I have answered this question a bunch of times--and never the same way twice! Gotta keep the streak alive. . .
Lately, (having been very bored at work), I have been thinking about what makes a flashlight NOT tactical. I mean, the Army has been using the Fulton anglehead forever and Maglites are a staple of police agencies. Surefire is starting to make an appearance, but is still relatively uncommon.
So a flashlight is NOT tactical if it. . .
. . .requires two hands to turn it on or off. Minimags, C. Cranes, some Pelican lights and some dive lights are difficult to turn on with one hand. Under stress, running after someone, it's not going to happen. Having said that, I have used all of the above in law enforcement and the Army.
. . .attaches to your head. Having a convienient aiming point on your head for your enemy is not tactical.
. . .is really dim. Some of my coworkers carry a Inova X5T(actical). That won't light up much beyond 10 yards. If the bad guy is 15 yards away. . .
. . .is too big to carry easily. Spotlights would be great if I didn't have to run, climb, crawl, jump, fight, dodge, draw, search, handcuff, get in and get out. Having said that, I have used a spotlight during one pursuit on the ocean.
. . .costs more than $50. I'm only partly kidding. Soldiers who clear dark buildings and caves earn a very low salary. LEOs make more, but still, just the idea of spending $250 and up for the best "tactical" flashlights makes them laugh out loud. If they get issued the stuff, great, but otherwise, Mag Instruments gets their business.