Re: 5.11 ATAC 1x123 and 2x123 flashlights...
Okay, now that I'm home, have some time to throw things onto CPF, and I know I won't be interrupted by family or friends, here's part one of the review.
As you all know, 5.11 Tactical is one of many vendors that has attempted to go into the tactical flashlight market. It's first foray into the marketplace with the so-called "Flashlight for Life" was a boondoggle, and 5.11 will have a huge hump to overcome with their new ATAC line of flashlights.
The ATAC line of flashlights are black anodized units that come with a Cree based head. They come in 5 varieties:
ATAC L1 (1x123a), 173 Lumens @ 2h, 14 Lumens @ 46h, Strobe @ 3:30
ATAC L2 (2x123a), 222 Lumens @ 4h, 10 Lumens @ 74h, Strobe @ 7:15
ATAC A1 (1xAA), 103 Lumens @ 0:50, 11 Lumens @ 28h, Strobe @ 2:15
ATAC A2 (2xAA), 162 Lumens @ 1:45, 15 Lumens @ 75h, Strobe @ 3h
ATAC PLx (2xAAA), 69 Lumens @ 3h
Tested (and purchased by me) were the ATAC L1 and L2. These units were acquired at a local 5.11 dealer called "Shooter's Vault", which was the only dealer (at the time I got them) that had the whole line in stock.
Overall, the L1 and L2 units are decent units. Black anodized aluminum with a not so sticky anti-roll ring also incorporates a removable pocket clip. This pocket clip (being that it's removable) is quite nice - you're able to rebend it in case something gets hosed.
One nice thing that the L1 and L2 units seem to do is take rechargeable 123A batteries. The barrel is bored out enough to take both AW style protected and generic unprotected 3.7v rechargeable batteries.
The heft of the units is somewhat reminiscent of the Streamlight PT1L and PT2L flashlights. Both are light in weight compared to a similar sized Surefire or Novatac 120. Even the poly bodied Surefires have more heft than the ATAC L2.
Tailcaps on both units have a rotating ring with a tab that allows you to lock out the flashlight and prevent accidental usage. This has some nice features, but it also introduces some interesting quirks. With the tailcap ring in the "unlocked" position, there were times on both the L1 and L2 where the flashlight was operating on a dimmer setting, meaning the lockout tab wasn't fully engaged in the unlocked setting. I do worry about long term use. I have spent parts of the past week in meetings just flipping the ring back and forth to simulate use and abuse. Time will only tell if the contacts will survive.
The switch is a combination momentary on and forward clicky style switch. The rubber coating is the same not-so-sticky rubber as what's used in the anti-roll ring. The extreme end of the coating has some molded knurling on it, but it doesn't (to me) give a good feel.
The aluminum body contains large chunks that remind me of an AR or M4's accessory rail. It's usefulness as a heat sink is questionable - the light does get quite warm at the emitter end of the body.
I have been (so far) unable to remove the head on both the L1 and L2 - although you can see the seam where the head and barrel meet. This is a good sign, since the light is supposedly water resistant to 2 meters depth. This, of course, I have not tested yet....mainly since I don't have a swimming pool nor do I have access to one that's at least 7 feet down.
Contacts are supposedly gold plated (per the documentation and marketing materials), and the one contact that I could see (the negative contact on the tail switch unit) does appear to be that way. The electronics also are in the tailcap.
User Interface is programmed quite decently. It's High/Low/Strobe. This is nice considering that (personally) High then Low are the most two commonly used modes. Strobe is of a decent frequency, and is full powered.
Beamshots against the wall are nice and round - no squared off oddities, just a nice round beam. There is a noticeable hot spot, with decent flood and one outer perimeter ring.
In real life, non firearm use, the beam has a decent enough use where it has good properties of flood and throw.
In testing with a firearm, the traditional Harries method works the best. The tail cap switch isn't as sensitive enough (nor can you adjust the sensitivity) to use more esoteric methods like the Thorpe. It makes it worse when attempting to use the flashlight with a smaller framed handgun (like a Ruger LCP, Diamondback DB9, or Kahr PM/CM series), and the Harries technique becomes the only way to use it.
The reasoning for this lack of flashlight technique flexibility is due to the oddball anti-roll ring. It also attempts to double as a ring (like the add on rings for Novatac, or the CombatLight shallow area and rings), but it's lack of depth prevents your fingers (and I have large hands) from getting a good grip to activate the tail cap switch against the meat of your thumb base. Removal of the ring does allow you to get some sort of purchase on the knobby areas on the barrel of the light, but it's slick due to the anodizing.
Overall, the flashlights are decent. They have definitely given some honor back to 5.11 Tactical after the abysmal attempt with their other LED Flashlight concept. The fact that it's able to use all sorts of batteries, has a regulated circuit, and has decent light for flood and throw makes it a good EDC that competes against Streamlight and their PT series. I'll be carrying the L1 and L2 as my EDC light for a while, shelving my Novatac 120P for a bit while I beat up on the 5.11 lights a bit more.
As usual, if you have any questions, feel free to post it up.
As soon as I do some cropping of the photos, photo comparisons will be going up.
-Steve
