Archive | Flashlights

Elzetta News

Elzetta has a slick new website that is MUCH, MUCH easier to user than the old one. The new site is easier on the eyes as well. Now it is even easier to get your hands on American engineered, American made flashlights that can pound nails, operate when full of water, and survive multiple drops from a helicopter.

stealth gray elzetta

Their latest limited edition light is about to drop as well. This time around, the light will feature a Stealth gray coating. These always sell out quickly so keep an eye on Elzetta.com for details.

Latest News from INFORCE

I know that you all want to hear the latest on the INFORCE WMLX that I covered recently but that isn’t the only news worthy item to come out of INFORCE lately. Before I get to the WMLX news, I should mention that INFORCE is introducing Flat Dark Earth as a new color option across their entire line. Their previous tan color was lighter than FDE.

INFORCE Line FDE INFORC WML FDE Black Desert Tan

Now, on to the WMLX. Full details have been released. We already knew that it was a 2 cell version of the WML. In fact, it has basically the same footprint on the rail but the body is longer to accommodate the second cell. We also already knew that it put out 500 lumens but now we know it will do that for 2 hours which is a solid runtime for a 500 lumen light. Those 500 lumens are pumped out via a special reflector with 3 concentric focus rings that INFORCE states will provide increased throw and spill versus the original WML.

The biggest news is the switch. You no longer have to decide between a momentary only or multifunction version. The WMLX has a throw lever on the side that will allow the user to select the mode that best fits their needs. It will also have what INFORCE is calling a “rotating” strobe which they claim is extremely disorienting.

The FDE lights are available now. The WMLX is still a several weeks out. Check out INFORCE in the mean time.

INFORCE WMLX Black INFORCE WMLX Comparison

“Estrela” LED Flashlight from Night Reaper Systems

This made my day. You may remember the Gladius flashlight that was first introduced by BLACKHAWK! Products Group. The Gladius had a unique user interface in the form of a rotary switch that made it useful as both a “tactical” light and an general purpose light. It was able to seamlessly move between both functions in a way that I don’t think any light has matched since. I still regret selling mine even though it has long been surpassed in efficiency by more recent LEDs. It was an amazing light.

The developer of the Gladius, former Navy SEAL, Ken J. Good has gone on to design a new light that improves on the great switching system of the Gladius and a leverages newer, more efficient emitter (Cree XM-L2 U2) to pump out a sunburn inducing 1000 lumens.

SONY DSC

The “Estrela” LED Flashlight has the rotary switch that made the Gladius so successful as an all purpose illumination tool. The rotary switch provides a way for the user to quickly change the entire behavior of the light. It has 4 positions: a lockout, 2 tactical modes, and an admin mode. The lockout disables the light for transportation. The tactical modes include a full brightness, momentary only setting and a full brightness, momentary only strobe setting (the Gladius was one of the few lights to be created with a proper “tactical” strobe function). The final position can be used to provide nearly infinite adjustability from 3-1000 lumens of light and has a constant on function.

This light can be powered with 2 CR123A lithium batteries or used with the included Rechargeable 18650 Battery (a wall charger is also included). The Estrela is made from aluminum and features a hard anodized finish. It is manufactured for Night Reaper Systems by ThruNite who are known for their excellent quality lights.

It is great to see the Gladius style user interface back on the market with a more modern emitter! Check out the “Estrela” LED Flashlight from Night Reaper Systems.

ROSCH Works SLM1 Initial Pictures

This is not a review. I have only had the new ROSCH Works SLM1 for a short time so more time will need to be spent with it before a full opinion can be formed. If you have not been following its development, the SLM1 is a weapon light mount with an integrated front sight. It is designed to allow the user to mount lights like the Surefire Fury on the top rail of an extended free-float handguard.

JTT ROSCH Works SLM1 close side

The SLM1 arrived before I could purchase a Surefire Fury to go with it so I used it with an Elzetta ZFL-M60 for a short time. Use of the Elzetta required tape to shim the light since the tolerances are very tight on this mount. It is made to be used with 1″ diameter lights +/- .005″ inch. The Elzetta light is around .95″ in diameter, hence the tape. If this initial size is successful, you will likely see other sizes that will work with other lights.

So far I am impressed, though my round count is very low. The large bezel of the Fury is no concern at all. It is even less noticeable than most pistol style lights mounted in front of a separate front sight. The double cross bolts should make this very secure. The front sight post is slightly slimmer than a standard front sight post which I like.

JTT ROSCH Works SLM1 from back

The pictures on this post are from the JTT Instagram account (@triggerjerk). I should note that this is a pre-production version of the mount so some changes are likely.

These will be available from ROSCH Works soon. Stay tuned for the full review.

JTT ROSCH Works SLM1 wide side

Latest Images and Info on the ROSCH Works SLM1

ROSCH Works released images of the SLM1 pilot production batch and it looks like a winner.

Rosch Works SLM1 Pilot Production 3

The SLM1 is a light mount that incorporates a fixed front sight base. It is designed to be mounted on the top rail of an AR-15’s extended hand guard rail to provide the user with both a fixed front sight and an advantageous 12 o’clock lighting position. It is the first mount of its kind that allows the use of a standard tube bodied tactical light to mounted in this position.

Rosch Works SLM1 Pilot Production 2

I now know additional details including that the body of the mount is made from 7075 T1 aluminum that is hard anodized. The remaining components are black oxide coated 4140 steel. The production versions will ship with the wrenches required to mount and adjust the SLM1.

Some SLM1s from this initial pilot production batch will likely go up for sale later this week. This particular version is designed for use with the Surefire Fury (it may work with other lights). Additional versions for use with other lights may be in the works at a later date. Check out ROSCH Works.

Rosch Works SLM1 Pilot Production 1

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