The most important features a Tactical Torch should always have!

When tactical flashlights are researched and tested, you have to look at a lot of different things. For a wide range of grade-A tactical torches and other flashlights, take a look at Klarus Light’s website.

Here are some of the things any real tactical flashlight should always have:

Runs on AA batteries
- It is the most common battery in the world. In a survival situation this is very good. A great flashlight is no good at all if you can’t turn it on.

Ultra Durable
- This is kind of self-explanatory. If your flashlight is broken or it breaks easily, it just becomes a torch-shaped paperweight.

Chipped
- Chipped flashlights are more efficient with batteries as they are electronically controlled and run longer and brighter. They will hold brightness over time and then dim quickly at the end of the battery’s life-cycle.

Latest LED Diodes
- Each flashlight has to run on the latest or very close to the latest LED diodes. LED tech has gotten to the point where you can have super bright lights that last a very long time.

Multiple Modes
- Each flashlight should have at least one bright mode (to blind attackers), a mid-range mode (for everyday tasks) and a low light mode (for night use or super long life).

Reputation
- It’s important that the flashlight you choose has a solid reputation and has proven to be effective in the field time and time again. If you're looking for a tactical torch with an amazing reputation throughout the globe, take a look at www.klaruslight.co.za and place your order today!

Anytime a company or brand claims they have the best product you always have to do your research. Make sure you go through these six things and make sure your tactical torch has them!

The different types of flashlight reflectors

The design of a flashlight reflector makes a big difference in the way the light beam is emitted by the flashlight. Without a reflector, the light would spread in all directions, like a candle. There are several different types of reflectors, each with their advantages. Here are a few…

Smooth Reflector 

The smooth reflector is the most common type used in your average flashlights. The beam put out by this type of reflector is usually full of “rings and holes”, meaning rings of light and patches of darkness. Some of the better smooth reflectors put out a decent beam of light, but most don’t.

Course Faceted Reflector 
In a course faceted reflector, the facets all act like tiny little mirrors, sending the spot of light in the same direction. This usually results in a very nice, smooth beam which does not need focusing.

Fine Faceted Reflectors 

The facets in this reflector are much finer than those in a course faceted reflector. The finer the facets, the smoother the beam will be!

Spiral Faceted Reflector 

The facets of a spiral faceted reflector have the same effect as the faceted reflectors, above, but the fine facets in a tight spiral help it achieve a smoother beam.

Hybrid Reflector 

This reflector contains faceting, but only near the bulb. This helps to get rid of the central “hole” found in the beam from the most smooth reflectors. It’s a way to produce a decent beam without the expense of making the reflectors fully faceted.

Textured Reflector 

This last one is called many things, including “textured” or like an orange peel. This is considered by some to be the ultimate faceted reflector. Instead of facets, there is a gentle texture on the reflector that again projects a very smooth beam with little or no “rings and holes”. This type of reflector is usually found in better quality lights.

KLARUS has rapidly become one of the most sought after brands of torch worldwide. Renowned for its durability and robust construction with high output. Get your Klarus flashlight today!

The Best Tactical Torch for EDC

What will happen in the middle of the night when your car breaks down and you are stuck on the side of the road?

Well, for one, you are going to end up fumbling around in the dark – unless – you have a high-quality, reliable torch on hand. If you do, then you won’t have any trouble sorting out your issues or signaling for help.

A good quality torch is an important part of your emergency kit, in your home as well as in your car.

Actually, it is probably one of the most important items to keep around for roadside assistance.

Let’s take a look at what defines the best flashlight for EDC or your emergency car kit...

Torch Lumen Output – It is useless to have a torch that’s lumen count is so low that when you turn it on the light is too dim to do any good! You definitely don’t want this to happen at night when you are stranded, so make sure that your torch lumen output is at least 250 lumens.

Size – The best flashlight for your car is light and small enough to fit someone convenient, such as your glove compartment or emergency kit.

Battery Life – What’s the use of having a flashlight in your car if the battery dies in a few minutes? Make sure to use high-quality batteries and keep a spare pair on hand.

Durability – A cheap torch that you bought from the bargain bin is not going to survive should you be involved in a car accident. It might not even last long just sitting in your car or your emergency kit so it is important that your car torch is durable.

Take a moment to browse through the variety of high quality, durable yet affordable LED flashlight Klarus Light has to offer!

The Five Basic Categories of Flashlights

As we’ve moved from burning branches to battery-powered tubes, the number of options for handheld light has multiplied. You may think that all flashlights are the same, but boy you’d be wrong.

Here are the five basic categories of flashlights...

Key-chain/EDC. Typically 3” or less in length, these flashlights are an essential part of one’s EDC (Everyday Carry) kit. Their small size allows you to stick them in your pocket, stash them in various bags, or — and this is the easiest, most foolproof option — attach to a keychain. With their low light, they are intended to be used as a backup or emergency flashlight, not your primary one. The plastic variety often runs on coil cell batteries, like what you’d find in a watch, so when it dies; you’re better off replacing it entirely versus going through the hassle of replacing the battery. There are also some slightly higher-powered aluminium versions out there that will run on a single AA or AAA battery. In general, a keychain light won’t break your bank.

Utility. This is what you’ll find in most houses as a general use flashlight. It’s not a serious light by any means. It’s probably lightweight, made of plastic, and gives off just enough light to get the job done. They’re cheap, and will last a few years for your most basic flashlight needs.

Tactical.  A tactical flashlight is simply a flashlight that’s been designed for tactical (i.e. military or police) use. Many tactical flashlights are designed to be mounted to a weapon for low-light shooting. They’re typically smaller than traditional flashlights, emit much more light, and are made of weapon-grade aluminium for maximum durability. While tactical flashlights are designed primarily for military and police units, they’re also a really handy everyday and personal defence tool for the average Joe.

These will generally be 3-7” in length, and are meant to be carried on your person as a self-defence tool. They may be small, but they pack a punch.

Heavy-Duty or Industrial. These are the heavy, generally aluminium flashlights that you have in your house or garage, or on a worksite for extended use. Because of their hefty weight, some people carry them as a personal defence weapon as well. They give a lot of power but retain their handy size at generally between 5-14” long. They’re usually too big for a pocket, but still easily handheld.

Emergency. These are hand-cranked or solar powered lights that don’t rely on batteries. They’re used mainly in emergency kits.

Make sure you're always prepared with a flashlight in hand! Take a look at the Klarus Light website and choose from a variety of torches, including tactical flashlights, bicycle lights and even mini key-chain flashlights.

The most important flashlights that everyone should own

There is no such thing as having too many flashlights. You should always have multiple flashlights, because every single one has a different use. Visit Klarus Light for a wide selection of different flashlights!

It’s great to have a flashlight within arm’s reach at all times, these are the five types you should keep around…

Keychain Light

This flashlight is small and inexpensive, a keychain light can be your new best friend! It provides light in and around your car – this is especially good when you are alone walking to your car. It illumination power will not be able to match that of larger lights, but you don’t always need a beam bright enough to melt steel. A little squeeze is often all you need, and it’s just right for checking pupil dilation in first aid situations.

Pen Light

Pen lights have really come a long way over the years. Bright beams, long battery life and a tough construction are just a few of the typical characteristics. A pen light is perfect to keep in your purse, pocket, and survival kit or anywhere a compact light would be welcome. Pen lights that clip onto a hat brim or a pocket are extra handy.

Tactical Light

When you’re in a situation where you hear a bump in the night, a tactical light with high-lumen, ultra-bright tactical light will be perfect. These lights are able to reach out into the darkness and let you see what you want and need. Look for lights that have multiple features like battery saving low-intensity settings and an attacker disorienting strobe setting.

Heavy Light

Yes, there is still a place for those large, long and clunky battery flashlights. You should keep one on the table next to your bed as they double as a light and a backup weapon!

Head Lamp

This is many people’s favourite in most situations. The headlamp gives us hands-free lighting, very often with a long battery life. Headlamps will stream illumination wherever you look, while keeping both your hands free to do work.

What kind of lights do you carry with you? Always have spares in case one becomes damaged or lost.

The Anatomy of a Flashlight

LENS: 

Most torch lenses are made from scratch resistant glass. It’s important to keep your lens as scratch free as possible because it is the final barrier between your light source and the world.

Some torches have a raised bevel around the lens to keep debris away; another option is to keep your torch in a holster, especially if you keep it in a vehicle where it is bound to roll around.

REFLECTOR: 

Reflectors come in two types...

-Smooth reflector: Ideal for a long throw, helps direct the light into a strong spotlight
-Orange Peel reflector (OP): Ideal for a distributed beam with a wide angle.

LED: 

The LED is where the light is emitted from and therefore is one of the most important parts of a torch. A vast majority of high performance LED’s are manufactured by CREE.

LED lights can vary in colour from “cool white” (the whitest beam) to “neutral white” (a slightly “warmer” more yellow beam, more ideal for hunting etc where you need more accurate depth perception at long distances)

New LED technology is constantly developing, you can check out this article for more information

DRIVER: 

The driver is a small transformer that takes the energy from the battery and makes it into a usable form of power for the LED.

The driver is also responsible for any modes the torch may have, such as SOS mode, Strobe mode or high, med and low modes.

BATTERY: 

Most advanced LED torches are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries.

These batteries come in various sizes with “18650”s being the most popular / industry standard for most advanced high output devices. They have a high output, a long run time and can typically be recharged around 500 times.

Protected batteries – Lithium batteries are volatile / can explode if shorted out in a bad way. “Protected” lithium batteries have an inbuilt protection fuse that runs down the side of the battery. In the event of a short circuit this fuse will blow before the battery will have a melt down.

Would you like to purchase high quality batteries at an affordable price? Order today from klaruslight.co.za

SWITCH: 

The switch turns the torch on and off, and also controls the modes (e.g strobe, high, med & low -for torches that have modes). Most switches are located at the rear tailcap of the torch, but can also be found towards the front of the torch handle torch where you would place your thumb.

Most switches are covered with a replaceable rubber membrane that makes them waterproof and long lasting.

There are two types of switches:

Basic switch: A basic switch simply works by clicking it on and off. Often you can change output modes on the torch by turning it on and off a few times.

Memory switch: A memory switch is the high tech brother of the basic switch.
Often you can program certain commands to turn on certain modes. e.g) hold down the switch for 2 seconds and it goes straight to strobe etc.

More about the Amazing Klarus Mi7 Flashlight

700 lumens coming from a flashlight that is smaller than a pen – just let that sink in for a minute or two. Then take a look at the awesome Klarus flashlight, the tiny, yet elegant Mi7.

If you thought you’d seen the last of the AA flashlights, since manufacturers have focused more on the 18650 battery, you’re wrong. Clearly Klarus haven’t forgotten about the die-hard fans of the AA battery.

The Mi7 comes in three striking colours and accepts two types of AA-sized batteries. The AA primary allows an output of up to 330 lumens for 55 minutes, and using a 14500 li-ion rechargeable battery more than doubles the output to 700 lumens.

Three levels with SOS/moonlight modes are controlled with a side-button switch, with one-touch access to the latter modes as well as a battery level indicator.

What about carrying the Mi7 around, won’t such a small flashlight be easy to lose? No ways! Carrying the Mi7 is easy thanks to the keychain friendly o-ring on its tail and its hard anodized aluminium body ensures that it doesn’t get damaged when in use.

Have your gotten over the 700 lumens from a flashlight of this size yet? If so, pick up the Klarus Mi7 from the Klarus website or email sales@klaruslight.co.za

How to Repair your Flashlight

When your light is no longer working, it can usually be fixed very easily...

However, it is possible that these simple solutions may not fix your problem. If it is an issue with the circuit board of the flashlight, then it would be best to have your light repaired under warranty.

Problem: Your Flashlight Is Shining Dimly

Solution: 

Check your batteries - When you're diagnosing a problem with anything, it's always a good idea to start with the simplest possible solution. If your light is shining dimly, the issue is probably weak batteries. Replace your batteries with a fresh set and you should be good to go!

Problem: Your Flashlight Is Flickering

Solution:

Dirt or grime on contacts - A common solution to flashlight flickering can be dirt or grime on the internal contacts of the light. Unscrew the head and tailcap (if your flashlight has a tailcap) off of the light and clean the contacts where the body touches the head or tailcap. To do this, you can use a damp paper towel. Wipe off any dirt and grime, and then assemble the flashlight again.

If this does not help, then there may be an issue with the circuitry of your flashlight, which should fall under a warranty repair. Most reputable manufacturers will either repair or replace your flashlight at this point.

Problem: Your Flashlight Is Not Turning On

Solution:

Check your batteries (see above)

Dirt or grime on contacts (see above)

Improperly assembled flashlight - Have you disassembled your flashlight and then found that it does not work upon reassembly? It is possible that you disassembled it improperly.

Disassemble your flashlight again. This time, upon reassembly, make sure that all o-rings are properly aligned and any pockets clips or accessories are correctly installed. The head and tailcap of the flashlight should fit snugly. If the head or tailcap are not tightening down all the way, make sure that any o-rings or other possible obstructions are not keeping you from tightening them down.

Leaked Battery - It is also possible that a battery might have leaked battery acid in your flashlight. If your flashlight takes alkaline batteries, this is definitely a possibility.

Disassemble your flashlight and remove your batteries. If there is any sign of corrosion, dispose of those batteries and no longer use them. Look into the body of the light and look for white or rust-coloured discoloration. If you see some, use a wire brush and a slightly acidic solvent to try and scrape any corrosion away.

It may also be necessary to take a file and remove any corroded metal at the base or head of the flashlight body (the area where the head and tailcap make contact with the body). There needs to be bare metal visible on both sides of the body for the flashlight to complete an electrical circuit to work properly.

After cleaning and removing the corrosion from the light, assemble the flashlight and test for functionality. If this does not help, you may try contacting the manufacturer. Although not guaranteed, your flashlight manufacturer may be willing to either replace or fix the flashlight under warranty.

Although not guaranteed to fix your light, always start with these steps to begin your flashlight troubleshooting.

Klarus Light produces and designs some of the best flashlights in the world. For a broad range of flashlights and accessories, contact Klarus today, or visit the website!

The Differences between Military Flashlights and LED Flashlights

If you compare the flashlight industry average with the military flashlights and LED flashlights you will see that these 2 models of flashlights are more advanced than every other flashlight. Although military flashlights and LED flashlights are very different from each other both perform highly.

Military flashlights are becoming very popular lately because of their multiple featured modes that allow all military flashlights to be classified not only as a simple light, but as a multi-functional tool that is useful in every situation. On the other side we have LED flashlights that have been trending for several years now in the flashlight industry as one of the brightest flashlights with the highest battery capacity available on the market.

Although both flashlight models have extremely high performances the big dilemma is which type of flashlight is more convenient for everyday usage?

Military flashlights specifications and features

In order for a flashlight to be classified as a military flashlight it has to fulfil certain conditions. The conditions that a military flashlight should have are: lumen capacity of more than 500 lumens, at least 2 featured modes, battery capacity that can last up to 48 hours and a rechargeable option.

LED flashlights specifications and advantages

LED flashlights on the other hand are very different than military flashlight in every field. In order for a flashlight to be classified as a LED flashlight it has to be upgraded with the latest hardware technology. The latest hardware technology works on a principal where instead of the outdated LED diodes a LED chip is used. LED diodes are known for not transmitting the entire lumen capacity of a flashlight because of their circular body structure. Unlike LED diodes, LED chips have a square body structure that can successfully transmit the entire lumen capacity of a flashlight. 

If you are having trouble choosing a military flashlight or a LED flashlight, take a look at Klarus Light’s wide range of flashlights and flashlight accessories.

Review – XTQ1

Like the RS11, the XTQ1 comes in a store-shelf display packaging. (Check out Klarus Light’s Winter Special for the XTQ1 – 50% discount due to incorrect packaging for the flashlight!)

The hard anodizing is a matt dark brownish gray and consistent throughout with no chips or blemishes. Lettering is not very bright white, but legible against the background.

You can take the light apart without any tools and get three parts. 

The XTQ1 has a stainless steel crenulated bezel ring, which is removable, allowing light to shine through when left placed head down. Like the RS11, the bezel ring is not directly touch the o-ring & lens in the head. There is an inner ring similar to bracket between the bezel ring and lens. This structure seems more shock-resistance.

There is a raised contact spring in the head of the light, so flat-top 18650 batteries should work fine in the light. The light has reverse polarity protection to protect from incorrect battery installation (i.e., the electronics of the XTQ1 has in-built reverse polarity protection).

The light uses toughened ultra-clear lens. The purple hue is reflected on it. The aluminium reflector has a light orange peel pattern. Surface finish on the reflector is nice from visual inspection, and well-centred LED sits at the bottom of the reflector cup.

The battery tube has no knurling. But with all the ridge detail and extra elements around the head and body, overall grip is good. The stainless steel clip-on pocket clip seems to hold on fairly well. It is head-facing, and not reversible. The bundled grip ring is a metal. It can spin even when the tail cap is fully tightened, but it's not inconvenient using the light.

The wall thickness of the body is about 1.9mm, and the light seems reasonably solid.

The screw threads are trapezoidal-cut of good quality. Both male and female threads in the head and tail part are well machined, with being anodized which allows the light to be locked-out when the head or tail cap is slightly loosened. Threads on the both ends of the body mate well with no issues of cross-threading or grinding.

At the tail base, you can see a slightly sunken surface that is very flat. The distinctive aspect of the light is a metal flat switch with no audible click when pressing it. This switch gives you a large contact area and allows the light tail stand perfectly. The switching travel is shorter than average, with average resistance.

There is a brief pre-flash when making initial contact of the tail cap with the battery, and a second pre-flash when fully tightened. There is also a brief pre-flash when the tail cap is fully loosened. There is no pre-flash when activating the light in any mode.

Overall Impressions

• Build quality is very high
• No audible click (i.e., quiet) when pressing the tail switch
• Anti-roll indentations on the body
• The light can tail stand stably
• Electrical reverse polarity protection function
• Standby current drain, but quite negligible
• No mode memory (i.e., always comes on in High)
• True flat-top batteries work fine
• Timed step-down feature on High
• Output-runtime efficiency seems fine
• True Moonlight mode is not available
• Brief pre-flash when making initial contact of the tailcap with the battery and when fully tightened
• The beam tint is typical cool white
• Throw is reasonable for the class

Why you should always keep a flashlight in your car

There is nothing worse than your car breaking down on the side of the road – except for your car breaking down on the side of the road in the dark!

Don’t panic. Keep a flashlight in your car at all times to avoid ever being stuck in an unfortunate situation.

• Self-defense

Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is dangerous, especially in the dark. Believe it or not, but having a flashlight handy, can save your life.

If you are ever in the situation where your life is in danger, a flashlight can double as a non-lethal weapon. A single blow to the head or bright flash in the eyes can render an attacker immobilized, just long enough for you to escape or call for help.

• Illumination

Have you ever tried looking for an object you dropped in your car? If can be almost impossible, especially if it’s dark. Keeping a flashlight in your glove compartment is absolutely necessary!

• Emergencies

Keeping a flashlight in your car is essential if your car ever breaks down in an unlit area. Changing a tyre or seeing under the hood of your car to address the problem can be almost impossible without the help of a flashlight.

• Signalling for help

Breaking down on the side of the road also means that the other cars on the road may not be able to see your vehicle. A flashlight can double as an emergency light to signal to oncoming traffic that your car has broken down and may be in harm’s way.

Looking for high quality, durable, affordable flashlights and accessories? Klarus Light manufactures some of the best tactical flashlights in the world! Visit the Klarus website today to choose the perfect flashlight that best suits your needs.

How a tactical flashlight can protect you

So you feel you do not need to know how to use a tactical flashlight for self-defence? Ok!

You are walking back from a movie late at night. You start walking down the street to your car. Suddenly you reach a patch that is unlit and dark.

You hear footsteps behind you. You turn to see who it is. No one! You keep walking. Again there is some hustling noise from the tall grass on the roadside. You get Goosebumps and a chilling feeling down your spine.

You turn again but this time you are met by a blow to your face. The assailants steal your money, valuable clothing and your watch. Now you wish you had a self-defence tool. Trust me; there is nothing better than a flashlight.

If like most people, you feel flashlights are only to be stacked away in the kitchen drawers, you are mistaken. There are so many purposes they serve and one of the best is tactical purposes like self-defence.

Tactical flashlights can be used for more than just once a year camping tours and power outage scenarios.

These are a few ways in which you can use your tactical flashlight to get out of a dangerous situation alive.

1. A weapon:

There are some flashlights that come with a bezel. This can be used for various purposes. It is not intended by the makers that you use it to hit someone but then desperate times call for desperate measures. If you are under attack, you can hit back with the bezel – make sure to aim for the sensitive areas of the opponent, like the neck or the eyes.

2. In Darkness:

Most assailants use darkness as their strength to attack or rob someone. Do not let this happen to you. With a flashlight on you, you will always keep yourself safe. A tactical flashlight comes with very strong beam intensity and a long beam distance. Therefore, you will know you are in trouble from a secure distance and then you can do something about it.

3. Identifying:

Identification is another very strong deterrent. If a criminal feels that he or she is going to be recognized later, they do not risk attacking someone. Most robbers do so thinking that no one will be able to track them as they used the darkness to not let you see their faces. If you have a tactical flashlight with you, you will be able to see from far and also to far and so recognizing your attacker will not be a problem.

4. Disorientation:

The last two points were more about avoiding a bad situation but let us say you have landed in one already. Now your only chance is to fight back. Not everyone is trained in martial arts, so you can use the high intensity of the flashlight to blind the other person momentarily and hit them as hard as possible. This will render them helpless.

5. An Improvised Hitting Tool:

Most tactical flashlights are built to be long-lasting and sturdy. You can use them to hit the attackers head or nose. Also, when you are trying to block a punch, you can use your tactical flashlight to do so. Though some are small, they are very strong. So this will give you an advantage over you attacker at all times.

6. A Confidence Booster:

Just the knowledge that you have something that can help you survive will give you a confidence boost. This is very important in a dangerous situation. So always keep your confidence booster at your side.

7. Fend off Animals:

This is especially for those who often go camping, mountaineering; trekking etc. Animals are confused, blinded and disorientated by intense lights. So if you are ever under attack by a bear, wild boar or a vicious dog at night, a tactical flashlight is the weapon to use.

It is imperative that you keep your tacticalflashlight with you at all times. Invest in a good tactical flashlight, even if it means having to pay a bit more – nothing is more precious than your life.

Weapon Mounted vs. Handheld Light – Part 2

With a few exceptions, lights designed to be mounted to your pistol’s accessory rail cost significantly more than a handheld light of equal quality. Not only do they have to pack a lot of illuminating power into a small package, lights that mount directly to your firearm have to include a switch that is easy to reach.

The sensitive electronics must be able to withstand the recoil of a centre fire handgun. The lens material has to endure muzzle blast and fouling without breaking or permanently diminishing the quality of the beam. That’s a lot to ask, and it doesn’t come cheap.

Many weapon mounted lights will function perfectly over the course of a few practice sessions, but only the most rugged lights can withstand the recoil and abuse of being attached to a pistol for several thousand rounds. Consider how often you’ll want to practice with your light mounted to your pistol when making your choice, and assume that if you want maximum durability, it will come with a price tag to match.

Even if you decide not to keep your light mounted every time you fire the pistol, at the very least, fire 200 rounds with the light attached to ensure it’s mounted correctly and will not work its way loose under recoil. Also be sure to check that the light and switch still function after firing. 

Finally, it’s not a bad idea to clean the outside of the light’s lens before storing the gun for emergency use.

Here are a few suggestions from Klarus Light to get you started. There are plenty of excellent lights listed here, always be aware that inexpensive lights typically cannot be expected to stand up to long-term use nearly as well as more costly designs. Remember the old addage, “If it looks too good to be true… it will probably catch on fire when you try to turn it on.”

Klarus XT11
Klarus XT11S
Klarus XT15

Weapon Mounted vs. Handheld Light – What do you use?

Weapon Mounted vs. Handheld Light – Part 1

Do you know what that rail is for on the front of your handgun? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not there to impress the ladies! It’s for mounting accessories, which usually means some kind of “tactical” light. Anyone who carries a handgun or keeps one around the house should also have a good flashlight, and a rail-mounted light is a convenient solution. Handheld flashlights are a popular alternative, and many respected firearms instructors seem to prefer this option.

Here are the basic pros and cons of the handheld light.

No matter which way you lean on this issue, it’s essential that the light selected is of high quality. Even if you skip the practice and training necessary to become proficient with a light, just having ready access to a reliable illumination source is better than waving around your gun in the dark. Below are a few general gear-specific tips and some recommendations to get you started.

Handheld Lights

LED technology has come a long way in the last decade and we now have plenty of remarkable flashlights that put out a great deal of illumination but can still fit in your pocket. However, not every well-constructed bright flashlight is suitable for use with a handgun. Beyond basic quality and light output, the most important feature to look for is a switch that can be activated easily with one hand. This usually means a tailcap switch that is operated with the thumb.

A simple interface is also ideal. Some lights have a strobe function or various brightness modes depending on how many times or how long you press the switch. For self-defence, the light should be stupid-easy to operate so that next to no brain power is required to activate it under stress.

Some lights feature a “momentary-only” style switch, which is useful for techniques that require the user to activate the light only for short bursts in order to avoid becoming a target for a potential attacker. Others boast extraordinary light output, which may be ideal when searching for missing children in the woods at night, but possibly counter-productive when illuminating your bathroom with a glossy white tile floor.

Most tactical flashlights run on one to two batteries, usually AA or CR123. Both battery types are common and affordable, and many of the brighter flashlights will burn through those batteries fairly quickly when used on the highest setting, so keep a good supply handy. No matter the bells and whistles, just make sure your light comes from a reputable manufacturer, like Klarus Light, who have a history of making lights that work every time and won’t die out on you when you need it.

Below are a few excellent tactical flashlights that are both reasonably priced and reliable.  This list should help get you thinking in the right direction.

Klarus ST2C
Klarus XT2C
Klarus XT11
Klarus FH10

This list should help get you thinking in the right direction. Stay tuned because next week we’ll be discussing the basic pros and cons of the weapon -mounted light.

In search of, and finding, a very good flashlight

Flashlights have undergone a revolution thanks to the LED technology that is also changing household light bulbs.

The result is much brighter light with the same size of batteries. It does not make sense to buy non-LED flashlights unless you like the warmer, but dimmer, glow of the old incandescent.

Flashlights come in an enormous range of shapes and sizes, from ones that easily fit in a pants pocket to ones that can be swung as weapons.

If you’ve ever been interested in the mini kind, which you can whip out from your pocket at the least provocation along with headlamps to make illicit night-time lawn watering easier!

Some models running on a single AAA battery can pump out 100 lumens, enough to light up a couple dozen metres. An old style flashlight of similar size might offer 10 lumens, and barely illuminate a couple of metres.

For an affordable, durable mini flashlight, you may want to check out the Klarus Light XTQ1, which has a life span of up to 50 000 hours. It is waterproof for up to 2 metres and actually proves quite reliable, despite only having a lumen output of 800.

You can spend enormous sums on a flashlight. BUT a better idea would be to find one that is both cheap and trustworthy and rather buy that instead. Browse through Klarus Light’s website and you’ll be sure to find a flashlight that suites your needs.

Review - Klarus XT2C

The Klarus XT2C flashlight itself feels high quality, with no sharp edges and good balance and utility. The interface is also much more intuitive than a lot of the tactical flashlights and it seems like this feature puts the XT2C above a lot of others. Like many other high end flashlights, this one is designed for an 18650 li-ion battery or two CR123 camera batteries. You may want to order your flashlight with the batteries and charger from the Klarus Light website; there you’ll find a wide range of durable, affordable and innovative tactical torches.

The switch interface on this flashlight is spot on for the intended application. Mode-less operation means that actions are always the same. A light press on the main button pulls the flashlight up on high, whereas a harder press clicks it down to stay on. That by itself isn’t fantastic; it’s how the flashlight incorporates the strobe functionality that is really usable.

Strobing flashlights are supposed to confuse and disorient targets, but incorporating another mode into a flashlight in an intuitive way is difficult. Most flashlight interfaces are somewhat confusing to use. However, with the Klarus XT2C you can press the “Mode” button to get straight to a momentary full brightness strobe!

With all the buttons on the back and a compact body, this flashlight would be a great candidate for mounting on a pistol or rifle.

The light beam on the XT2C could be described as “floody” and very wide. The reflector is fairly small and uses an “orange peel” style texture rather than a smooth one. When you point it at something, it floods the whole area with light instead of focusing tightly where you aim it. This is perfect for the intended use as a weapon mounted flashlight.

You probably wouldn’t drop your flashlight into a glass of water, but it’s nice knowing that it can handle some water without any problem at all. The flashlight is spec’d at fully waterproof to 2 metres because the o-rings on both sides stop the water from getting past. This light is also impact resistant to a certain height.

All in all, the Klarus XT2C is great value for money. The Cree XM-L is a great LED and really pumps out the lumens in this small flashlight.

Review – Klarus AR10

Flashlights are important, aren’t they? Small and large, piercing the darkness like a searchlight or dimly preserving our tactical night vision, we love them all. The AR10 rechargeable flashlight is a pretty straightforward torch, at first glance, but there are hidden superpowers within.

Would you like to purchase the AR10 flashlight? Take a look on Klarus Light's website and you'll find a wide range of durable, affordable flashlights. 

The AR10 is a single-LED, single-focus flashlight, powered by a single 2600mAh Lithium 18650 cell. Illumination comes from a CREE XM-L2 U2 LED. The light meets IPX8 spec, which means it is waterproof to 2 meters, as well as being impact resistant from 1 metre. The battery is easily changeable and reverse-protected (You can’t put it in wrong!), accessed through a screw-on end cap, sealed with a single O-ring below the threads. There is a single push-button switch that activates both the on/off function as well as the four levels of light the LED can emit (Turbo, High, Medium, and Low). These are 1080, 450, 150, and 10 lumens, respectively.

When it’s first turned on, the LED shines at the intensity of the previous use. If a different intensity is desired, the user only has to click a few more times and the unit cycles through them all. Turning the device off is as simple as holding down the switch for a few seconds.

Two more modes are available as well. When the light is on in any mode, a triple press will activate strobe mode at Turbo intensity. Another triple press moves it to SOS mode, which is at Medium intensity. There is also a locking feature, which prevents the unit from accidentally being activated by children or from within a pack or suitcase.

When the light is first turned on, an indicator glows slightly in the centre of the switch. This is the battery power meter. (Centre button LED power indicator is above.) It will glow green for 70-100% charge, orange for 30-70%, and red for less than 30%. If it gets down to 10% or less, it will flash red.

The unit itself is about 14cm long. The flat end cap is magnetized, so that it will stay attached in an upright or vertical position, or hang from a metal shelf or rack. This is where the AR10’s hidden superpower comes in – you can rotate the head as much as 90°! There is a 45° joint that allows about the top inch to swivel down into a right angle to the main body. The light can stay on throughout the action, and will stay at whatever angle you place it at. With the magnetic tail piece, you can direct a steady beam of light in virtually any direction.

Below the end cap joint is a nicely knurled section. At that point, there is a groove around the entire torch with a chromed metal clip attached, which can spin around fully. The clip is very tight, and may be removable. The next three inches moving up to the inset tempered glass lens is mostly smooth, with a few deep designs machined in. Opposite the rubberized push button switch is a gasket-covered port for a microUSB charging cable.

The torch can be recharged without removing the battery. A weather-protected miniUSB port opposite the power button allows you to connect to any powered USB port to grab power and refresh the battery.

At 149 grams with a battery installed it’s not going to weigh anyone’s pack or belt too much. The whole flashlight has a nice heft to it, and you don’t have to worry about damaging it if you drop it. 

The AR10 is rated at a high output of 1080 lumens, with a rated runtime of “as long as” 220 hours on a full charge. While Lithium 18650 cells are not everywhere or particularly cheap, they are dependable and long-lasting and can take repeat charges for years. Since they can recharge in place, you may never find you need to replace it, but it’s nice to know it’s pretty standard if you do.

The flashlight trick that will produce smoke!

This flashlight trick will teach you how to produce smoke (actually pressurized oxygen) from your mouth. This is fun to do when you're bored at a campfire with your friends or family

You will need for this mighty trick:

-- A flashlight (so you can see it better)
-- Hands (yours)
-- A mouth (yours)
-- Lungs (yours)

Step 1: Hold your breath

The key to doing this effectively is to hold your breath the whole time you’re doing the trick. It may sound stupid, but don't breathe, since like I said, the smoke is actually pressurized oxygen. This is also the time to put the flashlight on your chin. NEVER blow out your nose while you do this, since it will ruin the smoke and make it travel all the way back to your lungs.

Step 2: Click your tongue

Yes, close your mouth and while still holding your breath, click your tongue 10 times. The way that you're supposed to click your tongue is to put your tongue at the tip of your mouth.

Step 3: Put your fist to your mouth

Put your fist to your mouth and puff your cheeks out. Don't puff them out too hard since you obviously don't want exploding cheeks. This should take about 3-5 seconds to do this. Don’t breathe yet!

Step 4: Open your mouth

Open your mouth. But do not exhale out your nose as already said since it will ruin the smoke. Just open your mouth and the smoke will come out. Also, you know what they say: practice makes perfect! It takes a while to get the hang of it!

Do you know any cool flashlight tricks? Let us know!

Need a reliable affordable flashlight? Don't go for the cheap flashlight that'll last a few weeks - visit Klarus Light's website and browse through the wide range of tactical, durable flashlights that will last you a life time!

How to make a pinhole camera with a flashlight

You need: cereal box, tissue paper (or onionskin), tinfoil, black crayon, cellophane, flashlight

Step 1: Cut an opening about 3 inches square out of the bottom of a round cereal box.

Step 2: Paste very thin paper over this hole.

Step 3: Cut another square hole, about the size of a small postage stamp, in the center of the top of the box.

Step 4: Cover this new square hole with tinfoil.

Step 5: In the center of the tinfoil make a small hole with a pin.

Step 6: Cut out a paper doll and crayon it black.

Step 7: Tape the doll with cellophane tape to the glass of a flashlight.

Step 8: Hold the box about 2 feet away from the lighted lamp (preferably in a darkened room). Point the pinhole at the lamp and look at the tissue paper.


What you will see: An image of the doll is thrown on the tissue paper-upside down.

Why: The rays of light travel in straight lines from the lamp to the image, as shown in the illustration. This is what happens in our eye. The image forms upside down on the retina.

Need a reliable affordable flashlight? Don't go for the cheap flashlight that'll last a few weeks - visit Klarus Light's website and browse through the wide range of tactical, durable flashlights that will last you a life time!

Every Man Should Carry a Torch

From helping you find your way back to your campsite, to allowing you to find a missing widget under the bed, to providing illumination when the lights go out, to warding off a would-be attacker, there are few tools as handy and essential as the flashlight. And there are few tools that elicit as much affection and attachment. I think our British friends’ word for the flashlight – torch – gets right to the heart of the appeal. The flashlight is simply the latest iteration of the ancient need to carry fire in one’s hand.

As we’ve moved from burning branches to battery-powered tubes, the number of options for handheld light has multiplied. You may think that all flashlights are the same, but boy you’d be wrong. There’s more to know than you could possibly imagine. Today, we’ll stick to the basics that every man should know and consider when buying a flashlight.

Five Basic Categories of Flashlights

• Keychain/EDC
• Utility
• Tactical
• Heavy-Duty or Industrial
• Emergency

Now that you have all this information, what do you do with it? Klarus Light is the best website to take a look at for a wide variety of flashlights and accessories.