dano
Flashlight Enthusiast
ASP TAC-LITE
OVERVIEW:
The Taclite, produced by ASP, is another two cell light that uses DL-123, 3volt lithium cells. Unfortunately, not much was known about this light, as it is not very popular. I managed to get a good deal on one, and here's a brief overview of it.
The light is constructed of heavy aluminum body, which has a foam vinyl sleeve, to aid in grip, as the body has no knurling, or other means of friction to ensure a firm grip. The tail cap also houses a mini push button switch, which is soldered to a circut board. This circut board has a spring attached, which makes contact with the negative pole of the battery cell. The push button is accessed through the rear of the tail cap (like almost all other "tactical" mini lights), and also features a small rubber switch cover. The bezel unscrews, to reveal an aluminum reflector, and lexan lens. All pieces were machined perfectly, with all joints o-ring sealed. The light is slightly longer and wider than a Surefire 6P, but it did fit the two holders I have for a 6P (Uncle Mikes Cordura, and a leather holder, I think from Tex Shoemaker).
The lamp assembly is unique. It uses a bi-pin lamp (specs unknown) which has the ability to have its focus changed by using a lamp adjuster assembly, housed on the rear of the reflector. This works by screwing or unscrewing the knurled knob, which moves the lamp in relation to the reflector, thus allowing a pin point or flood light pattern, which cannot be altered, unless the lamp adjuster screw is moved. The bi-pin lamp also features a shock absorber; a small rubber o-ring that surrounds the lamp, as it sits in the reflector assembly.
Using the light proved easy: install the included batteris, and click on the rear switch, or use a lighter touch for intermittent on/off. It took a few minutes to adjust the beam to my liking, and like full size focusable lights, i.e. Maglite, some focus settings, usually on the flood stages, showed a dark spot in the center of the beam. Overall light output was very impressive. I used my Surefire 6P, with the high output P61 lamp assembly, and focused the ASP to an equal approximation, and found that the ASP light output was slightly brighter. This is excellent output, with a claimed battery life of 1 hour. Beam quality was very good on the narrower settings, but suffered slightly when a flood pattern was desired, as the flood pattern showed a noticable center drak spot, and distortion rings on the outer edge of the beam pattern.
Overall, the ASP is an excellent alternative the main 2cell lights: Surefire's 6P, and Streamlight's Scorpion.
PLUSES:
--light output
--construction
--foam grip
--switching capabilities
--internal focus capabilities
MINUSES
-hard to find replacement bulbs
-lack of popularity
-unproven switch assembly
-foam grip may be damaged easily
--dan
OVERVIEW:
The Taclite, produced by ASP, is another two cell light that uses DL-123, 3volt lithium cells. Unfortunately, not much was known about this light, as it is not very popular. I managed to get a good deal on one, and here's a brief overview of it.
The light is constructed of heavy aluminum body, which has a foam vinyl sleeve, to aid in grip, as the body has no knurling, or other means of friction to ensure a firm grip. The tail cap also houses a mini push button switch, which is soldered to a circut board. This circut board has a spring attached, which makes contact with the negative pole of the battery cell. The push button is accessed through the rear of the tail cap (like almost all other "tactical" mini lights), and also features a small rubber switch cover. The bezel unscrews, to reveal an aluminum reflector, and lexan lens. All pieces were machined perfectly, with all joints o-ring sealed. The light is slightly longer and wider than a Surefire 6P, but it did fit the two holders I have for a 6P (Uncle Mikes Cordura, and a leather holder, I think from Tex Shoemaker).
The lamp assembly is unique. It uses a bi-pin lamp (specs unknown) which has the ability to have its focus changed by using a lamp adjuster assembly, housed on the rear of the reflector. This works by screwing or unscrewing the knurled knob, which moves the lamp in relation to the reflector, thus allowing a pin point or flood light pattern, which cannot be altered, unless the lamp adjuster screw is moved. The bi-pin lamp also features a shock absorber; a small rubber o-ring that surrounds the lamp, as it sits in the reflector assembly.
Using the light proved easy: install the included batteris, and click on the rear switch, or use a lighter touch for intermittent on/off. It took a few minutes to adjust the beam to my liking, and like full size focusable lights, i.e. Maglite, some focus settings, usually on the flood stages, showed a dark spot in the center of the beam. Overall light output was very impressive. I used my Surefire 6P, with the high output P61 lamp assembly, and focused the ASP to an equal approximation, and found that the ASP light output was slightly brighter. This is excellent output, with a claimed battery life of 1 hour. Beam quality was very good on the narrower settings, but suffered slightly when a flood pattern was desired, as the flood pattern showed a noticable center drak spot, and distortion rings on the outer edge of the beam pattern.
Overall, the ASP is an excellent alternative the main 2cell lights: Surefire's 6P, and Streamlight's Scorpion.
PLUSES:
--light output
--construction
--foam grip
--switching capabilities
--internal focus capabilities
MINUSES
-hard to find replacement bulbs
-lack of popularity
-unproven switch assembly
-foam grip may be damaged easily
--dan
