Whether you're navigating through an outage, fixing the kitchen sink, or exploring a deep, dark cave during a rescue mission, a flashlight is a must-have item for the home and everyday carry. One thing to keep in mind when you're picking out a flashlight is this: not all flashlights are equal. Most flashlights are specifically designed for certain situations and come with unique features that can either help or hinder you, depending on what you're using them for. Two common types of flashlights—the regular flashlight and the tactical flashlight—might look similar, but this doesn't mean they're the same. Let's learn more about the difference between tactical and regular flashlights and why you should rely on a tactical flashlight for all of your self-defense and illumination needs.
Reliability
When you're purchasing a new flashlight, you want one that's made from strong, durable materials. Most everyday flashlights are made from cheap aluminum, low-grade steel, or plastic. They wear out quickly, so it's best to always carry spares on hand. Tactical flashlights, on the other hand, are normally armor coated and made with aircraft-grade aluminum. This gives them added durability. They're weather-resistant, shock-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. At the same time, they're lightweight, allowing for similar portability to a regular flashlight.
Utility
Another difference between tactical and regular flashlights is their utility. A regular flashlight will give you everything you need to handle simple, everyday tasks—but tactical flashlights will give you more. When it comes to brightness, a regular flashlight will peak at around 100 lumens. A tactical flashlight can double, triple, and even quadruple that amount, providing you with enough light to span the length of a football field and a bright clarity of up to 50 feet. Along with its exceptional brightness, a tactical flashlight has other practical design features. They're built to last in any type of environment, come with multiple brightness settings, and some even come equipped with portable charging docks. A flashlight with a charging dock is useful if you run out of charge during an emergency or don’t like the hassle of physically removing and replacing batteries.
Self-Defense
Even if you're a trained weapons expert, it's always good to have a reliable, non-lethal item as your first line of self-defense. A tactical flashlight is built with self-defense in mind. Its bright, far-reaching light can temporarily blind someone, allowing you to escape. If that doesn't work, its lightweight frame can still pack a punch. If you're carrying a regular, bulky flashlight, you might be fortunate enough to land a blow; however, in the process, you're likely to destroy the frame and send the batteries flying.
Whether you're using it for home repairs, self-defense, or as a search and rescue tool, tactical flashlights are good to have on hand. Search and Recovery Engineering carries flashlights with charging docks, safety ropes, and other critical safety tools. Check out our impressive selection of safety products today!