I have a family member who is graduating from the local police academy in a couple weeks. I’d like to get him a good flashlight to use.
It will (I assume) need to have a good, durable holster - and obviously be a good durable light.
It’s been a few years since I bought a good light. Any suggestions?
If you have the coin, try to find an older Elzetta Bravo. Everything about them is tough, and the weakest points are probably the batteries, the clicky switch, and the lens, in that order.
For general EDC, you could always get him an Emisar d3AA or wait for the Kr1AA to come out.
If you just want something more basic, you could get him some kind of Streamlight.
Weltool F8R is specially designed for duty and law enforcement, you need to order the FH4 holster separately
Sofirn sk30. Buy 2, then he has a spare.
Comes with holster and battery.
Olight Warrior Ultra
Olight Warrior 3S
Nextorch TA30C, TA30D
Nextorch TA30C Max
Devil’s Advocate here.
I was in the same situation to select a light for a KY State Trooper graduate. He suggested a Streamlight. I looked at all the usual suspects and bought the Streamlight he chose.
There seems to be a strong, undeclared preference for & standardization on Streamlight lights for LEO’s. Their warranty is second to none. More importantly, an Officer would be well served to be able to pick up any light from any other LEO in any threatening situation and have an identical UI without needless fiddling.
We all know that there are likely ‘better’ lights. When it comes to safety at a moments notice, a familiar, reliable standard is more desirable for a LEO / 1st. Responder than the n-th. degree of performance & complex UI.
slmjim
You may have to get somebody on etsy.com to make you a custom holster.
Most of these don’t come with a holster if they do offer a holster, it’s a big ugly holster
I would get a custom one.
Lights:
Weltool T2
Weltool t19
Weltool T12 plus (this one is slightly wider and longer)
I second this, but a current AVS headed bravo or charlie is also a great pick.
My friend is policeman and I have purchased Convoy M21E SFT40 for him before almost 3 years.
He used it daily and he is very satisfied.
Fenix TK21R or TK20R UE
Fenix TK16v2
Fenix PD36 TAC
Olight Warrior 3S (standard or Ultra)
Acebeam P17 Defender
Klarus XT11GT Pro v2
NEXTORCH TA30D
NEXTORCH A30D Max
All excellent lights
Good post…it’s due to standardization, seamlessness & cost control that most agencies have a definite requirement for their officers to carry & use department-issued duty flashlights, typically from Streamlight and Surefire.
These same agencies typically provide all the CR123 cells needed, which would otherwise become a burdensome cost to shoulder for officers on relatively low salaries.
Streamlight, it’s bright enough and very damage resistant. Before I retired from the Sheriff’s dept I carried the Mateminco TK01. It did everything I needed and was generally bullet-proof. Since then Streamlight has caught up. We need on/off with a few modes. Playing with the flashlight and mode rotation is the last thing needed when other things have our full attention.
another vote for Streamlight.
he will be wearing a uniform
and Streamlight is as uniform
as it gets for LEOs in the USA.
They probably supply all the '123s you’d need, so I’d get one that can take a pair of them vs an 18650 or whatnot.
Streamlight and/or Suefire are usually department-preferred, and might even be department-issued.
Couple LEOs I know carried the Streamlight as duty unit and kept preferred light in pocket for backup.
Buddy Don said you don’t want to the dork without what everyone else is using and the fact they are assembled in Phonexville, PA USA goes a long way.
Phonexville’s claim to fame is this;
The 1958 Steve McQueen Blob movie filmed there.
Now they have this festival every year.
