Reccomendation for wearable adjustable (spot-flood) Police flashlight

dibble750

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Hi,

I'd like a reccomemdation for a good quality, powerful flashlight for a Poloce Officer who needs it to be adjustable from flood to spot so he can search across hills but also fill an alleyway with light. It also needs to be wearable so sadly an Acebeam 70 is too big. Spot is most important as if it comes to it he can use a smaller light for closer stuff.

Within reason budget isn't an issue.

This Coast TX14R looks about the closest thing I've found but would love suggestions.
https://youtu.be/EmNhoPpUvXg
 

archimedes

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Hi,

I'd like a reccomemdation for a good quality, powerful flashlight for a Poloce Officer who needs it to be adjustable from flood to spot so he can search across hills but also fill an alleyway with light. It also needs to be wearable so sadly an Acebeam 70 is too big. Spot is most important as if it comes to it he can use a smaller light for closer stuff.

Within reason budget isn't an issue....

Welcome to CPF

Most (not all) "adjustable beam" flashlights are not great quality, generally speaking

Opinions also vary rather widely here with regard to what might be considered "reasonable budget"

You may get more useful advice if you could specify a dollar range
 

Modernflame

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It's been my experience that most people who start out looking for a zoomie flashlight really just need a device with a good balance of throw and spill. This can be attained with either a reflector or an optic. Of course, I don't speak for everyone, but if you open your search parameters a bit, you'll find a variety of high quality options.

And yes, you'll fetch a lot of good suggestions if you share your budget.
 

moltenmag

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Surefire Guardian comes out this year. It has 2 reflectors. Spot and flood. If you're alright with waiting until release that is
 

mk2rocco

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My 18650 Hound Dog will search across hills and light up a while campsite. It had a ton of spill that's very useful up close and throws very well.
 

XR6Toggie

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What do you mean by wearable? A clip so you can fasten it to your vest/shirt?

There are a number of good police duty lights that throw a good beam and also have some spill for closeup work. Malkoff Hound Dog and Streamlight Stinger are nice lights. Fenix, Olight and Klarus have good hand sized lights too.
 

matt4350

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To mirror XR6Toggie's question, should we assume you mean a clip mounted on a vest? There's a few cops who wear LedLensers in a clip on their vest, they seem happy enough with the setup, and this brand has the 'zoomie' function you're after. I think LedLensers are a good enough light, but probably not the best value for your money and I don't feel they wear as hard as quite a few other brands.

I believe Fenix has a light with a zoom lens, and Nextorch has the PA5. I've not used either, but you could search the reviews to see if they suit.

I wouldn't use a zoomie on duty, but that's just my preference.
 

dibble750

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Regarding price I'd say ideally up to $200 but I could be pushed if it meant something special.

Regarding wearable I'm talking about wearing it in a holster on a duty belt. Clipped to my tac vest I'll have something smaller for reading stuff in the car but I've got stuff for now that will do the job. I know the Acebeam k70 has a holster but it wouldn't be practical mainly due to the width of the head and I'm guessing extreme weight.

I'll take your advice on the adjustable thing but what are your thoughts on the upcoming Coast light I suggested?

If you were able to scale down a Thrunite TN40 into sonething I could realistically wear on a belt that would be great.
 

arKmm

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When you say wearable do you mean clip-on and worn on the shoulder when in use? Or did you just mean reasonable size that can be kept in a pocket or on a belt?
 

xxo

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Take a look at the Streamlight Stinger series or maybe the new Maglite ML150R.
 

XR6Toggie

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Regarding price I'd say ideally up to $200 but I could be pushed if it meant something special.

Regarding wearable I'm talking about wearing it in a holster on a duty belt. Clipped to my tac vest I'll have something smaller for reading stuff in the car but I've got stuff for now that will do the job. I know the Acebeam k70 has a holster but it wouldn't be practical mainly due to the width of the head and I'm guessing extreme weight.

I'll take your advice on the adjustable thing but what are your thoughts on the upcoming Coast light I suggested?

If you were able to scale down a Thrunite TN40 into sonething I could realistically wear on a belt that would be great.

SureFire have a number of good options but I don't have experience with their latest products. SureFire make their own belt holsters. You can expect to pay a fair bit but you will have a quality product.

I havent used Coast lights but I've had experience with Led Lenser. Not bad if you have nothing else but there are much better options available.

I use a Streamlight Stinger DS HL. It's bright at a distance and useful up close. It has a hot spot and side spill so it's not just a pencil beam of light. It has a cradle charger that can be mounted inside or in a car. Most duty belt manufacturers like Bianchi have different types of belt holster available for it. Operation is simple: click and it comes on in high. Hold to select medium and low, double tap for strobe. It has traffic wand attachments available if you need to direct traffic. It can also be tucked under your arm or put into a sap/cargo pocket for quick storage.

I also have a Malkoff Hound Dog. It's a bit brighter than the Stinger. The head is a bit wider and the body is narrower. The body is 1 inch diameter so compatible with a number of belt loops/holsters. It only has a tail switch. It is extremely well made but does not have a cradle charger. You will have to buy a charger comparible with li-ion 18650s. It doesn't have traffic wand attachments. The throw and spill on it is incredible. It can be swapped from low to high brightness by slightly rotating the head. No strobe. Also fits nicely into a SAP or cargo pocket.

I have heard good things about the Pelican 7060. Not as bright as Stinger or Hound Dog but has a long run time. Also has lots of holster options and traffic wands available. I haven't used one myself. There is also a larger version 8060.
 

dibble750

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Thanks for the suggestions!

I always loved Mags but at 600 lumens for a cumbersome 3D cell flashlight it doesn't seem too practical.

I'm considering getting something like a Surefire Lawman or Streamlight Stinger and having something like an Acebeam K70 in my bag that I'd keep in my car for specialist use.

The issue is that I'm going to be working in a constabulary which covers various terrain, from urban & suburban through to hills and moorland. Apparently looking for missing people is quite common.

Now I'm thinking of having something on me to see in dark cars and to dazzle if necessary but have the searchlight available.
 

XR6Toggie

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Thanks for the suggestions!

I always loved Mags but at 600 lumens for a cumbersome 3D cell flashlight it doesn't seem too practical.

I'm considering getting something like a Surefire Lawman or Streamlight Stinger and having something like an Acebeam K70 in my bag that I'd keep in my car for specialist use.

The issue is that I'm going to be working in a constabulary which covers various terrain, from urban & suburban through to hills and moorland. Apparently looking for missing people is quite common.

Now I'm thinking of having something on me to see in dark cars and to dazzle if necessary but have the searchlight available.

I think this is a good way to think about having light on duty: something easy to carry on a belt for general applications and another one in the bag for when you need more output. The only thing left to figure out is how much you're willing to pay.
 

arKmm

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Thanks for the suggestions!

I always loved Mags but at 600 lumens for a cumbersome 3D cell flashlight it doesn't seem too practical.

I'm considering getting something like a Surefire Lawman or Streamlight Stinger and having something like an Acebeam K70 in my bag that I'd keep in my car for specialist use.

The issue is that I'm going to be working in a constabulary which covers various terrain, from urban & suburban through to hills and moorland. Apparently looking for missing people is quite common.

Now I'm thinking of having something on me to see in dark cars and to dazzle if necessary but have the searchlight available.
The fact you said constabulary and moorland suggests you might be a UK'er like me!

If so, you'll have to make do with the more limited options on our retail market compared to America.

But yes, have a small good all rounder on your belt and then a larger searchlight in your bag for when you need long runtimes or far seeing light.

For dependability, consider a Surefire G2X Pro in a V70 holster for your belt. Yes, there's far better but the G2X is very reliable and will be more than enough for almost all scenarios.
 

bykfixer

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I'm a Coast fan but... run time is your friend and Coast in general opt for multiple double or triple A cells and they don't run long periods you may find yourself needing.

You may consider going to the Streamlight web site and look around. Pelican also makes good duty lights.

Both opt for a broad beam with lots of throw.
To me the Stinger LED was/is one of the best duty lights ever made.

The state police in my state all use Stinger HPL lights.
A Strion is a portable version that aint no slouch.
 

dibble750

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You're right! UK- Lancashire. I only say flashlight so people don't think I'm considering carrying a burning log wrapped in a paraffin soaked rag on the end if I say torch!

Have you had a look at that Coast TX14R shown at Shot Show? I put a link in my original post above. It's not out yet but I'm hoping it's a bit of a game changer and is powerful but also an adjustable beam. I also love that it's rechargable but can run on readily available AAAs at a much lower output if necessary. I even love that it can charge directly from a common micro USB without having to use a dedicated dock.

Regarding buying from the UK, I'd be tempted to just get it imported from Amazon.com or something.
 

xxo

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I'm a Coast fan but... run time is your friend and Coast in general opt for multiple double or triple A cells and they don't run long periods you may find yourself needing.

You may consider going to the Streamlight web site and look around. Pelican also makes good duty lights.

Both opt for a broad beam with lots of throw.
To me the Stinger LED was/is one of the best duty lights ever made.

The state police in my state all use Stinger HPL lights.
A Strion is a portable version that aint no slouch.




The Stingers sure are popular with Coppers in the USA, but I am not a huge fan of the UI on most of them that cycles through modes when you hold the switch down, I much prefer the 10 Tap which for some reason is only available on the Ultra Stinger. I think the new Mag 150R may give the Ultra Stinger some spirited competition and when the shorty version comes out it will likely compete with the standard size Stingers.....as I have said before I really like Mag's UI when setup for function set number 3 - momentary, constant on, low power - works great with the electronic switch.
 

xxo

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You're right! UK- Lancashire. I only say flashlight so people don't think I'm considering carrying a burning log wrapped in a paraffin soaked rag on the end if I say torch!

Have you had a look at that Coast TX14R shown at Shot Show? I put a link in my original post above. It's not out yet but I'm hoping it's a bit of a game changer and is powerful but also an adjustable beam. I also love that it's rechargable but can run on readily available AAAs at a much lower output if necessary. I even love that it can charge directly from a common micro USB without having to use a dedicated dock.

Regarding buying from the UK, I'd be tempted to just get it imported from Amazon.com or something.



That Coast light might be OK, but I wouldn't put too much weight into the ability to use 3 AAA's......3 AAA's have about the same capacity as a single AA so you are not going to get much in terms of performance and/or run time. Also USB charging tends to be slow and fiddly; much easier to have a charging dock that is faster and is easy to grab the light and go when you need it and slap it back into the charger when you are done. In addition zooming lenses like Coast uses are typically not very water resistant and although you do get a ton of throw when the are zoomed in, you lose side spill that is needed for situational awareness up close and you also lose up to about half of the light's lumens when zoomed in. Since it is new, it's track record remains to be proven.
 

bykfixer

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Don't know that the new Mag is out xx, and if so... available in Europe? I reccomended Streamlight and Pelican since they are known to have dealers over there.



Early in flashlight history dibble, they were called electric torches. Here in the US the carbon filament overheated quickly and batteries... they sucked. So short term uses were the only viable option. The term flashlight was coined soon after but...
You guys over on your side of the pond shortened the term to torches.
Calling them torches tells us US CPFr's you are likely British or Australlian.

Welcome to CPF btw. :wave:
 
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xxo

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I think they are shipping now - there are some on ebay. I would think there are still some Mag dealers in the UK that could be able to order one soon or that some of the sellers in the US might be willing to ship to the UK? The shorty version is not out yet.


and I thought a torch was a Bic lighter?
 
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