Tactical Firearms, Ammunition, Optics, and Concealed Carry Training
Quality Tactical Lights-Essential Equipment
In my book "Own the Night" I go to great lengths to explain the reasons for and the importance of, quality tactical lighting. Simply put, tactical light sources are an evolution of the basic flashlight. The basic flashlight, and I'm talking the old 3 cell Maglight type duty lights, provided 2 points of the light triad in the past-Illumination (to see where you are going) and Identification (hopefully) of threat. But their power was limited by the technology available at the time. With the advent of tactical lights, in the minimum area now of 100 lumens or more of white LED light, combined sometimes with a stobing effect, the third element of the triad is complete-Incapacition. These lights are so bright that they can disorient an opponent at close range-an important characteristic in that your opponent is probably going to shoot at the light source. This concept was first developed by Surefire-i.e., the tactical light is now a part of the weapons system. So with so much at stake, I urge you to spend the money on your tactical light that you feel your life is worth Please don't go to a local discount or hardware type store and purchase a "made in China" look alike, that seems almost as good as the genuine article, as made by Streamlight, Surefire, Insight, Inova, or BLACKHAWK! You wouldn't go into combat with a replica pistol almost as good as the real thing would you? Don't scrimp on the light. You can find my book "Own the Night" at http://www.gundigeststore.com/product/own-th-night/tactical/?r=TGNI...
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Corey Graff on -
Scott: Welcome to Tactical Gear.
Quick question: In reading through the streamlight catalog, for instance, one reads of lights from 50 up through 150 lumens. What's a good rule of thumb (in terms of lumens) when I'm looking for a good home defense light - something I can hold while still manipulating a handgun or shotgun. If I'm a homeowner, (versus say a SWAT officer working in a professional capacity) do I need a full 150 lumens?
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on -
Corey Graff said:Scott: Welcome to Tactical Gear.
Quick question: In reading through the streamlight catalog, for instance, one reads of lights from 50 up through 150 lumens. What's a good rule of thumb (in terms of lumens) when I'm looking for a good home defense light - something I can hold while still manipulating a handgun or shotgun. If I'm a homeowner, (versus say a SWAT officer working in a professional capacity) do I need a full 150 lumens?
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on
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Corey, thanks for the welcome to Tactical Gear. Most of the handhelds, and I'm speaking of LED lights (the only way to fly now) of the type/size powered by two lithium 123 cells, seem to run at 100-120 lumens on average, with the power output rising almost daily, with little increase in cost for the light. Some are at 150 lumens now. I would always opt for as much light output as I could get, it just makes it a more effective part of the entire weapon system. It wasn't too awful long ago that the LED lights were only 65 lumens in output. They have come a long way. If you can afford it, an additional strobe feature doesn't hurt to have. One of the best priced LED lights at 120 lumens is the Streamlight Polytac light at right around 45 dollars. A lot of power and quality at a low price.
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on
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One of the advantages of having this forum, is to be able to get information out to the readers about new product advances, well before the print media hits the news stand. I will be doing some mini-briefs or reviews of lighting products I receive in advance or in lieu of a full length print version as space permits. Coming up are some new products from Streamlight, which continue to push the envelope in terms of light intensity. Stay tuned and keep checking back.
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on
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One of the newer light systems that I did not get to review in time for my book was the Sig STOPLITE. This laser and tactical light combo is designed primarily as a vertical foregrip for railed rifle forends, such as the AR15 M4 type carbines. Similar in appearance to Crimson Trace's MVF, the STOPLITE's led puts out a claimed 700! lumens of light power-which is incredible. Also SIG has started marketing a tacgtical handheld, and mini-tactical pistol light, as well as green laser sights, and a tactical laser and light combo for pistols. I am awaiting one of their new Mini Red Dot sights to test on an AR. Interesting accessories indeed.
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Permalink Reply by michael haskins on -
Hi Scott.
I like all that you are saying about the weapon lights to use. I love surefire and carry a E2DL LED Defender. I have two AR's I would like to equip with lights. Both of these guns have Grip Pods on them with the attachment for where a light can be hooked up and activated by thumb. Do you think a pressure switch is necessary? I have a Streamlight TLR2 on my XDM, but it SEEMS that surefire is the best (by the way, I am very happy with the Streamlight) lighting system going. I believe LED is the way to go, and you say 120 and up... correct?
Already spent a lot on my two AR's, but I do not want to go cheap at this point. As you pointed out, the Streamlight Polytac (120 lumens) at $45 is good buy, I'm just looking for quality.
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on
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Hi Michael, thanks for the question. I think that anytime its possible, based on your AR setup, that you avoid extra wires on your AR. It can get in the way, caught on stuff, and it just clutters the gun. I would only use one if I was equipping a rifle without rails, such as the Century Arms Intl C15A1 that I talk about on the AR forum on this site. So, I personally equip my M4 entry carbine with Streamlights new laser/light combo. The switch works fine without a pressure pad, and the light is plenty bright enough at 120 lumens-its an excellent setup. Another great light option for this, one that adds only minimal weight is Blackhawks Xiphos weapons light. It is of polymer construction and while its 65 lumens, its white LED is very bright, plenty enough power for most applications, and works great on rifle and pistol. It uses only one CR123 battery and is VERY compact-it also has an easily activated strobe. You are quite correct, LED is the only way, and in my OWN THE NIGHT book, I predicted that we will be done with incandescent light bulbs in weapons lights in just a couple of years. Unless you live on a large parcel of land, in a troubled border area for example, where you need a high powered light (150 lumens or more) for long range illumination, the Streamlight or Blackhawk lights should serve you well. Surefire is a fine brand, and their Scoutlight is an excellent light (that could fit your pod with the use of the light mounted switch rather than the remote pressure switch), but it doesnt give you any advantage over the Streamlight.Does that help?
michael haskins said:Hi Scott.
I like all that you are saying about the weapon lights to use. I love surefire and carry a E2DL LED Defender. I have two AR's I would like to equip with lights. Both of these guns have Grip Pods on them with the attachment for where a light can be hooked up and activated by thumb. Do you think a pressure switch is necessary? I have a Streamlight TLR2 on my XDM, but it SEEMS that surefire is the best (by the way, I am very happy with the Streamlight) lighting system going. I believe LED is the way to go, and you say 120 and up... correct?
Already spent a lot on my two AR's, but I do not want to go cheap at this point. As you pointed out, the Streamlight Polytac (120 lumens) at $45 is good buy, I'm just looking for quality.
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Permalink Reply by michael haskins on
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Hi again Scott,
Thanks very much, and yes it helps a lot. This is a great forum and I am glad I came across it. You gentlemen have been very helpful.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on
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Your welcome, thats what it is here for! Always great to talk with other enthusiasts! Let me know how it works out.
michael haskins said:Hi again Scott,
Thanks very much, and yes it helps a lot. This is a great forum and I am glad I came across it. You gentlemen have been very helpful.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by michael haskins on
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Scott,
I made a decision for both AR's and will let you know how well they work. In short, I purchased two GG&G light clamps and two streamlight PolyTac 4C LED's. Compared to surefire these( through research) seem to have better features and are less expensive. I am looking at a viridian X5L for my XD 45 (4"), do you or any one reading this have any experience with this laser/light ? As I mentioned, I have the streamlight TLR2 on my XDM and am happy with it. However, I had to get a custom holster made . I can buy a holster from viridian to fit my XD 45 for about $29. The viridian is about $310 and the streamlight around $225. Also the green laser seems like a good idea.
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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on
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Mike,
Sounds like a good sound purchase and arrangement. The momentary/push to on is in my opinion, superior to the older momentary/twist to on system of the streamlight-so good choice. Viridian is one of the original developers of green lasers which are great, although I like red better if you are using the lasers around a woodland area, it just stands out better against leaves-but either color will work well. The only issue with the Viridian system is that it requires finger repositioning to activate-which is why I prefer Crimson Trace grips for all my pistol applications-all that takes is a minor change of pressure on your grip on their momentary pad. They make them for Springfields-great pistol by the way-and they take up a lot less room on the gun-at pistol ranges, green wont be that much of an advantage over red, and then you wouldnt need a special holster.
michael haskins said:Scott,
I made a decision for both AR's and will let you know how well they work. In short, I purchased two GG&G light clamps and two streamlight PolyTac 4C LED's. Compared to surefire these( through research) seem to have better features and are less expensive. I am looking at a viridian X5L for my XD 45 (4"), do you or any one reading this have any experience with this laser/light ? As I mentioned, I have the streamlight TLR2 on my XDM and am happy with it. However, I had to get a custom holster made . I can buy a holster from viridian to fit my XD 45 for about $29. The viridian is about $310 and the streamlight around $225. Also the green laser seems like a good idea.
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Permalink Reply by michael haskins on
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Scott.
Thanks for the advice. I have a set of crimson trace on my 1911 Kimber and they are awesome. I just thought the lase/light combination would be nice, since the XD has a rail. I carry a surefire 2DL defender when I carry my Kimber. It's nice to have combination set up since the gun can be equipped with it.
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