So last autumn I was out shopping with the kids at a local tacticool store (Target) when we came upon a display of the latest tacticool flashlights on the market. We dubbed it "The Black Tiger." Read on an you'll see why, and learn why you will need to add at least one to your tactical flashlight collection.
First, let's start with the color. Tacticool black. Oh yeah.
The body is a high-tech polymer composite, resistant to most threats out there: heat and bubblegum. Sticky fingers? No problem.
The design incorporates several unusual features that truly define a new paradigm in flashlight design. First, to engage the light one must press on the orange trigger switch. This then rotates the head of the light backwards, and the light emits a dark, sinister "meeeeooooow" sound. Perfect to convince the "evil doers" that there's a dark cat in the grass, NOT a mall ninja. Oh yeah. Please note the appendages that are used to camouflage this light- the cat's eyes, the ears, the collar. Intriguing, to be sure.
This is a shot with the high-output, tactical incan lamp engaged:
Now, disengaged:
NOTE: The light can be disengaged by depressing the orange trigger. However, if one were to inadvertently rotate the flashlight head without depressing the orange trigger, the light stays engaged- this makes it IDEAL for emergency signaling for those times when stranded in the desert, upon a mountaintop, or for when you've stubbed your big toe.
The light runs on 2xC cells. We've used Duracells but have not yet tried out AW C-sized lithiums yet. The battery compartment is secured with two phillips screws. Awesome idea, as it should be compatible with most philips screwdrivers worldwide, and gives us the chance to test out our Ti Skeletools. No chance of this battery compartment accidentally opening!!!
Size: well, it is a little bigger than most of our other tactical lights. However, the handle is ergonomically correct, predating those silly Tomahawk lights by months. One could easily slip the handle between a belt and trousers, providing a secure and robust mounting point. The design is wonderful urban camouflage! Think about it- just set the light beside you, and no one will notice that it is a light. They'll think it is yet another pesky stray cat, a little too small for a meal.
Here it is alongside of a couple of the (formerly) best tactical lighting tools: the Ra Twisty 100-W and a milkyspit CreeMator:
Now, the output. Staggering incan power. No silly "regulation" circuits here to short or fail in combat. This is easily putting out in the realm of 1000 candlepower! Perhaps 6 lumens on fresh cells! A few beam artifacts, largely due to the smooth reflector, but in the "bush" one does not care. No way.
Here is a control photo of a black trashbag hanging in a black walled room, no ambient lighting:
Here is a photo of the same black trashbag, hanging in a black walled room, 10,000' away from "The Black Tiger."
10,000' feet! Can your light do this??? I doubt it. Prove it.
One more shot: A "terrorist" dressed in a black mall ninja costume, standing in front of the black trashbag, in a black walled room, 10,000' away:
See? No one can hide.
Summary:
For around $10 (must be a special introductory price- we got ours on a closeout aisle) it cannot be beat. SureFire nitrolon-type body (well, similar); black "tacticool" finish; high-output tactical incan lamp; pistol-style, positive, dual-action trigger engagement
Pros: All the above
Cons: Only available in the late autumn, in mid-to late October (specials may be found in early November)
First, let's start with the color. Tacticool black. Oh yeah.
The body is a high-tech polymer composite, resistant to most threats out there: heat and bubblegum. Sticky fingers? No problem.
The design incorporates several unusual features that truly define a new paradigm in flashlight design. First, to engage the light one must press on the orange trigger switch. This then rotates the head of the light backwards, and the light emits a dark, sinister "meeeeooooow" sound. Perfect to convince the "evil doers" that there's a dark cat in the grass, NOT a mall ninja. Oh yeah. Please note the appendages that are used to camouflage this light- the cat's eyes, the ears, the collar. Intriguing, to be sure.
This is a shot with the high-output, tactical incan lamp engaged:
Now, disengaged:
NOTE: The light can be disengaged by depressing the orange trigger. However, if one were to inadvertently rotate the flashlight head without depressing the orange trigger, the light stays engaged- this makes it IDEAL for emergency signaling for those times when stranded in the desert, upon a mountaintop, or for when you've stubbed your big toe.
The light runs on 2xC cells. We've used Duracells but have not yet tried out AW C-sized lithiums yet. The battery compartment is secured with two phillips screws. Awesome idea, as it should be compatible with most philips screwdrivers worldwide, and gives us the chance to test out our Ti Skeletools. No chance of this battery compartment accidentally opening!!!
Size: well, it is a little bigger than most of our other tactical lights. However, the handle is ergonomically correct, predating those silly Tomahawk lights by months. One could easily slip the handle between a belt and trousers, providing a secure and robust mounting point. The design is wonderful urban camouflage! Think about it- just set the light beside you, and no one will notice that it is a light. They'll think it is yet another pesky stray cat, a little too small for a meal.
Here it is alongside of a couple of the (formerly) best tactical lighting tools: the Ra Twisty 100-W and a milkyspit CreeMator:
Now, the output. Staggering incan power. No silly "regulation" circuits here to short or fail in combat. This is easily putting out in the realm of 1000 candlepower! Perhaps 6 lumens on fresh cells! A few beam artifacts, largely due to the smooth reflector, but in the "bush" one does not care. No way.
Here is a control photo of a black trashbag hanging in a black walled room, no ambient lighting:
Here is a photo of the same black trashbag, hanging in a black walled room, 10,000' away from "The Black Tiger."
10,000' feet! Can your light do this??? I doubt it. Prove it.
One more shot: A "terrorist" dressed in a black mall ninja costume, standing in front of the black trashbag, in a black walled room, 10,000' away:
See? No one can hide.
Summary:
For around $10 (must be a special introductory price- we got ours on a closeout aisle) it cannot be beat. SureFire nitrolon-type body (well, similar); black "tacticool" finish; high-output tactical incan lamp; pistol-style, positive, dual-action trigger engagement
Pros: All the above
Cons: Only available in the late autumn, in mid-to late October (specials may be found in early November)
Lack of proper care and attention may result in the light turning off at will and crapping in your slipper while you sleep. Liion Compatible
