Flashlight: Tail cap or base switch?

[Astor]

I need to buy a rechargeable flashlight for the academy and eventually the streets. I like the Surefires because they weigh less and are more powerful than the Stingers. But, my firearms instructor STRONGLY suggested that we recruits get a flashlight with the switch on the base of light. It seems that is the type he is going to train us on. If I go against the grain and get a Surefire, I may have to train differently and most likely face his wrath.

What do y'all think? Surefire tail cap switch or Stinger base switch?

I ask because it's a costly investment and I'd rather not buy both.


Thanks,

Astor

[TXStateCop]

I have a Stinger and like it a lot. I have not used a Surefire, so I can't comment on them. I have been issued Stingers and have bought one myself after using them. They are pretty bright and hold a charge well. They are also very sturdy as I have seen them abused and still work. I have had my personal one now for 6 years and it works great.

The reason the Firearms Instructor wants you to have a light with the switch on the tail end, is for the low light shooting as you probably already know. The tail end switch makes it easier to find the switch in the middle of the night instead of fumbling with the light to locate the switch on the body. Also the position of the tail end switch makes it easier to activate the light while holding the light and handgun during low light shooting. Remember you want to make it easy on yourself and the switch on the tail end is pretty easy to find under stress at night. Hope this helps. Maybe someone with a Surefire can comment.

[allen9180]

I was under the impression that the switch was on the base of most Surefires. I think you have to really search to find one that doesn't have the switch on the base, while only one model of the Stinger (the XT) has the switch on the base.

I have a PolyStinger (to save a little weight), and I must say that it is the best investment I have made on cop gear ever. I absolutely love it. I rarely get the big flashlights out of the cars any more. I have only had it run out of battery two or three times in two years, and that was due to long extended building or open field searches, which I knew were coming ahead of time, and should have grabbed a big flashlight.

You can't go wrong with Stingers or Surefires. Surefires are a bit pricier for the rechargable models, and come in so many models and variants, I find it confusing. Surefires do have a bit more light to them (at least the larger ones) without a dead spot in the beam. Lots of Surefires also have knobs and grooves and all sorts of bells and whistles for tactical lighting.

[Astor]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear in my previous post, but our instructor does not want us to use flashlights with a tail cap switch. He wants us to use lights with the switch on the base of the flashlight, near the head. I would personally prefer a tailcap switch, but like I said I would not want to incur the instructor's wrath.

Surefire flashlights, like the 8NX and 6P models, have a tail cap switch for quick illumination, or you can twist the base of thing for "constant on."

But y'all gave the Stinger such good reviews, so I will probably go with one. I was looking at the Stinger HP with AC/DC charger, which has 40,000 candlepower as opposed to a standard Stinger's 15,000. But then again, the Poly Stinger weighs less (8.7oz vs. 12.2oz)


Thanks,


Astor

[universible]

I know lots of folks who use a larger Stinger in the car and a Surefire with their duty gear...you can also get Surefires with clicky tailcaps.

Ted

[kennethm3]

I have carried both the Stinger and the Surefire, for patrol work I prefer the Stinger. I do not like the tailcap switch on the Surefire, it does not lock on with one touch. Locking it on with the twisting required is a pain in the butt when your hands are cold, wet, or gloved; doing so becomes a two handed operation which isn't a good thing when your gun is drawn. The Stinger is in-car rechargable the Surefire requires tons of very expensive batteries. The Surefire is no brighter than a fully charger Stinger, less actually in my experience. Good luck, stay safe.

[allen9180]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought when you said base, you meant the tail. Anyway, I don't know if you want to get the Stinger HP. It's lens is huge, and I have the feeling it will get in the way when you have it on your belt. The run time is also way low because it's so bright. The standard stingers have plenty of light for standard duty use.

[JimSpoor]

I'm going to go in a slightly different direction here.
WHY do you want to go against the suggestions and training of your soon-to-be instructor? It doesn't sound like he is making an arbitrary decision. He probably has experience with one or both systems and definitely has a curriculum that favors one style over another. I would suggest take your instructor's advice and try his style of flashlight techniques. You may learn something. On the other hand if after the training you still think you have a better way, go for it. (as long as it doesn't violate SOPs, statutes, etc.)

I realize that these modern lights are not cheap. They also are not once in a lifetime purchases.

Good Luck whichever way you decide to go.

[Astor]

Heh...I'm not trying to be a monkey in the wrench as far as the academy goes. The reason I wanted the Surefire was because I compared them to Stinger's on-line, and they were 2 oz lighter and some models were brighter than the Stinger.

I had been thinking about it for a week and had made my mind up on the Surefire. Then I went to the academy orientation a few days ago and the instructor strongly recommended Stingers. So I just wanted to some more perspectives on it.

But from the advice on this forum, and some officers on my dept, the Stinger (regular not XT or HP) is an excellent light, so I will go with it.


Thanks again,


Astor

[jaybird]

I have a Stinger HP/xt. I got it after carrying a huge Magcharger. I got tired of the MC being so heavy on my belt.

As for brightness, I love the stinger. The only problem I have with it is how long the charge lasts. A full charge will last about a little over an hour give or take if you run it constantly.

Mine has that "big head" that everyone is refering to.

Since the barrel of the flashlight is the short version with three batteries, I don't have any problems with it riding up when I sit down in the car. There is a version of the Stinger XT that has a longer barrel with the same big head.

Overall, its a good flashlight.

My advice is get something you are comfortable with and use it.

[williamssd]

I'm devoted to the Stinger, but when I was first hired and went shopping for my flashlight (I never carried a mag light -- no need having a Stinger) I found in the fine print that the Stinger XT is not certified for use in ignitable gas situations. Whereas the regular Stinger (with base switch) is certified for use in potentially explosive situations. I'm not sure what he difference would be, since it's only a swtich and both seemed to be sealed, but that helped me decide on which to purchase. Check the documentation/directions that come with a Stinger to verify this since I purchased my Stinger nearly two years ago.

My hands are not that big (much to the disappointment of women everywhere :rolleyes: ) and I fumbled with the StingerXT's tail cap switch. I find it much easier to blip with the base switch on my regular Stinger.

Just my .02 -- stay safe,
- Steve