As an instructor I am routinely asked, “What kind of flashlight would you recommend?” In my Low Light Shooting Fundamentals course I teach civilians and law enforcement low light threat engagements with use of handheld light and pistol. The fact is most evil comes out to play at night. And one of the most neglected forms of training is under the cover of darkness – this is mostly because of range limitations. Due to this, it is one of the hardest skills to master.
For the purpose of this article I have profiled three brands being used by Law Enforcement: Streamlight, Surefire, and Klarus. The reason for this is law enforcement agencies have a trial process to select appropriate equipment that have to meet certain minimum standards. So brands that won the contract is where I started on my quest to narrow down the best EDC handheld light. Long gone are the days of LEO’s carrying 3 or 4 D-Cell flashlights. Lighting has progressed leaps and bounds over the last decade. It was great years ago to get your hands on one of the first LED tactical lights with 80 lumens, but now there are companies putting out small handheld lights with up to 1,600 lumens that fit in the palm of your hand – truly
Lumens
It used to be 80 lumens were considered enough to temporarily blind someone when the LED progression began. Since then the tactical lighting industry has been progressing about just as fast as the computer industry; after a few months there’s a better light on the market. It is enough to make your head spin. Companies are putting out lights with 500, 800, 1,200, even 1,600 lumens. There can still be lots of differences in products with the same lumen output – mostly due to design of the unit, or even miss reporting. That is why it is a good idea to test out a light if you can before you purchase one to make sure it meets your needs.
Light as a Tool
High output flash lights usually produce a brighter, broader beam of light at close distance. This is crucial to identify threats and conduct searches. Having all the lumens really does give you the distinct advantage in many low light situations. High lumen lights allow you to penetrate darkness and make those dark areas a lot less questionable and scary.
In the case of an LEO it can help to better illuminate a room on a search or even penetrate through window tint on a traffic stop. In the hands of either a LEO or a prepared citizen the use of high lumen flashlight is a force multiplier in a potential threat situation. It will give you the upper hand to identify the potential threat and give you the advantage prior to an escalation of force. These lights have two noticeable parts; the hot spot and the cornea. The hot spot (bright centre) is what you would want focused on the face of a potential threat and the cornea (outer periphery) is what aids in searching or softly illuminating your flanks. There should be a noticeable transition between the two parts.
Things to Consider
Personally I’m for ALL the lumens, but I have encountered a specific limitation of high output flashlights. While on a training course in Indiana I was on a static firing line outdoors, zero wind, in the dead of night. Upon drawing and engaging with a handheld light I found I was missing the target after my first shot because the light was reflecting off the smoke was bouncing back blinding me. This can be of concern indoors, with highly reflective surfaces and in heavy fog. If this was a dynamic scenario and I was able to move off line and continue to move and shoot I would not be taking the shots from the same spot twice and therefore would not be a problem. If you find yourself stuck in a static position it can be an issue and you should be aware of it. Another limitation you may find is the brighter the light the darker the shadows. It is important to practice techniques to use the light properly and better position yourself. The darkest place is usually where the danger is and it’s where you want to get to yourself because it’s usually offering something you don’t have – cover or concealment.
The Tests
This article has been a long time in the making – and for good reason. These lights can get PRICEY. But they say you get what you pay for, which is very true when it comes to handhelds. I carried each light for six months as part of my every day carry or EDC. Some important features to consider: weight, ease of carry, ability to use your light as a striker, and being able to have high output light upon deployment with respectable runtime. The two glaring heavier models were the Streamlight Protac HL and the Klarus – both at about 5+ oz. As well, these models do have a ‘strike bezel’ but the only model that was sufficiently aggressive enough to do some damage was the Surefire E2D Defender and the Klarus XT2C-A. The only downfall being the strike bezel on the Klarus is a screw on ring. I found during carry it would catch on the inside of my pocket and unscrew and I would find the ring in my pocket change at the end of the day. I also found the Streamlight ProTac HL’s bezel to be way to big, bulky and uncomfortable for carry.
In the table below you can compare the runtimes, weights, and distance the light is thrown. You want a good light but you also don’t want to be going through batteries like crazy. The two heaviest lights have the shortest run times. The lightest light – the Surefire EDCL2-T has the shortest run time. Its button is not fully seated into the tail cap and I noticed the Surefire EDCL2-T also makes a faint buzzing noise when activated. Another deal breaker for me on this light was the fact there was no push on/off activation. It’s momentary only – as in you need to keep your finger on the button.
The one major disappointment I encountered was with the Klarus. The tail cap is exposed on two sides and it had accidently triggered twice burning through my pocket on to my thigh. 1,600 lumen lights get hot – and fast. By the time you notice it’s too late. I carried the Klarus for one week and knew between the bezel unscrewing and the unprotected tail cap this light wasn’t for me. The one feature I did admire was the rechargeable battery but as of recent it will not charge. There are some GLARING issues with this Klarus model. I don’t feel it is adequate for pocket carry at all. I even went as far to contact Klarus directly about the design flaws and improvement suggestions but it fell on deaf ears – even the burn hazard. They were just ‘sorry’ to hear I didn’t like their product.
| Price/Stats/Test | Streamlight ProTac HL (750 Lumen) | Streamlight ProTac 2L-X (500 Lumen) | Surefire EDCL2-T (1,200 Lumen) | Surefire E2D Defender (1,000 Lumen) | Klarus XT2C-A (1,600 Lumen) |
| Price | $99 USD | $69 USD | $179 USD | $199 USD | $65 USD |
| Weight (incl. bat.) | 5.6 oz. | 4.4 oz. | 4.1 oz. | 4.2 oz. | 4.9 oz. |
| Runtime | 1.25 hrs. | 3.25 hrs. | 1 hr. | 2.75 hrs. | 1.20 hrs. |
| Distance Thrown | 270 m | 165 m | 210 m | 200 m | 240 m |
| Rechargeable USB | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Slim Bezel | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bezel As A Striker | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Protected Tail Cap | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dedicated on/off | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Momentary on/off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2m Drop Test | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 10m Slide Test | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 1 Hr Submersion | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| 8 Hr Freeze Test | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Ease Of Carry | Decent | Excellent | Great | Excellent | Poor |
As you compare the specs and tests I would say it’s a balance of many things coming together. The only two lights that seemed to fit good criteria and my standards were the Surefire E2D Defender and the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X. Both are solid lights. If money is no issue I’d go with the Surefire E2D Defender, and if budget is of concern I’d go with the Streamlight 2L-X.
Powering Down
Many violent attacks of LEO and civilians take place in low light, this especially hits close to home as in the early 90’s a family members partner was ambushed during a traffic stop and foot pursuit in the northern Ontario wilderness. He was overpowered disarmed and murdered with his service pistol. The suspects were caught and are serving life in prison. In the days of six-shooters and incandescent flashlights I often wonder how the situation would have played out today. There is no doubt modern high output LED flashlights help give a distinct advantage and save lives. To me, it’s just as important of a tool as the gun.
Everyone has a budget – I get that. Obtain the best you can afford. A good light will last your life. If you encounter range limitations, it’s not an excuse for complacency. Run dry fire drills in your home at night with your gun, a blue gun or a SIRT pistol. Turn night time into bright time.