Opinion
John gives us his run down of the best five Tactical Flashlights. Did your favorite light make the cut?
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- Flashlights!
My students are asking me about carry-flashlights, once more!
Carrying concealed pistols legally requires appropriate licensing, training, and correct mind-set.
Not everyone can do it, nor should!
However, there is no controversy surrounding the carrying of flashlights. There is no age requirement, nor is any kind of permit nor license necessary, and liberals haven’t erected any “Flashlight-Free Zone” signs, at least as yet. Everyone should carry a tactical flashlight, all the time!
“Tactical” flashlights produce an output of 500 lumens or higher, so they are actually a non-lethal weapon.
“Utility” flashlights produce an output of less than 500 lumens. They are still useful, and recommended, but they are not powerful enough to function as a “weapon.”
In the realm of tactical flashlights, look at:
1) Firstlight TMAX LE Tactical Flashlights. I carry my copy on my belt every day. Compact and easy to use. Always handy. Output is 700 lumens.
2) Surefire E2T Tactician Tactical Flashlights . Designed by my long-time friend and colleague, James Yeager, Surefire’s E2T has an output of 800 lumens, but is very small and easy to carry.
3) Powertac E5 Flash Light . I use Powertac’s E5 as a weaponlight with the PowerTac Slim OFF SET TACTICAL Weapon Mount on my FSM4. Output is 980 lumens, yet very compact.
4) ASP Turbo Tactical USB Flashlight . Output is 920 lumens. Everything made by ASP is top-drawer!
5) Eagletac T25LR LED Rechargeable Flashlight . A littler bigger than the above, but with an output of 1100 lumens!
There are other good choices, but these five currently top the my list of the best Tactical Flashlights.
Everyone in your family needs one!
Let me know in the comments if you have a better tactical flashlight I can to put to the test?
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
I use the FENIX TK22 as my primary EDC torch dozens of times a day and also have one mounted on my rifle with the weapons mount kit. I had two of the RC35 but lost one and broke the other. They worked great until then but I still prefer the functional layout of the TK22. Must have in my opinion..!
Just curious to know how you would rate Bushnell Flashlights. The seem to be well made, have a decent output (lumens) and they can be had for a reasonable price.
Surefire makes excellent equipment, but they remain overpriced. When their lights were the only quality tactical lights, there was a good reason for those prices. Now, however, you can get equal quality at less than half the price. Check out batteryjunction.com for a wide variety of quality lights by Streamlight (who have been making “cop lights” all the way back to the early eights, when I was still in law enforcement in San Diego), Nitecore, and Olight. (Nitecore especially has several headlamps that are right angle and can be clipped in an upright position.) These companies make tactical flashes that… Read more »
My favorite tactical light is the Fenix TK16 LED Flashlight. I love the dual tail switch design and the fact it fits in the pocket or can be holstered for wearing on the belt. For an everyday utility flashlight the Fenix E12 LED Flashlight. This one has tail switch design and is super small for the bottom of your pocket.
John,
You should look at Elzetta lights. The seem to be incredibly tough (can be disassembled and reassembled completely under water and still work). I am currently carrying the tactician and don’t plan to change, but I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the Elzetta.
Also, as a subscriber to your DTI Operator series, I just wanted to say thank you for providing all of that great information at a reasonable cost.
John,
I would be interested to know your thoughts on Elzetta’s lights. I am currently carrying the surefire tactician and don’t plan on changing, but the Elzettas seem like really good lights (can be disassembledand reassembled completely under water and still function).
I also wanted to add in a huge thank you for your DTI Operator program. While it is obviously not a substitute for real training, it is a great and affordable place to start for someone like me and I feel better off for having watched all your content.
Nic
Fenix is amazing. Item 2. Klarus XT11GT is awesome. But my favorite by far is the emisar D4. 3000 lumen on a single 18650 battery.
John you might want to look at the new Surefire EDCL1-T which is my everyday carry flashlight — it has 500 lumens. The Surefire EDCL2-T is longer and has 1200 lumens. Both lights are easy to pocket carry.
Thought I would make a correction of your statement about flashlights and liberals I am a liberal and love my thousand lumens flashlight lots of us still so try to have an open mind and and see that there’s all kinds of liberals just like there’s all kinds of Republicans and there’s all kinds of people that like guns too that happen to be liberal some of us go hunting some of us don’t go hunting. I happen to believe in the Second Amendment but I don’t but I don’t go hunting I own many many knives because I enjoy… Read more »
@Steve Reed, It is very liberal to believe that the citizens have a Civil Right to bear arms. No tyranny in the history of mankind has believed that it citizens have Civil Rights to arms. Believing that one has a Civil Right to defend themselves, their families, their goods, and even other innocent people is a threshold belief to be liberal. People that believe that one does not have a Civil Right to arms or a meaningful defense are tyrannical not liberal. Peace (if the price is acceptable).
Steve,
Nice to know there are “liberals” who are not necessarily anti-2nd amendment. One area of clarification though. the 2nd amendment doesn’t guarantee the right to bear arms for hunting but to make sure an overly aggressive, militaristic central government is balanced by an armed citizen militia. Just sayin’…
For an more affordable ($20-$28) option the wowtac light from Atactical on Amazon is a great option. I’ve had one for over a year and think it’s great. High output led, comes with a usb rechargeable battery and seem solidly build. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HLXVZ8/