How to Use a Flashlight in a Tactical Situation

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I carry a 5.11 ATAC single AA light. Small, bright as hell, rugged and pretty cheap. I've got a few of them stashed in different areas. I've also got one of those Streamlight nanos on my keychain. Surprisingly bring for such a tiny device. Sure it's not a "tactical" light, but it's a light source that's with me 99% of the time. Great for rooting through my trunk at night, moving to a better light source in a power outage, searching for something dropped on the ground outside. I would highly recommend them to anyone. And they would make pretty great Christmas gifts. I would think a little Streamlight Nano clipped to a small Fox Labs OC would make a pretty good stocking stuffer for a wife or college-age child.

 

[Infidel4life11]

Maybe a flashlight would have helped - maybe it wouldn't have - but if our hero had parked in a well-lit location, he wouldn't have needed it. Situational awareness first, last, and always.

Winner. IMO

 

[SamWitch]

Thanks for remembering us gals, OregonJohnny! I do carry a maglight in my apron pocket and one in my purse. I like the idea of little ones as zipper pulls and on key rings, too. But I would like to investigate some of the specific ones mentioned. I need a light (as in not-too-heavy) one and some of your suggestions seem just the ticket.

 

[Fred Fuller]

SamWitch,

Take a look at the Streamlight 88032 too. My wife and I have both been carrying them for about a year now and are pleased with them. See http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88032-Protac-Tactical-Flashlight/dp/B003GXF9NQ for a picture and more details if interested. Available from other sources also, of course.

 

[OregonJohnny]

SamWitch,

Although Maglites are well-made (in America, too), flashlight technology zoomed by Maglite in the fast lane about 15 years ago. I own around 5 or 6 Maglites of different varieties, and they certainly have been reliable, and inexpensive, but you can do SO much better for not much more money.

Here are some of the "top" brands, that are very well-respected in the "flashaholic" community, and made in the U.S.A., but can be fairly pricey:

• Surefire
• Elzetta
• Malkoff
• HDS

Next down the list come the "decent" brands, which are mostly made overseas, but are still pretty well-respected, and cost much less typically than the 4 above:

• Streamlight
• Fenix
• Nitecore
• Jetbeam
• Olight
• Eagletac
• 4 Sevens
• Klarus
• Thrunite
• Sunwayman
• Zebralight

There are many other brands, some you can find online, others that are in blister packs at the check out line at the hardware store, but they should probably be avoided.

If money isn't really an object, and you want a small, extremely well-made light with a tight blinding beam and simple operation and 2 output levels, I'd highly recommend the Surefire E1B. If money is an object, than any lights from the brands listed above will serve you well, and won't hurt the wallet nearly as much if they get lost or break.

There is A LOT to learn about flashlights, and a great place to start, with great people (just like here at THR) is candlepowerforums.