A tactical flashlight is a patrol officer or security guard’s staple tool. It’s needed to help illuminate dark areas, provide an indication of location for others to see, and might even come in handy in an confrontation. There are a ton of different flashlights on the market, but not all of them are created equal.

Read on below to find out what I think the best tactical flashlight is that’s worthy of your hard earned dollars.

Supernova Guardian 1300XL Professional Series Ultra Bright Tactical LED Flashlight

 

Surprisingly the Supernova Guardian 1300XL’s capabilities far exceeds the length of its name. It’s got all the bells and whistles of a torch you’d think would cost twice as much. So let’s take a look at what Supernova Guardian has done to produce one of the best tactical flashlights on the market today.

Body

The 1300XL is small, but a bit bulky at the head. This would be a negative aspect of any other type of flashlight, but a tactical flashlight needs that extra umph for a rough day’s work. The flashlight itself weighs only about 5.1 ounces. It’s 6.2 inches in length and the handle is approximately 1.8 inches in diameter. It’s a good size to mount on your shotgun and it fits comfortably in your hand when you need it.

The body of the flashlight is made out of a smooth, brushed aircraft grade aluminum alloy. So, while it’s a lightweight, it will still pack a punch when needed for self-defense. This aluminum alloy is scratch-resistant, shock proof, and gives the flashlight a remarkably good looking finish overall. It’s probably one of the best looking flashlights of its calibre.

The 1300XL is packing an ultra bright CREE XM-L U2 LED bulb that produces 1300 lumens of output. When you’re in the need for some serious illumination, the 1300XL is the go-to flashflight of choice. When people refer to other flashlights as bright, it’s because they haven’t had the pleasures of staring one of these things face-to-face.

VIDEO | Supernova Guardian 1300XL: Light Test

One of the self-defense features of the flashlight is actually located on its case. Above the grip is a stainless steel, rigid strike bezel. Most people hope they never have to use this features, but the ones that do are definitely glad it’s there.

Features

One of the best things about the flashlight are its features. The 1300XL has five different operating modes that are powered by something they call BrightSmart Memory Technology. In short, the modes are as follows: full, medium, low, strobe, SOS. When you first turn the flashlight on, you’ll be in the full mode, and you cycle through in the exact order written above. The SOS mode is a mode that is essentially a disorienting strobe light that is meant for uses when you might be attacked or disarming someone.

Battery Life

The battery life in the 1300XL is superb. Testing shows that you should be able to get at least 4 hours of continuous use using the high beams before it automatically switches to power saver mode. Once power saver mode has been initiated, you should easily be able to get another 4 hours use while in low beam mode.

The flashlight itself comes with two lithium 18650 batteries that are rechargeable, which means you could theoretically never have to use batteries again. However, it’s always good to keep some spare batteries lying around. The 1300XL can also be powered by 3 AAA batteries.

Overall

The Supernova Guardian 1300XL is an amazing tactical flashlight for the price. With the ability to produce 1300 lumens, it is comparable to very high-end flashlights! It has a sturdy, but lightweight, aluminum frame that is ideal for heavy-duty use. And it’s got all the battery efficiency you’ll need to get you through the day.

If you might have noticed, the flashlight is a very essential tool to any active duty firefighter.  This tool can be the difference between life and death, and if you don’t get it right you will be lost in the pitch black inferno that is a house ablaze.

I myself have never been a firefighter but I come from a long line of firefighters.  My dad was a firefighter, two of my brothers are firefighters and I’m sure there will be even more down the line!  I respect what these guys do, and I know how important they are, so if I can put the best firefighter flashlight in their hands, then I will!

What Makes The Best Firefighter Flashlight?

A firefighter needs a very specific flashlight to be safe.  They need to be of course, very bright,  bright enough to push through the smoke and smog so they can located and rescue the occupants. These lights also have to be small and compact enough that it doesn’t slow the firefighters down.  Along with that they need to be able to take a beating.

Firefighters in the mist of a burning building don’t have the luxury of being able to be extremely gentle with their tools, so the lights need to be able to be thrown around a little bit.  So I’m not sure if I would consider these tactical lights or not, but you can check out my tactical flashlight comparison chart

So What is the Best Firefighter Light?

Out of all the firefighting flashlights, I have decided that the best firefighter flashlight is the Streamlight 90540 Survivor.

This Streamlight flashlight is one tough light.  This flashlight has the specifications that will save you or a firefighters life.  The 90540 has the following specifications.

VIDEO | Streamlight – Survivor

 

• It weight 13.7 oz with batteries
• The dimensions are as follows: 7.06 x 2.85 x 2.87 Inches
• Made of Super Tough Nylon Polymer
• Made from an LED bulb
• Extreme Weather proof
• 405 meter light beam on the highest setting
• Runs off of 4 AA batteries
• Passes the 30 foot drop test
• Has a maximum lumen output of 175 lumens
• Four hours of run time on high mode

As you can see this is a power house of a flashlight.  It is pretty small and compact but it’s not so small that you may get worried about losing it or breaking it, because it can handle some knocks! With a maximum lumen output of 140, it has more than enough power to punch through the smoke and fire in a building.

So, if you are a firefighter, or you know of one, then get this light. This is the best firefighter flashlight in the game, it can and will save a life!

The Streamlight 88040 ProTAC HL is one of the most tough and powerful tactical light that won’t break the bank!  I have had the privilege of using this light since its release in June in 2012, and holy cow!  This tactical flashlight just gets the job done!  The feeling you get when holding this flashlight is like nothing else!  You can feel how durable it is in your hand, and you know that this tool can save your life!  So if you are still using a random general use flashlight, it’s time to make the switch to a real flashlight!

Streamlight 88040 Review

Streamlight 88040 ProTAC HL is available at Streamlight.com or you can pick it up at Amazon.  Check out the 88040 ProTAC HL Specifications below!

• Uses C4 LED Technology!
• It is Completely Waterproof!
• A Total of Three Different Light Output Modes! (Strobe, High, Low)
• Runs on Two CR123A Non Rechargeable Batteries (Which Are Not Included With The Purchase)
• The Flashlight Has A Length of 5.2 Inches
• The Flashlight Has A Width of 1.4 Inches
• The Flashlight Has A Height of 1.4 Inches
• The Flashlight Weighs Only 5.6 Ounces

And Now For The Good Stuff!

• This Flashlight Has A Max Lumen Output of 600! (On The Max Output Setting)
• On This High Setting It Has A Battery Life of 2.5 Hours
• On The Lowest Setting It Outputs 35 Lumens
• On This Low Setting It Has An 18 Hour Battery Life
• The Strobe Setting Omits the 600 lumens in a blinking fashion.
• The Strobe Light Setting Has A Battery Life of 2.5 Hours
• On the Max Setting and The Strobe Setting The Maximum Beam Light Distance is 253 Meters!
• On The Low Setting The Maximum Beam Light Distance is 57 Meters!

As you can see this is one heck of a flashlight!  But, this is no ordinary flashlight, this is a tactical flashlight!  If you are an avid outdoors person and you have been using just any old flashlight for your outdoors lighting needs, then it is time to make the switch.  This flashlight can essentially light up a whole forest if you need it to!  I originally found this flashlight after looking at a website that said that this was the best tactical flashlight, and I can’t say that he was wrong!  And, it’s just not me saying that, look at this youtube video review:

Streamlight 88040 ProTAC HL Tactical Flashlight Video Review!

As you can see from this video, this flashlight is a complete monster!  He uses his flashlight as a side arm for his firearms or he can mount the flashlight onto pistols or shotguns very easily.  This is a multi-use flashlight, not only can it be used hand held, it can also be used for firearms, and that is why it’s so popular for law enforcement, and military.

If you are looking for a new tactical flashlight or you are ready to take the step from the general flashlights to the big boys in the flashlight world, then this is the flashlight for you!  Remember, it’s better to be prepared with a powerful flashlight, then to be caught fumbling around in the dark!

I hope you liked my Streamlight 88040 review, and I hope it helped!

If you’ve been searching high and low for the best tactical flashlight on the market today, but one won’t threaten to break your bank account, you’ll want to look closely at the Fenix PD35.

 

The kind of tactical flashlight that could end up protecting you, your loved ones, or even complete and total strangers in an self defense situation , you need to know that your equipment is up to par and will not fail you in the heat of the moment.

Obviously, there are a number of key criteria that you’ll want to look into before crowning any flashlight the “best tactical flashlight on the market today”. However, you should not be surprised if you come away with exactly that kind of impression after reading this Fenix PD35 review!

Shall we dive right in?

Fenix PD35 Review: Initial impressions

At first blush, the Fenix PD35 doesn’t look all that different from other tactical flashlight options. It’s about the same size as the SureFire P2X Fury that is marketed and advertised much more aggressively than this one.

Constructed out of a high quality and super durable construction material (weighing in at less than 90 g, even when loaded up with batteries), this tactical flashlight just looks like it is “high speed, low drag” and that it should be able delivering you the kind of high power luminosity that you expect out of this kind of tool.

A little bit on the shorter side of things (which isn’t a bad thing, especially if you intend to use the light in conjunction with a pistol), it packs a very, very serious “miniature sun” inside of it and you’ll have no trouble whatsoever lighting up the night – or your assailant – when necessary.

Pros

There’s a lot to like in this particular tactical flashlight, and while you might find this Fenix PD35 review to be a little bit on the “glowingly positive” side of things it’s important that you realize it’s not a whitewash.

This tactical flashlight is just that good across the board.

As much and above, it is made out of a lightweight construction material that is strong, durable, and resilient. It also happens to be finished with a high quality and scratch resistant finish (matte black as well as high-gloss black, depending upon the particular component that was “dipped”).

Pumping out 850 lm just a single click of a button (though there are also two other, slightly less powerful, light output options that are available with a couple of other clicks), this is definitely one of the brightest tactical flashlight options in this form factor available today. Running off of two lithium-ion 18650 batteries (rechargeable batteries that come included with this product when you purchase it), everything just feels solid and well-built and it should run for hours and hours without needing to be recharged.

Cons

At the same time, there are a couple of drawbacks to the Fenix PD35 then need to be addressed in this Fenix PD35 review.

The first is that the “grip” this tactical flashlight is not exactly as sticky or as tacky as other options available, though a deservedly serviceable even when your hands are wet or sweaty. Secondly, it has five different brightness levels and a strobe setting, but you cannot quickly and easily get to the brightest setting with a single click – you’ll have to run through all of the different settings until you get to the top of the list again.

As mentioned above, these tactical flashlight “drawbacks” are nowhere near deal breakers in any sense of the word, and in fact are minor issues when compared to the problems that some of the other – much more expensive – tactical flashlight options out there bring to the table.

Special features

The strobe feature (instantly accessible with a side switch), the 850 lm capability, with the beam distance of 607 feet are the real “special features” behind this top-of-the-line tactical flashlight.

It’s easy to see why so many people out there consider this to be right up there with all of the other best tactical flashlight options, and why so many professional shooters, shooting amateurs, and people serious about their home defense and personal defense choose this tactical flashlight to mount on their weapon time and time again. It’s definitely a contender for the best shotgun light available.

Final verdict

There is a lot to love when it comes to the Fenix PD35, as you have no doubt discovered just by reading this review.

However, you don’t have to take my word for it. Just do a quick Google search and you will come across literally hundreds and hundreds of different glowingly positive reviews out there – all of them speaking to the same elements, benefits, and well put together piece of equipment that I have broken down above.

If you want the best tactical flashlight on the planet today, and don’t want to have to break the bank to get it, definitely consider the Fenix PD35.

You will not be disappointed!

The newest addition to Nitecore’s Precise series, the P25 Smilodon is named after the saber-tooth tiger because of the tac-light’s ferocity and power. The Nitecore P25 can be used as an edc flashlight or as a shotgun light. Many law enforcement agencies use the Nitecore P25 as a mounted lighting device because of its reliability.

 

The NiteCore P25 offers military quality without the high price that comes from buying military surplus gear. The light’s body is made from aircraft grade aluminum and has a HAIII military grade hard finish. The entire light is fully submersible up to two meters, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the device. The light is built to be rugged, tough, and very dependable.

Specifications

• Equipped with Premium CREE XM-L U2 LED lights
• The flashlight has a maximum output of 860 lumens
• The high-efficiency internal circuit board has over 325 hours of runtime
• Integrated power indicator light that displays remaining battery power
• Waterproof with IPX-8 to two meters
• The flashlight measures 6.3 inches by 1.6 inches by 1.6 inches and weighs 6.4 ounces
• The batteries are made from Lithium metal
• The chassis is constructed from aero-military grade hard-anodized aluminum alloys
• The tactical flashlight has a peak beam intensity of 20,000 cd
• The light has a throw distance of up to 283 meters
• Ultra-clear mineral glass with an anti-reflective coating
• Integrated dual connector rail that can be attached to mounting rails and other systems
• The package comes with a micro USB car charger
• Comes with a 40 millimeter diffuser so the device can be used as a reading light
• Comes with settings for strobe, SOS, and regular use

VIDEO | Nitecore P25

Features

The Light’s five output modes make it useful in any situation. The lowest setting has an output of 2 lumens, which is typical for a regular flashlight. In the lowest output mode, the tactical flashlight has a runtime of up to 325 hours.

A typical tac-light only has a runtime of about 168 hours, which pushes the NiteCore P25 head and shoulders above the competition. On turbo mode, the flashlight has an output of 860 lumens, which is enough for self-defense or scaring away large animals.

Easy Recharge

Many tactical lights that use regular batteries run out of power quickly, so you have to spend more money on batteries than you would using a rechargeable light. The NiteCore P25 uses non-standard, rechargeable batteries, so you will only have to make one battery purchase for the life of the product. Right below the device’s head, there’s a small rubber cap that covers a USB charging port. Once you remove the rubber cap, you can use any micro-USB plug to charge the tactical flashlight. Many people prefer charging their tac-light in the car, so it will always be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Many Add-Ons

The NiteCore P25 comes with a USB charger, a rugged holster, and a titanium pocket clip. The tactical flashlight is compatible with many aftermarket products, so you can combine the device with your favorite holster or lanyard. Replacement parts such as new batteries, tail caps, and O-rings can be purchased online on the NiteCore website.

Pros

• The tactical flashlight has a unique single button interface that can rapidly switch between eight different brightness levels, and turn the tactical flashlight on and off
• The charger works quickly and effectively, reducing the charging time and making it safe to charge in wet environments
• The integrated micro-USB charging port is water, dust, and impact resistant
• NiteCore’s intelligent memory function stores your preferred brightness levels at the click of a button
• The radiator fins at the front dissipate much of the heat from the 860-lumen bulb
• The tactical flashlight can easily be stood on its tail
• The device has integrated, spring-loaded impact absorption that can sustain many powerful blows before encountering issues
• The flashlight is very bright even on the lowest setting
• When incorporated with a holster, the flashlight is easy and quick to deploy

Cons

• On turbo mode, the battery only lasts one hour and fifteen minutes
• The NiteCore P25 might feel a little heavy compared to other NiteCore models
• Batteries are not included with the NiteCore P25
• The device requires special batteries that are hard to find in a regular store

Final Verdict

Easy to use and quick to deploy, the NiteCore P25 is a handy flashlight for any application. The flashlight can be easily drawn from a duty belt, and is a must have for anyone who uses a flashlight in conjunction with a pistol or firearm. The NiteCore P25 is durable, effective, and affordable, making it one of the most popular tactical flashlights currently on the market.