There are five or six pieces of must-have gear I believe every servicemember needs to have. One of those pieces of kit is a good flashlight. From field ops and deployments to power outages that seem to sweep across the barracks on Saturday night, a good flashlight can make a big difference in your day to day life. Or well, night to night life. When it comes to handheld lights, you have hundreds of options, and let me tell you why the ASP Tungsten DF might be the best choice for you.
The Cheap Light Dilemna
Take it from me when I say cheap flashlights just aren’t worth the stress they create. I went through a good half dozen cheapy made lights before I finally spent the cash for a good, reliable, and dependable light. The ASP Tungsten DF is one such light. DF stands for duel fuel, and this is a big reason why the light is so valuable. The light can utilize an included rechargeable 18650 battery or two disposable CR 123A batteries.
Being able to recharge when power is an option or being able to toss in disposable batteries when it’s not can be a game-changer. Options and versatility will never be a bad thing. Heck, you can even purchase extra 18650 batteries for a relatively low price and keep spares on hand. It recharges via a standard mini USB port hidden between the body and the head of the light.
ASP also ensures the Tungsten DF is a potent and powerful light. The pocket-sized design doesn’t mean the light delivers pocket-sized performance. Shove it in a whiskey bottle and bam you got a lamp. The Tungsten DF blasts out 475 lumens of light that will fill a room, as well as make navigating the great outdoors a hair easier. From scooting across the bivouac to take your radio watch post to tactical site exploitation to bleed an area dry of information, this light will do the trick.
The Tungsten DF Beam
The clean white light is a nice wide beam that delivers impressive clarity and range for such a small light. The effective range of the light is 130 meters. The high-end Cree bulb, the polished aluminum reflector, and optical grade glass all contribute to the light’s clarity and long-range use. With fully charged batteries, the light will run for three hours. The Tungsten DF will most certainly keep things lit. (Excuse my old man joke.)
The Tungsten DF is a conveniently small package that is a hair under 6 inches long and weighs only 4.2 ounces. This little light packs a punch and is made to take a beating as well. The light is made from 6061 T6 aluminum that is finished with a type 3 anodized hard coat. Thats the same finish the M4 service rifle wears. The head features an impressed bevel, which leaves room between the metal portion of the light and the glass portion of the lens. This design keeps the lens protected when dropped.
The Tungsten DF is a durable light that is a part of my daily carry. As part of my EDC, the light sees time at controlled burns, riding around the woods, getting rained on, dropped, kicked, and genuinely it’s abused with reckless abandon. Yet, it shines brightly to this day without any issue. It doesn’t stutter or flicker or fail, and its a light I have no plans to replace it anytime soon.
The Tailcap
The Tungsten DF has a very interesting tail cap that I think makes it perfect for military use. The rear control is a single clicking button that has three settings. First is the constant on mode. Click this, and it pops on and stays on. The second is a momentary mode in which the light stays on for all long as you hold the button. Release the button, and the light shuts off. The third is the dead mode in which the button is locked, and the light will not come on. This dead mode allows you to safely carry the light without accidental activation. Accidental activation could drain your battery at best, or at worst, could break light discipline at a critical time.
The momentary mode allows you to kill the light instantly or to use it only briefly without completely giving away a position. Police often use momentary modes when searching for suspects, and it can be invaluable for tactical scenarios.
The ASP Tungsten DF is a purpose-built tactical flashlight that can be adapted to multiple missions. The light is well built, durable, and bright as a light should be. The purpose-built design goes far with this light and allows it to distinguish itself for the unique tasks and missions our servicemembers are expected to complete. Having a good handheld light is a must-have, and the Tungsten DF is an excellent light to fulfill that mission.
