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Department issued lights

(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: JohnB

In my travels and at shows I talk to law enforcement officers from many different agencies and it seems that issued lights vary from department to deaprtment. Many seem to have an issued light and another light that they purchase seperately. The Streamlight Stinger seems to be the most common light that officers carry.

I am curious about what factors you use in deciding what light to carry?
Brand?
LED or traditional bulb?
Size?
Cost?
Brightness?
Is there such a thing as a light that is to bright?
Rechargeable or not rechargeable?
Strobe or SOS mode?
Belt clip?

I am always asking these questions because the manufacturers want to know. Most of the feedback I get is directly implemented.

Thanks for your feedback!

John@Liotec


Posted by: Killjoy

Most cops don't like to spend a dime of their own money on equipment and departments like to buy the least expensive equipment they can, and still have it occasionally work.

You're certainly not going to get departments or most cops to buy lights like Surefire, arguably the most rugged, dependable, and brightest flashlights manufactured. I own two handheld surefires and three surefire weaponlights and they're the best lights available. What did my department provide me with...nothing..I had to buy a rechargeable maglite with my own money at the academy!


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by Killjoy
I had to buy a rechargeable maglite with my own money at the academy!
That's what I've bought for my friends who have graduated assorted police academies; always a useful tool.


Posted by: JohnB

I am not sure about local departments here but I have read where some larger cities have purchased and issued Pelican Lights which are very good.

It seems that the rules vary from place to place regarding issued lights.


Posted by: Harley387

I always prefer the good 'ol D-Cell battery mag light/impact weapon. However, I do carry a Surefire G2 which I purchased myself, as a backup, or for those occasions when I suddenly find myself needing a flashlight.


Posted by: Loyal

I would strongly recommend that you do not buy a Streamlight Stinger with the lithium batteries. They go thru those expensive batteries like water. I would never buy one again.


Posted by: JohnB

Thanks for the feedback guys. Loyal, thanks for the information as a light vendor I am always interested in how people feel about other brands. The Stinger seems to be common and I think the big lure was the rechargeable feature. I have heard that from other people about the batteries not lasting long.

Thanks
John@liotec


Posted by: phuzz01

My agency issues maglites, which certainly serve a purpose (rugged, good impact weapon if needed). The downside is that they are large enough that they don't always make it out of the cruiser. So, I purchased an Innova LED as something that could be worn on the belt and is available in a pinch. It has awesome light (brighter than the large maglite), is rechargable, and is a good size. However, I have recently been having sporadic malfunctions. Not good when you are two miles into a K9 track...


Posted by: resqjyw0

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Brand?
I tend to like Streamlight because i've seen enough guys that have had Streamlight for years and they've never failed them and they sell for a decent price compared to other alternatives. That's not to say Pelican, Inova, Surefire and other reputable light manufacturers aren't good lights. In fact, they make some lights that are equally as good if not better but they carry a price tag with them too.

Not really sure what Loyal is talking about the Lithium batteries with the Stingers, but I've never had a problem nor do I know anyone that has ever had a problem with the rechargeable NiCad batteries. After a long time I'm sure you're going to need to replace them but I know guys that have gone well over 5 years maybe even closer to 10 years on the original NiCad battery that came with their Stingers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
LED or traditional bulb?
It's personal preference. I like the LEDs. I like the white/blueish light (depending on intensity) over the yellowish light of a traditional incadescent (halogen?) bulb. The only thing I don't like is since LEDs run on such little energy it doesn't dim to signal the user low battery until a couple seconds before it dies. I have noticed that when the battery gets low on a Stinger LED that it will NOT go into strobe mode. At first I thought it was the switch but I recharged the light and it was fine afterwards and it has been a consistent low battery indicator.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Size?
I think every officer should have at least one small light to carry on their belt (Stinger (LED), Pelican M6, Inova T4) and a large one in their cruiser (MagLite, Streamlight SL-20).

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Cost?
I won't jeopardize quality to save some money, but I certainly am not going to dump a bunch of money on the best when I can save a few bucks on something that is almost as good which is why I tend to prefer with Streamlight. Not as expensive for a good quality light.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Brightness?
A full-sized light, I'd say a 40,000CP MagLite should be the standard. The 30,000CP Streamlights are good too but I think brighter is better. I haven't seen the Streamlight UltraStinger in action (75,000CP) but I really want to.

For a light off the belt I'd say 60 lumens which I think is what the Pelican M6 is or 15,000CP Stinger should be the minimum. I think it should be bright enough that if you ever get into a situation where you need a bright light but you can't run to the cruiser to grab the MagLite, the light off the belt should be bright enough to get you by. One of those little MagLites that run off the AA batteries is almost as bad as not having a light IMO.

I've seen guys with non-rechargeable lights that don't put out nearly as much as the rechargeable units and all I can say to myself is if my life is ever on the line at night, the last thing I need is to be depending on is a light that isn't worth a piss hole in the snow.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Is there such a thing as a light that is to bright?
99% of the time I'd say no. The only time where I've noticed a light to be too bright is trying to examine something very close up. The Stinger LED's 80 lumens is borderline too bright at times when I try to look at something close but it has 2 dimmer settings that I can put it on and I can see the details of what I am looking at fine just after I adjust it. Like I said, except that one type of situation, brighter is better and a light can pretty much never be too bright IMO.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Rechargeable or not rechargeable?
Definitely rechargeable. Batteries are too damn expensive and almost every rechargeable light that I've ever seen has always put out more light than the non-rechargeables.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Strobe or SOS mode?
I don't think it makes a difference if it comes with a Strobe and/or SOS mode(s) or not. I have a Stinger LED that has the strobe mode and the Inova 24/7 that has both the Strobe and SOS modes. I have yet to need them, except like I said I found the strobe mode on the Stinger is a good gauge to determine low battery.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB
Belt clip?
An actual clip on the light for the belt? I'd just go with using a holster for the light. The clip will probably bend, if it doesn't snap first, when you start on a guy that doing a good job resisting. If it bends and it doesn't hold tight to the belt, the light isn't going to do you much good if you happen to lose it somewhere.


Most of what I said is a matter of opinion. Take it for whatever its worth. That's just my $0.02.


Posted by: pahapoika

did a little research on flashlights. no expert , but happy with final choice

Brand?
brite strike/maglite

LED or traditional bulb?
LED

Size?
small for belt , maglite for car


Cost?
$120 small , maglite $50

Brightness?
90 lums , maglite LED 3 watt

Is there such a thing as a light that is to bright?
nope.

Rechargeable or not rechargeable?
rechargeable

Strobe or SOS mode?
strobe, i guess

Belt clip?
i like the lapel clip


Posted by: JohnB

I really appreciate the feedback. I know that Streamlight is well established brand for Law enforcement and Fire departments. It seems that word of mouth and name noteriety are a large factor in deciding what to carry.

Does anyone mount lights on their weapons? I know that this varies depending on the agency or the situation. Some have told me no because of holster issues.

Thanks
John@Liotec


Posted by: Loyal

Res, I was referring to the non rechargeable lithium 123 batteries. They go for about $11.00 for 2 and do not last long. Maybe the rechargeable was the way to go... JohnB, what do you recommend for a reasonably priced duty belt light ?


Posted by: JohnB

Loyal,
We recommend the WOLF-EYES Defender 170 Lumens $69.00 or 6PX Sniper $60.00 both are 170 Lumens. You get more Lumens for your money. It has a standard 1 inch barrel so it fits into many of the exisintg holsters. They are made of aircraft grade aluminum alloy. If you look at Surefire or other brands and check the Lumens you will see that this is a very good price. These can all be upgraded to rechargeable for about $40 more. You can add a charger and rechargeable battery to any of our lights so it gives you some flexbility.


6PX


Defender




I also wanted to mention batteries. cr123 batteries are very expensive if you go purchase them in the store. If you shop around online you can get them for as low as .69 cent each. We usually buy them in bulk 300 at a time. We provide batteries with any light over $50.00.

Here are some places you can get good deals on batteries:

www.cheapbatteries.com
www.Surefire.com
www.Batteryjunction.com
www.batterystation.com

The way you guys go through these batteries you should pool together because if you buy them in very large quanities the price goes way down.


Thanks!

John


Posted by: Barbrady

Issued: Stingers.

Any one own a Blackhawk Gladius? I hear they are swweet.


Posted by: frank

I've briefly read the topic, and might have breezed over this...but one of the things I love about the Streamlights is the lifetime warranty. The other nice thing is that the chargers (for the most part) are all the same.

I haven't had my current Stinger LED in for any service, but I've had my Strion in once and my Stinger HP in twice.

I currently carry a Stinger LED on my belt behind the radio on my weak side, a Stinger HP in my bag along with a quick charger and extra battery, and the new Safariland RLS light without the mount front and center for when I need a light right away.


Posted by: resqjyw0

Quote:
Originally Posted by Loyal
Res, I was referring to the non rechargeable lithium 123 batteries. They go for about $11.00 for 2 and do not last long. Maybe the rechargeable was the way to go... JohnB, what do you recommend for a reasonably priced duty belt light ?
That explains everything. The Inova 24/7 I have runs off the 123 battery. I almost never use it and the thing died 6 months after I bought it.

I have another electronic piece of equipment, a beeper collar for the dog, that I use bird hunting. Anyway, it doesn't do anything that should suck up a lot of juice (it just beeps periodically), yet it only lasts about a week (two weeks if I'm lucky) before I have go out and replace the battery.

I get the ones made by Duracell and they still suck. But I never heard of a Stinger using those.


Posted by: JohnB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Barbrady
Issued: Stingers.

Any one own a Blackhawk Gladius? I hear they are swweet.
The Gladius seems to be well made but is a litlle pricey at $180.00. They ushered in the whole strobe self defense thing. The Gladius does not offer a very bright LED light at 90 Lumens.

It did get a good review here:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev...ps_gladius.htm


Posted by: PVD24

Quote:
Originally Posted by Killjoy
Most cops don't like to spend a dime of their own money on equipment and departments like to buy the least expensive equipment they can, and still have it occasionally work.

You're certainly not going to get departments or most cops to buy lights like Surefire, arguably the most rugged, dependable, and brightest flashlights manufactured. I own two handheld surefires and three surefire weaponlights and they're the best lights available. What did my department provide me with...nothing..I had to buy a rechargeable maglite with my own money at the academy!
Killjoy, what hand held models would you reccomend for wearing on duty on the belt? Looking to invest in one.. any suggestions?
Thank you,




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