The ones I've handled were certainly high quality, and having Gene's dropins are never a negative. And I know they are tough, but I just can't get past the aesthetics. I pit them in the same category as Sig handguns. I know they are good in quality of construction, materials, and performance... but nothing in their line gets me excited.
Of course, the visual aspect is subjective, and different people have different aesthetic tastes.
However, I will say that when you get the light and hold it in your hand and look at it, it looks quite a bit smaller than in the pictures. And the proportions look much more appropriate. The pictures all seem to make the head look very big, and the head isn't really very big at all. In fact, the entire light isn't as big as it seems to be in all the photos.
It is a much more appealing light "in person". At least, I think it is.
Also, the Elzetta is confidence-inspiring when you hold it. You just *know* that this light is NOT gonna break, no matter what you do to it. It is the most solid-feeling light I have ever held.
This is something you can't experience from a picture.
Also, the tailswitch is exceptionally good. The momentary has great press action, and it is very predictable in operation. And even when you click it, it is almost silent in operation. And with the hi/lo, the mode change is a 1/8 twist of the tailcap, which is quick and easy and all done with the same hand from the tactical position without changing grip. And you can select the brightness level with the tailcap when the light is off, so you don't ever have it come on the the wrong mode if you pay attention.
That's some other things that you don't see in a picture.
The quality of the HAIII is incredible, and the best I have ever seen, bar none. You can sort of see that in the picture, but it's even better "in person".
It's not a lightweight light, but it probably the most rugged light in existence. I think it is the pinnacle of all tactical lights, and is the new benchmark for tactical.
