Doctor's Review: Medicine on the Move

September 20, 2017

The V1 PRO from J5 Tactical.

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Light up your life

Two multi-purpose tactical flashlights

by DAVID ELKINS • April 2016

Flashlights are emphatically not what they used to be. LED bulbs first appeared five or six years ago mostly in cheap $3-$5 mini-models sold in dollar stores and at hardware check-outs. They’re a big improvement on the old D-cell plastic models and, at the price, well worth having several around the house and another couple in your car. The latest models though are light years ahead of these toys.

New tactical models are about the same size, but pack a huge illumination punch. Offering anywhere from 240 to 1000 lumens, the beam is powerful enough to light up distant treetops or temporarily blind an assailant and, as such, is an excellent weapon for self defense. For a demonstration go to earthandhoney.co/carry-a-tactical-flashlight and watch self-defense expert James Williams show how effective they can be against two types of attack.

A huge range of tactical flashlights are available. Prices range from about $15 to over $200 depending on power, focus features and batteries with rechargeable lithium-ion models at the high end.

The V1 PRO from J5 Tactical (j5tactical.com) produces 300 lumens — more than sufficient for self-defense purposes — using a single AA battery. The high-grade aluminum body is waterproof and the beam can be focused from flood to spot. The unit measures only 9.4 cm x 2.54 cm, and weighs just 65 grams.

Consider too the Suaoki 4-in-1 Handheld Led Rechargeable (suaoki.com). It offers three modes with 300 lumens of brightness at maximum output and includes a strobe. A seat-belt cutter and window smasher make it an excellent emergency device for your glove compartment. Another feature: the top unscrews to reveal a USB plug-in and charger for your phone. Measures 3.73 cm x 16 cm, weighs 315 grams.

J5 Tactical V1 PRO US$12.95; Suaoki 4-in-1 US$24.99, both on sale at Amazon.com.

Note: I always try to source products in Canada, but in this case I could find no domestic suppliers with comparable features and value.

Contest!

Win both these flashlights in the Win the Gadget of the Month contest. Enter at here.

This article was accurate when it was published. Please confirm rates and details directly with the companies in question.

Comments

Showing 7 comments

  1. On April 20, 2016, Jamal Uddin said:
    Sounds like a good thing to have around.At home and in the car.
  2. On April 25, 2016, Denis Rivesst said:
    Never thought that a flashlight could be a self defense object !!!!
  3. On April 26, 2016, Gloria Fredericks said:
    Great items for in your car, home, emergencies and on the road.
  4. On April 26, 2016, Martin Robichaud said:
    Would be awesome to finally have something "tactical" Feels Ramboish
  5. On April 27, 2016, sayanthan sabanathan said:
    Would "brighten up" my day
  6. On April 27, 2016, Howard said:
    Took a look at the specs on the V1 PRO from J5 Tactical, and it may possibly put out 300 lumens, but you would need to be using the a Lithium 14500 battery, not a AA. With a AA, you would be unlikely to get anything more than 100 lumens. If a flashlight ships with a battery, then the stated output must be the maximum with the shipped battery. If it doesn't (which is the case here), then they can state the maximum possible. And the maximum possible is always with a lithium battery, if the light is able to handle the higher voltage. The reason this matters is that most people do not have 14500s handy.
  7. On April 30, 2016, Dr. Jeff King said:
    never know when one might get lost in the woods!

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