5.11 ATAC A1 Flashlight Review **PIC HEAVY**

[snatchel]

Hey fellas, I got this in today and figured I would post an initial review on it. It was hard to find any when I was doing research, so I took a bit of a gamble on this little guy, but I am impressed for now anyway. I have a couple of small Surefire flashlights that I am comparing this against... and so far, this one stands up to them in initial quality at least. Very sturdy, feels good in the hand, and comes well packaged. Here are some specs:

Brightness:
High-103 Lumens/50 min battery/99 meters
Low-11 Lumens/28 hour battery/32 meters
Strobe-103 Lumens/99 min battery/99 meters

Of course, I can not guarantee this as I have no way of actually testing. However, judging against my Surefire lights, I say it's accurate enough. The battery is your standard AA. Conveniently, one comes in the box ready to go... which is a great thing in this day and age when NOTHING comes with batteries included. It also comes with a "break-away" lanyard, which will sit in the box up in my closet until i'm dead.

I ordered from a website called tacticaldistributors.com. I ordered yesterday morning, chose UPS ground 6 day shipping, but received it today. How, you might ask? Well, this place only ships UPS, and apparently has really good deals on their overnight stuff. So, most of the time when you order something and choose the regular 6 day shipping, it will get bumped to overnight for absolutely free. Almost every time I have ordered from them, this has happened. The only real exception is when you order something particularly large or cumbersome. For example, I ordered the flashlight, 50 ft. of paracord, a "Zombie Hunter" patch, and a Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger bag. Today, I received everything but the bag, which was shipped separately.

Anyway, on to the review of the actual light:


This is the shipping package.






Battery & Lanyard


Close-up of Striking Bezel


Operation Switch. Single switch with High/Low/Strobe all included, depending on how & number of times you push




Close-up of Pocket Clip. I have heard a few people complain of it, but I see nothing wrong with it's quality as of yet.




Beam pojection @ 5 ft.

[speedsix]

...looks like it's built to last...those of us who carry guns should always be able to answer YES to the question "Got a Light???"...this one's of a size that makes that easy...

[snatchel]

Well, for the last couple of years I have not been one of those people who can answer in the affirmative. The Surefire's did nicely when I was deployed, but they are a bit to large for practical EDC civilian stuff. This one is easily pocketable, but will also fit nice and snug in the EDC pack that's on it's way.

[OldCannon]

Uses AA instead of CR-123 batteries. That's a BIG plus in my book!

I just might start stocking these to go with the survival kits I'm selling.

[snatchel]

Uses AA instead of CR-123 batteries. That's a BIG plus in my book!

I just might start stocking these to go with the survival kits I'm selling.

Good call. There is also an ATAC A2 Version that is about 1 1/2 longer... but same diameter. I chose the A1, and it makes a fine little flashlight for a price-tag in the $40-50 neighborhood.

[eureka40]

That's a nice little flashlight for sure. I've bought several over the last few years and I have to say the Nebos are a very good bang for the buck.

http://www.amazon.com/3-nebo-Redline-22 ... 761&sr=8-9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I got this 3 pack not long ago for about 65 bucks and I'm sure I'll get another one or two soon.

Might want to check these out!!!

[surferdaddy]

Looks like a nice torch. I picked up a cree aaa a while back or id be interested for sure. On a side note, is that a nasty slide bit scar on the old thumb, I too carry an M&P compact and hope he wasnt the culprit!

[snatchel]

Looks like a nice torch. I picked up a cree aaa a while back or id be interested for sure. On a side note, is that a nasty slide bit scar on the old thumb, I too carry an M&P compact and hope he wasnt the culprit!

I wish I could say it is a slide bite... but it ain't. Kind of an embarrassing story, but whatever. Having a bbq at a buddies house and we were short a bottle opener. Used a pocket knife to open beer bottles many times before, but this particular time my hand slipped and I cut myself down to the BONE. Little bit of super glue and it was good to go... but I bled like a stuck pig for about 45 minutes.

[Medic218]

I'm still a big fan of my Fenix lights but I'd give the ATAC a shot if I could get my hands on one before buying it.

[snatchel]

I'm still a big fan of my Fenix lights but I'd give the ATAC a shot if I could get my hands on one before buying it.

I see you are in the DFW area... I know that GTDist stocks them, that was the first time I saw this little guy.

[Medic218]

Yeah, I've been there. I like it a lot better than some of the alternatives out there.
It's a little bit out of the way for me but if I'm in the area I'll swing by and see if they've got one for the me to get my paws on.
Thanks for the heads up.