tac light review

Tac Light Review: Does it Work?

Tac Light is a military-grade high-performance flashlight. Read my Tac Light review plus additional information.

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Where to Buy & About Tac Light

Tac Light can be found in stores or online for about $20. The current Amazon listing has around 4000 reviews, which are mostly positive. It can also be found for about $20 on the official website.

Tac Light is a small-but-powerful flashlight by Bell & Howell that has been advertised on television on and off since 2016. The official product website is trytaclight.com, which was registered in April 2016. The screenshot below was taken of the official website in May 2016. As of this 2022 update, Tac Light is still sometimes seen being advertised and the website is still active.

tac light review

Claims and Features

  • 22 times brighter than regular flashlights (600 lumens) (note: some boxes say 40x brighter)
  • Can be seen up to 2 nautical miles away
  • Strobe feature to “stun” intruders
  • Small, light
  • Works in water or while frozen
  • Lifetime guarantee
  • By Bell+Howell
  • Regular model uses three AAA batteries. Upgraded model uses rechargeable battery.

Tac Light Review

Tactical flashlights (or “Tac Lights”) are high-performance flashlights made from high-grade materials. They are used by police and military due to their durability and power. They are used for a variety of purposes, including being mounted on weapons.

Tac Light is the popular As Seen on TV offering in this category. It offers several, such as zoom mode, self-defense mode (strobe), low light mode, and SOS mode.

Low light mode conserves batteries and works at a much lower brightness level, useful when 600 lumens is overkill. Self-Defense Mode sends a debilitating strobe in the direction of an intruder or attacker. The focus of Tac Light’s beam can be focused by extending or shortening the handle, which adjusts the light from wide to narrow. SOS mode emits a blinking SOS signal.

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Tac Light is well-constructed and offers a bright light, comparable to what you see in the television advertising. The unit is small, lightweight, and sports a comfortable grip. It can easily brighten a dark room, and the number of modes makes it highly versatile. You should be aware that Bell+Howell is a trademarked name that is licensed to third-party manufacturers and should not influence your purchasing decision.

With a large number of similar products showing up online, everything seemed to be labeled “tactical” in 2016-2017. Regarding this type of flashlight, the number of options is dizzying, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. You can find competing products anywhere from $12-$130, with lumens ranging from 320-1600. It can be difficult to choose among such a wide range of competition.

Should you decide to choose the Bell & Howell Tac Light, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, as it performs about as advertised. Because it is now available in stores, I recommend purchasing locally to avoid shipping costs and delays. This will also facilitate the return process, if necessary. I have purchased about five Tac Lights since this review was first published, and I have found them to be generally reliable, aside from the issue discussed below with the tailcap.

The price-to-lumens ratio is actually quite good. Overall, it’s not a bad entry-level tactical light for those seeking to test out this category of flashlights. You may want to compare Tac Light to the highly-rated Streamlight ProTac HL, which sports similar features, and costs about $60.

One more thing to consider is that I compared the Tac Light to a 650-lumen Luxpro LP1200, which you would think would be comparable in brightness, but the Luxpro was by far brighter. The discrepancy in brightness does not seem to match that of a 600 vs 650-lumen comparison. See that comparison in the third video below.

Update

After about three weeks, the button for the Tac Light stopped working. While this is usually a relatively easy remedy for other LED flashlights, the tail cap on Tac Light does not sport a standard design and there appears to be no (easy) way to access the parts within. Thus, a broken button will render the product useless. A later Tac Light that I purchased had a different tail cap design that was easier to open, so it appears that the design has changed since 2016.

In 2018, I bought a new Tac Light to compare with Tac Lighte Elite (aka Tac Light Pro), and upon dropping them on the concrete, the Tac Light stopped working, while the Tac Light Elite still worked.

2023 Battery Test

Prompted by a comment below, I ran a battery test in July 2023. I placed three new Rayovac High Energy batteries in the newest Tac Light I own. On high, they lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Video Reviews

Below are three hands-on video reviews of Tac Light: My original 2016 review, a follow-up which discusses the broken button, and a 2018 comparison of the Tac Light with the new Tac Light Elite (aka Tac Light Pro).

Your Tac Light Reviews

Have you used Tac Light? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below and a star rating above.

Updated July 2023

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Eric Grootveld
Eric Grootveld
8 years ago

are these taclights as good as they claim to be???

Ryan
Ryan
8 years ago

Well idk how good the light is but the customer service and the information you need to know is not good. I ordered mine a week ago once I ordered they give me very little information I had to go on the website and search around myself and I just happened to come across a link to view the oder statues so I’ve been doing that for a week still hasn’t shipped and now today I checked and it’s out of stock and they didn’t even tell me. When I ordered it was in stock and now it’s not because… Read more »

Claire Sands
Claire Sands
8 years ago
Reply to  Ryan

you haven’t even used the light, yet you are claiming that you should have bought shadowhawk’s? you even include a link to theirs. so are you paid by them? own the company? I hate fake reviewers.

Deb
Deb
8 years ago
Reply to  Claire Sands

I just received mine. It did take a few weeks but so what! It’s a flashlight ! It looks like a good flashlight, just as described. $15 each becUse I bought two. I’m gave one to my husband and my one to my son.

Bearcat6
Bearcat6
8 years ago

I have no idea about the quality of the light, since I ordered it about 3 weeks ago and my credit card hasn’t even been billed yet. The receipt I received via email said the order qualified for free shipping but didn’t even state what shipping charges were. It had a link to click on that took you to freeshiipping.com. and you had to join that to get free shipping. Well, that costs 12.97 a month and I sure don’t want to pay for that. So I guess my order won’t be processed unless I join. Screw that.

Rameen
Rameen
8 years ago
Reply to  Bearcat6

On their website they direct you to customerstatus.com to check the status of the orders. mine says that they are out of stock… i’m calling them tomorrow to see how long it will be. sucks that they are still filling orders and running commercials despite being out of stock. you’d think they would at least tell you that it’s on back-order before you put in your credit card info

Bearcat6
Bearcat6
8 years ago
Reply to  Rameen

Thanks!

JR
JR
7 years ago
Reply to  Bearcat6

Thanks for telling us about that odious website.

jb1955
jb1955
8 years ago

JUNK! I bought two and neither one worked. What a hassle now!!

Burnerjack
Burnerjack
8 years ago

No mention of battery life. As I use mine daily for work, I bought a Fenix UC35. It uses a rechargeable, replaceable battery, UTTERLY dependable, AND has a USB charging port for charging with a USB phone charger in your vehicle, etc. I bought this from “Brightguy” and except for a chintzy holster, I can’t say enough about it! Cost 5 times what this “quick buck carnival barker” type offer here, but, if your serious, don’t screw around, just get the “real deal”. BTW, that website has a jazillion flashlights for sale, but not THAT one. What’s that tell you?!… Read more »

Oni West
Oni West
7 years ago
Reply to  Burnerjack

I have 2 Fenix UC35s as well. I use one every single day and keep one in my car for backup. People who know about flashlights buy these instead of the el cheapo as seen on tv flashlights. Nearly 970 lumens, rechargeable battery using a micro usb cell phone charging cable, slim design, and several different brightness levels and a strobe makes it an excellent choice!

Linda
Linda
8 years ago

I’m appalled that Bell and Howell has associate their name with this product. First of all, I placed and order on 6/12/16, and as of today, 7/9/16, I have had NO communication regarding my order. I’ve spent WAY MORE time than necessary, trying to actually find a ‘customer service’ contact. All I want to do, at this point, is to CANCEL my order, and make others aware that this product/ordering process is a SCAM…SCAM…SCAM!! Shame on you, Bell and Howell, for trading in your successful name and reputation, to associate with trash. In the past, I honestly thought that B&H… Read more »

James White
8 years ago
Reply to  Linda

For what it’s worth, I was able to reach a customer service rep at 877-415-4824 on a weekday. Would be interested in an update after you either contact someone there or receive your product. Good luck!

Solinas
Solinas
8 years ago
Reply to  Linda

FYI – Bell and Howell is a “zombie brand.” Bell and Howell is gone – out of business. Someone bought the rights to their name, and can put it on any crap they want. “Zombie brand” is an apt term for this – bringing a dead company back to life, in a manner the new brand stinks.

Rameen
Rameen
8 years ago

***30 days since ordering*** My order has still not shipped and my credit card has not been charged. Customer Support website says they are still out of stock.

Rockyone
Rockyone
8 years ago

So how does “Just pay a separate $10 fee … ” make the second Tac Light free? By my math, that makes the cost of the first Tac Light $19.99 and the cost of the second Tac Light $10.00. If they were really honest, they would say “Get a second Tac Light for half price” – because that’s what it really is. Almost all telemarketers are dishonest scoundrels trying to take advantage of gullible people. If I have any interest in a product I see marketed on TV, I wait to see if the product shows up in stores and… Read more »

jon5200
8 years ago

Buy 1 get 1 free……only pay $10……..so its NOT free is it???? They insult u right to your face!!!

LibHater5796
LibHater5796
8 years ago

They don’t bill your credit card immediately. It’s charged to your card when they actually ship it. As for The lights? Well… My wife ordered these for me and they talked her into upgrading to a brighter light. The price for that light was $29.95 and the second for $15, ended up being like $50 something dollars. What a damn joke!! They basically just ripped her off for more money cause its the same light they offer for $19 & $10. Their sneaky thieves, the light I definitely descent but after being conned by Bell & Howell the lights are… Read more »

jim rodgers
jim rodgers
8 years ago

I’m glad I came here before ordering. They are selling nation wide. Customer service will be slow. This flashlight appears to be just like the commercial says. With so few complaints, I’ll place my order. Thank you for your posts.

PaxRomana
PaxRomana
8 years ago

Folks why all the mishaps just order it from Amazon it’s actually less $15 free shipping plus anything goes wrong they will refund your money

JR
JR
7 years ago
Reply to  PaxRomana

Why spend even $15 and waste your time ordering it if it’s a piece of junk.. I don’t understand the “logic” behind that.

davina romant
davina romant
8 years ago

Do not buy this, this company places orders when you just look at their website without actually placing the order!!! rude and not helpful!! Will never recommend and to me this is fraudulent.

Amanda H
Amanda H
7 years ago

on the last page of ordering there was a submit order button. i had second thoughts and decided not to hit/push that confirm/submit order button. i even backed up a few pages to the start of the order form trying to delete all my payment card info, it so happenedd to auto-filled & locked my card info in the payment field. i closed the webpage. i went to my settings to delete all history, cookies, auto-fill data. I went about my day thinking i had successfully deleted all my information & not submitted my order since i NEVER hit that… Read more »

Graham Ungar
Graham Ungar
7 years ago

Great flashlight. Bought it at Bed Bath and Beyond.

JR
JR
7 years ago
Reply to  Graham Ungar

Mr. Ungar, are you one of the owners of this business by any chance?

Vickie Herndon
Vickie Herndon
7 years ago

I did not order this light. I filled out the info and they kept adding stuff and I did the page, BUT WHEN I GOT TO THE PAGE WHERE IT SAID CLICK TO PROCESS, I DID NOT CLICK. An hour later, I got an order #. I can’t call them because there is another number to call to call them and they aren’t open in the middle of the night so I am going to sleep. I have no intention of buying it or of paying for it. I will call BBB if they send it, but will try calling… Read more »

JR
JR
7 years ago
Reply to  Vickie Herndon

It’s a piece of junk, just like the people who own this scam business. The owners probably did a search for the cheapest piece of junk they could find that had a high desirability factor and then just set up this almost bogus business. What we as consumers need to accept is that there are no free lunches. We should spend our money wisely because like the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for” is going to be true, with few exceptions. Spend more and get a quality product – something we can be proud of. It’s as… Read more »

a soldier in Gods' army
a soldier in Gods' army
7 years ago

Screw this POS. The casing resembles the Sure Fire Digital Ultra 2. We all had the Sure Fire model mounted to our M-4’s, if you want a bright, durable and a flashlight to see a long distance…. Get a Surefire!!

michael
michael
7 years ago

I ordered both the flashlight about 3 months ago and the lantern about a month ago. The flashlight’s button to turn it on and off broke within the 1st 2 weeks. I was able to rig it so that it works. I didn’t drop it or anything else, other than turn it on and off while walking my dogs. Also the batteries on the flashlight wear out very quickly. No, I would not order another one. The lantern that I ordered on 1/2/2017 has still not been delivered. When I check the order online, it states it’s out of stock….yet,… Read more »

Follow Me Boys
Follow Me Boys
7 years ago

The lantern took 2 months to arrive. As a former Army Ranger and infantryman I can advise you that the lantern would not last outside in any environment I worked in. It’s nice for the inside. If you drop it the batteries inside will dislodge making you think it broke. What makes me mad as hell; is the deceptive BS “throwing it in the back of a Deuce in half. It’s plastic hence it will melt. Like I said it does alright inside the house. Battery life is alright. Should sell for 10.00
0.

Derek7777
Derek7777
7 years ago

I can honestly say the lantern sucked! The lighting was good when it worked. Just recently I replaced the batteries and poof, nothing! I took it apart and could not put “humpty dumpty” back together again! So much for durability and reliability!

JR
JR
7 years ago

After reading a lot of comments from people who did buy this product and their bad experience with both the flashlight and customer service, I don’t trust James White’s reviews. He seemed to think it was an OK product, even though it failed to do some of what it claimed it could. And he didn’t seem to use it over a period of time to test its lasting qualities. Oh well dot dot dot

JR
JR
7 years ago
Reply to  freakinreviews

Well, duh. Doesn’t breaking after just three weeks tell you it’s a piece of junk? I’m just saying, if people trust your reviews, then maybe you should put more time into the product before posting them.

JR
JR
7 years ago
Reply to  freakinreviews

I meant maybe you should have waited for at least a month then before reviewing the item and you would have seen that it was a piece of junk and reviewed it that way. But it’s your call, of course.

Angelo Rebello
Angelo Rebello
4 years ago
Reply to  JR

Mine worked for a day then the POS stopped Junk,junk,junk

Finn'sMom
Finn'sMom
6 years ago

I had to put this “out there”, as mine is a few month experience with what I dub, the Crap Light! Tac, what a joke! After a bad wind storm that took out our power, we discovered that we had no working flashlight in our home and drove to Target to make a purchase. They had this flashlight in stock and I had remembered seeing the ad, extolling the durability of the light, etc., so we purchased it and put the batteries in at home. We live in a rural area, so it was hehpful when walking out dogs in… Read more »

Happy but Deplorable George
Happy but Deplorable George
6 years ago

Mr. Nick Bolton needs a science lesson. He states that a car battery will fail in “sub zero” temperatures. But, the tac light will work even frozen in a block of ice. “Sub zero” temperatures are below zero. A block of ice can be as high as 32-33 degrees. That is at least a 32 degree difference. The statement he says is wrong and misleading.

Joy lynne
Joy lynne
3 years ago

I moved, & my charget cord got lost!

Jim
Jim
1 year ago

Why didn’t you tell us the number of hours it works on one set of batteries at high, medium and low? NO reviews I can find on this flashlight provide this information! It’s as though all reviewers are paid by the company and nobody provides this information. Why didn’t you provide this information??

James White
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

The type of battery would influence the outcome to the point that listing a single result would be meaningless. Duracell Optimum, Rechargeable, Dollar Store batteries? I can’t speak for others, and I tested this 7 years ago, but that’s probably why I didn’t include it.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  James White

Not buying that answer….. When you tested it you used some battery in it. Why didn’t you use that as your single data point reference and say “with this type/make battery I got X minutes or hours out of it”???

James White
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

I don’t recall my thought process for a review I spent 2 days on 7 years ago. While I’m still unsure how useful this information will be, I have placed a fresh set of batteries in the most recent Tac Light I purchased (I think I own 5 of them). The batteries are Rayovac High Energy, and I started my test at 8:30am on 7/30/23. I’ll comment again, and update the written article above, when the batteries are depleted.

James White
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

It is now 10:14am. The flashlight was on high and died at exactly 1 hour and 40 minutes. I waited a minute and turned it back on, and it stayed on for about a minute before going off again. Hopefully that info is helpful.