Lights For Law Enforcement / Tactical Flashlight Review - Page 3

black bear 84 · May 9th, 2007, 11:24 AM

Bark'n

Thank you for your appreciation, I haven't yet turned my attention to pistols lights, for them I will go with cree Luxeons' drived hard and using Pelican reflectors (PR T) on turbo heads.
Using rechargeables 123's of 4.2 volts (when fresh) will be the ultimate in illumination out of pistols.

Prototipes of 2200 lumens I have, but like Magnum cartridges were you get more noise, recoil and muzzle flash and more wear for the barrel, the lights using those powerful bulbs, heat like hell, have short run time and due to the long filament (big bulb-bigger filament) are poor throwers when compared with the BOREALIS.

The BOREALIS at 1050 lumens for 50 minutes is the more efficient of the MEGA lights, without heat issues and already well proven with hundreds of law enforcement personal using them on duty.

And here is one more for the DATA-BASE of tactical lights

THE STREAMLIGHT SCORPION

I like the little Scorpion a lot, it is powerful (at 6,500 candle powers) light (at 4.4 oz) not too long at 4.9 inches and with a great feel in the hand thanks to the rubber boot that covers the body.
This rubber boot can be especially beneficial in the winter when others lights left in the trunk are too cold to hold without gloves.

The switch is momentary and click on, exactly as I want my switches; it is located in the back of the light and protected by the rubber boot.
The momentary works well, the click is in my case too difficult to operate with my big thumb and I have to click it with my index finger.
But it rarely that I use the click as this light can be used as a “tactical” light and the momentary mode is preferred when using it with a gun. (You don’t want to drop the light “on” and that it will illuminate you or your partner, that is the reason to use the momentary).

The light uses two 123’s batteries and run a xenon bulb for one hour, this xenon bulb is quite small, (a spare is located in the bulb holder inside the head) I will hate to have to change it in less than normal conditions, for starters you have to pry a cover from the bulb holder to access the spare, you will have a few small parts in your hands and you will need calm conditions and plenty of light to do the job properly.

For those situations I really prefer the big bulbs with reflector included of the Surefires’ or even the smaller but easy to handle bulb of the E2e’s.

Why I consider this so important? Well, the bulb is rated for 5 hours of life, which is extremely short.

I say I like this light, but it is really not rational because we have much better designs, for a tactical light. The little Scorpion will roll out on a table that is not perfectly flat, for lack of an anti-roll bezel. Surefires are much better in this department.

The beam can be adjusted by rotating the head (the filament of the bulb will go lower or higher inside the reflector), in reality I have the light set to maximum throw that will not show any artifacts and I don’t twist the head at all because the quality of the beam will be spoiled by artifacts and black spots.
This light is good for throw considering the small reflector and the quality of the beam when set at near maximum throw is good, a nice round circle, (due to the short filament).

The lens is polycarbonate, I would like to see it changed to Pyrex, but that is my personal feelings that this light should deserve a better lens.
I bought mine two years ago from Cabela’s and it cost me $38.00; I think that the price is right for a quality made American product.
The bulbs run about $6.00 each and I also consider them in price, they are so bright because they are overdriven (hence their short life of 5 hours).

I have seen a holster for the light made out of Cordura Nylon, but I haven’t tried it and I don’t know if is any issues in removing the light quickly, the rubber boot cause me trouble when removing the light from tight pockets (read Jean’s) but is okay when the pocket is from s dress pants.
I also have seen filters made for this light in red, blue and yellow for those that would like to penetrate the deer’s woods with a minimum of light pollution.

As always the beam shot are coming from 26 yards away and my camera tripod is in the same position, 12 feet from the deer and 18 from the bear.
I have also included as way of comparison the beam shot with the P-60 lamp out of a Surefire Centurion C-2 (read it also Surefire 6P, Z-2, G-2 D-2 etc).

SCORPION’S BEAM

P-60 LAMP FROM a Surefire Centurion II

You will notice that the beam of the Scorpion is more concentrated than the P-60 lamp, making the target clearer at this distance, for tactical situations at short range the P-60 lamp is better for the extra flood, it will be easier to clear a room with a Surefire without the need to pan the light to cover it all.

Cheers,
Black Bear

black bear 84 · May 19th, 2007, 09:29 AM

CABELA’S XPG XENON FLASHLIGHTS

12 VOLTS MODEL
180 LUMENS AND 90 MINUTES RUN TIME

This light uses four 123’s and is 7 ¾ inches long. The claim of 180 lumen output and 90 minutes run time is what attracted me to buy one; besides, the price is only $50.00.

With the 123’s at almost $2.00 each with shipping, running this light is not precisely inexpensive, but is much better than running a Surefire 9 P with the P-91 lamp for 20 minutes to get 200 lumens.

This light went into one of my rifles; that is why it is set up with a Leupold ring.

This light is almost a copy of the 9P, but longer at 7 ¾; the tail-cap differs in that the switch is not momentary. When you press in the XPG switch, you click it on, and to extinguish the light, you click it off.

This feature will remove this flashlight from the “tactical” field; it is very important for tactical use to have a momentary switch so you can strobe it, or so you can control the light the way you want. It is important just in case you drop your light, that you will not get illuminated by your own light.

The lamp of this light is very similar to the P-91 Surefire lamp. The reflector has the same finish and configuration, and at $18.00 for replacements it is not bad at all.

To find out how it compares with the beam of the 9P or Surefire C-3 with the P-91 lamp (200 lumens for 20 minutes on three 123’s batteries), I tested the light at my usual 26 yards against the same bear-and-deer target that I used before for all the other lights, and from the same distance with the same settings.

As the reflector and head are so similar between the two torches, I was expecting very similar results in illumination, as the 20 lumens difference is not really so important to change the results in a big way.

So here are the pictures, and you can see for yourself how they compare.

CABELA’S XPG XENON 12 VOLTS (180 lumens for 90 minutes on four 123’s batteries)

SUREFIRE CENTURION C-3 (With P-91 lamp for 200 lumens. 20 minutes run time)

BEAR CUB 220 lumens for 90 minutes, rechargeable.

Lumen output is not all that is important to have a light that will be useful at a certain distance. The diameter of the reflector has a big influence in how those lumens are going to be distributed.
For example, in the same league in lumen output is the rechargeable Bear Cub, (220 lumens for 90 minutes), but the deep 2” in diameter smooth reflector of the Bear Cub will throw the light much farther and with more intensity than the small reflectors of the Centurion C-3 or 9 P or the Cabela’s XPG can.
Actually the XPG and the Centurion C-3 are very good (as you can see in the pictures) at the 26 yards distance, but at 45 to 50 yards they have reached the end of their useful illumination.

Cabela’s have always offered good value for the money, this light is not the exception, for the price it is a more than excellent light and the long run time offset a little the expense of buying four 123’s batteries to run it.

Best wishes
Black Bear

black bear 84 · June 6th, 2007, 08:52 AM

THE ASP TAC LITE

This is another very popular tactical light in the law enforcement circles, it is five inches long and one inch in diameter. As with the other tactical lights, it works for about an hour on two of the 123’s disposable batteries.

This is the bulb of the ASP light, with a shock absorbing material wrapped around the base

The ASP line of batons is very famous for quality and craftsmanship; this light can be coupled to an ASP baton if you so desire.

Quality foam insulates the middle of the light and is a very welcome addition in the winter months when all metal lights are too cold to handle.
The Company states 7,000 candlepower for this light
. Candlepower in this light are high because the beam is quite concentrated. The ASP TAC LITE is famous for having a far-throwing beam.
The reason for it is the smooth-mirror polished reflector and the shape of the filament of the bulb, which forms an arc, as it is quite short, the light is emitted from a smaller filament than those of others lights.

A light that reaches far is of dubious utility in the tactical field for clearing houses and the like, when its long throw hinders the flood capabilities of the instrument.
Although the light features an internal capability to make it throw more flood, it is internal and is based on repositioning the bulb in the reflector, which introduces a series of artifacts into the beam.
Surefire’s with P-60 or P-61 lamps are well established as the ones that everybody likes as far as beam throw and amount of side spill; after all, most gun fights in low light situations happen inside of a few yards, and a tight beam is more of a liability than of an asset.

However I see this light as a good contender to install it in an AR type rifle, where illumination at longer distances is needed and desired.

The tail-cap houses a nice electronic switch that is quite responsive to the touch of your thumb, the switch button is recessed and the light can be used on candle mode if the operator wishes to do so.
However none of the additional features so desirable in a tactical light are present here. There is no anti-roll bezel to stop the light from rolling of a table or inclined surface, there is no fluted cap so light can escape if the flashlight is set on a table head down, and no grommet or stop to position the light in the Rogers-Surefire position.

As always the bear is set up at 18 feet from the camera and the deer at 12 feet and the light of the ASP Tac Lite is coming from the second story window from 26 yards away.

For comparison here is the beam shot of the Surefire G-2 with the 65 lumens (P-60) lamp

And here is the beam shot of the ASP TAC LITE, notice how the concentrate light is brighter at the target than the G-2

Kind regards
Black Bear

black bear 84 · June 15th, 2007, 01:21 PM

STREAMLIGHT TL-3
XENON 9 VOLTS TACTICAL LIGHT

The TL-3 uses three of the 123’s batteries and is advertised to produce 200 lumens and one hour run time. In my experience, bulbs only last about five hours, but they are inexpensive at about $7.50 each.
The torch sports a clip and also comes with a lanyard. Due to the diameter of the big head (1.6 inches), I haven’t looked for a holster for this light, using the clip instead to carry it on my belt inside the pants.
Also, because I use my version of the Tiger ring system (better called Gabe Suarez ring for its inventor) a holster will not work with the protruding ring.
By the way, my version is a rubber O ring, or better still, a hair tie (that will stretch under pressure and doesn’t break fingers).

The light is 0.9 inches in diameter. Too bad it is not a one-inch to make it useable with inexpensive Weaver rings when mounted in rifles.
The length is 6.25 inches and it weights 6.9 with batteries.

The focus of the light is adjustable, but in flood position it introduces some artifacts into the beam. I have found the most pleasant beam when it is at the maximum throw position.
Due to the big head, this light will throw a good beam quite a distance. I have a target fence 68 yards away and the light will reach there with enough illumination to indentify the gender of a suspect.

The price tag is quite affordable, I have seem them in the web for about $67.00 and maybe lower. It is quite a competitor to the Surefire 9 P or the Centurion III that can also make 200 lumens with their P-91 lamps.

For law enforcement use I prefer the Surefire Centurion III with the P-91 lamp, because the smaller head produces much more flood which is badly needed when clearing rooms. Also the Centurion (or the 9P) can be adapted to rifles (M-6, M-4 etc) with easily available mounts and remote pressure pad switches such as the G&P and others including Surefires’ remote switches.

As usual my target bear and deer are at 26 yards, now with all the vegetation growing in the spring and including the shadows from my cherry tree, the camera can’t show as much of the fence as it did in the winter months, so you will have to take my word for it than the flood of the Surefire Centurion is much more at this distance than the flood from the TL-3.

SUREFIRE CENTURION III WITH P-91 LAMP (200 lumens)

STREAMLIGHT TL-3 (200 lumens)

The intensity of the lights at the target is almost the same; choice between them should be made in the amount of reach you want, the TL-3 due to its big head, throw farther than the Centurion (or 9 P).

I would like to see some plastic bushing for this light that will serve to adapt it to 1 “ rings and also a remote pressure pad switch made for it, otherwise I like it well enough.

Respectfully,
Black Bear

Alien Nation · June 16th, 2007, 12:38 AM

Black Bear,
I also thank you. I'll have to wait for tax time but I absolutely plan to get one of the BOREALIS 1050 lights. They are amazing!!!
Also what is your opinion of the Wolf Eyes M90 Rattlesnake?

black bear 84 · June 16th, 2007, 06:01 PM

Alien nation,
Thank you for your interest in the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight, my best wishes that uncle Sam will send you a fat check.

I don't have an opinion in the M-90 as I haven't seen one yet, but it looks to be a 200 lumens Lithium Ion battery powerwed (which is good) with a nice trick in the illuminating tail-cap (I like the idea).

Here are the specifications that I lifted from their the web site.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USD $109.95

Descriptions Gallery Compare Accessories

M90 Rattlesnake - Rechargeable Elements:
2 x LRB-168A rechargeable Li-ion battery
1 x CH-09 AC Charger (DC Charger optional)
1x 9.0V - 9M Xenon Lamp
1 x Rattlesnake body
1 x M90 - T - 4 x LED switch tailcap
1 x gift box
Optional tailcap
1 x M90 - A - tactical button switch tailcap
1 x 9H - gun cable switch tailcap
1 x M90 - 12V - "21+1" LED emitter reflector, 3W
1 x CH-02 fast AC Charger
Assemble the components

Features:
Professional heavy-duty personal light
Aircraft grade aluminium body, anodized
Dual-powered using rechargeable LRB Li-ion as well as disposable lithium batteries
Environmental friendly long-lasting rechargeable LRB Li-ion batteries
Low reoccurring operation costs
Multi-mode switch: Morse and continuous, LED, and Remote gun cable
Lock-out function

Specifications:

Rechargeable ? Yes
Continuous runtime Headlight:80 minutes constant on; 4 x LED tailcap light: 92 hours constant on
lumens Headlight:200 lumens; 4 x LED tailcap light:5 lumens
Body Aircraft grade aluminum construction
Lamp assembly 12V Xenon
Switch 5-Mode 4 x LED tailcap switch
O-ring sealed Splash proof
Color Temperature Above 3600k
Weight with batteries 345g
Length 195mm
Body diameter 25.4mm
Bezel Diameter 45mm
Operation Temperature -25°C-60°C
Finish Low temperature (-20°C)hard - anodized(HA)finish treatment
Battery Type 2 x LRB-168A
Charger CH-09; CH-02; DH-02

I make the BEAR CUB flashlight (9 inches long 13 oz.) also running in Lithium Ion batteries for 90 minutes and making 220 lumens.
The Bear Cub will overthrow any other light in the 200 to 300 lumens class that I know off, even overpowering the Ultra Stinger.
See these pictures.

Ultra Stinger 75,000 candlepower, 295 lumens

BEAR CUB 220 lumens for 90 minutes

Respectfully
Black Bear

Alien Nation · June 16th, 2007, 06:51 PM

Man!! I hope the Wolf Eys works as good as your Bear cub. I'm going to use it on a weapon mount other wise I'd just get the Cub!

Before I go and get the 1050 I have a question. What I'm looking for in a hand held light is to be able to illuminate an object well enough out to around 100 yards(300 feet) to be able to tell What it is. Would I need the 1050 to accomplish this or would one of your other lights do just fine?

black bear 84 · June 16th, 2007, 08:17 PM

I am sorry to say that I haven't yet developed a mount for the Bear Cub to mount in rifles.

All my lights (Including the Bear Cub) will throw enough illumination and more to tell if the shadow down there at a 100 yards is a bad guy with a pistol or a nun with a cell phone.
With the BOREALIS you will also cook his eyeballs.

cheers,
Black Bear

black bear 84 · July 9th, 2007, 04:09 PM

STREAMLIGHT TL -2

This is another of the two 123’s batteries lights, it claims to run one hour and outputs 105 lumens, which seems a little exaggerated, but then they must be talking about “bulb” lumens and not torch lumens, and not counting the loss of light by the reflector and the reflections from the lens.

Anyway, this is a great little light which weights 4.3 oz, is 09 “ wide and 4.9 “ long and can be found in the web for about $40.00.
Since we are giving measurements, the head of the light is 1.25” wide.

I would have preferred that they use a thicker body of one inch to take advantage of the popular one inch scope rings to mount it into a Weaver or Picattiny rail, the way it is, a suitable plastic ring had to be found to take the gap and make possible to use the scope rings.
I am talking, of course, about mounting it into a rifle or bow, because the light can made good illumination to serve together with a home protection gun or to hunt hogs with a bow at night.

The only thing I have against this light (and its brother the Scorpion) is the poor bulb life (estimated at 5 hours) but it is predictable as the bulb is quite small, the heat high and the gas inside not enough to provide a longer life to the filament.

The outside of the light is quite handsome as you can see on the picture, sorry that mine is cluttered with a piece of Velcro that I use to keep it on top of my cap.

In a hot summer day I let the light cool off for several hours in my 3 ½ gallons “beer” glass while I was watching a movie in my air conditioned living room, the light survived the dunking quite well without any signs of water getting inside.

What I like about this TL-2 (Tactical Light -2 Lithium batteries) is the recessed switch that can be pushed to activate momentarily or can be screwed toward the body for constant on, as I said unlikely the Surefires this press on momentary switch is flush with the body, so the light can be used on candle mode.
The clip is a great one, long enough to make the use of a holster unnecessary but if a holster is what you want this light uses the same ones available for the scorpion.
One big plus over the scorpion is the nice glass lens (instead of lexan) or it may be even Pyrex, I don’t know for sure, but it have survived in my pocket together with keys and knives without getting the lens all scratched, in fact it still look like new.

In previous occasions I have compared it with the scorpion, (as they both use the same bulb) and find them quite the same in throw and brightness, I am well aware that this picture doesn’t show the same brightness, must be the fault of the new fresh batteries that I installed before the test, it seem to me weak even that they still show over 3 volts each.

Respectfully

Black Bear

Alien Nation · July 9th, 2007, 10:40 PM

You know Black bear I have been checking out allot of lights recently. I have found several in the Boreialis's lumen class. I've yet to find any in that class as cheaply priced as your's. I know I could build one cheaper but I'm not into that. You sir have made the ultimate hand held light.

I do have a question. Once fully charged how long will your lights stay at least 85% or more charged without use?

May 9th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#21
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	Bark'n Thank you for your appreciation, I haven't yet turned my attention to pistols lights, for them I will go with cree Luxeons' drived hard and using Pelican reflectors (PR T) on turbo heads. Using rechargeables 123's of 4.2 volts (when fresh) will be the ultimate in illumination out of pistols. Prototipes of 2200 lumens I have, but like Magnum cartridges were you get more noise, recoil and muzzle flash and more wear for the barrel, the lights using those powerful bulbs, heat like hell, have short run time and due to the long filament (big bulb-bigger filament) are poor throwers when compared with the BOREALIS. The BOREALIS at 1050 lumens for 50 minutes is the more efficient of the MEGA lights, without heat issues and already well proven with hundreds of law enforcement personal using them on duty. And here is one more for the DATA-BASE of tactical lights THE STREAMLIGHT SCORPION I like the little Scorpion a lot, it is powerful (at 6,500 candle powers) light (at 4.4 oz) not too long at 4.9 inches and with a great feel in the hand thanks to the rubber boot that covers the body. This rubber boot can be especially beneficial in the winter when others lights left in the trunk are too cold to hold without gloves. The switch is momentary and click on, exactly as I want my switches; it is located in the back of the light and protected by the rubber boot. The momentary works well, the click is in my case too difficult to operate with my big thumb and I have to click it with my index finger. But it rarely that I use the click as this light can be used as a “tactical” light and the momentary mode is preferred when using it with a gun. (You don’t want to drop the light “on” and that it will illuminate you or your partner, that is the reason to use the momentary). The light uses two 123’s batteries and run a xenon bulb for one hour, this xenon bulb is quite small, (a spare is located in the bulb holder inside the head) I will hate to have to change it in less than normal conditions, for starters you have to pry a cover from the bulb holder to access the spare, you will have a few small parts in your hands and you will need calm conditions and plenty of light to do the job properly. For those situations I really prefer the big bulbs with reflector included of the Surefires’ or even the smaller but easy to handle bulb of the E2e’s. Why I consider this so important? Well, the bulb is rated for 5 hours of life, which is extremely short. I say I like this light, but it is really not rational because we have much better designs, for a tactical light. The little Scorpion will roll out on a table that is not perfectly flat, for lack of an anti-roll bezel. Surefires are much better in this department. The beam can be adjusted by rotating the head (the filament of the bulb will go lower or higher inside the reflector), in reality I have the light set to maximum throw that will not show any artifacts and I don’t twist the head at all because the quality of the beam will be spoiled by artifacts and black spots. This light is good for throw considering the small reflector and the quality of the beam when set at near maximum throw is good, a nice round circle, (due to the short filament). The lens is polycarbonate, I would like to see it changed to Pyrex, but that is my personal feelings that this light should deserve a better lens. I bought mine two years ago from Cabela’s and it cost me $38.00; I think that the price is right for a quality made American product. The bulbs run about $6.00 each and I also consider them in price, they are so bright because they are overdriven (hence their short life of 5 hours). I have seen a holster for the light made out of Cordura Nylon, but I haven’t tried it and I don’t know if is any issues in removing the light quickly, the rubber boot cause me trouble when removing the light from tight pockets (read Jean’s) but is okay when the pocket is from s dress pants. I also have seen filters made for this light in red, blue and yellow for those that would like to penetrate the deer’s woods with a minimum of light pollution. As always the beam shot are coming from 26 yards away and my camera tripod is in the same position, 12 feet from the deer and 18 from the bear. I have also included as way of comparison the beam shot with the P-60 lamp out of a Surefire Centurion C-2 (read it also Surefire 6P, Z-2, G-2 D-2 etc). SCORPION’S BEAM P-60 LAMP FROM a Surefire Centurion II You will notice that the beam of the Scorpion is more concentrated than the P-60 lamp, making the target clearer at this distance, for tactical situations at short range the P-60 lamp is better for the extra flood, it will be easier to clear a room with a Surefire without the need to pan the light to cover it all. Cheers, Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

May 19th, 2007, 09:29 AM	#22
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	CABELA’S XPG XENON FLASHLIGHTS 12 VOLTS MODEL 180 LUMENS AND 90 MINUTES RUN TIME This light uses four 123’s and is 7 ¾ inches long. The claim of 180 lumen output and 90 minutes run time is what attracted me to buy one; besides, the price is only $50.00. With the 123’s at almost $2.00 each with shipping, running this light is not precisely inexpensive, but is much better than running a Surefire 9 P with the P-91 lamp for 20 minutes to get 200 lumens. This light went into one of my rifles; that is why it is set up with a Leupold ring. This light is almost a copy of the 9P, but longer at 7 ¾; the tail-cap differs in that the switch is not momentary. When you press in the XPG switch, you click it on, and to extinguish the light, you click it off. This feature will remove this flashlight from the “tactical” field; it is very important for tactical use to have a momentary switch so you can strobe it, or so you can control the light the way you want. It is important just in case you drop your light, that you will not get illuminated by your own light. The lamp of this light is very similar to the P-91 Surefire lamp. The reflector has the same finish and configuration, and at $18.00 for replacements it is not bad at all. To find out how it compares with the beam of the 9P or Surefire C-3 with the P-91 lamp (200 lumens for 20 minutes on three 123’s batteries), I tested the light at my usual 26 yards against the same bear-and-deer target that I used before for all the other lights, and from the same distance with the same settings. As the reflector and head are so similar between the two torches, I was expecting very similar results in illumination, as the 20 lumens difference is not really so important to change the results in a big way. So here are the pictures, and you can see for yourself how they compare. CABELA’S XPG XENON 12 VOLTS (180 lumens for 90 minutes on four 123’s batteries) SUREFIRE CENTURION C-3 (With P-91 lamp for 200 lumens. 20 minutes run time) BEAR CUB 220 lumens for 90 minutes, rechargeable. Lumen output is not all that is important to have a light that will be useful at a certain distance. The diameter of the reflector has a big influence in how those lumens are going to be distributed. For example, in the same league in lumen output is the rechargeable Bear Cub, (220 lumens for 90 minutes), but the deep 2” in diameter smooth reflector of the Bear Cub will throw the light much farther and with more intensity than the small reflectors of the Centurion C-3 or 9 P or the Cabela’s XPG can. Actually the XPG and the Centurion C-3 are very good (as you can see in the pictures) at the 26 yards distance, but at 45 to 50 yards they have reached the end of their useful illumination. Cabela’s have always offered good value for the money, this light is not the exception, for the price it is a more than excellent light and the long run time offset a little the expense of buying four 123’s batteries to run it. Best wishes Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

June 6th, 2007, 08:52 AM	#23
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	THE ASP TAC LITE This is another very popular tactical light in the law enforcement circles, it is five inches long and one inch in diameter. As with the other tactical lights, it works for about an hour on two of the 123’s disposable batteries. This is the bulb of the ASP light, with a shock absorbing material wrapped around the base The ASP line of batons is very famous for quality and craftsmanship; this light can be coupled to an ASP baton if you so desire. Quality foam insulates the middle of the light and is a very welcome addition in the winter months when all metal lights are too cold to handle. The Company states 7,000 candlepower for this light . Candlepower in this light are high because the beam is quite concentrated. The ASP TAC LITE is famous for having a far-throwing beam. The reason for it is the smooth-mirror polished reflector and the shape of the filament of the bulb, which forms an arc, as it is quite short, the light is emitted from a smaller filament than those of others lights. A light that reaches far is of dubious utility in the tactical field for clearing houses and the like, when its long throw hinders the flood capabilities of the instrument. Although the light features an internal capability to make it throw more flood, it is internal and is based on repositioning the bulb in the reflector, which introduces a series of artifacts into the beam. Surefire’s with P-60 or P-61 lamps are well established as the ones that everybody likes as far as beam throw and amount of side spill; after all, most gun fights in low light situations happen inside of a few yards, and a tight beam is more of a liability than of an asset. However I see this light as a good contender to install it in an AR type rifle, where illumination at longer distances is needed and desired. The tail-cap houses a nice electronic switch that is quite responsive to the touch of your thumb, the switch button is recessed and the light can be used on candle mode if the operator wishes to do so. However none of the additional features so desirable in a tactical light are present here. There is no anti-roll bezel to stop the light from rolling of a table or inclined surface, there is no fluted cap so light can escape if the flashlight is set on a table head down, and no grommet or stop to position the light in the Rogers-Surefire position. As always the bear is set up at 18 feet from the camera and the deer at 12 feet and the light of the ASP Tac Lite is coming from the second story window from 26 yards away. For comparison here is the beam shot of the Surefire G-2 with the 65 lumens (P-60) lamp And here is the beam shot of the ASP TAC LITE, notice how the concentrate light is brighter at the target than the G-2 Kind regards Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

June 15th, 2007, 01:21 PM	#24
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	STREAMLIGHT TL-3 XENON 9 VOLTS TACTICAL LIGHT The TL-3 uses three of the 123’s batteries and is advertised to produce 200 lumens and one hour run time. In my experience, bulbs only last about five hours, but they are inexpensive at about $7.50 each. The torch sports a clip and also comes with a lanyard. Due to the diameter of the big head (1.6 inches), I haven’t looked for a holster for this light, using the clip instead to carry it on my belt inside the pants. Also, because I use my version of the Tiger ring system (better called Gabe Suarez ring for its inventor) a holster will not work with the protruding ring. By the way, my version is a rubber O ring, or better still, a hair tie (that will stretch under pressure and doesn’t break fingers). The light is 0.9 inches in diameter. Too bad it is not a one-inch to make it useable with inexpensive Weaver rings when mounted in rifles. The length is 6.25 inches and it weights 6.9 with batteries. The focus of the light is adjustable, but in flood position it introduces some artifacts into the beam. I have found the most pleasant beam when it is at the maximum throw position. Due to the big head, this light will throw a good beam quite a distance. I have a target fence 68 yards away and the light will reach there with enough illumination to indentify the gender of a suspect. The price tag is quite affordable, I have seem them in the web for about $67.00 and maybe lower. It is quite a competitor to the Surefire 9 P or the Centurion III that can also make 200 lumens with their P-91 lamps. For law enforcement use I prefer the Surefire Centurion III with the P-91 lamp, because the smaller head produces much more flood which is badly needed when clearing rooms. Also the Centurion (or the 9P) can be adapted to rifles (M-6, M-4 etc) with easily available mounts and remote pressure pad switches such as the G&P and others including Surefires’ remote switches. As usual my target bear and deer are at 26 yards, now with all the vegetation growing in the spring and including the shadows from my cherry tree, the camera can’t show as much of the fence as it did in the winter months, so you will have to take my word for it than the flood of the Surefire Centurion is much more at this distance than the flood from the TL-3. SUREFIRE CENTURION III WITH P-91 LAMP (200 lumens) STREAMLIGHT TL-3 (200 lumens) The intensity of the lights at the target is almost the same; choice between them should be made in the amount of reach you want, the TL-3 due to its big head, throw farther than the Centurion (or 9 P). I would like to see some plastic bushing for this light that will serve to adapt it to 1 “ rings and also a remote pressure pad switch made for it, otherwise I like it well enough. Respectfully, Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

June 16th, 2007, 12:38 AM	#25
Alien Nation Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 283	Black Bear, I also thank you. I'll have to wait for tax time but I absolutely plan to get one of the BOREALIS 1050 lights. They are amazing!!! Also what is your opinion of the Wolf Eyes M90 Rattlesnake? __________________ “You come at me with a sword and with a spear. But I come at you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you". 1 Samuel 17, 45-46 Brian Last edited by Alien Nation; June 16th, 2007 at 12:45 AM.

June 16th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#26
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	Alien nation, Thank you for your interest in the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight, my best wishes that uncle Sam will send you a fat check. I don't have an opinion in the M-90 as I haven't seen one yet, but it looks to be a 200 lumens Lithium Ion battery powerwed (which is good) with a nice trick in the illuminating tail-cap (I like the idea). Here are the specifications that I lifted from their the web site. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USD $109.95 Descriptions Gallery Compare Accessories M90 Rattlesnake - Rechargeable Elements: 2 x LRB-168A rechargeable Li-ion battery 1 x CH-09 AC Charger (DC Charger optional) 1x 9.0V - 9M Xenon Lamp 1 x Rattlesnake body 1 x M90 - T - 4 x LED switch tailcap 1 x gift box Optional tailcap 1 x M90 - A - tactical button switch tailcap 1 x 9H - gun cable switch tailcap 1 x M90 - 12V - "21+1" LED emitter reflector, 3W 1 x CH-02 fast AC Charger Assemble the components Features: Professional heavy-duty personal light Aircraft grade aluminium body, anodized Dual-powered using rechargeable LRB Li-ion as well as disposable lithium batteries Environmental friendly long-lasting rechargeable LRB Li-ion batteries Low reoccurring operation costs Multi-mode switch: Morse and continuous, LED, and Remote gun cable Lock-out function Specifications: Rechargeable ? Yes Continuous runtime Headlight:80 minutes constant on; 4 x LED tailcap light: 92 hours constant on lumens Headlight:200 lumens; 4 x LED tailcap light:5 lumens Body Aircraft grade aluminum construction Lamp assembly 12V Xenon Switch 5-Mode 4 x LED tailcap switch O-ring sealed Splash proof Color Temperature Above 3600k Weight with batteries 345g Length 195mm Body diameter 25.4mm Bezel Diameter 45mm Operation Temperature -25°C-60°C Finish Low temperature (-20°C)hard - anodized(HA)finish treatment Battery Type 2 x LRB-168A Charger CH-09; CH-02; DH-02 I make the BEAR CUB flashlight (9 inches long 13 oz.) also running in Lithium Ion batteries for 90 minutes and making 220 lumens. The Bear Cub will overthrow any other light in the 200 to 300 lumens class that I know off, even overpowering the Ultra Stinger. See these pictures. Ultra Stinger 75,000 candlepower, 295 lumens BEAR CUB 220 lumens for 90 minutes Respectfully Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

June 16th, 2007, 06:51 PM	#27
Alien Nation Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 283	Man!! I hope the Wolf Eys works as good as your Bear cub. I'm going to use it on a weapon mount other wise I'd just get the Cub! Before I go and get the 1050 I have a question. What I'm looking for in a hand held light is to be able to illuminate an object well enough out to around 100 yards(300 feet) to be able to tell What it is. Would I need the 1050 to accomplish this or would one of your other lights do just fine? __________________ “You come at me with a sword and with a spear. But I come at you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you". 1 Samuel 17, 45-46 Brian

June 16th, 2007, 08:17 PM	#28
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	I am sorry to say that I haven't yet developed a mount for the Bear Cub to mount in rifles. All my lights (Including the Bear Cub) will throw enough illumination and more to tell if the shadow down there at a 100 yards is a bad guy with a pistol or a nun with a cell phone. With the BOREALIS you will also cook his eyeballs. cheers, Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

July 9th, 2007, 04:09 PM	#29
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	STREAMLIGHT TL -2 This is another of the two 123’s batteries lights, it claims to run one hour and outputs 105 lumens, which seems a little exaggerated, but then they must be talking about “bulb” lumens and not torch lumens, and not counting the loss of light by the reflector and the reflections from the lens. Anyway, this is a great little light which weights 4.3 oz, is 09 “ wide and 4.9 “ long and can be found in the web for about $40.00. Since we are giving measurements, the head of the light is 1.25” wide. I would have preferred that they use a thicker body of one inch to take advantage of the popular one inch scope rings to mount it into a Weaver or Picattiny rail, the way it is, a suitable plastic ring had to be found to take the gap and make possible to use the scope rings. I am talking, of course, about mounting it into a rifle or bow, because the light can made good illumination to serve together with a home protection gun or to hunt hogs with a bow at night. The only thing I have against this light (and its brother the Scorpion) is the poor bulb life (estimated at 5 hours) but it is predictable as the bulb is quite small, the heat high and the gas inside not enough to provide a longer life to the filament. The outside of the light is quite handsome as you can see on the picture, sorry that mine is cluttered with a piece of Velcro that I use to keep it on top of my cap. In a hot summer day I let the light cool off for several hours in my 3 ½ gallons “beer” glass while I was watching a movie in my air conditioned living room, the light survived the dunking quite well without any signs of water getting inside. What I like about this TL-2 (Tactical Light -2 Lithium batteries) is the recessed switch that can be pushed to activate momentarily or can be screwed toward the body for constant on, as I said unlikely the Surefires this press on momentary switch is flush with the body, so the light can be used on candle mode. The clip is a great one, long enough to make the use of a holster unnecessary but if a holster is what you want this light uses the same ones available for the scorpion. One big plus over the scorpion is the nice glass lens (instead of lexan) or it may be even Pyrex, I don’t know for sure, but it have survived in my pocket together with keys and knives without getting the lens all scratched, in fact it still look like new. In previous occasions I have compared it with the scorpion, (as they both use the same bulb) and find them quite the same in throw and brightness, I am well aware that this picture doesn’t show the same brightness, must be the fault of the new fresh batteries that I installed before the test, it seem to me weak even that they still show over 3 volts each. Respectfully Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

July 9th, 2007, 10:40 PM	#30
Alien Nation Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 283	You know Black bear I have been checking out allot of lights recently. I have found several in the Boreialis's lumen class. I've yet to find any in that class as cheaply priced as your's. I know I could build one cheaper but I'm not into that. You sir have made the ultimate hand held light. I do have a question. Once fully charged how long will your lights stay at least 85% or more charged without use? __________________ “You come at me with a sword and with a spear. But I come at you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you". 1 Samuel 17, 45-46 Brian

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