TigerLight

Manufacturer:- www.tigerlight.net
Recommended Retail Price :- $139.95 / £87.47 Approx.
Size:- 233mm long 60mm Diameter at widest point.
Weight (With Batteries):- 550g (21oz)
Battery Type / Qty :- 1 off included rechargeable 6 Cell NiMh 7.2V mAh Pack
Battery Life :- 60-70 Minutes
Recharge Time :- 10 Hours
Bulb Type :- Custom Halogen Tigerlight Unit combined with reflector
Rated Output:- Not Given
Estimated Bulb Lifespan:- Not known
Colour Temperature:- Not Known
Reflector Type :- Smooth
Lens Material :- Plastic possibly polycarbonate
Electronics:- None. Not regulated output.
Body Material :- Anticorrosion Type III Hard Anodised Aluminium
Depth Rating:- Water Resistant O-Ring Seals
Warranty:- Limited Lifetime

I had to get one of these to try after finding it on offer at Meridian Tactical. It has had great reviews from many people and I can now see why.

This is the 8" non-OCS spray version of the light. This is mainly due to the fact that OCS spray is illegal in the UK for use by the general public. In fact pretty much everything that could be used for self defence is illegal in the UK.

The light output side of this light is identical in every way to the OCS version though.

This is one of the best rechargeable lights that I have seen. It is relatively low cost and out performs most other incandescent torches of a similar size. I suspect that the Surefire M6 will produce more light output, but that this light will throw further with a narrower beam.

The rechargeable pack is already fitted to the light from new so all you have to do when you get it is to charge it up. The supplied charging cradle that comes with the light is fitted with a connector to allow either the mains charger or the car charging adapter to be fitted. The mains charger supplied is for USA 110V 60Hz supplies so I cannot use this here in the UK (230V 50Hz). All this adapter does though is deliver 12V DC at 500mA to the charge cradle. So I should be able to source an alternative. So to charge the light initially I plugged it into my car power socket.

I opened the charge cradle to have look inside it and there is an IC plus a power transistor. I will assume that this is the charge regulation circuit and it will deliver a constant current charge to the cells as required by the Nickel Metal Hydride Chemistry. The advantage to these cells is they do not suffer the memory effect that NiCd cells can suffer from. (This is constant charging from only partially discharged state can result in vastly reduced overall capacity). So no worries about charging your light when it is still at 90% full capacity.

I think this is a result of the intended use of the light as a law enforcement officers duty light. This allows the unit to be charged when off duty for 10 Hours from flat. Or for it to be kept topped up between use in the patrol car. Not that any of this will bother me.

		TigerLight
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	Manufacturer:- www.tigerlight.net Recommended Retail Price :- $139.95 / £87.47 Approx. Size:- 233mm long 60mm Diameter at widest point. Weight (With Batteries):- 550g (21oz) Battery Type / Qty :- 1 off included rechargeable 6 Cell NiMh 7.2V mAh Pack Battery Life :- 60-70 Minutes Recharge Time :- 10 Hours Bulb Type :- Custom Halogen Tigerlight Unit combined with reflector Rated Output:- Not Given Estimated Bulb Lifespan:- Not known Colour Temperature:- Not Known Reflector Type :- Smooth Lens Material :- Plastic possibly polycarbonate Electronics:- None. Not regulated output. Body Material :- Anticorrosion Type III Hard Anodised Aluminium Depth Rating:- Water Resistant O-Ring Seals Warranty:- Limited Lifetime I had to get one of these to try after finding it on offer at Meridian Tactical. It has had great reviews from many people and I can now see why. This is the 8" non-OCS spray version of the light. This is mainly due to the fact that OCS spray is illegal in the UK for use by the general public. In fact pretty much everything that could be used for self defence is illegal in the UK. The light output side of this light is identical in every way to the OCS version though. This is one of the best rechargeable lights that I have seen. It is relatively low cost and out performs most other incandescent torches of a similar size. I suspect that the Surefire M6 will produce more light output, but that this light will throw further with a narrower beam. The rechargeable pack is already fitted to the light from new so all you have to do when you get it is to charge it up. The supplied charging cradle that comes with the light is fitted with a connector to allow either the mains charger or the car charging adapter to be fitted. The mains charger supplied is for USA 110V 60Hz supplies so I cannot use this here in the UK (230V 50Hz). All this adapter does though is deliver 12V DC at 500mA to the charge cradle. So I should be able to source an alternative. So to charge the light initially I plugged it into my car power socket. I opened the charge cradle to have look inside it and there is an IC plus a power transistor. I will assume that this is the charge regulation circuit and it will deliver a constant current charge to the cells as required by the Nickel Metal Hydride Chemistry. The advantage to these cells is they do not suffer the memory effect that NiCd cells can suffer from. (This is constant charging from only partially discharged state can result in vastly reduced overall capacity). So no worries about charging your light when it is still at 90% full capacity. I think this is a result of the intended use of the light as a law enforcement officers duty light. This allows the unit to be charged when off duty for 10 Hours from flat. Or for it to be kept topped up between use in the patrol car. Not that any of this will bother me.

	Once charged the light can be operated. The switch is located at the rear or the light and this make it good for single handed use with the arm raised and light laying in the palm of your hand. It feels comfortable to hold and has a textured non slip surface finish. The lens is plastic and is possibly the worst area on the light. But I can see why this should be so as dropping the light will not break the lens. I may upgrade the lens on mine using one of these glass lenses which can improve the output by upto 8%. The light output is very surprising. You do not expect so much light from such a small package. What is also surprising is the run time. Over 1 Hour. This is impressive and makes it ideal for its intended use. Plus you go home or back to your car and you can charge it up again. Some people may complain that you cannot fast charge it. But this would shorten the Lifespan of the batteries and would require a more expensive peak detection type of charger. So I suggest a second light possibly an LED type for longer run times would be a good choice. Perhaps a future design of the TigerLight could incorporate a two stage switch for a LED tailcap or side mounted LED for low output and super long duration. The beam pattern on mine is pretty good. I know this depends on which generation of bulb type you get. The bulb is fitted into it's own reflector and this makes for easy changes. Also means you get a new reflector every time you change the bulb. In use the throw is excellent at over 100m. Have not tried it in totally pitch black conditions yet but I hope to soon. Do not over discharge the light as this will damage the batteries. You should stop using it as soon as the beam gets dim and yellow in colour.

	The construction of the light is solid, with a definite classic torch shape about it. The finish is type III Hard anodised which is the best available for an aluminium bodied light. I think that this would make an excellent general usage light around the home an would provide years of service providing that you charge it occasionally. UK Dealers outdoorsuppliesuk.com At last a great UK supplier with LOW prices for Torches, Knives, Outdoor Equipment and more. (Still under development but please email them for prices.) US Dealers www.meridiantactical.com More info this and other lights here www.candlepowerforums.com