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Posts Tagged ‘First Light USA’

First-Light USA “GRIPS” Design Standard Brings New Ideas To Low-light Shooting

Monday, February 8th, 2016

Las Vegas, NV (January 19, 2016) – Since 2004, First-Light USA has been the innovation leader in the design and manufacturing of hands-enabling tactical lighting tools available for use with firearms. First-Light USA lighting tools are used extensively by the U.S. military and federal law enforcement agencies that depend on First-Light USA products in life or death situations. It should come as no surprise then, that all of the company’s lighting tools are measured against a stringent internal design standard called GRIPS before they can be released.

“First-Light USA was founded on the idea that we can improve low-light performance in a firearm,” said CEO Jeremy Ross. “Our tools are designed for the demands of military, law enforcement, and personal defense applications. That’s why every light we make has to meet a strict design standard we call GRIPS. It stands for Grip – Retention – Improved Performance and Safety,” he said.

GRIP

The unique ergonomics of First-Light USA’s products allow the user to maintain a two-handed grip when shooting, similar to how people train with no light in hand. This differs from most tube light techniques that force the user to shoot with only one hand making recoil management difficult.

RETENTION

The retention features on the light lets the operator use his or her hands while maintaining positive control of the light which helps keep the user focused on the situation at hand. This lets them reload on the move, clear malfunctions faster, and minimize the time they have to take solid light blinding light off of an adversary.

First-Light USA hands-enabling lighting tools remove the limitations of a traditional, tube-shaped flashlight and give the user full use of his or her hands. This allows them to perform tasks like two-handed shooting, K-9 handling, reloading, or clearing weapon malfunctions. Other advantages include immediately lighting the target, rapid follow up shots and faster reloads.

SAFETY

Ross believes safety is neglected in the tactical lighting space. “Mounting a light directly to a firearm is not safe,” he said. “It causes you to point your muzzle at things you shouldn’t.” First-Light products are designed to be safe for the user as well as anyone they come in contact with. They adapt to users’ movements and leave their hands free to safely and quickly perform any task.

The company’s self-regulation of its tactical lights with the GRIPS system enables the tools to meet the strict requirements of the defense industry and as a result, First-Light USA lights have become standard issue for every US Army Medic along with Abrams M-1 tank crews. Additionally, thousands of US Border Patrol officers across North America have discovered the hands-enabling advantage First-Light USA lighting tools bring to the field.
First-Light USA’s four hands-enabling, lighting tool platforms, Liberator, Tomahawk, T-MAX, and TORQ, each offer advances in ergonomic design that deliver performance enhancing capabilities.

www.firstlight-usa.com

ADS Federal Range Day – First-Light USA

Monday, May 19th, 2014

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First-Light USA was displaying their TORQ and T-Max series lights at the ADS Federal Range Day.

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T-Max

The T-Max light is constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum and is fully waterproof. Capable of a maximum white light output of 425 lumens, most models include strobe and safety beacon settings, as well as IR output. Multiple tactical LED colors are available, including Red/Green for blood highlights and Red/Blue for MP usage. First-Light USA’s finger loop system allows for maintaining positive control over the light, including in manipulating a weapon. An included crenulated bezel can act as a striking tool. The entire control panel can be accessed with just the thumb for one-hand operation.

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TORQ

The TORQ light is constructed from proprietary polymers and features interchangeable side panels which allows for the attachment of accessories such as mounting magnets or belt cutters. Capable of a maximum white light output of 150 lumens, models are available with strobe and beacon settings, as well as IR output. All models are capable of multi-color LED output: red, green, and blue lights. First-Light USA’s finger loop system allows for maintaining positive control over the light, including in fully manipulating a weapon. The entire control panel can be accessed with just the thumb for one-hand operation.

www.firstlight-usa.com

First Light USA’s Tomahawk Tactical Flashlights

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013

I’ve been a big fan of Tomahawk Tactical Flashlights for years now. Made by First Light USA, the style is unique. Its angle head design is optimized for a fist-style grip. Relying on LED lights, the Tomahawk offers versions in Red/Green (for blood-highlighting), Red, Blue, Red/Blue, Yellow-Green. The Red/Green mix is particularly interesting. Blood is a tough material to see under colored lights and medics were having a heck of a time differentiating blood and oil in night time IED incidents. For example, red light makes blood all but disappear and blue light turns blood black making it indistinguishable from oil. First Light worked on the issue and developed a great combination. Additionally, First Light offers the Tomahawk Task Light attachment for medics that can be configured as a Blue light for Fluorescein eye stain tests or UV light fluoresce certain fungal and bacterial infections.

Held at the ready, the buttons are within easy reach of your thumb and include momentary on/off, on/off and strobe settings. Using two CR123A batteries you should expect to get about 2 hours (highest setting) and 60 hours (lowest setting) for white light.

To learn more about purchasing Tomahawk Tactical Flashlights for your agency or unit visit www.adsinc.com/blog/products/tomahawk-flashlights-hands-free-lighting

First-Light NV and TC3 Kits ADS

Monday, February 28th, 2011

First-Light USA makes a great medic light and this video does a great job of explaining its various points. One of our favorite features is the swappable Tomahawk Task Light for medics that can be configured as a Blue light for Fluorescein eye stain tests or UV light fluoresce certain fungal and bacterial infections. The rest of these light’s stats are nothing to sneeze at either.

For example, the Tomahawk TC3 features a proprietary mix of Red and Green LEDs that “highlight” blood. After much experimentation First-Light found the perfect mix of lights to make blood stand out from other colored fluids like petroleum which can mimic blood under blue light.

Additionally, the main white light is a 120 lumen LED that also has 3 brightness settings. It also features six IR LEDs that have 3 brightness settings and operate in a separate mode than any of the visible lights.

For more info visit www.adsinc.com/first-light.

First-Light USA’s AMP Admin/Medical Pouch ADS

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

First-Light USA’s AMP (Admin/Medical Pouch) increases lighting versatility for Combat Medics and other soldiers who are currently using their Tomahawk Tactical Light in conjunction with their MOLLE vest. The pouch allows the Tomahawk to be positioned on the Soldier’s chest by providing a mounting surface for First-Light’s MOLLE Tactical Retention System (TRS). This eliminates the need to wear body armor in training scenarios, as well as a myriad of other scenarios, in order to utilize the hands free functionality of the Tomahawk. When body armor is required, the straps on the AMP can removed and it can be attached directly to the PALS webbing, and used as a standard admin pouch. In addition to providing a mounting surface for the Tomahawk with TRS, essential equipment, such as writing tools, notepads, bandages, medications, etc. can be stowed within the pouch for easy access. The AMP is made in the USA by Tyr Tactical and constructed of 500D Cordura Nylon with ample exposed loop Velcro on the flap and front surface for attaching identification patches. Fully adjustable and fast-connecting straps and buckles allow for quick fitting of the pouch for all sized Soldiers.

The AMP and other First-Light products can be seen next at the SOMA (Special Operations Medical Association) Conference in Tampa, December 10 – 12. They’ll also be at the SMA Nominative Conference at Ft Bliss, January 10 – 12 and SHOT Show in Vegas, January 18 – 21. Additionally, the entire First-Light line is available for agency purchase from ADS.

www.first-light-usa.com

First Light USA’S Tac Med Lights ADS

Monday, November 1st, 2010

First Light USA’s new Tomahawk TC3 Kit for Combat Medics features a proprietary mix of Red and Green LEDs that “highlight” blood. Unfortunately in the aftermath of IED attacks and vehicle wrecks, medics find that they trouble distinguishing blood from other fluids such as petroleum products. After much experimentation First Light found the perfect mix of lights to make blood stand out from other colored fluids. For example, red light makes blood all but disappear and blue light turns blood black making it indistinguishable from oil.

Along with the red and green mix, the main light also has six IR LEDs that have 3 brightness settings and operate in a separate mode than any of the visible lights. The main white light is a 120 lumen LED that also has 3 brightness settings. Another new feature of the TC3 Kit is the TTL (Tomahawk Task Light) built into the battery cap. It’s a single 5 mm LED available in either Blue or UV. The Blue LED works great for Flourescein eye stain tests. The UV option is a 375 nm LED that can be used to fluoresce certain fungal and bacterial infections and eliminates the need for a medic to carry a bulky and fragile Wood’s Lamp.

I know this is going to sound like one of those Ginsu knife commercials but really, this light combines four different lights into one. You can also attach the TC3 on to a plate carrier with the included MOLLE TRS Mount. The TRS positions the light horizontally on the chest and allows the light to be directed up or down nearly 180 degrees meaning hands-free use while keeping the light off the helmet or head. The Tomahawk, when detached from the TRS mount can be used as a hand-held light, and the angle head design is easier to wield than a standard “tube” light when used in conjunction with small arms.

A full spec sheet is below.

FIRST LIGHT USA’S TAC MED LIGHTS

Unit and agency purchases can be handled by ADS. For more info visit, www.first-light-usa.com.