Worlds greatest cop light

[KITROBASKIN]

Seems like 2 or three lights should be carried, thus, cookie or not, world's greatest cop light(s) might be appropriate; Taking into consideration terrain, threats and time of shift, maybe.

 

[DayofReckoning]

If I was an LEO and seeking the "Worlds Greatest Cop Light", if such a thing could exist, my own personal opinion is it would look something like this

Traditional style body type (Maglite, Kel-lite, Streamlight)

Switch located in the traditional place near bezel​

Two light modes only, a low flood type beam for close up work and a high mode with lots of throw
No strobe or blinking SOS modes
Simple UI- Click once for low, click again for high
Enough Length to be tucked under the arm
Enough size and length to be used as an impact device if necessary
Easy cradle type charging without the need to open the light and swap batteries

 

[Beard Man]

For me it's a Strion LED, though I had some problems with it. But I think the idea of a wall-charging system is the best, no need to deal with batteries in a charger / flashlight, insert or remove them,so every time I grab it, I know it's 100% charged.

And Surefire 6P with Malkoff M61 drop-in and a pair of CR123,as a backup.

 

[Roger999]

Surefire z2 bored for 18650s and a lf xpl single mode drop in for primary light, g2z with an old lf xpg drop in running on cr123s as backup light. Rechargeable maglites are in the vehicle if I need longer runtime.

 

[matt4350]

Mr Malkoff's M91T with hi/low will do most of what you need in an urban area, and it's easily worn on the belt (even with the MD4 body, in my case). I'm fond of the Elzettas with AVS head, too. Hard to match that beam for searching house yards and rooms. These 2 brands have the best UIs as far as suits me, very simple access to hi or low as you need it, so they're my top picks for the belt. I s'pose my Malkoff isn't truly 'tactical' because I run it on rechargeables, but it does a pretty good job as a duty light that can be worn. I haven't yet got a suitable cone for it for traffic direction but hey, that's what the new guy is for.

I've noticed the Olights seem to have a pretty good beam with some of the more recent offerings. Looks great when you're ratting through gardens and rooms. I would like to try out the M2T, some of the features seem to be well considered.

 

[alohasurftoad]

Nitecore P22R with quick release holster and NTR-10 tactical ring.

Nitecore TM9K and NTR-10 tactical ring.

Klarus w tail dual switch for instant strobe activation

 

[WDR65]

Don't forgot the Surefire Backup series. The very first E1b circa 2008 at 80 lumens for an hour with a two way clip was probably pretty handy for certain officers.

If it were me today I'd probably use a Streamlight rechargeable as a primary. Either Stinger or Ultrastinger.

Belt light would probably a Z series Surefire or one of the Fury models.

Backup would either be a Surefire EDCLT 1.

Pelican 1910 in pocket. Focused beam would work as a tactical light in a pinch and 90-100 lumens still works fine.

 

[NotRegulated]

Great post topic.

1980's
Streamlight SL-20 (incan) Frequently used it with a SL-35 bulb (Makes the SL-20 brighter with less runtime) + Extra bulb.


1990's
In Car: Streamlight SL-20 + Extra bulb.
Belt: Streamlight Stinger (incan 1994/95) + Extra bulb.
Plainclothes: Streamlight Stinger (incan) or in the late 90's a Surefire 6R/6P (incandescent 50 lumens).

Early 2000's
In Car: Streamlight SL-20, SL-20X (incan) + Extra bulb.
On Belt: Streamlight Stinger (incan), and Surefire 8NX (incan), then back to the Streamlight Stinger (incan).
Plainclothes: Surefire 6P (incandescent). Later Surefire L4 Lum-Max LED (mostly same output as the 6P for longer runtime).
Side note: When the Stinger first came out it was revolutionary. But when the battery was dead the light was out of action on the charger for 10 hours. The Surefire 8NX came with two batteries that charged outside of the light on the charger. You could swap batteries have the light back in service. Later the 8N/8NX's advantage was gone with Streamlight's introduction of the regular steady charge PiggyBack charger that worked the same way. Later the fast charger (2.5hrs) gave the Stinger the advantage. Both lights were about the same brightness. IMHO the Surefire had a much better beam and I was partial to the tailcap activation switch but the batteries were not reliable. Many people just had two incandescent Stinger's. Myself included.

Later 2000's
In Car: Streamlight SL-20X (incan) and/or Surefire 10X (incan) 2004-05 and Streamlight Stinger LED (2008-09)
On Belt: Surefire 6P with a Malkoff M60 dropin (LED ), then a Surefire 9P with a M61SHO (LED) dropin in a in a Surefire V70 holster.
Plainclothes: Surefire 6P with a Malkoff M60 dropin LED (2008)

Early 2010's
In Car: Malkoff Hound Dog (Cree XM-L cool) and Streamlight Stinger LED
On Belt: Surefire 9P with a Malkoff M61SHO dropin (LED) (385 lumens for 2+ hrs) in a in a Surefire V70 holster AND a Bianchi Accumold Elite 7926 light holder (size 1) left empty to securely hold the Malkoff Hound Dog when needed. Works for any of the 1 " body lights.

Plainclothes: Surefire 6P with a Malkoff M61 LED dropin (2010) or a Surefire 9P with a M61SHO LED dropin (2012-13)




Setups for today that I would recommend.
(Lots of LED options)


In Car: Malkoff Hound Dog or Streamlight Stinger variant. Rechargeable workhorses.
On Belt: Malkoff M91T in a MD3 with High/Low ring (2x18500's) or other 2 -3 cell CR123 of your choice such as an Elzetta with AVS head.

Plainclothes: Malkoff M61HOT (1x18650) or M61T (1x18650 or 2xCR123) in an MD2 with High/Low ring and/or other 2 cell CR123 such as an Elzetta with AVS head that runs a long time, especially if you are regularly on locations /away from your vehicle for extended times.

Day-in and Day-out Operational Supplies: A second set of 18500's and/or 18650's to rotate regularly and several sets of CR123's for backup for the occasional call out or when you forgot to recharge your light. One an additional 2 or 3 CR123 flashlight such as the Malkoff, Elzetta with AVS head, Streamlight Protac or Surefire variant. For the money you can't beat the new 600 lumen dual fuel 18650/2xCR123 Streamlight PolyTac X series. ($44 CR123 only/$52 with USB rechargeable battery) for a war bag backup light.

Extraordinary Circumstances Supplies: A dozen more CR123's for your lithium lights/duty weapon light as well as another regular AA, C, or D battery flashlight of your choice in your war bag/car trunk/locker for disaster supplies. Examples are an AA Mini Maglite LED, 2C cell Maglite ML25LT, 2D cell Maglite ML300 LED or similar. Emergency agencies would most likely stock AA, C or D batteries to distribute. Example: My City provided D batteries but the Airport provided AA's. You are going to be deployed out in the field one way or the other. Have a working light for your own safety. Rechargeable lights are used up fast in these extended scenarios. You do not want to be caught without a light at night navigating rubble, during area wide blackouts, wild fire evacuations or going house to house in the pitch dark unable to ID suspects , assist civilians or navigate hazards. Over the years, I have seen rechargeable lights go dead during shifts, during extended searches, and just because some members forgot to charge them regularly.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Post #28 deserves a thorough perusal; one opinion.

 

[JAS]

Worlds Greatest Cop Light

I know someone in a local PD. He has discovered there is no perfect duty flashlight for him.

He uses a NC D11.2 for the vast majority of his night shifts. And, keeps the very same light for personal EDC. This keeps him accustomed to the same UI and pocket carry.

He is currently looking for a secondary belt worn duty light for those few times a brighter light would be needed and as a backup; but not so large as to take up too much room on his duty belt...

That is the correct answer. I retired from cop work. Many civilians, particularly here, assume the following:

-All cop work is created equally (It's not.)

-All cop work involves folks in uniform. (It's not.)

-All cop work is patrol related. (It's not.)

-There is one single best world's greatest cop light (There isn't.)

The lights I used for fugitive/warrant work were sometimes very different than what the "road hogs" used.

 

[DaveTheDude]

Re: Worlds Greatest Cop Light

My cousin is a patrolman in rural Pennsylvania, covering a cluster of small towns. He swears by the Fenix TK9. 900+ lumens; 21,000 lux on the high setting. Three modes plus strobe. High mode always comes on first. Small, easily carried light...he sometimes carried this light in his jacket side pocket in winter. 6000k color temperature. Excellent thrower.

 

[BattleBrat]

OP - I like how you diffused that situation ;-)

Not a cop. But this is a good review that was influential to me in my early, normative flashlight period. Author identifies several unique requirements like the ability to illuminate through dark car window tint. I still think his conclusions are relevant 4 years later.

So ideally I'm going with a copper wrapped PFlexPro P60 in a Malkoff MD2. I personally use a wrapped PFPro P60 in a bored 6p. Wish it was a MD2. But the light is my best all around: price, size, weight, durability, thermal, throw, UI, configurability, modes, tint, etc. Only downside is Randy may be out of the game...

what?! You entice me with this PFlexPro p60 and then say he may be out of the game? His website says he's working on a large contract, or is he really done for good?! I Have a Malkoff MD2 and I need to upgrade!

as for the Thread I know a few cops that have switched to the Streamlight ProTac HL USB.

 

[GoVegan]

Re: Worlds Greatest Cop Light

Well I would agree that there is no single best cop light, as it depends on the job and even the task being performed. Even patrol might choose different options depending if in a vehicle or on foot.

But I would recommend any of the following brands (in no particular order): Streamlight, ASP, Surefire, Maglite, Pelican, HDS, Elzetta, Malkoff, Brite Strike, First-Light, 5.11, Fenix.

Some safe bets for most might include:
Vehicle: Streamlight SL-20L or Maglite ML150LR(X) Rechargeable.
Foot patrol: Streamlight Stinger plus Streamlight Stylus Pro in shirt pocket.
Serving warrants: Surefire X300 Ultra on your agency issued firearm backed up by a Surefire G2X Tactical (in a pouch on body armor).
SWAT: Surefire HL1 or Streamlight Sidewinder Compact II.
Any uniformed role: QuiqLiteX2 Tactical Red/White LED, plus a small bright backup light in pants pocket.
Search and Rescue: 5.11 Station 4AA (as AA batteries are often provided at base stations) plus a Petzl or Black Diamond headlamp on your helmet.
Detective: ASP Scribe AAA, Brite Strike EPLI, Streamlight Protac 1L.

However all said and done, everyone in any law enforcement role should be carrying a small bright backup light or small bright primary light for plainclothes and/or off duty. Again all the above companies have lights to suit this role too and I personally own/owned the following:

Streamlight Protac 1AA
Streamlight Protac 1L
Streamlight Protac 1AAA
Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA
Streamlight Microstream
Brite Strike EPLI
Malkoff MDC SHO
Elzetta Alpha
HDS Systems EDC Executive
HDS Systems EDC LE
Surefire Backup E1B-MV

But if I have to choose and recommend only one light it would be the HDS EDC LE. The build quality, durability, runtime and UI beat the all the others. The light is perfect for almost any type of LE job and I started to type out the benefits of the UI but then realized that Henry already has a great description so I'll paste here for anyone unfamiliar with this particular model:

"The EDC LE 250 lumens flashlight (EDC-L1B-250) is a superior lighting tool for law enforcement and tactical flashlight users. The light turns on to an intermediate tactical brightness for long battery life and economical operation but provides instant maximum output for tactical advantage. There is also a medium brightness level for navigating or filling out paperwork as well as a Tactical Strobe for making sure you are seen in traffic situations. And the light is conveniently small and light weight so you can carry it with you wherever you go."

It's also designed by probably the greatest flashlight engineer that has ever lived, and specifically for law enforcement, patrol and security tasks too.

Expensive? Yes, but how much is your life worth? I'm of the opinion that you shouldn't settle for anything less, so carry the best.

Lastly I'll add that everyone in any first responder role should also have a dual/triple fuel light in their duty bag for long term emergencies too, think Katrina or Northeast blackout of 2003. Streamlight, Pelican and ASP have these options. They make great spare lights to lend to partners if needed too. And like I always say, no excuses not to carry a small LRI Photon II light on your keys too, this could be the best light ever after you drop/lose your primary light in a completely dark building one time.

 

[bykfixer]

Re: Worlds Greatest Cop Light

Good to see QwikLite mentioned in that last post. Those, like FirstLite are niche products but like a spring operated mouse trap, they are pretty good at their intended roles.

 

[30in1]

Used to carry a Pelican 7100, small and bright enough with real tail switch..... But made in China and only 695 lumens

Now I bought a Surefire Fury DFT...... And it's everything I've wanted in a cop light but didn't have the last 18 years in the job.

Thanks Surefire

 

[bykfixer]

Welcome to CPF 30in1.

Thank you for helping keep us safe.

 

[lion504]

His website says he's working on a large contract, or is he really done for good?! I Have a Malkoff MD2 and I need to upgrade!

I've been checking his website every couple weeks for over a year now. No dice. I hope he's still in the game, but it's not looking good. Occasionally one of his AP P60s will pop up as a WTS.

 

[spyderco monkey]

I'd say Armytek's Barracuda would make a superb car /search light; excellent throw, with perfect 'tactical/utility' interface. Head tight = Turbo, Head loose = L-M-H interface with memory.

Their Doberman has the same interface, and is the same size as a P60/ Malkoff MD2, but with a much larger reflector.

Eagletac's new T25 also seems extremely promising:

http://www.eagtac.com/html/t25v/index.html

USB C rechargeable 21700

Head tight = 2600lm

Head Loose = programable L and Medium modes

 

[neutralwhite]

damn, hope all is well.

I've been checking his website every couple weeks for over a year now. No dice. I hope he's still in the game, but it's not looking good. Occasionally one of his AP P60s will pop up as a WTS.

 

[XR6Toggie]

Good topic, I always like seeing what others are using in the Job.

I agree with those that say there isn't really one be all and end all choice. Not only do roles in policing vary wildly (detective vs patrol vs traffic vs specialists) but so do geographic areas. Inner city patrol cops don't necessarily need to light up a field whereas a rural traffic officer might need to do just that! Some police forces issue equipment, some don't. There are different mindsets amongst police officers. Some people are happy to fork out their own hard-earned cash on equipment like better boots, pants and lights than what they are issued. Some people refuse point blank to spend a cent of their own money on work gear and will only use what is issued to them.

I've tried lots of different lights for work. I've used lights from Maglite, SureFire, Elzetta, Streamlight, Pelican, Malkoff, LED Lenser and Olight. I think Dave D has more or less hit the nail on the head with the 'Belt Light, Bag Light and back-up'. Larger lights like Streamlight Stingers or Malkoff Hound Dogs are great to use if you're working nights but aren't always comfortable to carry on your belt for a whole shift and sometimes need to be kept in a car door pocket or between the seat and console.

A smaller light that stays on your belt/vest all shift is the most flexible option because it's always available. The Pelican 7600, Malkoff M61 MD2, Streamlight Strion, ASP Triad and SureFire's selection of palm sized lights are all good options.

The other factor that needs to be considered is how simple the light is to maintain and keep charged. Flashaholics might be happy to juggle multiple batteries, swapping them out and putting them in chargers but the average copper will see that as a lot of hassle. When colleagues have seen me using better lights than our issued ones they show some interest but don't like the idea of having to constantly rotate and charge batteries. When they see me with something that cradle or USB charges they show a lot more interest. There's a lot of admin for cops to do and even something small like only having to plug in a USB cord or put the flashlight in a cradle and grab it again when you start the next shift is a big deal.

I think output is important but keeping up with the latest specs isn't. Lights that can put out 2000+ lumens with the single press of a button are impressive but not very practical if you're standing next to a motorist or searching a house. Having complex UI and extreme turbo modes isn't desirable in a duty light. I like max output on the first press but max output doesn't have to mean competing with the sun. I prefer a steady output and no dramatic step down.

My current choices are:

1. Belt light - Pelican 7600. Compact and easy to carry in a pouch on my belt. It has an excellent clip for fastening to my vest when I want to free up my hands. Traffic wand also fits in the pouch and can quickly be grabbed in an emergency. Ability to switch between red and white light (green is there too but less useful) is handy as well. Charges with a USB.
2. Bag light - Streamlight Stinger DS HL (800 lumen model). Throws better than the Pelican and is easier to tuck under my arm. Also has a traffic wand available which performs a bit better than the Pelican one. At the end of the shift it goes in the cradle and is ready again for the next shift.
3. Backup light - Very rarely used but I keep an old Surefire G2 LED with primary batteries in my bag. Still puts out a respectable amount of light and going strong after more than 10 years.