Critiquing the Tactical Weapons light Navigation Model Prototype
This evaluation was performed on August 2, 2023 at my home location in Encino California.
It was conducted between 8pm and 11pm both indoors and outdoors.
The evaluator is Richard Karst, retired from Edmonton Police service. Ballistics expert for Armormite Protection who was the Law Enforcement and Military Sales and Training Director for Maglite Flashlights from 2011 to 2018. I am currently an active member with IPA, International Police Assn. I have trained Police in over 15 Countries. The training courses includes, Low Light shooting and Tactical firearms.
This prototype proves the concept of a small specialized weapons light for covert navigation while on a battlefield or house clearing operations.
I conducted both scenarios using the prototype mounted on a Glock Mod 17 Blue gun rail.
These tests were conducted in low light and in total darkness. I was only able to evaluate the White light model.
-Product Size was acceptable
-Rail mount system worked but needs some “tweaking” improvement.
-I liked the rubberized outer shell. For supporting hand and feeling for the on/off button.
-The light diode location was good and the ¼” Recessing of the diode into the rubber body works brilliantly. Excellent very low light profile.
Before this navigation light can become commercialized and deployed into the field, there needs to be improvement to the ON/OFF switch. When in a tactical field application there needs to be the ability to “Instantly” turn the light on and off. Not having this feature is a deal breaker with Operators.
Secondly and not as critical, I feel an option for a High/Low lamination would be helpful in deployment in certain scenarios. This is not something that is critical for Gen 1.
Ramblings-
I found the recharging by USB a good system. I also found that I retained my night vision after using the light for 15 minutes. I also began to tilt the gun upwards on a 45 degree angle to identify corners and dark shapes. It can be done quickly and effectively. The cone of light is also projected down and forward slightly. This is good, seems like 10 or 20 degrees from 90
degrees? Is this correct? I found that outdoors the light illumination allowed me to transverse much quicker than without the light. This is a great benefit and force multiplier.