PENTAGON MOLLE LIGHT

SPECS: 3.4" (86 mm) tall, 40 Lumens , 3 Hour Run Time, 1.5 oz. (42 g)

These little guys are a great example of how far flashlight technology has recently come. Not that long ago most service people were using the huge D-battery right angled flashlights. Despite being huge, the light output was pretty crappy. The new Pentagon MOLLE light is about the same size as just the switch area of the classic right angle light and is significantly brighter! Although the MOLLE light isn't as bright as a new fancy tactical light, it uses only 1 of the ever so common AA battery. This makes power supply logistics about as easy and cheap as possible. Hence the name, the size and design of this light are made to fit in MOLLE/PALS loops. This makes it mount very well on modern tactical vest giving hands free functionality. Alternately, the metal clip can be rotated allowing the light to mount on many belts and gear straps. Functionality wise the top button is pressed to momentarily turn on. The button must be pressed fairly hard till it clicks to switch it to constant on. The same effort must be done again to switch back to constant off. Although a little stiff, it is this way so it won't change when brushed up against or while banging into other gear. At the bottom is a filter which can be screwed off the bottom then screwed on the main lens. The black version comes with a blue filter and the tan one comes with a red filter. If you didn't know already, filters are good for low light situations so you don't cancel your natural night vision and also so your don't make yourself as visible to others. To access the battery area, the bottom cap cap is unscrewed off. A small compass is built into this cap, but the filter must be taken off the bottom to be seen. The compass generally doesn't work all that great, but it REALLY doesn't work until you take the cap off the light. Up top behind the switch is a bonus hard loop point for attaching lanyards. Bottom line is the MOLLE Light is a great illumination gadget for tactical and recreational uses a like.
<www.maxpedition.com>

SUREFIRE G2-LED

I'm sure there are some extensive reviews out there, but I thought I'd give a quick rundown of the semi-new G2-LED version. The original G2 is a nice combo of effective and affordable. It was actually my first "good" flashlight getting me out of the realm of the old mag-light era. The new G2-LED version may cost more, but claims to have more lumens and ridiculously more battery life. A quick rundown: The G2 rates around 65 lumens for 1 hour while the G2-LED is 80 lumens rated for 12 hours. The shape in the LED version is very similar, just the cap is longer. The push button isn't as springy since it doesn't separate out like on the G2 and has a slightly different relief pattern. The main reflector on the LED version appears smooth while the G2 has heavy texturing to help diffuse.

As for real world perception it seems the G2 is brighter at close distances and the G2-LED is brighter at long distances. The G2 has more of a diffusion spread while the LED has a stronger central hot-spot. Although I thought the G2 was pretty bright and white when I first got it, the LED is substantially more white.

In the end I'm not really able to see the claimed lumen increase, but I'm certainly looking forward to keep testing the battery life. If it lasts anywhere close to 12 hours, the money saved on batteries and being able to perform long tasks makes this flashlight model quite compelling. Currently only available in black and yellow.
<www.surefire.com>