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TESTER
Tested by a police officer from Oklahoma

Design 5
Performance 5
Ease of Use 4
Size 5
Quality 5
Durability 5
Storage 5
Versatility 5
Convenience 4
Application 5
Comfort 5
Accuracy
Cleaning & Maintenance 5
Individual Score 4.83

I have recently tested and evaluated the First Light USA Tomahawk MC flashlight. Right out of the box I saw that this is flashlight is very different from a traditional one.

It took using the light a few times to master the button functions but once I did it has not been a problem since. This light is very compact and is useful in a variety of situations. I keep it clipped on my molle vest and use it as a backup in case my weapon mounted light fails or if I need additional light.

The size is nice because it is very light and compact. The 120 lumens provide a very bright blinding light. The retention clip is also adjustable so the light can be carried several ways. The light also has an option of adjusting the intensity of the light it emits which is very nice. Because of its size I have also started carrying it off duty.

The Tomahawk MC has red and blue led lights that make its functionality even better. As far as durability, I have dropped it several times onto concrete without causing any damage. I have not scratched the surface for the uses of this light. I am quite pleased with this light and would recommend it to everyone.

TESTER
Tested by a police officer from Pennsylvania

Design 5
Performance 5
Ease of Use 5
Size 5
Quality 5
Durability 4.8
Storage 4.8
Versatility 5
Convenience 5
Application 5
Comfort 4.8
Accuracy
Cleaning & Maintenance
Individual Score 4.95

I tested a flashlight called the Tomahawk MC Tactical Light from First-Light-USA. It is a compact yet versatile and powerful flashlight.

The Tomahawk is a right angle flashlight with a removable finger loop that helps to secure it in your hand and allows full use of your hand to grasp and manipulate things while still holding the flashlight. It also has a molle compatible clip that can secure it to your belt or a pocket.

It is a LED flashlight that is powered by two 3- volt lithium batteries and, depending on the model, has just white light or white, red and blue or white, red and infrared light. All models have three output levels.

The Tomahawk has a run time of between two hours and 60 hours depending on the output level. The Tomahawk MC model has the red, white and blue LEDs. As with the other models of the Tomahawk with colored LEDs, the colored LEDs are much lower in intensity then the white LED. The white LED output is 80 or 120 lumens on the high setting depending on the model. All light output can be set to high, medium or low.

The Tomahawk MC has three switches that are located on the top. There is a large semi-circular ridge that is a momentary on/off switch for the maximum white output. To the upper left of the momentary switch is the on/off switch. A brief push turns on the colored LEDs at the last intensity setting. A longer push on this switch will turn on the white LED also at the last intensity setting. To the upper right is the “CYCLE” switch. This switch scrolls through the three power settings when the light is on. When the light is off the “cycle” switch scrolls through the color options and levels. The choices are red three levers, blue three levels and both red and blue three levels. Always the rear momentary switch will turn on the max intensity white LED!

One of the many unique features of the Tomahawk is the “lock out“ function by simultaneously pushing the on/off and cycle switches. This locks out all switches, and is confirmed by the brief red illumination of a lock icon between the switches. Also each time any switch is pressed the lock will illuminate to remind you that the “lock out” function is on and you do need new batteries. To turn off the “lock out” function just simultaneously depress the on/off and cycle switches, the lock icon will illuminate green to confirm.

I used the Tomahawk on both routine patrol and during SWAT call outs. This is a great light, small in size and very powerful! It has adjustable power settings. It can be clipped on to clothing, belts or molle. The finger loop allows you to hold the light and still do other things with your hand and it comes with two sizes of finger loops. It is easy to operate and the controls are intuitive. The Tomahawk MC is one of the best I have used.

TESTER
Tested by a police officer from Georgia

Design 5
Performance 5
Ease of Use 5
Size 5
Quality 5
Durability 5
Storage 4
Versatility 5
Convenience 5
Application 5
Comfort 5
Accuracy 5
Cleaning & Maintenance 5
Individual Score 4.92

Having tested the Liberator ST I believe is a revolutionary design that is very beneficial to law enforcement. Being able to have a hand mounted light system solves many problems with the use conventional hand held or weapon mounted light system. The first is with a weapon mounted light you point your muzzle of your firearm at what you want to see which is good and bad depending on the situation. I like the fact that you can transition from a pistol to a long gun with ease and only having one light. Another problem with a hand held conventional light is if you need to transition from a firearm to hands on, you only have one hand because you have to hold your light or you end up dropping it. With using the Liberator mounted onto your hand frees up the use of both hands and you still have a light.

There is nothing I do not like about the Liberator. Several of the things I liked about the Liberator is the ease of use. I liked the fact the the light swivels 180 degrees. I like the strobe flash, which is great with dealing with taking a subject down and into custody, it really disorientates the person. I like the feature to lock the light off so it is not accidentally turned on. Overall this is a great light and would recommend it.

TESTER
Tested by a police officer from Texas

Design 4.5
Performance 4.5
Ease of Use 4
Size 4
Quality 5
Durability 5
Storage 3
Versatility 4
Convenience 4
Application 5
Comfort 5
Accuracy 4
Cleaning & Maintenance 5
Individual Score 4.38

I tested the Liberator ST flashlight made by First Light. This design is unique for a flashlight. Its design is made to fit in the weak hand while gripping a pistol in the other. It allows you to maintain a good grip to support your shots, that regular flashlights do not allow. Its output is 120 lumens and is very well constructed. The main light has an angled head similar to the well known military styles. Only, this light is about five inches tall.

The flashlight is gripped by the handle with an adjustable strap to fit your hand. The flashlight body is mounted to a bar that is attached to the handle that also accommodates several buttons that control the light. The controls easy to use and control a steady or strobe beam along with an intensity adjustment. Once gripped, the Liberator is positioned along the knuckles with the reflector portion that allows it to rotate for left or right hand operation.

In use and for its function, I give high marks for its ingenuity. The Liberator is simple and very easy to use while gripping a weapon from a pistol to shotgun to a long gun. It can be adjusted for use with all. Once held in the hand, the thumb operates the momentary switch for a steady and strobe features of the light. If you have to holster your weapon and go hands on with a suspect, the light is still available unlike a normal weapon light. With this light in hand, you can still operate anything like door knobs, radios, etc.

I gave this one to one of our dog handlers. It allows him to still hold the dog’s leash while still having a light available, even while holding a weapon. In fact, he won’t give me the flashlight back and I wouldn’t think of asking him for it. It’s made for operations like his.

My biggest downfall with this light is its awkward size and the amount of space it takes up on a duty belt. However, like the dog handler who really loves this light, he makes the accommodations and made room for it on his belt.

I can highly recommend this light to anyone. It fills a void that, in my opinion, no one else has come close to filling.