The Tomahawk LE has met with my approval as a hands-free light

"I have been in law enforcement for almost 25 years, over 20 as a firearms/tactics instructor.  In that time I have made it a point to seek out new developments in equipment.  As a result of that, I am not easily impressed with new gadgets that come out.  For me, it must pass a series of standards.  There must be a definitive "real world" application, it must be functional, withstand the abuse required of gear given its intended purpose, and must be cost effective, to name a few of the criteria I look for.

As a person whose primary responsibility is enforcement with a secondary responsibility as a tactical medic, I have been in search of a hands-free lighting option that is functional while treating an injured officer in a tactical environment.  Until recently, I have been using a headlamp which has its obvious limitations.  While perusing the vendor area at the ILEETA Conference, I spoke with Clyde and my friend Tom Kilhoffer (who works for First-Light USA).  They showed me the Tomahawk.  It immediately caught my interest.  For the past several weeks, I have been putting the Tomahawk LE with BladeTech [Tactical Retention System] mounting system to the test.  

I can tell you that it has met with my approval as a hands-free light.  I have it mounted on the MOLLE system of my tactical vest and it provides all the light I need as well as being 180 degree directional and can be dimmed, if necessary.  The additional features I didn't expect are its capability to be used as a light with a handgun and/or long gun in the absence of a weapon-mounted light or the failure of a weapon-mounted light.  It is an outstanding redundant lighting system that adds little weight and takes up little space.  The LE model is also equipped with the strobe feature and the red/blue flasher.  I regularly stop in my unmarked car to assist lone officers on traffic stops.  They have no idea who I am, but the flashing lights on my car and the flashing red/blue lights on the Tomahawk (if I attempt to approach) have put the officer at ease and aware that I am there to assist.  I really like the mounting system, too. It is the best I've seen available.

This light is also easy to mount on your regular belt making it ideal for off-duty/plainclothes details.

Quite simply, this is a great light!  I like it so much that I plan to add more to my kit so that I do not have to remove the mount from my tac vest.

If you are in the market for this type of light, the First-Light USA Tomahawk is highly recommended."

Special Agent/EMT Chuck Soltys
Firearms/Tactics/DT Instructor
Tactical EMT