Over the past week or so, I've had a couple of people PM me about using the BOSS as a law enforcement duty light. I figured I'd throw my impressions out there and maybe help someone else make a decision.
I currently have a plain clothes assignment at a 100+ officer department in the Midwest. On occasion, I'll throw on the uniform to work a traffic project, security detail, or just plain old patrol shift. Definitely when working a uniform assignment, and even day-to-day as an investigator, I subscribe to the philosophy of "2 is 1, 1 is none." (Part of the reason is that it seems like I'm always loaning a light to someone on scene who forgot one!).
I always carried an HDS rotary in my pocket, and would grab a larger light when leaving the station. This is usually some variety of Malkoff with an MD3 or MD4 body. I've since replaced the HDS with my BOSS.
My first BOSS was a patina 35 w/ 219 emitter. In short, I found the 35 body was, while convenient, shorter than it needed to be. Given the runtime and brightness limitations (at least compared to the larger body) I decided to switch it out. I later scored a 70 body with XPL emitters.
I usually carry the BOSS with two 18350s, but have an 18650 charged and ready to go. It is carried in my front pants pocket or a pocket on my vest.
UI:
One of the major downfalls of a light where you cycle through the modes with the switch is accidentally getting to a lower mode than you want/need. For example, it is common when searching buildings to use a "flash-and-move" technique. This constant on/off cycling can result in cycling through modes when that's not intended. As a result, I actually prefer a UI similar to the high/low ring on Malkoff lights. To remedy this, I have my BOSS set up as High-High-Med-Low. The two cell levels are 31-31-24-12. The one cell levels are proportionate to that. I have yet to accidentally activate a lower level that I wanted to. Even the level 24 is more than adequate for the vast majority of searches. I also find that level 24 is pretty good for general use, such as searching through cars for evidence and the like.
Beam:
TBH, I would prefer it if the beam had a bit more throw. I know very little about triple emitter lights, so I don't even know if this is possible. For long distance searches through an open field or a wooded area, the extreme flood of even the narrow clear optic isn't ideal. Because of the lack of throw, I have the light default to the higher levels. I have yet to run into a situation where I need more throw than what my BOSS provides at level 31, but the end result is higher levels, lower runtime, more heat, and more step-down. On the other hand, it is fantastic for closer work. The other night we were searching for shell casings after a shooting. The floody beam from the BOSS at level 24 was great versus the really tight hot-spot of everyone else's Streamlights.
Runtime:
My first light was a incan Z2 (I actually still have it sporting a M61). The advances that have been made in the past 15 years are amazing when considering runtime at a given output. Once negative about the BOSS is the relatively shorter runtimes when using the high modes. Part of the problem is that I can't bring myself to use it in the one cell config and have all that potential untapped. This is foolish, as the practical difference between 1933 lumens at one cell and the 2500ish lumens with two cells is nil. Along with runtime is a problem with heat generation. This thing gets HOT. 99/100 times, this is not an issue, but if you're wanting to use it for 15, 20, or more minutes at a time at a high level, it's going to be uncomfortable and step down to the point where its not nearly as useful. I understand this is a limitation of size and battery configuration, but there it is. One thing that makes me feel a lot better about the run time is the built in capability to measure voltage. Every day, I know where I am and can swap out cells if it's any where near depleted
Reliability:
So far, the thing's been bulletproof. It's been dropped, wet, slammed up against stuff, used as an improvised impact weapon, and hasn't blinked.
Conclusion:
Given the limitations of runtime, heat, and beam pattern, this shouldn't be the only light one carries. However, as stated above, I think somebody is being foolish if they only have one light. If you pick your other light to compliment this one, maybe one with a tighter beam and a larger cell capacity for runtime, this is a great primary duty light. It has usurped my HDS rotary and Malkoff MDC which were my primary plainclothes lights, and will either replace or ride with the Z2/M61 or Surefire Fury that were my primary patrol lights (along with the Wildcat V4 or Hound Dog V3 on my belt). After all, if 2 is 1 and 1 is none, then 3 is 2, right ?
Probably the biggest recommendation I can give is I'm now trying to justify purchasing the last Oveready V5 dropin to mate with a 2*18650 body. If I can make that happen, it'll ride on my belt and the Hound Dog (or maybe Super Hound Dog) will ride in the car for when needed.
I hope this was useful for someone else.
I currently have a plain clothes assignment at a 100+ officer department in the Midwest. On occasion, I'll throw on the uniform to work a traffic project, security detail, or just plain old patrol shift. Definitely when working a uniform assignment, and even day-to-day as an investigator, I subscribe to the philosophy of "2 is 1, 1 is none." (Part of the reason is that it seems like I'm always loaning a light to someone on scene who forgot one!).
I always carried an HDS rotary in my pocket, and would grab a larger light when leaving the station. This is usually some variety of Malkoff with an MD3 or MD4 body. I've since replaced the HDS with my BOSS.
My first BOSS was a patina 35 w/ 219 emitter. In short, I found the 35 body was, while convenient, shorter than it needed to be. Given the runtime and brightness limitations (at least compared to the larger body) I decided to switch it out. I later scored a 70 body with XPL emitters.
I usually carry the BOSS with two 18350s, but have an 18650 charged and ready to go. It is carried in my front pants pocket or a pocket on my vest.
UI:
One of the major downfalls of a light where you cycle through the modes with the switch is accidentally getting to a lower mode than you want/need. For example, it is common when searching buildings to use a "flash-and-move" technique. This constant on/off cycling can result in cycling through modes when that's not intended. As a result, I actually prefer a UI similar to the high/low ring on Malkoff lights. To remedy this, I have my BOSS set up as High-High-Med-Low. The two cell levels are 31-31-24-12. The one cell levels are proportionate to that. I have yet to accidentally activate a lower level that I wanted to. Even the level 24 is more than adequate for the vast majority of searches. I also find that level 24 is pretty good for general use, such as searching through cars for evidence and the like.
Beam:
TBH, I would prefer it if the beam had a bit more throw. I know very little about triple emitter lights, so I don't even know if this is possible. For long distance searches through an open field or a wooded area, the extreme flood of even the narrow clear optic isn't ideal. Because of the lack of throw, I have the light default to the higher levels. I have yet to run into a situation where I need more throw than what my BOSS provides at level 31, but the end result is higher levels, lower runtime, more heat, and more step-down. On the other hand, it is fantastic for closer work. The other night we were searching for shell casings after a shooting. The floody beam from the BOSS at level 24 was great versus the really tight hot-spot of everyone else's Streamlights.
Runtime:
My first light was a incan Z2 (I actually still have it sporting a M61). The advances that have been made in the past 15 years are amazing when considering runtime at a given output. Once negative about the BOSS is the relatively shorter runtimes when using the high modes. Part of the problem is that I can't bring myself to use it in the one cell config and have all that potential untapped. This is foolish, as the practical difference between 1933 lumens at one cell and the 2500ish lumens with two cells is nil. Along with runtime is a problem with heat generation. This thing gets HOT. 99/100 times, this is not an issue, but if you're wanting to use it for 15, 20, or more minutes at a time at a high level, it's going to be uncomfortable and step down to the point where its not nearly as useful. I understand this is a limitation of size and battery configuration, but there it is. One thing that makes me feel a lot better about the run time is the built in capability to measure voltage. Every day, I know where I am and can swap out cells if it's any where near depleted
Reliability:
So far, the thing's been bulletproof. It's been dropped, wet, slammed up against stuff, used as an improvised impact weapon, and hasn't blinked.
Conclusion:
Given the limitations of runtime, heat, and beam pattern, this shouldn't be the only light one carries. However, as stated above, I think somebody is being foolish if they only have one light. If you pick your other light to compliment this one, maybe one with a tighter beam and a larger cell capacity for runtime, this is a great primary duty light. It has usurped my HDS rotary and Malkoff MDC which were my primary plainclothes lights, and will either replace or ride with the Z2/M61 or Surefire Fury that were my primary patrol lights (along with the Wildcat V4 or Hound Dog V3 on my belt). After all, if 2 is 1 and 1 is none, then 3 is 2, right ?
Probably the biggest recommendation I can give is I'm now trying to justify purchasing the last Oveready V5 dropin to mate with a 2*18650 body. If I can make that happen, it'll ride on my belt and the Hound Dog (or maybe Super Hound Dog) will ride in the car for when needed.
I hope this was useful for someone else.