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I started my law enforcement career in the late 90s and the first light that I carried was a Streamlight SL-20®. Through the years, I changed lights depending on my assignments and based on my needs. For example, my primary light on SWAT became a Strion® on my vest and a TLR-1® on my pistol. When I went into a position as a nighttime traffic/DUI cop, I began using the Streamlight UltraStinger®. When I was a firearms instructor at the police academy, I wore a Sidewinder® on my vest for low light training. This was so that I could be easily identified and located on a range in near total darkness. Over ten years have passed since I joined the team at Streamlight and one thing has remained constant; I get asked on a weekly basis which light I personally use the most and which light I recommend.
To answer the question of which light is the best, you must think of flashlights as tools. There are some lights that are like multi-tools and can tackle numerous tasks. Then there are the specialty lights that are designed with a specific task in mind. The key is to identify a need and then determine which light tackles that need the best. It’s like picking the right size wrench or screwdriver from the toolbox. So, the real question should be, “What light is the best for my specific need?”.
If I could only have one tool to keep on me, in my bag or in my car 24/7, it would be a folding multi-tool. Similarly, if I could only have one light to carry on me, have with me in my car or in my travels, I would want it to be able to perform a variety of tasks. It may not be the best tool for a specific job, but it will be able to perform a multitude of needs. First, I need to look at several factors when deciding which light that would be. Those factors should be:
1. What’s the power source? Can I recharge the light and/or use non-rechargeable batteries in the light?
2. Is the light bright enough to complete everyday tasks and act as a tactical light that can identify threats and temporarily disorient someone?
3. Can the light fit comfortably in my pocket for carrying if needed?
Remember, the best light is the one you have on you when you really need it. When factoring all these things in, the first light I might choose is the Streamlight ProTac® 2L-X USB. This multi-fuel light can run on our rechargeable SL-B26® battery pack or on two CR123A lithium batteries (If I don’t have time to charge the light or have a spare SL-B26® on hand). This type of versatility is probably the most determining factor in deciding to buy your first quality flashlight.
The next thing to consider is the lights output. The ProTac® 2L-X USB has an output of 500 lumens and 6,800 candela. This is a considerable amount of light for most tasks. If you’re working on something or looking for a lost set of keys under your car seat, 500 lumens of light is plenty. As an EDC light that is being used in a tactical situation, I believe that 500 lumens and 6,800 candela is a good amount for confrontations at close distance. You could always move up to a ProTac® HL-X USB if you feel that you need more light. This increases output to 1,000 lumens and 27,100 candela. However, this increases the bezel size a little bit, making it a tight fit in your pocket for EDC. Which brings us to the third deciding factor. What can comfortably fit in my pocket? I won’t be inclined to carry the light in my pocket if it’s too big. A ProTac® HL-X USB might be a good fit if I carry it on my belt or as a backup light for law enforcement, but I may feel more comfortable with the ProTac® 2L-X USB in my pocket. That brings me back to my choice of the ProTac® 2L-X USB. As a first light, I just don’t think you can go wrong with it.
There are certainly other factors to consider though if you don’t plan on carrying a light in your pocket at all. If you pull away that third factor and just want a light that is bright and can use different battery sources, then I’d look at the ProTac® HL-X USB or the ProTac® HPL USB. The latter can run on either the Strion®-style lithium battery, the SL-B26® battery pack, or two CR123A batteries. The use of the Strion®-style battery also allows you to USB charge the battery in the light without removing it.
Just as your tool collection grows to different types of wrenches and drivers and sockets, your flashlight needs may also change, and your collection will grow. For example, I have a Strion® mounted in my car so that it’s always charged and available. If I was back in law enforcement, I would have a Stinger®/UltraStinger® LED/Stinger® 2020 mounted in my patrol car. If I was working at a ranch, I would have a Waypoint® 400 mounted in my truck for looking for cattle, horses etc. The point is that as your needs grow, Streamlight has a tool that will fit your needs.
