Law enforcement flashlight recommendations (Part 2)

Continued from here. ;)

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

Ok, so these are my choices. (No specific order)

1. Pelican 7060
2. Tiablo A8
3. Tiablo A9
4. Blackhawk Gladius
5. Striker VG
6. Maybe Wolfeyes? (not sure which model though)

What's the best choice for me if I am a LEO. I want brightness, spill, and, throw, and runtime. Nothing too expensive. Max $100+/-

Any other better choices?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

It seems that alot of folks are measuring a lights max claimed output as the main qualifying feature for a LE duty light. This is a mistake in my opinion. The #1 feature for a light or any other piece of duty equipment should be reliability & durability. Of course price should be of concern as well, but you should be willing to pay a little extra then you originally planned on spending for the best quality you can afford. Dont worry about impressing the guys at work with a super-cool 50 level, overly complex wonderlight.

"Momentary-ON" should be a requirement for any Police Officers light, and IMHO they should avoid any lights with the "reverse clicky" multi mode tailcaps. For example, you dont want to light up & identify an armed badguy and then have to worry about cycling through mutiple modes/levels to turn your light off and not make yourself a lighted/strobing/multi output level moving target:ooo:

Strobes are cool for rave parties and hollywood movies, but they are useless for LE. Keep it simple. ON and OFF.

The best overall "duty" light for me has been the Surefire U2 Digital Ultra. Regardless of how often the tech nerds dismiss it because it doesnt have the latest LED bin technology to hit the market this week, it still puts out a huge amount of light, and its utility is unmatched. I have been carrying mine with confidence for the past 3+ years.

I would also suggest the Surefire 9P with a quality LED drop-in module such as the Malkoff M60 CREE (The Best currently available). This set-up will put out a butt-load of light for 3+ hours, and will likely last you for the remainder of your LE career.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

I bought a Wolf-Eyes Raider along with several Lumens Factory lamp assemblies (HO-9s & E0-9s) and 18500 li-ion batteries w/charger for LEO applications. So far, I find it a terrific set-up. And I paid under $100 for everything.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

NickDrak said:

I would also suggest the Surefire 9P with a quality LED drop-in module such as the Malkoff M60 CREE (The Best currently available). This set-up will put out a butt-load of light for 3+ hours, and will likely last you for the remainder of your LE career.

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I previously carried a 9P with a 200 lumen lamp. Lots of light but I was using an open top/bottom holster and the tail cap got all scratched up. I currently have a Sure Fire G3 (with a 200 lumen bulb) with the polymer body I haven’t had any problems yet. I have grown to like the LED lights but with city ambient light, the incandescent lights still work a little better for my eyes. The G3 is lighter than the 9P and that makes a difference, when carried on your belt all day.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

STROBE does have a place in law enforcement. Sometimes me and my partners will do speed traps or other types of traps and the strobe light is quite effective at getting the drivers attention and getting him to pull over. When we do the traps we just walk out onto the road and I dont think a light with constant on does as well.


Im sure any of the ones on your list would be fine. Personally I chose a MRV from lumapower to replace my duty poly stinger. The MRV has great throw and brigtnes with long run time. I havent beat it yet so i dont know how durable it is.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

Strobe is very effective in law enforcement. Someone is walking up on you and you have no idea who they are, hit them with the strobe and they will either drop dead in the tracks and stumble back a bit or throw their hands up. Either way, they aren't a threat for a second or two.

I like Streamlight products for duty. I carry a Streamlight SL20XP LED. Good light, bright enough for car stops, calls ect. I like the LED mode, good for when you are chatting with someone, writing, ect when you don't need a bright light.

I carry a Stringer LED on my belt. Has the nifty strobe, bright enough for most things, I like the lower brightness settings. Good for saving on battery power.

For smaller tactical lights, you can't go wrong with a Gladius on your belt if you have the dough. Surefire 6P is good especially with the LED upgrades. I like most Pelican products also. The M6 is a good little light. I just got the 7060, been playing with it. Pretty good, would like a strobe feature though.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

pfccypret said:

Strobe is very effective in law enforcement. Someone is walking up on you and you have no idea who they are, hit them with the strobe and they will either drop dead in the tracks and stumble back a bit or throw their hands up. Either way, they aren't a threat for a second or two.

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Im sure the strobe is effective for what you describe above, but just shining my Surefire 6PL or my 9volt CREE Surefire lego light in someones face has the same effect. And if when I light them up, I ID a weapon on their person, I can release the momentary on button on my Surefires and move off the line and take the necessary action without having to cycle through a more complex switching sequence.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

Any opinions on the brite strike lights? More specifically the blue dot series (198 lumens) I got it for $105 but it hasn't arrived yet. My duty light is a streamlight Stinger and I don't like it.

http://www.brite-strike.com/BlueDot.html

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

Recommendations: the new Inova T series, especially the T4 and T5.

Re: Law enforcement flashlight recommendations Part 2

Continued here...