Discover The Best Tactical Flashlight – The Ultimate Flashlight Comparison Guide!
Even though my website is dedicated to survival knives, I’ve realized that one of the most essential things that I always carry along with my trusted knife is a good tactical flashlight. So for those, like me, who love to go hiking, camping etc, it’s imperative that you carry a good tactical flashlight as compared to the regular cheap ones.
Not only does a tactical flashlight provide superior light than a regular one, they’re also extremely helpful in situations where you might need to use it as a firearm or a weapon for self-defense!
Luckily, I tend to do a lot of camping and have tested out most of the available high quality flashlights in the market right now and based on that, have come up with this detailed chart to help you choose the best tactical flashlight. You can sort this chart based on usage, specifications, price etc and below that I’ve also written a detailed review of the top 5 tactical flashlights that you should consider buying.
| Tactical Flashlight | Lumens | Weight | Length | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streamlight 2L | 180 | 4.8 oz | 7.1 In. | $$ | 4 |
| FourSevens QP2A | 280 | 2.2 oz | 5.8 In. | $$$ | 4.6 |
| Streamlight HL | 600 | 7.2 oz | 5.2 In. | $$$$$ | 5 |
| LED Lenser HP8407 | 175 | 8 oz | 6.3 In. | $ | 4.5 |
| Streamlight Stinger | 350 | 13.6 oz | 10.9 In. | $$$$$ | 4.8 |
| SureFire E2D | 200 | 3.7 oz | 5.4 In. | $$$$$ | 5 |
| Olight M20S | 320 | 7 oz | 9.1 In. | $$$ | 4.7 |
| Coast HP17Tac | 615 | 16 oz | 14.9 In. | $$$$ | 4.4 |
| S&W MP Tact. | 306 | 13.6 oz | 7 In. | $$$$ | 4.6 |
| S&W Galaxy Elite | 150 | 4 oz | 6 In. | $ | 4 |
| Cree X-Tact. | 235 | 7.2 oz | 7 In. | $$ | 4.2 |
| Maglight S4D016 | 218 | 14.1 oz | 16.5 In. | $ | 4 |
| Fenix LD10 | 120 | 1.9 oz | 3.93 In. | $$ | 4.6 |
| Streamlight Strion | 260 | 5.3 oz | 8.7 In. | $$$ | 4.75 |
| Nebo Redline Tact. | 220 | 6.85 oz | 4.5 In. | $ | 4 |
What is a Tactical Flashlight?
For any outdoor enthusiast or survivalist, a tactical flashlight is an essential item that he/she must carry always. Each flashlight is typically designed to produce a high intensity light which is measured in lumens.
The higher the light needed the higher lumens you should go for because that’s what will produce a brighter light. Another factor that distinguishes tactical flashlights from regular use ones is the beam distance which typically measures the distance of the light beam from the flashlight. These two are the most important factors that you need to consider when choosing a good tactical light.
Finding the Best Tactical Flashlight for Your Needs
Before you decide to reach for your wallet, there are a few things that you should know when it comes to buying these high end flashlights. Apart from beam distance and lumens, you should also take other factors like weight and length into consideration. Some people prefer going in for not-so-heavy flashlights while others (like me) do prefer a weighty one since it can be used as a weapon for self defense or a makeshift hammer.
Taking the above points into consideration, I’ve reviewed the top 5 tactical flashlights below to help you make the right choice!
Top 5 Tactical Flashlight Reviews
Imagining a world without flashlights is nearly impossible. Modern flashlights are brighter and energy conserving and such factors have greatly increased their popularity. As many would agree, most modern flashlights are great; they offer you the convenience of having light whenever and wherever you need it.
However, not all are as good. Some are either too big to carry around while others are of poor quality. To get a flashlight that works perfectly every time you need to chose one with unique features that make them extra special. Below are five of the best recommended ones that will definitely give you value for your money.
1. Streamlight HL Tactical Flashlight
1st up on my list of the best tactical flashlight is the Streamlight HL Tactical Flashlight that comes at a handy average size thus making it easy to carry around. This size reduces chances of losing it and you can retrieve it without hours of searching. This has made it one of the most popular tactical flashlights because its solid body and waterproof design goes a long way in ensuring that it serves you optimally for longer.
This flashlight is easy to program and only has one multifunction push button. This increases convenience as too many buttons may cause confusion especially in the dark. Whether you need high, strobe or low light, the Streamlight HL tactical flashlight has settings that will allow you to save power and only use the high power setting only when necessary.
Thanks to its C4 LED technology, the high setting produces extreme brightness of 16000 candela light intensity, 600 lumens for about one and a quarter hours while the lowest setting produces about 800 candela light intensity, 33 lumens for an impressive duration of eighteen hours. The strobe setting is the best of both worlds, which produces light of an average intensity for a period more than that of high setting but less than that of lower setting, approximately two and a half hours.
The company has been around for many years in which they have built a reputation of tremendous customer service and high quality products. This light works perfectly well whether indoors or outdoors.
2. Surefire E2D Tactical Flashlight
This E2D LED flashlight is only 5.4 inches long and weighs just less than 3.8 ounces. This pocket-sized tactical flashlight can be used indoors but it is ideal for outdoor use such as camping or hiking. Although it comes at a premium cost, it is worth every penny. It has two light output intensity levels, high and low. The high setting produces a maximum of 500 lumens white light rays and the low setting produces only 5 lumens for a long period of time.
This flashlight is also known for its added advantage of being a defense tool. The high intensity light output is enough to overwhelm a human being’s vision and thus can be used for blinding an aggressor. In addition to this it has a bezel that can be used as a defense device when need be.
Unlike most delicate flashlights, surefire E2D Tactical Flashlight can survive even the harshest conditions. Its body is made of high strength aluminum that gives it tremendous durability and it also has a gasket seal that weatherproofs it. These features make it the superlative choice for outdoor activities. No wonder they are well liked by the military personnel!
The Surefire company has been around for quite some time, and has proven to be among the very best product manufacturers. The company takes pride in making applicable and durable products for both law enforcers and civilians.
3. LED Lenser HP8407
Weighing 8 ounces and 6.3 inches long, this bad boy is ideal for law enforcement personnel. It produces a maximum of 175 lumen concentrated rays for an impressive 689 feet distance. This is better than most flashlights of the same size offer and is powered by four AAA batteries, which are included in the purchase price. It offers a one-handed focus system that allows the user to adjust the width of the beam effortlessly. Due to its large size, it can be used as a defense weapon in desperate situations.
The most enticing thing about the LED Lenser HP8407 has to be its price. It is in the market for as low as $29.99 thus making it the best choice for anyone who is after a cheap light and for an individual who is starting out on the journey of tactical flashlight discovery. It can also serve well as an economical backup if you already have a superior flashlight.
The LED Lenser light company was formed in 1993 and today, the company owns hundreds of patents and is one of the most reputed suppliers of LED flashlights.
4. FourSevens QP2A
This is one of the smallest flashlights in the market at 5.8 inches length and weighing only 2.2 ounces. Do not however take its small size to mean it is inferior. The FourSevens QP2A possesses powerful strength with a maximum output of 330 lumens for approximately 0.8 hours. It also has a special moonlight setting that produces 0.3 lumens light that can run for an impressive 15 days. It also has other settings modes that are low medium, high, beacon, S.O.S. and strobe.
The other settings run anywhere between 1.6 hours and 3 days depending on the setting choice and this wide range of settings makes it perfect for use in most situations. It is ultimate for anyone who wants a powerful flashlight that can easily fit in his or her handbag or a pocket.
The FourSeven Company was founded in 2008 and they have done a great job rejuvenating the flashlight industry by re-designing contemporary products.
5. Stream light Stinger
And finally rounding up my list of the best tactical flashlight is the Stream light Stinger which is right up there with the top with the largest flashlight models. This flashlight produces a maximum output of 350 lumen light intensity and apart from weighing a colossal 13.6 ounces; it is also 10.9 inches long. Its huge size coupled with its resilience and its brightness makes it perfect for law enforcement officials. These features come in handy when the need for self-defense arises.
Another impressive thing about this flashlight is that it is rechargeable. You can say goodbye to the inconvenience and the high maintenance cost associated with batteries. Furthermore, their rechargeable battery is very good quality and you do not have to replace it on a regular basis.
Want to see some more Tactical Flashlights?
Now that I’ve listed down my choice of the 5 best tactical flashlights, it’s your turn to pick one of them keeping in mind the beam distance and the right lumen rate. Each flashlight is meant for different uses so make sure to choose one depending on your needs and budget.
Another thing that you’ll need to consider while buying a flashlight is the type of batteries needed because while some of them will run on two AA batteries, others will require close to 4 AAA batteries and some of them even come with rechargeable batteries!
Also, because new models come out every now and then, I’ll try my best to update this list of the top 5 tactical flashlights and in case you feel I’ve missed out one, do feel free to let me know via the comments section below!
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Would like a contact number reference flashlights available.
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