Torch Review - The Klarus XT11

I received my Klarus XT11 a few months ago and am now getting my first chance to sit, relax and provide some feedback on this exceptional tactical torch. 

Having been active in the Police service for over 20 years I am by no means new to stress testing equipment. I've served as a patrol officer, on a tactical team and as an instructor. I have also participated in a number of tests of tactical products for specialised team use.

On receiving my Klarus XT11 the first thing that struck me was the minute attention to detail in everything down to the packaging. Everything I needed was there, torch, batteries, charger, lanyard, pouch the whole lot. Just looking at the torch I could tell that it is of extremely high quality manufacturing. No rough edges, no machining burs, no jiggles or rattles. Nice, robust and clean. Controls of the torch were easy to find as they're naturally located when using it tactically. My first tactical vehicle stop for the night sold me and made me a Klarus user for life.

Stopping a suspected stolen vehicle with multiple occupants is never easy or simple. Using the strobe function I was able to literally incapacitate the occupants as my partner approached the vehicle and I provided cover. It was amazing - no matter how the exiting driver tried, he couldn't look directly in the direction of the strobe. It caused immediate disorientation and his hands went straight up to cover his eyes as our verbal commands rained down on him. His companions in the car were as dazzled and confused - and weren't able to look back at us either. What a superb tool! Just a simple flashlight deployed in a tactical manner was able to give me a life saving advantage in a volatile situation.

Later on the shift, we were first respondents to an accident scene involving multiple vehicles. I was able to use the XT11 in 50% brightness mode to cast light over the entire scene without dazzling the EMS personnel working to rescue a trapped driver. The shift and testing didn't stop there though. All through my shift I was using it like a boy with a new toy. The brightness of the beam was unbelievable and yet when searching a house that may have been broken into, there was no splash back of the light when shining it against full length windows - the beam simply traveled internally as if by magic. 

Believe it or not, all of this testing in and around my shift wasn't even the jaw dropping part. Yes, I got it a little wet over the next few shifts and yes, I did indeed drop it a couple of times and it survived - I would expect nothing less with such precision engineering.

The jaw dropping part is that when I went on leave it lay with my kit bag for 4 weeks unused. Straight out of the bag I pressed the switch and there it was - bright and ready and thirsty for work - no noticeable battery drain!I was amazed that the battery hadn't drained noticeably after being unused for so long

Overall I can categorically say that I will never go on duty again without a Klarus torch by my side. As a Police Officer it's one of the best tactical tools I've encountered. Clearly designed by professionals for hard wearing use, it even slipped into a mount on my R5 without question. A figure 8 mount placed it squarely on a normal SAPS issue shotgun - and I can tell you that once you've mounted a XT11 on a shottie you will NEVER use a shotgun in the same way - it changes the tactical application completely and you'll wonder how you ever worked without one.

If you're one of those policemen who is after the best tactical tools available - you have to get an XT11.


Written By: Craig P.
Cape Town

Klarus XT11 - Tactical Review

I received my Klarus XT11 a few months ago and am now getting my first chance to sit, relax and provide some feedback on this exceptional tactical torch. 

Having been active in the Police service for over 20 years I am by no means new to stress testing equipment. I've served as a patrol officer, on a tactical team and as an instructor. I have also participated in a number of tests of tactical products for specialised team use.

On receiving my Klarus XT11 the first thing that struck me was the minute attention to detail in everything down to the packaging. Everything I needed was there, torch, batteries, charger, lanyard, pouch the whole lot. Just looking at the torch I could tell that it is of extremely high quality manufacturing. No rough edges, no machining burs, no jiggles or rattles. Nice, robust and clean. Controls of the torch were easy to find as they're naturally located when using it tactically. My first tactical vehicle stop for the night sold me and made me a Klarus user for life.

Stopping a suspected stolen vehicle with multiple occupants is never easy or simple. Using the strobe function I was able to literally incapacitate the occupants as my partner approached the vehicle and I provided cover. It was amazing - no matter how the exiting driver tried, he couldn't look directly in the direction of the strobe. It caused immediate disorientation and his hands went straight up to cover his eyes as our verbal commands rained down on him. His companions in the car were as dazzled and confused - and weren't able to look back at us either. What a superb tool! Just a simple flashlight deployed in a tactical manner was able to give me a life saving advantage in a volatile situation. 

Later on the shift, we were first respondents to an accident scene involving multiple vehicles. I was able to use the XT11 in 50% brightness mode to cast light over the entire scene without dazzling the EMS personnel working to rescue a trapped driver. The shift and testing didn't stop there though. All through my shift I was using it like a boy with a new toy. The brightness of the beam was unbelievable and yet when searching a house that may have been broken into, there was no splash back of the light when shining it against full length windows - the beam simply traveled internally as if by magic.

Believe it or not, all of this testing in and around my shift wasn't even the jaw dropping part. Yes, I got it a little wet over the next few shifts and yes, I did indeed drop it a couple of times and it survived - I would expect nothing less with such precision engineering.

The jaw dropping part is that when I went on leave it lay with my kit bag for 4 weeks unused. Straight out of the bag I pressed the switch and there it was - bright and ready and thirsty for work - no noticeable battery drain!I was amazed that the battery hadn't drained noticeably after being unused for so long

Overall I can categorically say that I will never go on duty again without a Klarus torch by my side. As a Police Officer it's one of the best tactical tools I've encountered. Clearly designed by professionals for hard wearing use, it even slipped into a mount on my R5 without question. A figure 8 mount placed it squarely on a normal SAPS issue shotgun - and I can tell you that once you've mounted a XT11 on a shottie you will NEVER use a shotgun in the same way - it changes the tactical application completely and you'll wonder how you ever worked without one.

If you're one of those policemen who is after the best tactical tools available - you have to get an XT11.


Written By: Craig P.
Cape Town

Why you need a Blue Filter on your Flashlight

Filters for your tactical flashlight are created to extend the usage of your flashlight to make it more efficient.

Let’s take a look at why we need a blue light filter...

Blue filters help when you are out camping or hiking and you need to read your map. The light will cast black lines against the white and make it easier to read. So, if you are staying overnight in the dark while camping or on a mission, a blue light filter can mean the difference between getting lost and staying on the right path.

One of the additional uses of blue filters is for hunters. Blue light somewhat makes blood look fluorescent, which makes picking up a blood trail and tracking wounded animals at night easier to do. The blue light helps the blood stand out against foliage.

Take a look at the Klarus Light website, where you will find a blue light filter that screws tightly onto the Klarus XT11 torch.

Why you need a Green Filter on your Flashlight

You’ve just bought your new tactical flashlight; why not add some additional colourful filters? In some situations it is really a good idea to have a different colour light, especially when you want to go unnoticed.

A green light filter is often used for hunting in the dark. Animals are not able to see green light if it is from the side, however they can see it straight on. This is the reason why animals are not scared by the green light and they won’t run away.

When you’re hunting and you need to be stealthy, a green light filter can really come in handy.

Some lights, like the Klarus XT11 has a green filter specifically made for it, which screws tightly onto the front of the flashlight and will not drop off and get lost.

With the human eye being most sensitive to the green range of light this makes it an optimal colour to use when traversing through the forest when you are using a low intensity.

Review – Klarus Light XT11

The light itself is constructed of aircraft aluminium with a dark grey hard-anodized finish that is well matched across all parts of the flashlight.

The light is easily disassembled into its component parts – Head, body, tail cap and tactical ring.  All parts thread together very smoothly.  The pocket clip can also be removed without the use of tools. O-rings installed at the head and tail help the XT11 achieve an IPX-8 rating against water ingress.

Here are some other features of the XT11:

>> The head of the XT11 features a finned base and is topped off with the removable crenelated bezel ring.

>> The bezel ring is easily removed by hand allowing the installation of the optional filters or diffuser.

>> Battery contact at the head is maintained, even under recoil through the use of a brass spring.

>> The body is finished with a checkered pattern for improved grip.  The removable pocket clip snaps securely into place and is held in place by friction against the body.

>> Lettering is a slightly off-white colour and is very sharp and legible against the dark grey background.

>> The removable tactical ring installs between the tail cap and body.  The ring also provides an additional lanyard attachment point and is able to rotate freely around the body of the flashlight.

>> Inside the tail cap a brass spring-loaded button is used to make and maintain battery contact.  Batteries may be loaded from either the head or tail.

>> The tail cap houses the two switches and has raised edges which provide a lanyard attachment point and protect against accidental activation.  The main switch protrudes slightly beyond the raised edges meaning the XT11 cannot tail stand.  A flat area is machined into the outer edge of the tail cap to allow indexing the light so that the user’s thumb is properly aligned with the switches.

>> The two tail cap switches have distinct purposes with the taller round switch serving to turn the XT11 on and off and the shorter mode button used to cycle through the operating modes.

>> The main switch is a forward clicky and allows momentary operation with a partial press and constant-on operation with a full press and click.  The XT11 always turns on in high mode first.

>> When the light is on, each press and release of the mode button will advance to the next output mode (High -> Medium -> Low -> Back to High).  Holding the Mode button for 2 seconds will activate the strobe mode.

>> The strobe mode may also be accessed directly while the XT11 is off by pressing the Mode button.

When it’s all said and done, the Klarus XT11’s biggest selling points are going to be its price and feature set.  I do believe it is a little more “tacticool” than “tactical” and it is better suited for general use rather than in a hardcore tactical environment.

To purchase the Klarus XT11 for yourself, all you need to do is visit Klarus Light's website and place your order. If you're looking for something else, there is a wide range of different flashlights and accessories to choose from!