sample, the HAIII is substantially lighter than that of any of my Surefire components. Not a huge issue for me, but it is noticeable.
Here is a comparison of the TLS tail cap, along with a standard C2 tail cap and a Z48 clicky tail cap:
I have the model known as the "Reverse" model, with infinite adjustment. These functional notes apply only to that model. There is also a model with only five brightness steps, and both are available with the switches reversed in function. In fact, mine is called the "Reverse" model, but it seems more intuitive to me than the standard model.
As you may have noticed, there are two switches on the tail cap. The small green button (which glows in the dark for a short period after exposure to light) is a locking on/off switch which, when pushed, turns the light on at its minimum level. Holding the button down causes the light to increase in intensity to its maximum. Releasing and holding it down again causes the light to decrease in intensity to its minimum. A quick push and release causes the light to turn off. The main large rear button causes the light to turn on at its maximum intensity, but does not lock. This is a very handy feature that allows maximum light to be accessed instantly. After the black button is released, the light returns to its previous state of brightness, or off if the light was off when the black button was pressed.
This feature would be particularly useful to LEOs or military personnel, who could use the light as a tactical light using the black switch, but for utility purposes using the green button.
The low setting on the light is very low. I work on an ambulance, and have used it to check for pupil response. It's that low. With the infinity adjustable brightness, it's easy to have exactly the right amount of light for the job.
Pushing both the black and green buttons simultaneously causes the unit to strobe at maximum brightness. I don't have a Gladius for comparison, but the strobe is much more annoying than any strobe feature on any other of my lights. My wife absolutely hates it!
Here is a photo of the assembled light, using an HAIII Surefire C2 body:
I have only had time for one runtime test so far. The light ran for 55 minutes at full brightness on 2 x AW RCR123 cells, and then shut off entirely. It would not come on even at a low setting. Obviously, the protection circuits of the cells were tripped.
So far, this system has turned out to be a significant upgrade to my C2. The infinitely adjustable brightness guarantees the right amount of light for the job and helps extend battery life, while the instantly available maximum brightness and strobe are valuable safety enhancements. I expect I'll have more to say about this system once I use it for a time. But so far, this is a winner!
The TLS consists of a Cree Q5 LED drop-in to replace the Surefire P60 lamp assembly, plus a unique tailcap that controls this multi-function upgrade. Here is a photograph of the components:
The drop-in is an extremely bright Cree Q5 with the typical aluminum reflector. The drop-in has no label or other identifying marks. I'm thinking of engraving it, since I have several different P60 drop-ins, with different voltage characteristics.
This particular one has a working voltage of 4.0 volts to 15.0 volts, according to the product insert. The OpticsHQ website lists 4.2 volts to 18.0 volts. I'm not sure which is correct, but I do know that this drop-in did not function properly with a 3.7 volt 17670 cell. Most of my use up to this point has been with 2 x 3.7 volt AW RCR123 cells, and it has functioned flawlessly on these cells.
The drop-in at full brightness appears to be as bright as any of my other Cree Q5 emitters.
The real heart of the system is the tail cap. It is an HAIII natural tail cap, with two switches and prongs on the bottom to allow tail standing. A black anodized version is also available, but as far as I know this is not hard anodized. On my particular sample, the HAIII is substantially lighter than that of any of my Surefire components. Not a huge issue for me, but it is noticeable.
Here is a comparison of the TLS tail cap, along with a standard C2 tail cap and a Z48 clicky tail cap:
I have the model known as the "Reverse" model, with infinite adjustment. These functional notes apply only to that model. There is also a model with only five brightness steps, and both are available with the switches reversed in function. In fact, mine is called the "Reverse" model, but it seems more intuitive to me than the standard model.
As you may have noticed, there are two switches on the tail cap. The small green button (which glows in the dark for a short period after exposure to light) is a locking on/off switch which, when pushed, turns the light on at its minimum level. Holding the button down causes the light to increase in intensity to its maximum. Releasing and holding it down again causes the light to decrease in intensity to its minimum. A quick push and release causes the light to turn off. The main large rear button causes the light to turn on at its maximum intensity, but does not lock. This is a very handy feature that allows maximum light to be accessed instantly. After the black button is released, the light returns to its previous state of brightness, or off if the light was off when the black button was pressed.
This feature would be particularly useful to LEOs or military personnel, who could use the light as a tactical light using the black switch, but for utility purposes using the green button.
The low setting on the light is very low. I work on an ambulance, and have used it to check for pupil response. It's that low. With the infinity adjustable brightness, it's easy to have exactly the right amount of light for the job.
Pushing both the black and green buttons simultaneously causes the unit to strobe at maximum brightness. I don't have a Gladius for comparison, but the strobe is much more annoying than any strobe feature on any other of my lights. My wife absolutely hates it!
Here is a photo of the assembled light, using an HAIII Surefire C2 body:
I have only had time for one runtime test so far. The light ran for 55 minutes at full brightness on 2 x AW RCR123 cells, and then shut off entirely. It would not come on even at a low setting. Obviously, the protection circuits of the cells were tripped.
So far, this system has turned out to be a significant upgrade to my C2. The infinitely adjustable brightness guarantees the right amount of light for the job and helps extend battery life, while the instantly available maximum brightness and strobe are valuable safety enhancements. I expect I'll have more to say about this system once I use it for a time. But so far, this is a winner!
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