My favorite post in that one was #28.
To me a "true" tactical flashlight can have several features or none. It really depends on the tactics used by the particular user. SWAT dudes flying through a window after tossing in percusion grenades will get more from one kind of light than the lone police officer who is stalking a perp in a dark enviornment.
And I agree with Officer Bubbatime, that strobe is very handy for an attention getter or signaler. I suppose that could be more correctly called "flashing feature". But it seems we're stuck with the word 'strobe' for that feature... even by the true tactical light making companies like the big E, mr. Malkoff, Streamlight etc.
One trend I like see-ing lately is the use of higher output low settings and the ability to start on that one (if we choose it). Plenty of general use lighting with fuel savings in mind. Bascially an LED light that at startup puts out what used to be max output 10 years ago.
I'll mention an unusual need for a tactical light by a fellow who came to me looking for one. He owns a pecan grove. He has some 500 pecan trees (and swears if you don't pronounce it "puh-con" you're wrong). Well at about $5.00 a pound those things are lucrative to modern rustlers. He wanted a small light (vs typical D Mag) with a wide beam that reaches out very well and provides a bit of self defense ability combined with a stealth ability. He's not your average Joe Sofalurker, but an experienced combat Vet with several black belts in the martial arts. He wanted to replace his incan 6 volt light. I showed him some web sites as to what was available in early 2016.
He was an instructor at a bridge inspector class. At outset the instructors asked attendees to say a few words about themselves. I said "I'm a flashaholic". He said "see me after class today".
Anyway that was January. He reached out to me in April and enquired about a light I am very fond of and I made sure he got one. He picked it for the max grip and sharp bezel to coincide with the conical beam. I've reccomended Stingers to some, G2x Pro's to some, Maglites, Elzettas, and so on based on their particular needs as police officers, border patrol agents, low light trainers, retired officers, rescue folks and a couple of firemen. Being there are many tactical duties it's best to understand which type of duty would benefit from the huge variety of options available these days. I'm personally invested in a brand but if that one doesn't check the boxes for an enquiry I reccomend the one that does.
If they say "no Chinese light for me" I remind them that some of the best tactical items are being manufactured overseas in world class facilities, not due to corparate greed but in order to bring the best item possible at a budget friendly price. Many times those in harms way have low paying salaries. They deserve to have quality gear as well. Often times they cannot obtain those US made items simply because of price. I make sure
those are the ones who don't end up with all those 'tacticool' items that may fail when it's life or death.