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Tactical flashlights were originally designed for military and law enforcement use.
Due to the original life or death nature of their use, tactical flashlights were created to be the most extreme, reliable and high performing flashlights available on the market.
However, their appeal has quickly spread to members of the private sector, like hunters, mechanics and gun enthusiasts, who want a piece of the best technology that can withstand the harshest conditions.
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Top 3 Best of the Best Tactical Flashlight
The real question is: If you find yourself in an unexpected situation, what kind of flashlight would you want by your side?
Honestly, you would probably be happy to have ANY light source with you.
But, since you are reading this, you probably know that the value of a tactical flashlight is impossible to beat with any other light source.
Tactical flashlights are designed to be much smaller, more powerful, more durable, and longer lasting that a typical flashlight.
This makes them ideal for a wide range of uses and, at today’s price points, far better than any other handheld light source.
However, just like most tactical defense products, no one light is ideal for all people or purposes.
With the huge array brands and styles available on the market, it can be very difficult to know what the best tactical flashlight is for you, and we’re here to help.
There are several key specifications and considerations you should analyze before making a decision.
Top 3 Best Seller Tactical Flashlight on The Market
Top 10 Best Tactical Flashlight for The Money in 2020 Reviews
Read our detail review below will help you decide what the best tactical flashlight is for you.
1. Professional Brightest Water Resistant LED Tactical Flashlight – Best choice for 2020
Our Rating: 
(4.2 / 5)
The company producing the torch set is known as DanForce. The name originates from the grandfather of the founder who was known as Moshe Salamon. The company has various flashlight collection of products. They focus on sports and outdoor needs. It aims to develop products that are unique using experienced engineers.
The professional tactical flashlight comes as a set that is useful in the field during the day or night. The torches come in handy for the armed forces and police. Also, hikers, campers, hunters and individuals undertaking outdoor activities benefit by using these products. Moreover, domestic households also utilize the flashlights for illumination.
There are two sizes, and each has a different luminosity. The large flashlight, perfect for exploring, has a brightness of 2000 lumens while the smaller one for outdoor activities has 1000. The brightness of the two torches is adjustable to spot anything. Moreover, the levels of adjustable intensity are five. They include low, medium, high, SOS and strobe.
The batteries have a high capacity of 18650 able to last for up to 8 hours. They are three and are rechargeable. The design of the flashlights is superb enabling them to withstand any weather. They are waterproof giving the ability to go through all terrains. The products have top quality abs to provide a firm grip. They are also skid proof to caution against a fall. The strong string loops enhance security during use as the flashlight remains on the belt clip or hand.
The selection of the brightness to either of the settings is through a single button. The user can also quickly zoom in and out to get the right focus of light depending on the need. When using the torches, a control spotlight is necessary for making close or distant exploration.
A great benefit of buying the flashlight set is the guarantee that comes with it. MsForce is confident of the service that their products give and thus offer a guarantee that is extends over a lifetime fully-fledged. The buyer gets 100% money back if unsatisfied with the product.
2. Tactical Portable LED Flashlight 1000 Lumens with 5 Modes
Our Rating: 
(4.1 / 5)
Uoiline Company Limited is a brand that has gained trust with consumers. It is a company that seeks to provide value to their customers. It also aims to give the highest customer service standard.
Tactical Portable LED Flashlight is a high powered flashlight that is bright. The flashlight is a high-end version of previous products from Uoline with an optimized aluminium alloy. It has an XML-T6 chip that provides 1000 lumens at maximum output. Most noteworthy, it provides 20% brighter light than ordinary flashlights.
One of the greatest features of the flashlight is the tough design that includes a break glass in an emergency. The flashlight is also anti-skid and water resistant. The level of water resistance is lpx-6 for conditions of wet weather. Furthermore, it is perfect for long range observation since the intense spotlight feature is present. The range of the flashlight can go up to 600 feet. It makes this a great tool to have especially for a family.
The flashlight stands out by being compact, heavy duty and reliable. It is zoomable to suit the luminosity necessary. The tactical LED flashlight is perfect for a survival gear or kit, hunting, fishing, military and emergency tool. It is a ready to go product for use in medium, low or full bright light. Also, it is greatly useful in fast, SOS and strobe mode.
A 1 piece 18650 lithium or 3 piece AAA battery powers the flashlight in the different modes. It is important to note that the user gets the batteries separately from the product. A versatile Carabiner and kit case comes as a bonus with buying the product.
3. URPOWER Tactical Flashlight
Our Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
The URPOWER is a modern tactical among the users. URPower is a leading trusted flashlight manufacturer. They provide quality and reliability. The URPOWER balances the performance of the flashlight with the cost.
The product offers a bright flashlight with 1000lm. It is the maximum output of the flashlight. The output improves significantly when one compares to most of the flashlights that have a low maximum output. It has a great lighting range with a maximum range of 1150 feet.
For this reason, it is ideal for individuals who require a long range flashlight to get an illuminated path no matter the situation. These include hiking, cycling, emergency and camping. The flashlight has five lighting modes that include high, low, middle, strobe and SOS. The user can quickly switch from one lighting modes to the other using a clickable switch.
The material making the URPower tactical flashlight is high-quality and durable. The body is creed led and high-strength to ensure a pleasant experience. The IPX5 body, it is rainproof and perfect for the terrible weather. The flashlight utilizes a 2800mAh Lithium battery. It is equivalent to a capacity of 18650. The battery is rechargeable for up to 500 times. This helps the user to save on the cost of buying new batteries.
As a safety precaution, the charger has an over charge protection to safeguard the product. In addition, the design ensures to protect against short circuit and reverse connection problems. The flashlight comes with the rechargeable battery, a battery sleeve, charger and holder. Finally, there is a warranty that URpower provides on the flashlight. It entails a one year warranty on the flashlight. Moreover, for the battery and charger three months.
4. SureFire G2X Pro – top rated tactical flashlight brand
Our Rating: 
(4.8 / 5)
SureFire is one of the most trusted flashlight manufacturers and consistently produces a high quality product.
Initially, SureFire was called Laser Products and founder Dr. John Matthews focused on creating a more affordable and commercially available laser sight.
Eventually, Laser Products became a leader in developing and manufacturing rugged, powerful “force-option” compact illumination tools for tactical applications.
The Laser Products line became synonymous with excellence and so, fittingly, Laser Products was changed to SureFire LLC.
One thing to know about SureFire is that they were one of the last American manufacturers to make the switch over to LED bulbs.
At first it seemed as though they lost their reputation for being ahead of the technology curve. Even their LED flashlights were more expensive than comparable foreign manufacturers.
But, recently, SureFire has released some of the most durable, high performance tactical flashlights that offer both high quality and high tech at a price that is in the same budget line as many of their competitors.
SureFire has made a strong comeback and is now considered the brand by which all others are judged.
Additionally, they offer an outstanding lifetime warranty for defective material and workmanship in their products.
A Little Bit About the G2X Pro…
The G2X Pro is comparable to several other flashlights produced by SureFire. In fact….
- The G2X Pro is an upgraded version of the G2 line
- The G2X Pro is the dual output version of the G2X Tactical
- The G2X Pro is the polymer bodied (Nitrolon) version of the 6PX
In essence, SureFire took a few qualities of their top performing lights and rolled them into the G2X Pro. In fact, it offers one of the best ratios between output, throw and size for its price.
Conclusions about SureFire G2X Pro
As a simple, well constructed dual-output light, the G2X Pro is an excellent option from SureFire. Though lacking the bells and whistles of some of the comparable recent options from Chinese manufacturers, the solid construction and light quality of SureFire are hard to beat. You always pay a premium for an American brand, but the G2X Pro is one of SureFire’s cheapest lines and still represents a good value.
If you want a simple, dual output EDC light on the larger side, the G2X Pro offers a good size-to-lumen ratio. However, without the clip attachment, it may be too large for some who want a pocket light. Additionally, it is difficult to find rechargeable batteries that work with SureFire lights, so if you will be using the light quite frequently, battery replacements can get expensive.
5. Olight M21X-L2 Tactical Flashlight
Our Rating: (4.5 / 5)
Olight is a Chinese manufacturer that has been producing high-end illumination tools since it was founded in 2006. Although originally focused primarily on outdoor enthusiast products, Olight branched into tactical lighting in 2008 with good results. They are a well regarded overseas manufacturer that provides a two-year warranty on their tactical flashlights.
The M21X uses a tailcap forward clicky switch to turn the light on and off. Half pressing the switch activates a momentary lighting mode.
In order to cycle the light up from Low to Medium to High, it is necessary to loosen or tighten the flashlight head.
This is not as convenient as a Dual-Switch interface, but Olight has made some allowances for that.
The flashlight retains the last setting used and has hidden functions that allow activation of High mode with two fast clicks and activation of the Strobe mode with three fast clicks.
Conclusions about Olight M21X-L2
At 5.73 inches and 6.0 ounces, the M21X is a bit on the larger side for an everyday carry tactical flashlight.
However, if you are looking for excellent performance and a blazing High mode, this is certainly one of the best lights in the market.
The only potential downside is the lack of a Dual-Switch interface, which makes it necessary to rotate the head to adjust brightness.
For this reason, the M21X may not be the best choice for military or law enforcement that need a primary tactical light.
But for everyday use at a reasonable price, this light is hard to top. It performs excellently with both CR123A batteries as well as a rechargeable 18650 Li-Ion battery.
If you plan on using the light as a primary light or with high frequency, investing in the rechargeable batteries will save you significant money in the long run.
6. EagleTac G25C2 Mark II Tactical Flashlight
Our Rating: 
(3.6 / 5)
EagleTac is one of the highest regarded US tactical flashlight manufacturers. They were founded in 2009 and are based in Washington. All manufacturing, testing, and assembly is done in-house, which allows them to offer an unbeatable 10 year warranty.
Conclusions about EagleTac G25C2 Mark II
The Mark II represents the best modern flashlight technology has to offer and its technical specs are hard to beat from an American company for this price.
The light comes with an amazing amount of adjustable features, settings, and modification options.
If you are the type of person that loves customization and wants a light for a wide range of purposes, this is one of the best lights available.
However, the sheer number of options can be daunting and may be far too complex for someone who wants a tactical light for a single purpose or a very simple every day carry.
7. Pelican 7060 – best military flashlight
Our Rating: 
(4.6 / 5)
Pelican was founded in 1976 by Dave Parker in a Torrance, California garage. An avid Scuba diver since age 11, Parker recognized the need for rugged flashlights and cases that wouldn’t leak or fail. So he set out to build a better product than any other on the market. With years of hard work and sacrifice, Pelican Products became a reality with its first product patent, the Pelican Float.
The Pelican 7060 is one the older tactical flashlights that is still capable of competing today. Available since 2007, the Pelican 7060 uses Cree XR-E LED technology, which uses more power and produces less light than the Cree XM-L technology that is the standard today. However, this older LED technology is still significantly better than non-CREE lights. This tactical flashlight was developed as the exclusive light for the LAPD, so rest assured that it is well designed, extremely durable, and has withstood the test of time.
With a peak output of 164 lumens at a length of 8.65 inches, the 7060 is not nearly as bright as more modern tactical flashlights of similar size, but is still an excellent choice for someone who does not require extreme brightness. The advantage of this light is the longer runtime. The light manages to remain near maximum output for up 1.5 hours, which is excellent performance. However, after extended use, the discharged heat does make the light feel relatively hot.
The body of the light is constructed with Xenoy and utilizes a “grenade grip” pattern, which fits in the hand quite nicely. One nice feature is the inclusion of two switches: one located in the tailcap and another at the top part of the grip. It is possible to cycle with each switch interchangeably and both provide tactile and auditory feedback.
One of the nicest features is the included charging cradle and AC adapter. The convenience of not having to deal with separate rechargeable batteries and charges is significant. The light takes approximately 4-5 hours for a full recharge and has a life cycle of 500 recharges. Though the upfront cost for this tactical light is relatively high, the fact that the rechargeable battery and chargers are included actually make it quite cost effective.
Although it is possible to find brighter lights in this range with the latest technology, the 7060 is still one of the best rated flashlights out there. The fact that this is still the standard issue light for the LAPD proves that point. If you work in law enforcement and need an excellent everyday duty and tactical light, the 7060 may be right for you.
8. Inova T4R Tactical Flashlight
Our Rating: 
(4.7 / 5)
It seems that Inova is frequently overlooked in the tactical flashlight market, but after being bought by NiteIze a few years ago, they have continued to create highly competitive offerings. The T4R is the latest 2012 upgrade to the Inova’s rechargeable T4 line. The T4R is an excellent medium-sized cradle-charging tactical flashlight that provides an excellent alternative to other similar older models such as the Pelican 7060. It certainly deserves recognition as one of the best cradle-charging tactical lights on the market.
The T4R uses Cree XP-G LED technology, which is a step of from the Pelican 7060 in terms of the power-to-output ratio. This throws a maximum output of 303 lumens, which is significantly better than most comparable older rechargeable models. One particularly nice feature is the medium output setting of 144 lumens, which is still quite bright, but provides a significant extension to battery life when maximum intensity is unneeded. The runtime regulation of the T4R is excellent with near-maximal output for the entire advertized two-hour battery life. This is one of the best regulating flashlights on the market and certainly one of the best selling points of this model.
The switch is located at the top of the body and is rubberized; however, there is no additional tactical switch on the tailcap, which is a slight drawback to this model. A single click turns the light on to High and each additional click within two seconds will cycle to to Medium and Low. Pressing and holding the switch will establish momentary mode, which keeps the light on only until you release the switch. Two rapid clicks from any mode will activate the strobe. The T4R programming and features is very well designed and intuitive and seems clearly designed with law enforcement in mind.
At 7.9 inches in length, the T4R lies squarely in the medium-sized flashlight range and possesses features that make it ideal for use as a law enforcement duty light. It is extremely durable and impact resistant with aircraft-grade aluminum body and a Type III anodized finish. The body utilizes significant knurling, which provides a strong and comfortable grip. It is water resistant to an IPX4 standard.
The rechargeable cradle is well designed and extremely easy to use. A full recharge can be achieved in as little as 2-3 hours, which is excellent for this type of flashlight. It comes with both AC and DC power cords, which is convenient for users who travel with their light frequently or need the ability to easily recharge in the car. Though the price may initially appear high, remember that this is a rechargeable light that will save you a significant amount on battery costs in the long run. For tactical lights of this type, the T4R is one of the best values you can get for your money.
9. Streamlight 88040 ProTAC Tactical Flashlight
Our Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Streamlight is well-regarded and innovative company that has been around since 1973. They manufacture a variety of flashlights that use both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. They have a heavy focus on providing the best quality gear for firefighters, hunters, fisherman, and outdoorsmen as well as producing both hand-held and weapon-mounted lights.
In terms of specifications, the Streamlight Protac HL is quite similar to Surefire’s extremely popular offering, the Surefire P2X Fury. Though Surefire is typically seen as the more “elite” flashlight company, Streamlight also has a solid brand reputation and produces consistently good lights. When compared to the Fury, the Protac HL offers a slightly higher output while managing to remain the same size. In terms of runtime, this flashlight doesn’t quite live up to the Fury, particularly on the lower setting. However, if your primary concern is value, this flashlight is significantly cheaper than the comparable Surefire model and offers a high output mode that is tough to beat in flashlights this size.
HL is extraordinary with a peak output of 600 lumens in a pocket-sized device. However, the light does not remain at peak performance nearly as long as its Surefire counterpart. Output begins to drop almost immediately, but remains relatively high for 30-40 minutes at which point it begins to drop off quite rapidly. As with all flashlights, rechargeable batteries do not last as long, but when used with the Protac HL on high mode, the light only lasted for 30 minutes. Therefore, this light is ideal for someone who requires an extremely high output from a small device for short periods of time. The performance may not be quite as good as the comparable top-of-the-line flashlights, but at its very reasonable price, the light is a fantastic bargain.
The flashlight is well manufactured with an impact-resistant type-II anodized aluminum body with a matte finish and an anti-roll head design. The body of the light utilizes knurling for grip and contains a removable pocket clip. The tail cap contains a recessed switch for light to cycle through lighting modes. It is impact resistant up to 1m and includes an O-ring seal guaranteeing an IPX7 waterproof standard.
Particularly interesting feature of the Portac HL is Streamlight’s trademarked Ten-Tap Programming. This makes it ideal for someone who wants a flashlight for tactical and non-tactical purposes. The programming supports three function sets, which are High/Strobe/Low, High only, Low/High. This is a very nice addition to the light as the user gains the ability to align the lights functioning with his specific purpose.
The Protac HL uses two 123a Lithium batteries or, alternatively, two LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries. As always, the use of low quality batteries is not recommended as they can be dangerous and void the warranty. Streamlight only supports the use of their own brand of batteries or those from Duracell, Panasonic, or Energizer.
10. Surefire P2X Fury Tactical LED
Our Rating: (4.8 / 5)
The SureFire P2X Fury is one of the most popular tactical flashlights on the market. Surefire is an extremely high-quality and well-trusted flashlight manufacturer. For this reason, their lights are often priced on the higher end of the spectrum, but you do get the quality and reliability you pay for with SureFire.
With the Fury, SureFire does an excellent job of balancing cost with extremely high performance. This offering is one of the few pocket-sized flashlights capable of offering a blazing 500 lumen peak performance. The flashlight manages to maintain its stated 500 lumen output for nearly the first hour before ramping down output as the batteries drain. This is significantly better than most comparably sized flashlights that only manage to maintain the stated high output for a short period of time. For this reason, the Fury is ideal for someone who demands one of the best size-to-output ratios available on the market..
The light is activated with a clickable tailcap switch that cycles from OFF to Low to High modes. This presents one of the few drawbacks to the flashlight in that it is necessary to click through the low mode to reach the tactical high setting. However, if you plan on using the light solely for tactical situations and this presents a major problem, SureFire also offers a Single-Ouput Tactical version of the light.
The body of the Fury is hard-anodized high-strength aluminum body, which, coupled with the tempered window, makes the flashlight quite durable and resistant to impacts or thermal shocks. It is also sealed with an O-ring and gasket making it weatherproof. The surface has no knurling, opting instead for a matte finish with contours for grip.
The Fury uses 123A Lithium batteries, which is standard for SureFire, but if you expect to use the tactical setting frequently, investing in rechargeable batteries may be a good idea. The high output will not last as long with the rechargeable LiFePO4 batteries, but they will still quickly pay for themselves. K2 Energy is one of the better manufacturers of these batteries and I suggest this brand as the use of unknown brands could damage the flashlight or void the warranty with SureFire.
Conclusion
We learned a few things along the way. There are a lot of tactical flashlight brands on the market.
We found that many of the lights would be ideal for everyday carry and some of the flashlights were just a bit too over the top to be considered reasonable.
Ultimately after all the searching, reading and testing we were able to come up with 7 top of the line options that made most consumers happy. Of course, any of the three would be a great pick for a full range of reasons but we have to make one our favorite.
Our tactical flashlight reviews landed the Streamlight 88040 ProTAC Tactical Flashlight as our top pick; people absolutely love it!
It is a good choice for anyone that is concerned with the personal protection, surviving emergency situations or just needs to find those shoes in the back of the closet. It has some amped up features that we loved, and it is a rechargeable model which we liked. You cannot go wrong with this model, the price is right, the reviews are amazing and it is built to last.
Guide to the Best Tactical Flashlights 2020
Tactical flashlights are extremely versatile and can serve many purposes.
The most common application is using a tactical flashlight in conjunction with a firearm to aid in target identification. This allows the marksmen to simultaneously aim and illuminate the target.
The small size makes it ideal to carry alongside a gun and the extremely bright illumination serves to blind and confuse an attacker.
For anyone interested in personal defense, a tactical flashlight is one of the most underrated tools. In defense situations, a good tactical flashlight will serve three crucial purposes:
- Identification: Would-be assailants typically act under the cover of darkness and a good flashlight is crucial for threat identification.
- Disorientation: If you have ever been pulled over by an officer at night, you know the disorienting effect of a bright light in darkness. Focusing a powerful tactical flashlight on an attacker’s face will cause confusion and semi-blindness for several seconds. This time can make all the difference in a defense situation.
- Attack: As a last alternative, tactical flashlights can prove to be strong blunt weapons that are made even more effective when the attacker is disoriented. Certain models even come with toothed bezels on the end, which are quite painful for an attacker.
However, due to their sturdy build, tactical flashlights are are also the perfect choice for a wide variety of people outside of self-defense or law enforcement.
Unless your only purpose for owning a flashlight is to find your way around the house in a power outage, a tactical flashlight will be a far better investment in the long run.
If you are serious about any of the following activities, they are truly indispensable.
- Hunting
- Scuba Diving
- Boating/Marine Use
- Camping
Important Considerations Before Making a Decision
There are a huge variety of tactical flashlights, so it is important to understand the different considerations and how they apply to your specific situation before making a decision. For this reason, I will cover some of the most commonly asked questions below.
What Bulb Should I Go With?
For tactical flashlights, you will typically only have to choose between xenon and LED bulbs. A long time ago, xenon bulbs offered the brightest light while LED only offered a longer battery life.
However recent technological advancements allow LED bulbs to provide super-bright illumination with far less power drain.
They are significantly more durable and can have lifetimes up to 100,000 hours. This is the one question I can answer definitively: If you want the most for you money, skip on anything but an LED bulb.
How Bright Will My Light Be?
Flashlight brightness is primarily measured in lumens and often has a secondary measurement of peak beam candelas (you may see candlepower, but this term is obsolete and essentially equivalent to candela).
Basically, lumens measure the amount of light contained in an area. Candelas provides a measurement of the brightest spot in the light.
The main consideration is how bright of a light you need for your purposes. Most tactical flashlights will have multiple power settings, so the low range is rarely an issue.
The low settings (often 10- 50 lumens) will be perfectly adequate for simple uses like navigating a dark house or basic camping.
However, if you need a flashlight for law enforcement or self defense purposes that has the potential to disorient an attacker, it is crucial to purchase one with a high lumen setting of at least 200. A high range of 500-600 lumens will provide even better performance at the cost of lower battery life.
Even though more powerful flashlights will provide greater brightness, higher lumens often provide diminishing returns for most uses.
What Type of Battery?
The primary consideration for battery is whether or not you would like to invest in a tactical flashlight with the ability to recharge.
Rechargeable batteries are more expensive and come with the significantly higher upfront cost of a recharging station.
However, this option will save you money in the long run as you will avoid constantly buying new batteries.
If you plan to use the flashlight solely for emergencies, a non-rechargeable flashlight may be best for you.
If you expect consistent use, particularly at high lumen setting, a rechargeable tactical flashlight is a far better investment.
What Size Flashlight is Best?
This comes down primarily to which features are most important to you.
Want to carry your flashlight around in your pocket at all times without it feeling bulky?
Look for a streamlined, small and light flashlight that offers the lumens you require.
Need the brightest possible flashlight or the longest lasting battery? You’re going to have to settle for a larger and heavier model.
How Much Should I Expect to Spend?
Once again, this depends on your needs and expectations. But like most things, you get what you pay for.
Tactical lights offer the best flashlight technology money can buy, and you should expect to pay for that.
If you are getting a “tactical flashlight” for the same price and a garden-variety flashlight, something is wrong.
A quality light is an investment because it will last for a long time, so don’t skimp on the upfront cost.
In general, flashlight quality tends to significantly drop off under about $50. For one of the best tactical flashlights of 2020 that will offer the highest value for you money, you should expect to spend at least $100.
On the other hand, don’t get carried away and go only by price. It is unlikely that a $300 flashlight will offer any significant advantage over a light half that price unless you are purchasing it for a very specific purpose.
What is a best tactical flashlight?
It is rather obvious that most people do need to have a flashlight of some sort at hand. But the needs and requirements are quite different for each class of users and therefore the desirable characteristics will vary accordingly.
You may want a tiny little lamp to keep on your bedside table that you would just use to go to the bathroom without awaking your partner.
You need a slightly bigger torch for use at home in case of a power outage.
These kinds of flashlights can be purchased from any nearby stores or supermarkets. They are easy to find and cheap, but how long they would last is certainly a concern to be addressed. You’ll notice that they are not subject to much strain therefore they don’t need to be very sturdy.
For heavier uses, you will need a more professional tool. Many user profiles can be identified such as (non-exhaustive list):
- Outdoors activity addict: trekker, camper, fisher, hunter, or simply walking the dog,
- Professional worker: truck driver, mechanics, fireman,
- Law enforcement: police officers, security guards,
- Military in their many roles, including users of weapon-mounted flashlights.
All of these users will need, to some extent, a flashlight that we call tactical. This paper is aimed at helping every potential user to choose the best tactical flashlight for one’s own purpose.
Body
Material
The first step is to define the material of which the case of the flashlight should be made. In this market, you will find bodies made of metal or plastic. Furthermore, there may be a coating adapted to the material intended to enhance the quality or bring additional benefits.
It is true that the chemical industry today is able to produce plastics with very good mechanical properties. However, for our purpose, it is clear that the best choice is aluminum. This material has more useful properties than the best plastic product. Aluminum is light weight, non-magnetic, corrosion resistant and a good electrical conductor. Therefore, we can summarize as follows:
Aluminum:
- The weight will not be a burden if you have to carry your light for hours either by hand or in a holster on your belt.
- It will not produce perturbations on a compass if you have to use one in the vicinity.
- It will survive in hostile environment or at the seaside for example.
- Passing current through the body of the flashlight simplifies its construction by providing a return path for the current.
Coating
Although offering a natural strong mechanical resistance, aluminum has a rather soft surface. In order to prevent scratches and bumps, it is advisable to harden the surface. This is achieved by a process called anodizing. The process consists in immersing the aluminum part into an acid electrolyte and running a current through it. This electrolytic process produces a thin coat of aluminum oxide. The anodic layer is non-conductive. The layer is somewhat porous, depending on its thickness. The corrosion-resistant property is improved by an additional process of sealing. Cooling the acid solution to the freezing point of water produces a much thicker coating that penetrates deeper into the aluminum.
Various types of anodizing processes are known which produce the following results:
- Type I uses a chromic acid solution. It produces a 0.5 μm to 18 μm thick layer.
- Type II uses a sulfuric acid solution. It produces a 1.8 μm to 25 μm thick layer.
- Type III also uses a sulfuric acid solution. It produces a 13 to 150 μm thick layer. This type is also called hard anodizing or hardcoat.
Benefits of hard anodizing (hard coating):
- It gives aluminum a stronger surface.
- It makes your flashlight more durable and resistant to harsh conditions.
- It appears that Type III Hard Anodized is standard coating for tactical flashlights. Other processes do not produce good enough results.
Power Supply
Choice of battery cells
Now you know what your best tactical flashlight should look like from the outside. Let’s then have a look at the inside. To begin with, we need a power source. There is a multi-fold choice to make on this matter.
First of all, we have to compare alkaline versus lithium batteries and, secondly, disposable versus rechargeable batteries. We will then look in more details into the selected types.
Comparison
Lithium batteries last a lot longer than alkaline ones before the energy load is depleted. The ratio is somewhere between four and seven times longer, depending on the particular application. They can also output a higher voltage for a longer period of time which is very useful for many devices. More voltage and more time means more energy stored in lithium cells.
On another hand, lithium battery units are more expensive than alkaline ones. However, the extra cost, if you can afford it, is overcome by the better efficiency so that, on the long run, lithium batteries are more effective than alkaline units.
Finally, it is noteworthy to say that lithium cells weigh about 1/3 less than their alkaline equivalent and they are not prone to leakage of chemical corrosive products that could damage your best tactical flashlight.
Advantages of lithium batteries:
- More efficient energy wise
- More expensive
- Lighter weight
- Cleaner
Lithium cells
With the above data, you have decided that you want lithium batteries. We will now discuss about the most renowned battery types, both disposable and rechargeable.
In the first instance, the two types of cells do not have the same chemical content. Disposable cells are Lithium whereas rechargeable cells are Lithium-Ion.
Most of the best tactical flashlights now are CR123A 3V lithium battery powered. The CR123A battery outputs 3.0V as opposed to 1.5V in an AA alkaline battery. CR123A are small and lightweight. Lithium batteries withstand a wide range of temperature -40F to 140F (-40°C to 60°C). This cell has a shelf-life of 10 years; this allows them to be easily stored without charge drain. Self-discharge is less than 2% after 1 year of storage at + 20°C.
- The high voltage in a small package means a significant increase in power density which is a must for modern LEDs with high current draw.
- The reduced weight is an asset for a portable light which will be held in hand for extended periods of time.
- The temperature range is perfect for use in rough conditions.
- Low self-discharge rate permits storage of a high level of spare parts without loss.
An alternative to the CR123A is the 18500 Li-Ion rechargeable batteries. If a tactical flashlight uses two CR123As it will most likely work with 18650 Lithium-ion batteries (you should consult your flashlight’s manual to confirm compatibility). These cells are industrial batteries with extremely high energy density 3.7V to 4.2V, commonly used in laptop batteries.
18650 Li-Ion cells can be found fitted with Protective Circuit Board (PCB); they are called Protected 18650s. A protected cell will shut down the cell if the current demand exceeds safe levels. It will also be protected from overcharge, therefore you can safely leave the flashlight in the charger cradle at all times when not in use.
As stated above, these cells are rechargeable. Many manufacturers have a “clever” charger in their accessory listing. This protects your battery from overcharge and stops changing when the battery is full.
- They have an even higher power density capability than the CR123A cells, most desirable for your high end best tactical flashlight.
- The protected type of cell is the one to go for as they will give a safer service.
- Running costs are reduced as you don’t need to buy and store many spare cells.
- The “clever” charger protection keeps the battery safe.
This battery is the same size as the CR123A but it is rechargeable. RCR123A is sometimes also called 16340. It has a higher voltage (3.2V) but a lower capacity than primary CR123As. It is advisable to get protected type only and to use it with a “clever” charger.
If a flashlight uses two RCR123a‘s (or CR123a’s) in most cases it will be able to run with one 18650. It is advisable to use 18650 instead of RCR123a’s because of higher energy density. I like 18650′s because they usually are better priced per amount of power they produce.
Disposable vs. Rechargeable
|
Primary (disposable) batteries
|
Rechargeable batteries
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|---|---|
| PROs
Less expensive at purchase |
PROs
Re-usable many times |
| CONs
Single use, need repeated purchase |
CONs
More expensive |
Light emitter
Definitely LED
It’s time now to take a step into modernity. In recent times, LED (Light-Emitting Diode) technology has grown as a dependable, powerful and valuable light source. It now outperforms by far other technologies such as the vintage incandescent bulb but also more recent devices such as halogen or xenon devices. However, LED components are still rather expensive but prices are dropping sharply, thus making them more and more attractive and this trend is going to last.
One of the most noteworthy features is that LEDs lack a heated filament and a glass bulb. This means that they are much more impact and shock resistant than bulb type devices.
- LED is the best choice light source for tactical flashlight which may be frequently submitted to rough handling.
- If flashlight is going to be used on a firearm, its LED should be further reinforced to withstand recoil.
Another very interesting feature for your best tactical flashlight is its lifetime. Most LEDs today exhibit lifespan of 50,000 hours or more, some high end ones can even go as high as thousands of years.
- Extended lifetime means that you will never need to change your light source.
- As a side benefit, you’ll not need to deal with spare parts: so good for your warehouses but also for your tactical equipment, whether it is a rucksack or camping equipment: travel light and save!
LED devices are the most efficient as regards the ratio light output/energy consumption. With the constant increase in light power out of a single chip, this means highest light output and longest run times. This characteristic makes LED chips ideally suited for best tactical flashlight use:
- You get bright illumination while on long night shifts without concern to duration.
Additionally, we have to consider the so-called light color temperature. Color temperature defines the spectral distribution of the light source, in other words it is a measure of the relative mixture of red and blue light being emitted. It is measured in Kelvin. The higher the Kelvin value of a light source, the whiter and later the bluer the light emitted by this source. It is not a measure of brightness (see below). Here is one definition of the Kelvin scale (thresholds may vary according to sources):
- Warm White: from 2600 K to 3500 K: incandescent light bulbs.
- Natural White: from 4000 K to 4500 K: typical fluorescent lighting.
- Daylight White: from 5000 K to 5500 K: noon day sunlight.
- Commercial or Cool White: above 6000 K: industrial applications, hospitals.
On the warm side, the light color is yellowish whereas on the cool side the light color tends to be bluish. For flashlights, we would prefer to be between 5000 to 7000 K as it is the kind of light which best allows for natural color of objects recognition.
Output power
Another important characteristic is the amount of light an emitter can output and how efficiently this amount of light is used by the device it is mounted in. Luminous flux is measured in lumen, a measure of power. Luminous intensity is measured in candela, a measure of intensity. The relationship between lumen and candela depends on the beam angle. If the LED is focused into a tighter beam with a reduced beam angle, the luminous intensity (brightness) will increase without actually increasing the amount of light (flux or power). As an example, if you divide by two the beam angle (say from 30° to 15°) while keeping the light power constant (lumen figure), the light intensity (candela figure) will be multiplied by four.
In most cases, flashlight manufacturers specify the power of their products in lumen but rarely give the candela intensity. As explained above, the latter will depend on reflector design.
Most modern tactical flashlights have multiple brightness modes and special purpose modes such as strobe and SOS beacon.
- Experience shows that 250 lumen is bright enough to blind one’s opponent standing at handgun’s shooting distance.
- If opponent’s eyes are adjusted to night vision then 100 lumens is enough.
- A variable mode output might come in handy in a survival situation. Strobe is especially efficient for signaling at maximum power while at the same time extending battery life as much as possible.
- How high flashlight brightness can go is just as important as how low can it go. Very low brightness modes are usually employed when some illumination is needed while eyes must stay adapted to the dark. This can be achieved if light output is not greater than 6 lumens.
Light quality
Yet another feature of your best tactical flashlight is how this bright light is put to use. LEDs produce more or less uniformly smooth light while incandescent light bulbs produce various shapes and dark rings due to their construction and filaments. As explained earlier, reflector design will impact the way the light power is being used. A narrow angle will increase the center beam intensity, therefore extending the reach (also named throw) of the beam. Around the center beam is an area of less intense light named peripheral. A smartly designed reflector can help combine qualities to get a superior product. Reflector is the most important part for eye pleasing light quality.
- Most flashlights have smooth reflector (mirror like) but some high end ones have textured reflectors. Textured reflector smooth out the light and hide any light source imperfections.
- Reflector is also responsible for focusing the center beam. It is wise to choose a tactical flashlight with tightly focused center beam. It enables longer reach and is especially important when mounted on a weapon for accurate targeting.
- Peripheral light is also very important to consider. Being uniform and of good quality will greatly increase the user’s peripheral vision.
Controls and Available accessories
Best tactical flashlights, however powerful, must also be user friendly. Operation must be straightforward and reliable, adapted to the intended use of the light. It is also desirable that the manufacturer provides optional equipment so as to allow the user to tailor his best tactical flashlight to his own needs.
- Tactical flashlight must have a reliable on/off switch. It must withstand a high number of operations without failure. This is of paramount importance. How good is a flashlight if one can’t turn it on when it is the most needed in an emergency?
- The switch must provide instant on/off operation. Any delay must not be tolerated.
- A good tactical flashlight must have a separate control for brightness levels. It is important that mode switching can be performed without delay or hesitation.
- Is the flashlight of your choice provided with a holster? For small to medium size lights, it is handy to be able to hang it from your tactical belt, thus allowing for hands-free operation.
- If you plan to use your flashlight mounted on a gun, does it have a rail mount adapter? Several adapter keys must be provided. You’d better check that the key which fits your gun is included.
- Also is there a Remote Pressure Switch for the type of flashlight you’re buying? This may be handy if you need to operate the light mounted on a gun.
- Also consider if light diffusers and color filters are available. Especially important in tactical situations is red color filter used to dim the light.
LED
With LED flashlights ignition is instantaneous, while the most common flashlights take some time to work at full capacity.
And although there are rapid start fluorescent models can not match the immediacy of on, at full capacity, an LED bulb. They also support a high number of cycles on and off.
Run-time
Is the number of minutes or hours of continuous use of the tactical torch, measured by the fabricate, that lets you use the flashlight without failure. We must avoid confusing with the number of hours of use of the flashlight with batteries or battery charging.
For instance as a reference without a flashlight can have 80 hours of use, but able to support only 1 hour of continuous use, allowing time between uses.
These factors influence the time to buy as the use to which it expects to.
Lens and reflector type
The strength and type of LED as its lens and reflector (silver area) are important when choose to buy the best tactical flashlight 2020 because the quality may improve or worsen performance.
Lens Type, Some are smooth and rough, the smooth concentric rings often show clear and strong light, the rough are light blur function making it more smooth and even. Clearly this is also related to the type of light (pitcher or innundadora).
Water Protection
May need or not, a water-protected flashlight, which is not the same as submersible.
Impact resistance
Some manufacturers fall resistance in cm or meters. There are models with rubber outer body and especially resistant to falls.
Other Features to Consider
We can then find tactical torches with a varied number of “extras”, considering that many of them can impair the performance of the flashlight as such.
- Laser Pointer
- Ultraviolet light to check the money
- Lantern
- USB Chargers
- Compasses
- Radios
- Alarms
- Ultrasonic Repellents
- And other …
Conclusion: What makes the Best Tactical Flashlight?
Conclusion
- The body must be constructed out of aluminum.
- The case must be finished with type III Hard Anodized coating.
- Power source must be higher capacity and power density battery family (CR123A, RCR123A or 18650).
- The light source must be of the LED type.
- The light output power must be a minimum of 250 lumens.
- The center beam must be laser-like with an efficient peripheral lighting.
- The best tactical flashlight must be equipped with a sturdy and instant on/off switch.
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