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TESTIMONIALS It's one thing for us to say we have products that could change the tactical flashlight and weaponlight industry. It's quite another when you hear it from people all over the country who stake their reputations on it. From everyday police officers to world-renowned firearms trainers to world-class competitive shooters, First-Light is changing the way experts think about low-light training, tactical flashlights and weaponlights. If you don't take our word for it, take theirs. JUMP TO LIBERATOR TESTIMONIALS
John Farnam I first saw the Tomahawk flashlight at the SHOT Show earlier this year. I liked it immediately for its compactness and the logic and convenience of controls, a First-Light hallmark. I've used First-Light's Liberator for some time. I like it too, but carrying it, along with all my other concealed equipment, is inconvenient. The Tomahawk, due to its compactness, solves the carrying issue, as it conveniently clips on to its belt carrier. I've been carrying my copy for two weeks. With the Tomahawk secured in the belt clip, I'm able to illuminate the area in front of me, without tying up my hands. The LE version is loaded with features, all easily accessible via only one hand. The 120 lumen light is extremely bright. It also has red and blue LEDs that can be set to flash much like a beat-car overhead. Intensity is adjustable, and a strobe feature is built in. I can use it to illuminate, disorient, or signal. I can conveniently use it in conjunction with my pistol and rifle, without physically attaching it to the gun I'm carrying it constantly now, as it is a consummate personal-security tool. Recommended! Robert Ray International Defensive Pistol Association IDPA Tactical Journal recently reviewed the Tomahawk Tactical Light in its 2008 second-quarter issue. Download the Article Robert L. Houzenga Having been in the Law Enforcement and firearms training field for 28 years now I've always been impressed with the improvements in flashlight technology over the years. We've certainly come a long way since the old D Cell Kel Lite. National Tactical Officers Assocation Tester New Mexico The First-Light Tomahawk ST is one of the most innovative and versatile tactical lights on the market. While the outward appearance of this light might seem a bit awkward, don’t be fooled by what you see. The Tomahawk has an L-shaped design with the controls on top of the lamp assembly. Being well versed in modern gun/light techniques, I was a bit disappointed at first because most of those techniques would not work with this light. After a bit of inspection, however, I came to the realization that those techniques were designed to deal with problems that are not present with this light. The Tomahawk design allows the operator to assume an almost typical two-handed shooting grip. Every time I placed my hands together, the light beam was lined up perfectly with my muzzle. An adjustable finger ring indexes the light so that the lamp is always facing the correct way. It also allows the light to be rotated out of the way for hands-free weapon maintenance. Another tactical advantage of this light is the location of the function switches. The ST has a constant-on mode with adjustable brightness settings, a momentary-on mode, and a strobe mode. Each of these modes is triggered by separate pressure switches. This gives the operator the ability to switch between modes quickly, without having to employ fine motor skills (i.e. turning a rotary switch). The Tomahawk ST has many other tactical and practical features that cannot be covered within the space of this review. I give this product the highest recommendation. FirstLight has definitely raised the bar by which the tactical light industry is measured. REVIEWER'S SCORE: 5.0/5 National Tactical Officers Assocation Tester Oklahoma 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. REVIEWER'S SCORE: 4.83/5 National Tactical Officers Assocation Tester Pennsylvania 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 levels, 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. REVIEWER'S SCORE: 4.95/5 National Tactical Officers Assocation Tester North Carolina The Tomahawk ST flashlight is a lithium powered LED light that easily fits in the hand. It is obvious that the light is very sturdy and seems to be machined out of solid metal. The light is easy to use and has a few useful functions. Placing the light in lock mode will prevent it from accidentally turning on. There are three different brightness levels that can modify the battery life from 2 hours (brightest) to 60 hours (lowest). This super bright light offers 120 lumens of light output. The light offers a momentary on button and also has a strobe feature. All of these functions are easy to understand and use. It has a metal clip on the side that allows it to be clipped onto mollie webbing or on a belt to allow hands free lighting. The removable finger loop allows the light to be securely held in the hand and can assist when using the light while shooting. In summary, the Tomahawk ST flashlight and a solid light that would be a great tool for any law enforcement or military member. It’s compact size allows it to be easily carried almost anywhere. REVIEWER'S SCORE: 4.75/5 John Farnam At a Defensive Pistol Course last weekend in Indiana, my instructors and I had the opportunity to evaluate the First-Light flashlight during actual shooting exercises. Jeremy Ross, president of the company, graciously brought down several copies for us all to use during our low-light shooting. We all really like this product! It is a powerful, LED flashlight that attaches to the back of one's support hand via a strap. It enables one to shoot a pistol via his normal grip, and yet have a flashlight instantly available to search and illuminate the downrange area. It is out of the way, yet instantly accessible. I found it eminently usable with the handgun, but I like it even more when used with a rifle or shotgun. It puts light, on demand, downrange, right on line with the barrel. But, the unit is attached to the shooter, not the gun! One can perform all the things he does with an attached flashlight, without having to physically affix the flashlight to the gun. Light and gun can be joined when necessary, yet instantly separated when not. Permanently attaching flashlights to guns, as I've noted in the past, carries with it all kinds of problems. We'll be using First-Light product extensively this week. Intensity is adjustable, but, on full power, it is a bright as my [Night-Ops] Gladius. This is something all police need to look into! "Night-Ops" is a division of BlackHawk Products Group. "Night-Ops", "Gladius" and "Night-Ops Gladius" are registered trademarks of BlackHawk Products Group. Dave Olhasso International Defensive Pistol Association Champion, Indoor CDP and Outdoor CDP After just one quick practice session, I knew that the Liberator flashlight provided me a noticeable advantage over a traditional stick flashlight. My times and accuracy were more consistent with the Liberator. Further, the possibility that I would drop or fail to manipulate the flashlight properly was greatly diminished. First-Light’s Liberator was an integral part of my performance at the S&W IDPA Indoor Nationals where I captured the CDP division title.
National Tactical Officers Association Tester Pennsylvania After receiving the Liberator GP, I watched the enclosed DVD that was with the light. I tried the different techniques that was shown. As far was comfort, when using my strong hand, with the light, I was slightly uncomfortable. However, after use, I found having the light in my strong hand was not so bad. I preferred using the light with my opposite hand, I found this to be very comfortable. After using the light for duty use, I dropped it several times, and subjected it to foul weather - the light had no problems at all. I used the light during an entry while serving a search warrant. For some reason, my weapon mounted light just quit working ( later found that the bulb blew), however, I had the Liberator GP ready to go. In a matter of seconds, the light was in my opposite hand and in use. The light itself is very bright. With the options of the red lens, and being able to dim the light as well, makes this a very well rounded light. I would recommend this light to any patrol officer and or operator. REVIEWER'S SCORE: 4.58/5 Michael Herd, Patrolman Officer Marc Scott Los Angeles, California During the testing and evaluation stage I put the light to good use, from simple traffic stops to backing up other officers during an officer involved shooting. It worked as easily with my Glock pistol as it did with my Remington Shotgun. Once I started using the light what immediately became apparent was just how cumbersome and bulky every other light on the market is compared to the Liberator. As a patrol officer the ability to keep the light in control from initial contact with a subject through search and arrest is paramount. With your light I never had to worry about where my light was, or be concerned with tucking it under my arm or putting it in a pocket, it was always there, always available but never in the way. I was able to search and handcuff without ever putting down the light. This light is simply a smarter light than anything else I have used, hands down. Martin Welte Instructor, Advanced Training Unit Seattle Police Department I will be very pointed and direct. Your lighting system is simply the most versatile light product that I have ever had the opportunity to use. I have been in Law Enforcement for 16 years and have had 14 years of military experience. Your light is user friendly with just a few minutes of simple instruction. Its key elements to me are, durability, simplicity, and most importantly, the versatility of manipulating the product for all illuminating needs. This is truly a "lighting system"!!! Troy Arce Adjunct Instructor, Gunsite I am delighted to say that I received The Liberator on Friday. I spent the weekend in Las Vegas and had some time to shoot with it both with Carbine and Pistol. I would highly endorse it to any law enforcement agency or special operations unit. Not only does The Liberator offer economy of motion, it also virtually eliminates liability for the police agencies in many ways:
TRAINING IS KEY. Thomas J. Aveni, M.S The Police Policy Studies Council I've had access to the First-Light "Liberator" for T&E and am enamored with its enormous potential. For years firearms instructors have been saddled with trying to teach officers counter-intuitive flashlight techniques simply because most flashlights were never designed for tactical applications and/or shooting. In addition, we've been saddled with the "Lowest Common Denominator" phenomenon. Yes, we've had to assess every light and every light technique from the perspective of the smallest statured officers. Talk about endless frustration!!! Smaller officers have traditionally been told that it was in their best interests to adopt smaller flashlights. This was largely true since lights with a smaller circumference were more manageable with smaller hands. The trade-off in going to a smaller light was generally (1) less light output and/or (2) less light burn-time due to a smaller battery pack. The First-Light "Liberator" enables virtually any officer to deploy a flashlight in an intuitive manner AND it doesn't encumber the support hand to the extent that traditional tube-lights do. So, you can drive your cruiser with it on, enter data into your MDT with it on, frisk subjects with it on, handcuff subjects with it on, etc. In addition, regardless of hand-size, the First-Light "Liberator" is affording ANY officer 80 lumens of peak output along with the run-time longevity afforded by cutting-edge LED technology. I'd like to get a forum discussion going about what this product might mean to police trainers who've been saddled with addressing low light training with inadequate resources. Thus far, it appears that this product is greatly increasing low light hit ratios with a minimal investment of training time. Kevin Murphy As part of our simulated night qualification, we are required to shoot one-handed while holding a flashlight. Well, with no practice whatsoever, my score improved 30%. The last time I shot with a [Streamlight] Stinger and my initial score was 62.5% - and I had to requalify. This time: 92.5%. Your light was great, and I even think I inspired a few people to take a look at it. "Streamlight" and "Stinger" are registered trademarks of Streamlight, Inc.
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