Yeah that's true. But I did say *excluding military use. That's a whole different thing.
Hypothetically - and I'm considering but haven't joined the military I'd want a light where I could not accidentally hit high or strobe ever.
In an urban setting, it'd be the opposite - I wish I could have a low, but hide it in that there's only one clear way that requires complete intent to activate it (#2).
- And anytime I release/click-off/click-on from low, strobe, high - it always goes back to high
Because...anytime I press for momentary-high and release and press again, I want momentary-high.
But I get low.
Everytime I click-on for high, click-off and press/click-on again I want high.
But I get low.
Everytime I click-off and click-on intentionally for low - I do it too fast and get high again!
Frustrating !
The Military has taken a role in current times that is not unlike that of LE. Throwing out Grenades and Flash Bangs one might find small Tac teams of both to be very similar. Depending on the mission or encounter, the Military might be a little less cautious of shooting though.
When we train we incorporate a lot of Military tactics.
There isn't a difference in urban and rural when it comes to strobe. If it's on a "Tactical" light, then it's not a "Tactical" light.
Many will argue, but it's a theory that isn't practiced so to say.
If you have to press for low and press again for high or vice versa then it's in no way a "Tactical" light. Unless it's mission specific, I'm talking in a broad sense.
Using low light techniques, having multiple light modes when cycling the tail cap is a very, very big don't. It's impossible to use momentary to keep the opponent from getting a dial on you when your light keeps strobing, going into low and high and the works.
If you are considering the Military and are issued a weapon light it's going to be a single mode (I'm not saying the company name) for a reason. In Iraq (which is seeing less activity) you're going to be in a lot of urban. You wouldn't want strobe there unless it was a general light and not a weapon light (that even includes hand help paired with a gun). If it's Afghanistan then it's some urban with a lot of rural and still, you don't want it around a weapon.
It's just simple to say that using the tactics that are tried and true, you can't have a light that is going to change into every mode thought of when trying to deal with hostile people in a "Tactical" situation. This doesn't include trying to make a drunk seizure.
Plus, I'm not sure the Military would want the battlefield having a hand held beacon. In LE it has it's place, but it has places where it doesn't belong. You said "Tactical" and that's one of the places to keep it out of.
Unless you want multiple lights (which is a good thing), you're primary light needs to be the one you can go from cruising to fighting with.
However, without telling what the light is going to be used for, there isn't a whole lot than can be discussed without going the the very broad discussion. What are your intentions?