First Light Tomahawk review

jualdeaux · October 10th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Okay. Well, i went to the IDPA Nationals this year and there were two stages where one had to use a flashlight. I brought my own knowing that there are always dark house/night stages. When i arrived there I was going around introducing myself to various people. Two of them were the reps from First Light. I found out that they sponsored the dark house stage and that we all had to use their lights. So, the next day i made sure to go to their table to get familiar with the light I was going to have to use. They had a couple of blue guns of different makes than mine so I borrowed that to try out the grip with. I immediately found that the Tomahawk, the light in question, was by far the easiest light to get a two handed grip that I've ever tried. By twisting the index finger loop a bit and angling the light a bit, this placing the grip part of the light on the front of the gripping hand fingers, I was able to get a decent two handed grip that was comfortable and was stable enough that the light stayed in place and on target. I liked it so much that I went and bought one. i got the ST version as I wanted a light that had a strobe function. it was a bit more than I really wanted to spend but i figured that good light, that works well, is worth the cost.

Here are some images of the light.

Oh, the build of it is good and it has a nice solid feel. It runs on two CR123 cells.

First Light USA

HotGuns · October 10th, 2009, 05:30 PM

Interesting. How much did it cost?

dhshark · October 10th, 2009, 09:28 PM

Very nice! I considered the Tomahawk but decided to purchase the Liberator. I use it on duty at work while clearing a building or on a traffic stop. Before buying the light I called FirstLightUSA with some questions and got to speak with the President of the company. It was his candor and answers to my questions that sold me on the light and company.

I thought I was good with a Mag-lite and pistol clearing a house, now I can function without having to put the Mag-lite under my arm.

Both lights are very sturdy and will last many years of abuse. I like the light so much I take it off of my duty belt after work and it sits on my night stand with my duty pistol in case I have to clear my own house at night. Additionally I use my Liberator with my MP40, AR-15 and my Wingmaster...no problems at all lighting up targets, handling magzine changes, racking the shotgun or taking hold of a BG and putting cuffs on them!

jualdeaux · October 11th, 2009, 01:42 AM

here is the link that has their prices on it.

First Light USA

The model i got shows for $180. I got mine for $144. I'm guessing it was a discount for those at Nationals.

jualdeaux · October 11th, 2009, 02:01 AM

As for the Liberator, I see where it would be convenient to have for some situations but it is larger and would seem to be much harder to carry around for the average Joe.

Janq · October 11th, 2009, 02:18 AM

Agreed Jualdeaux, 100%.

I met the same folk during the 2008 IDPA Winternationals and subsequent to that had opportunity to spend 2 hrs. running their product during a One on One customized session as toward low light & no-light self and home defense techniques.

I came to the exact same conclusion, and I got to use both the Tomahawk and the Liberator as personally owned by the instructor. I'd brought my Gladius which then was to me brand new by roughly a year.
I'm familiar with other product including Surefire and hands down the Liberator and Tomahawk are by far easiest and most natural as well as flexible to handle.

For my own situation as a civilian I'd run with the Tomahawk, hands down.

I have not purchased the unit though, yet.
Only because at nearly $200 retail it's cost is too high for me to justify. I'd got my Gladius for far less asnew, albeit through a hookup.

A good product and ergo design though, IMHO.

- Janq

jualdeaux · October 11th, 2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janq

I have not purchased the unit though, yet.
Only because at nearly $200 retail it's cost is too high for me to justify. I'd got my Gladius for far less asnew, albeit through a hookup.

A good product and ergo design though, IMHO.

- Janq

At the hotel i went looking on the 'net for prices and such and saw that they went for quite a bit more retail than they were asking here. So, I just decided to go ahead and get it. The Tomahawk, a Championship polo and an SO polo were my only purchases. Hey, I was at Nationals, it was my first vacation in quite a while and it was selling at a discount, so I figured what the heck.

zacii · October 11th, 2009, 08:30 PM

This is an interesting light, I wonder if you could use it with a pump shotgun as well. Here are some ringed tailcaps by Surefire that allow a two-handed pistol grip as well.

Janq · October 12th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Yep during the '08 Winter Nationals they were selling them marked down by some percentage but at the time they were a brand new company with a product that was largely unknown so I choose not to take adavntage of the discount they then were offering. The following year in 2009 I would have bought on the spot, at a discount, but alas they were not involved.

Hindsight is always 20/20. :p

- Janq

Blackeagle · October 12th, 2009, 11:54 AM

My EDC light is a Tomahawk. It's a great light, both for 'tactical' use and everyday illumination.

October 10th, 2009, 05:26 PM	#1
jualdeaux Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Waponi Woo Posts: 938	First Light Tomahawk review Okay. Well, i went to the IDPA Nationals this year and there were two stages where one had to use a flashlight. I brought my own knowing that there are always dark house/night stages. When i arrived there I was going around introducing myself to various people. Two of them were the reps from First Light. I found out that they sponsored the dark house stage and that we all had to use their lights. So, the next day i made sure to go to their table to get familiar with the light I was going to have to use. They had a couple of blue guns of different makes than mine so I borrowed that to try out the grip with. I immediately found that the Tomahawk, the light in question, was by far the easiest light to get a two handed grip that I've ever tried. By twisting the index finger loop a bit and angling the light a bit, this placing the grip part of the light on the front of the gripping hand fingers, I was able to get a decent two handed grip that was comfortable and was stable enough that the light stayed in place and on target. I liked it so much that I went and bought one. i got the ST version as I wanted a light that had a strobe function. it was a bit more than I really wanted to spend but i figured that good light, that works well, is worth the cost. Here are some images of the light. Oh, the build of it is good and it has a nice solid feel. It runs on two CR123 cells. First Light USA __________________ Unreasonable men are ever unreasonable, and only become more so when threatened. Truth always threatens the false-hearted.

October 10th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#2
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,620	Interesting. How much did it cost? __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

October 10th, 2009, 09:28 PM	#3
dhshark Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 62	Very nice! I considered the Tomahawk but decided to purchase the Liberator. I use it on duty at work while clearing a building or on a traffic stop. Before buying the light I called FirstLightUSA with some questions and got to speak with the President of the company. It was his candor and answers to my questions that sold me on the light and company. I thought I was good with a Mag-lite and pistol clearing a house, now I can function without having to put the Mag-lite under my arm. Both lights are very sturdy and will last many years of abuse. I like the light so much I take it off of my duty belt after work and it sits on my night stand with my duty pistol in case I have to clear my own house at night. Additionally I use my Liberator with my MP40, AR-15 and my Wingmaster...no problems at all lighting up targets, handling magzine changes, racking the shotgun or taking hold of a BG and putting cuffs on them! Last edited by dhshark; October 10th, 2009 at 09:32 PM.. Reason: Grammar

October 11th, 2009, 01:42 AM	#4
jualdeaux Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Waponi Woo Posts: 938	here is the link that has their prices on it. First Light USA The model i got shows for $180. I got mine for $144. I'm guessing it was a discount for those at Nationals. __________________ Unreasonable men are ever unreasonable, and only become more so when threatened. Truth always threatens the false-hearted.

October 11th, 2009, 02:01 AM	#5
jualdeaux Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Waponi Woo Posts: 938	As for the Liberator, I see where it would be convenient to have for some situations but it is larger and would seem to be much harder to carry around for the average Joe. __________________ Unreasonable men are ever unreasonable, and only become more so when threatened. Truth always threatens the false-hearted.

October 11th, 2009, 02:18 AM	#6
Janq VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,536	Agreed Jualdeaux, 100%. I met the same folk during the 2008 IDPA Winternationals and subsequent to that had opportunity to spend 2 hrs. running their product during a One on One customized session as toward low light & no-light self and home defense techniques. I came to the exact same conclusion, and I got to use both the Tomahawk and the Liberator as personally owned by the instructor. I'd brought my Gladius which then was to me brand new by roughly a year. I'm familiar with other product including Surefire and hands down the Liberator and Tomahawk are by far easiest and most natural as well as flexible to handle. For my own situation as a civilian I'd run with the Tomahawk, hands down. I have not purchased the unit though, yet. Only because at nearly $200 retail it's cost is too high for me to justify. I'd got my Gladius for far less asnew, albeit through a hookup. A good product and ergo design though, IMHO. - Janq __________________ "Killers who are not deterred by laws against murder are not going to be deterred by laws against guns. " - Robert A. Levy Monday, March 12, 2007 -- Op Ed -- The Washington Post

October 11th, 2009, 08:30 PM	#8
zacii Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: arizona Posts: 317	This is an interesting light, I wonder if you could use it with a pump shotgun as well. Here are some ringed tailcaps by Surefire that allow a two-handed pistol grip as well. __________________ Trust in God and keep your powder dry Superduper Snubbie Thread Why 1911?

October 12th, 2009, 11:43 AM	#9
Janq VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,536	Yep during the '08 Winter Nationals they were selling them marked down by some percentage but at the time they were a brand new company with a product that was largely unknown so I choose not to take adavntage of the discount they then were offering. The following year in 2009 I would have bought on the spot, at a discount, but alas they were not involved. Hindsight is always 20/20. :p - Janq __________________ "Killers who are not deterred by laws against murder are not going to be deterred by laws against guns. " - Robert A. Levy Monday, March 12, 2007 -- Op Ed -- The Washington Post

October 12th, 2009, 11:54 AM	#10
Blackeagle Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,997	My EDC light is a Tomahawk. It's a great light, both for 'tactical' use and everyday illumination.

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