Posted: 11/19/2006 7:25:12 PM EDT
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As I am about to head to the street, I'm looking for input from you guys who have had experience with what works and what doesn't. Specifically flashlights, both primary and backup: What do you use? What would you like to use? I have a Stinger to use as a general purpose light, but I'm also looking for something more defensive oriented such as a Surefire or Pentagon. Sunglasses: a pair that are comfortable to wear all day and will hold up well. I've found a few pair from Oakley and Wiley-X I like based on looks alone. And if there is any other gear, either essential or non-essential, you would recommend to a newbie heading out I would like to hear it. Thanks! |
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I carry a G2 and a G2 with the rechargable conversion. Batteries get expensive. The G2 is my back up incase my rechargable goes out. I also keep a 2 c cell maglite in my bag incase it goes dark for an extended period of time (I worked the blackout). Sunglasses, I use Oakley SI halfjackets polorized. One thing you haven't mentioned is an extended cuff key. I use the one that has a clip like a pen made by Zaktools. I have enough keys on my keyring (actually I have a few keyrings). And you need a few good pens. I like/use Zebra pens. |
I guess I copied off of Vinnie. Zak tool cuff key, Zebra Pen, I have a G2 and recharge kit but carry the g2z instead of g2. ( What the heck are sun glasses?) There is a sun? I carry a G2Z as a back up(on belt). My main light is a streamlight SL 20x and I have a spare SL20 with the dual LED and Standard bulb. I have an M3X weapon light on my pistol. I carried the Poly stinger for years and still keep it in my go bag with a red filter on it. The only problem I had with it was the bulb would pop out of the socket if it got banged around. I became pretty good at reseting the bulbs for guys I worked with. Sure fire is hard to beat for lights. The new Gladius, distributed by BlackHawk shows lots of promise. Looks like they have worked out most of the kinks in the tailcap. HAND SANITIZER and a box of the Good Nitrile Gloves. |
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I'm old and been around a long time, so let's go from there. I use a rechargeable Maglite. If buying new, I'd get one of those new SL-20's with the dual bulbs (LED and Zenon or whatever). Very trick. Back up light is a Stinger I carry in my bag. Sunglasses. I use whatever is comfortable and cheap, because they always seem to get lost or broken. That being said, it was always nice to have glasses that are impact resistant for added safety. |
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Flashlights: Primary is an Ultrastinger. WAY better than a maglight. Backup is a Blackhawk Gladius, and the backup to that is a Streamlight NF-2 (TL-2). Sunglasses I have WileyX XL-1s and some Smith Slider 01s. Both are good. Only thing I have against the Wileys is the seals can get annoying, however if there is dust and stuff blowing around you don't get it in your eyeballs. That is nice. Hand sanitizer is amazing stuff. GET SOME! Long cuff keys are great. I have one that goes in my shirt pocket next to my pen. I have another that goes on my key chain. That key chain one gets carried around off-duty too. Oh how wonderful good socks are, along with anything else that will keep you comfortable as possible in whatever temperature or assignment you are working in. Seems like common sense but sometimes is just one of those things you don't really think about. I personally like having a decent durable pocket knife. More for cutting through things than defensive uses, but if it doubles as a defensive tool all the better. Columbia River makes quite a few models that are good and reasonably priced. |
| That reminds me...socks and boots. Don't go cheap here. Forget Magnums and other generic no name brands. Your day will SUCK it your feet hurt a couple hours after roll call. Also NO COTTEN SOCKS, especially in the colder months. I went the whole winter last year with Nike Dry fit socks. Moist feet=cold feet. The Nike socks were acutally a surprise to me. I thought for sure I f'ed up when I reallized that I put on the wrong socks (It was early ordered OT), but I was surprised that my feet never felt cold. Also on these lines, a nice foot powder will save you from athelete's foot if you start using it now. |
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I use the Maglite rechargeable & carry a Stinger XP on my belt. That way if I bail from the car I have a light with me. I also have the handcuff key shaped like a pen. It's in my shirt pocket next to my pen & the length makes it easier to uncuff people. I suggest a back-up gun. I'm issued a G22 so I carry a G27 as a back-up. I also carry a Spyderco Endura clipped to my weak side pocket. I use it for all kinds of things. Get a good pair of boots. I went the cheap route the first time & they only lasted a year. After that I bought a pair of Danners & they are still going strong after five years. |
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Stinger flashlight here with a general purpose maglight (3cell) back up in the bag. Always have a spare set of batteries with you. Rubber gloves. Ask your local ambulance drivers... they may give you a box. Hand sanitizer. Switchblade (I carry a Benchmade clipped to my pocket. Handy and it looks bitch when you pull it out.) Oakley M-Frames with Heater lenses (my personal preference). Back up Beretta 9mm 9000S-D on my vest. Extended cuff key works great. (Old D cell battery in my pocket for those that don't listen to "Stop Police!"  
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I also carry a Surefire G2 and second set of batteries (nothing says dumbass like a dead flashlight in the middle of a search or stop). It's got plenty of light in a small/light package. Batteries aren't cheap, but the price can be managable if you buy direct from Surefire. Rechargable option would be a good idea if you work evenings or mids. I'm day work, so my batteries last quite a while. Sunglasses are Oakley Fives (Polorized). I have that model because they fit my head the best. Polorized is a good idea to have. Cuts down on glare from car windows and allows you to see occupants better. Ditto on extended cuff key. Slippery hands or adrenaline will make the small issued key a bitch to use. I would also advise in rubber gloves and hand sanitizer. Nobody wants the gift that keeps on giving. |
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I have a Stinger XT, also a Surefire Z2, and a Surefire G2 mounted on my patrol carbine, plus an M3 on the Glock, shit you can't have too many flashlights can you? And a big +1000 on the Germ-X hand sanitizer, pre-moistened wipes, or a big ass pump bottle of the stuff. Also, I keep a spray bottle of bleach+water on my back step to disinfect the soles of my boots, if I've been stomping around in an "unsanitary" environment. Just make sure it gets on the soles, and not anything else.  I don't think I've ever been out in the day, so I would'nt try to recommend sunglasses, though if I were looking I'd definitely look at something with impact protection. |
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I try to live by "two is one, one is none" as much as possible. Maglight in the car, primary duty light is a Stinger rechargable with tailcap switch, backup is a Surefire 6P. Two pairs of cuffs are a godsend. Get some sort of boot that is more oriented towards urban environments. I wore Belleville jungle boots for about 5 months and while they're great, it sucked having to chase someone in them. I now wear Bates that feel like a tennis shoe. Lose the tiny handcuff key and get yourself a long pen like one. Makes it much easier to take cuffs off. And I would stay away from the "carbon fiber key" as I got one stuck in a cuff two years ago. Since then I only use the all metal ones. I perfer Oakley XX for work since a plastic frame was nice for wearing during long periods of time and they're reasonably priced. Like I said, carry a backup of as much as you can. You'll learn real quick how many pens, pads of paper, etc. get misplaced or taken away by a witness who forgets to return it. And make sure to take care of your equipment. You firearm, baton (if collapsable), and handcuffs all should be checked regularly for functioning, cleaned, etc. I can't tell you how often i've seen firearms covered in lint and cuffs with rust from working during a rainstorm. |
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Congrats on making it to the road. I've been at it for 12 years now and this is what works for me. 1. Streamlight SL-20LED - It's got the LED's as backup or when you don't need such a bright light. Very outstanding for preserving night vision. 2. Glock Tactical light that slides onto my G-35. You would be surprised how often I hand off my primary Streamlight and use the glock light for myself. Usually, it is my Sgt. I'm giving a light to as he often seems to "forget" his at the office on dayshift. 3. Oakley Why 8.1 polarized in black. They have the highest impact resistance rating out there. Z.87.1 or something like that. They look stupid on me, but they are superlight and super strong. I love them. 4. I work where it gets below freezing in the winter so I use Fisher Space pens that write when it is below freezing out. There is nothing more frustrating that writing a ticket on footbeat and all you want to do is hang paper on a drunk and be done and you have to waste time trying to warm ink back up to get it flowing again. 5. Rubber gloves and Vionex are a must. I also recommend Tylenol, Excedrin, or whatever pain reliever works for you. It can be a Godsend on a really crappy day. I know you already know this, but you WILL have really crappy days. Stay Safe! |
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My primary light is a Surefire L7 led recharge. Surefire L4 led backup light w/red filter and a streamlight Sl20 in the car. Surefire 618 forearm light on my Remington 870P. Contact Surefire LE Division. They have very nice discount program for Mil/LEO. Everything except for the CR123 batteries are availabe at special pricing. +1 on the Oakely eyewear. The SI line are the sh*t. I've been wearing Oakleys for the last 14 years. Again, Oakley has a mil/LE program with great discounts. I just orded some stuff from them recently and got it in a few days. Be sure to get a decent pocket knife. It doesn't have to be a $400 Strider but a quality piece for duty work i.e. Benchmade or similar. |
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Flashlights I carry are 1. my Ultra Stinger 2. My Surefire 9N and I also have a Sure fire M6 guardian with 500 lumens its almost a less lethal weapon itself....It's hard for a bad guy to fight when he's temporarily blind. Boots I've worn the Oakleys for 2 years same with glasses. Oakley also gives pretty good discounts to law enforcement/military..... My buddies call me a walking Oakley ad boots/glasses/gloves.. Remember don't buy cheap gear your life may someday depend on it... Also carry backup items flashlight/knife/gun..2is 1 and 1 is none... Good luck |
I love it so much I have 2 of them!! HAHAH!! I've got an older 9N and a newer 9AN slight differences but the same light... One on my duty belt(stays in my locker) and one for my nightstand. You have your choice of 140 lumens/20 lumens... It's a little bigger than the streamlight stinger, but it's not cheap...I'd give Surefire a call and see if they can give an LE discount....I highly recommend them... |