Gone are the days of short battery life, dim glow, and touchy flashlights. LED flashlights are now brighter, more durable, and more efficient. They come in different styles with different features so there’s something to suit everybody. But, if you’re looking for a powerful flashlight, buy a tactical light. It helps with seeing in the dark and can also save your life. This guide explains what a tactical flashlight is and will introduce you to the best one!
4 Factors That Make a Flashlight "Tactical"
Searching for the perfect tactical flashlight is not easy due to the many factors you need to consider before purchasing a tactical flashlight. First and foremost, it has to be effective and efficient for whatever task you plan to use it for. To give you a better idea, we’ve listed the most significant factors to look for in a tactical flashlight:
Output: This refers to the amount of light a flashlight can offer along with the available ranges of lighting modes.
Most flashlights offer various output levels which could range from 0.5 to 1,000+ lumens. The output levels are useful, giving you the ability to use your flashlight in more situations. After all, you don’t want your flashlight to be too dim so you can’t see anything or too bright so that it blinds you at night.
Lighting Modes: This is generally the same as outputs. There are various lighting modes that flashlights usually have including low, mid, high, etc. Many also offer specialty lighting modes like a full-lumen burst, SOS, and strobe which each serve a different purpose. Strobe is useful for disorienting assailants. SOS, on the other hand, is great for sending a signal for help.
Size: If you want a convenient and portable flashlight to carry, size is important. The flashlight should fit comfortably in your grip. It should be big enough that it won’t slip from your grasp if you need to use it as a blunt instrument.
Construction: It is also important to consider the materials a tactical flashlight is made out of. So here is a list of typical flashlight specs to check to ensure that the construction of the tactical flashlight is sturdy:
Finish: A black finish is more common, but other colors may be available giving your flashlight more personality. You’ll want to make sure that it has a good finish on it to prevent scratches and damage like a hard anodized finish.
Lens: The lens should be made of high-strength glass and be scratch-resistant. Plastic lenses are okay and usually durable, but make sure that it’s scratch-resistant.
Weight: The lighter, the better since a lightweight flashlight is more convenient to carry.
Waterproof: Make sure the flashlight has a good IP (Ingress Protection) rating, at least IP66 is what I’d recommend.
Discover the Best Tactical Flashlight
The best tactical flashlights are multipurpose and have features that help in critical times!
If you’re looking for the best brand when buying a tactical light, I recommend Fenix flashlights. You can visit Fenix Store and find some of the best flashlights on the market. The Fenix PD36 TAC is definitely the best tactical flashlight in 2021. So let’s get into why the Fenix PD36 TAC is the best tactical flashlight.
6 Reasons Why Fenix Has the Best Tactical Flashlight
Fenix flashlights are sturdy, bright, and reliable. Their tac lights are made of stainless steel and anodized aluminum which is military grade. Additionally, their tactical flashlights have accessible tail-switches, perforated strike bezels, and many useful functions. Finally, this brand has proven itself to be reliable as you can see from their users’ reviews of their tactical flashlights.
The most anticipated tac flashlight for 2021 is the Fenix PD36 TAC. It has advanced technology, precision-made materials, and waterproof construction. Below are the main features of this flashlight so you can see for yourself why it’s awesome:
Output: The PD36 TAC has a superb output of 3000 lumens! It has a maximum beam distance of 898 feet which will allow you to spot objects from afar. Moreover, the PD36 TAC LED flashlight operates utilizing a single 21700 battery.
Battery: It also comes with the Fenix ARB-L21-5000U, a USB Type-C rechargeable battery. The battery has an indicator to tell whether the battery is still charging or not. The maximum running time via the eco output is 160 hours!
Size: This flashlight is compact and portable. It is about 5.5 inches in length, and it comes with a pocket clip which is convenient when carrying the light.
Construction: The PD36 TAC is sturdy since it’s made from A6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Additionally, this flashlight has double springs that resist damage from external impact up to 1.5 meters. This means when you drop it accidentally, it won’t break!
It also has tactical and mechanical toggle switches and two operation modes that give you more control over the function of the light. Not to mention, it also has an IP68 waterproof rating. The PD36 TAC flashlight is a versatile tactical flashlight for everyday use!
Tactical Flashlight Operation: The PD36 TAC features a unique operating system with a mechanical toggle and tactical tail switch. You can do most of the operation through the tail switch. A full press will turn the flashlight on and a tap will let you choose the brightness level. Additionally, you can press and hold the tail switch for the strobe mode.
The switch for the mechanical toggle is found at the end of the flashlight next to the tail switch. This toggle switch allows you to choose between the Tactical Mode and the Duty Mode. Consequently, it means that you can lock in the opted brightness level. These two modes are ideal for working in various environments and different situations you’re in.
Tactical Mode and Duty Mode: The Tactical Mode works only in the high brightness level or strobe mode. The high brightness level in this mode is 2000 lumens. On the other hand, the Duty Mode has access to the rest of the outputs. It has a turbo, high, medium, low, and eco brightness levels of 3000, 1000, 350, 150, and 30 lumens.
Compatibility: The PD36 TAC is compatible with many accessories available in the market, especially from Fenix. For example, you can pair the PD36 TAC with the Fenix ALG-18 gun mount. If you’re looking for a remote pressure switch, the AER-05 is the perfect accessory. So, Fenix has various accessories that work with this tactical flashlight.
Takeaway
Fenix offers the best and brightest flashlights on the market along with the best tactical flashlight for 2021. The PD36 TAC is effective and efficient to use!
