The right angle flashlight began as a sorta novelty compared to the normal round tube lights even way back when somebody decided to build a light that could be fastened to a shirt pocket or that sort of thing and still aim forward. Hands free was the idea and Bright Star gets the credit from way back in the 1930's with the original TL-122.
Signaling was also considered and soon military applications and a world war caused this novel approach to become popular with soldiers.
Later filters were added. Then in the late part of WW2 a tailcap that held filters and plastic lenses were introduced.
By the 1960's not much had changed except the model number. MX-99, then the 991. The battery was the big change as they had more shelf life, more fuel and better cases.
In the 1980's a novel double A platform was tried in the consumer market place. Tacti-cool was born.
Prior to 2010 Pentagon did a tiny one that was as bright as that double A but really small.
As LED advancement continued there was no need for screw on/slide in filters due to multi colored LED's and user interfaces that allow rapid changes of output and tint in these military marvels. And by 2016 they were getting really, really bright.
A sample of the changes:
The TL-122B, an early tacti-cool light, Pentagons tiny marvel and a modern First Light.
Note the First Light comes with the MOLLE clip standard but they also have a proprietary TSR clamp to the belt holster that allows this light to slide easily in an out.
So lets see those right angles. Fultons, Eveready, Streamlight, USLite, or any others you want to show off.
Signaling was also considered and soon military applications and a world war caused this novel approach to become popular with soldiers.
Later filters were added. Then in the late part of WW2 a tailcap that held filters and plastic lenses were introduced.
By the 1960's not much had changed except the model number. MX-99, then the 991. The battery was the big change as they had more shelf life, more fuel and better cases.
In the 1980's a novel double A platform was tried in the consumer market place. Tacti-cool was born.
Prior to 2010 Pentagon did a tiny one that was as bright as that double A but really small.
As LED advancement continued there was no need for screw on/slide in filters due to multi colored LED's and user interfaces that allow rapid changes of output and tint in these military marvels. And by 2016 they were getting really, really bright.
A sample of the changes:
The TL-122B, an early tacti-cool light, Pentagons tiny marvel and a modern First Light.
Note the First Light comes with the MOLLE clip standard but they also have a proprietary TSR clamp to the belt holster that allows this light to slide easily in an out.
So lets see those right angles. Fultons, Eveready, Streamlight, USLite, or any others you want to show off.