What is a "tactical" flashlight?

[Badbeams3]

A friend asked me this. :thinking: I said it`s has to be small. :thinking: :green: It has to have a forward clicky :thinking: :green: :duh2: It has to have a very low low. :thinking: :green: :duh2: :sick2: It needs to have a wavy bezal so you can see if it`s been left on when set down head first. :thinking: :green: :duh2: :sick2: ...Sorry...what was the question?

:tinfoil: When you hear the the word tactical in regards to flashlights...what does that mean to you?

 

[roguesw]

For me, the term tactical refers to single level high only flashlight, with a twisty cap.
The surefire m/c series fits this bill easily.

 

[SFG2Lman]

i think of a single mode, quick draw, silent, blindingly bright, and durable like crazy. I used to think anything over 70 Lumens was considered tactical...that is until I found CPF.

 

[Henk_Lu]

For me it is a forward clicky with momentary and a larger head with crenelated bezel, simple UI, large enough to get a good grip in a man's hand (2 cells) and of course a bright LED!

 

[lightmyway]

Tactical for me means,a light which excels in extreme situations.

 

[Toaster]

Isn't the proper spelling tacticool?

 

[berry580]

For me it is a forward clicky with momentary and a larger head with crenelated bezel, simple UI, large enough to get a good grip in a man's hand (2 cells) and of course a bright LED!

why does it have to be two cells? ain't a 18650-only light large enough to be held? firmly?
Someone must have huge hands...

well to me, a tactical light is a simple to use, bright (at least enough to clearly illuminate a suspect 20m + away at night), and reliable (this is absolutely crucial) light.
Forward clicky or not, with 'strike' bezel or not, have strobe or not etc I think these are just personal preference and to a large extent IMHO, marketing gimmick.

So far, I've never heard any law enforcement people from this forum who actually even claim to use strobe, in fact so far all of those that I've heard from say they don't.

 

[Superdave]

Tactical for me means,a light which excels in extreme situations.

x2..

It's gotta be reliable, functional, bright and double as a weapon in close combat. Ability to mount to a gun is a plus...

 

[coolperl]

Originally Posted by lightmyway
Tactical for me means,a light which excels in extreme situations.

x3

:thinking: I said it`s has to be small. :thinking: :green: It has to have a forward clicky :thinking: :green: :duh2: It has to have a very low low. :thinking: :green: :duh2: :sick2: It needs to have a wavy bezal so you can see if it`s been left on when set down head first. :thinking: :green: :duh2: :sick2: ...Sorry...what was the question?

The crenelated bezel is for better results when smacking someones head. Forward clicky, as been said, is for momentary "on", which lets you take someone by surprise. So for me, the term "tactical" is strictly connected with military use.

 

[Beamhead]

I sharpened the *** end of my toothbrush, now it is tactical.:tinfoil:

 

[Badbeams3]

I sharpened the *** end of my toothbrush, now it is tactical.:tinfoil:

 

[Henk_Lu]

why does it have to be two cells? ain't a 18650-only light large enough to be held? firmly?
Someone must have huge hands...

Excuse me, I forgot, some of you guys use li-ion and some lights don't take CR123A, which I considered here as "lemngth measurement unit"

So, I correct my statement : The lenghth of 2 x CR123A should a tactical have.

Oh no, now somebody wil come and say that the Nitecore Extreme has more or less the length of two of those cells, only takes one and is a tactical. OK, you're right, it is! :duh2:

(But I meant that the light should be fed with one or more cells that have the lenghth of 2 x CR123A)

 

[HighLumens]

2 levels of output, crenulated bezel, 200+ lumens, strobe, momentary on, weight. This is what I think about a tactical flashlight. Fenix TK series ispired me :thumbsup:.

I sharpened the *** end of my toothbrush, now it is tactical.:tinfoil:

Nice!

 

[mikekoz]

I always thought it was light that was used to whomp your fellow man or woman!!!. That is why I always laugh when I see single AA or AAA lights listed as tactical!!!!!

 

[kromeke]

When you hear the the word tactical in regards to flashlights...what does that mean to you?

one word: Marketing.

 

[rmteo]

Agreed, mostly buzzwords used for marketing purposes.

1. Tactical
2. Aerospace/Aircraft grade aluminum
3. Mil-Spec
4. .....

Feel free to add to the list.

 

[Wattnot]

This is one of those topics that comes up once or twice a year. Tactical is really a subjective term used (mostly abused) for marketing gains. It's a term that really belongs to the military or police. That of should not be misconstrued to mean a civilian can't have any tactical things, of course they can. But when your life's on the line, you need your equipment to work as designed, and you need logically designed equipment.

So that would mean reliable and very powerful. That would also mean forward press silent momentary at FULL power. Note all of that - forward, silent, momentary and full power. Many lights with a twist function to lock them on are called tactical but under stress, while holding a firearm, and possibly even wearing gloves, a twist could be a hinderance, depending on your specific situation. Low isnt' very tactical if it's white - it would still give away your position. A tactical light doesn't "need" a low at all, especially if there is ANY chance you could end up in it accidentally. Anything that could hinder the light coming on full when you need it, UNDER STRESS, takes away from it being "tactical."

However, no one need agree with any of that because there are as many definitions as there are ******** (use your imagination!:devil.

 

[brighterisbetter]

Forward clicky or not

IMHO, no one in their right mind could classify a light with a reverse clicky as 'tactical'. For me, the absolute must have, numero uno property a 'tactical' light should have is the ability to activate silently. That can mean a multitude of things, but mainly what I think of is either a lock-out twisty or a forward clicky with momentary on. Any switch that makes a noise PRIOR to activation, even if it's just a few milliseconds, can not be classified as 'tactical' in my opinion. My .02 YMMV.

 

[bansuri]

I imagine it would relate to tactics and methods used in non-civilian operations.
A momentary on to use for signalling that doesn't get you stuck in a programming mode would be a must.
As others have said, bright enough to disorient.
And, IMHO, should meet minimum requirements regarding durability and weatherproof.
And to take this idea further, there would be compatible filters, remote switches, weapon mounts, and easily field serviced.

Or... It could just mean forward clickie.

 

[chaosmagnet]

Here's the definition I've been working with:

• Forward switch with momentary function
• May be a clicky or just a momentary switch
• Suitable to be held and operated in the weak hand while the strong hand holds a pistol
• Bright enough to temporarily blind an assailant
• The ability to attach a lanyard is mandatory
• Beam profile less about flood than throw -- ideally a very bright hotspot with good spill
• Tough, reliable, and water resistant
• Crenelated bezel and/or tail acceptable but not necessary
• "Cigar" hold ring acceptable but not necessary
• Multiple brightness levels acceptable but not necessary
• Tactical strobe function acceptable but not necessary
• Not a weaponlight