How to Use a Strobing Flashlight
Strobes have become extremely popular on police flashlights, but this tool has its pluses and minuses.
Strobing Flashlights and Weapon Lights
Almost every major police flashlight or weapons light manufacturer is now offering lights that feature strobing. Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular makes and models and how the strobe is triggered for each.
5.11 Tactical Light for Life Series
Law enforcement gear, apparel, and footwear manufacturer 5.11 entered the flashlight market a couple of years ago with the full-size (11.5 inches long) Light for Life UC3.400. The company now also makes a mid-size model, the 8.75-inch PC3.300. Both flashlights recharge in 90 seconds thanks to capacitor technology and both offer strobe features. The full-size light sports a 270-lumen strobe that is triggered by two clicks of the “on” button. To activate the 200-lumen strobe on the mid-size model, you push and hold the “on” button.
BlackHawk’s Night-Ops line of tactical illumination tools includes the Gladius Maximis flashlight and the Xiphos NT weapons light. Both have strobe features and both are named for swords carried by ancient soldiers. The Gladius Maximis is a 6.23-inch flashlight with a maximum output of 120 lumens and a runtime of 90 minutes. To activate the strobe, the operator turns the tail ring and pushes the tail switch. The Xiphos NT is a 3-volt, rail-mounted pistol light with 90 lumens of output. Its strobe feature is activated by tapping the “on” lever twice.
Designed by police officers for police officers, Brite-Strike’s Blue Dot 198 line offers several models with strobe features. The lights take their name from their maximum output of 198 lumens, and they are available with a variety of different functions. The functions are activated via an end cap switch. To turn on the strobe, the operator cycles through high, low, and strobe modes by pushing the end cap button.
Recently acquired by Nite Ize Corp., Inova is best known for its keychain lights, but the company makes some excellent duty lights. The T4 is a rechargeable model with an output of 200 lumens. A mid-body switch activates high, low, momentary, and strobe modes. The T5 is a nine-inch-long lithium battery-powered flashlight with a maximum output of 200 lumens. It also has a four-mode mid-body switch.
Insight Tech-Gear Arcturus Line
Insight’s 150-lumen Arcturus lights come in two versions: a rechargeable and a lithium battery-operated model. The light’s functions are activated by pressing the tail cap. Two quick clicks triggers the strobe.
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