15Oct05

Surefire's and Blackhawk=80=99s latest:

Surefire is now producing handheld 'LumaMax' flashlights. T hey have a high-output, LED rather than a xenon/gas filament. The LumaMax L2 has a si ngle, LED that generates fifteen lumens on low output and one hundred on high output. The L2 is longer than the Z2, but is still thin and light.

With the LED, there is no central, bright area. The light field is evenly spread over a large field. As a result, you can see a good deal of lateral

space without having to point the light. However, while it illuminates a l arge field, it does not project as far as filament lamps. If you want to see what is going on behind a tree fifty yards away, the LED light is inferior the xenon lamp.

With regard to 'blinding capacity,' xenon lamps have an adva ntage, but only when they are pointed precisely into the suspect's eyes. The LED, w hile less 'blinding,' can produce night vision disruption from wi der angles of aim. It is thus easier for a suspect, using lateral movement, to 'get out of' the intense light of a xenon lamp than is the case with an LED.

Blackhawk's 'Gladius=80=99 flashlight also uses an LED, a nd it features an extremely useful 'strobe' option, where the light flashes on and off rapidly. I' ve found it to be extremely disorienting, in addition to blinding, for anyo ne at whom it is pointed. This is a great feature. Highly recommended!

/John