There’s something very satisfying about a full-sized tactical flashlight. Of course, “full-sized” in this context might be something of a misnomer. When we talk about tactical flashlights, we’re usually discussing lights that stop short of becoming club-sized, maglite-patterned torches. These are lights that don’t get much longer than six inches, often less, intended as a daily companion, to accompany a handgun, or as a dedicated, weapon-mounted light.
The ArmyTek Predator Pro is one such light. This is a substantial tactical light — too big to see duty as a pocket torch, at 6 inches long with a 1-inch barrel and a crenelated 1.5-inch diameter bezel — that boasts a premium Cree XP-G2 white light. According to the manufacturer, the XP-G2 “delivers up to 20% more lumens per watt and 2.5 times the lumens-per-dollar over the original XP-G, lowering system cost up to 57%. …Combining high light output, reliability and efficacy, [the] XP-G2 is optimized for directional, high-lumen applications, from indoor and outdoor to portable and lamp retrofits.”
This much is clear when you switch on the Predator Pro for the first time. The torch has five operating modes, grouped in two clusters of settings that are accessed by rotating the barrel of the flashlight. With the flashlight body tightened completely, quickly loosening and then tightening the barrel by a 1/8 diameter turn will switch from what is supposed to be 5 lumens to 100 lumens and then to a startling 500 lumens (these numbers are slightly less, on average, for the “warm” LED variant also offered for the Predator Pro). Loosening the barrel by an eighth of a turn and waiting a second or two will cause the light to downshift to its second cluster of operating modes.
In that second cluster, you can quickly turn the barrel (being careful to end in the 1/8th loosened position, not the fully tightened position) to switch from a disorienting high-visibility 15Hz strobe to a 1.5 lumen “firefly” setting. The LED output is circuit-regulated. Power is provided by two CR123A cells (or a single 18650 cell). On its brightest setting, the light produced has a bright center and a wide, significantly dimmer halo. Be aware that particularly on its highest setting, the Predator Pro heats up with extended use.
The product documentation includes a chart that lists four lumens values with runtimes ranging from 155 hours (at 6 lumens) to 1 hour and 20 minutes (at 670 lumens), but I believe these figures apply to a different light or lights in the Predator Pro product line. In practice, the lumens values stated by a manufacturer almost always vary from what a product will do in the hand. As there is no means for the average person to test these lumens values, it is sufficient note that the three-setting cluster switches from a reasonable utility value, to what I would consider a baseline “tactical light” brightness, to an eye-popping flare I would characterize as “really freaking bright.” In the second cluster, the strobe is bright enough that I don’t like looking at it (especially because the flashing makes me queasy), whereas the “firefly” setting is so dim that you can’t see the beam in a normally lighted room.
The light ships with a lanyard, an extra tailcap switch cover, a pocket clip (if you’re feeling particularly confident in your pocket’s ability to house large objects), and a lightweight Nylon belt sheath. The sheath has a hook-and-loop flap. Hook-and-loop is used in conjunction with a snap for the belt loop, which has a D-ring at the top (which one could use for attachment of the supplied lanyard).
The body of the Predator Pro is anodized aluminum and shows good attention to fit and finish. It feels very solid in the hand. The crenelated bezel is aggressive enough to be meaningful, yet not so exaggerated that it will draw unnecessary attention. A scalloped, rubberized ring has also been affixed to the barrel, for those users who prefer placing the body of the light between their fingers. The textured tailcap switch is of the “clicky” variety. It provides momentary-on brightness with a light press. Pressing down harder activates the switch for constant-on illumination.
This is an excellent light. It’s big enough to do most field and tactical chores, offers plenty of setting options (including low-brightness levels that won’t completely blind you if you’re, say, checking your watch in a movie theater or finding your way on a hunting trail), and both looks and feels well made. I would recommend the Predator Pro to anyone looking for a full-sized multi-function tactical torch that could also be used for striking. The Nylon sheath provided probably isn’t heavy enough for extended field use, so you’ll want to plan on carrying this torch in your own aftermarket sheath, mounted on a weapon, or tucked away somewhere else.
ArmyTek is based in Canada. For more information on the Predator Pro and the other lights the company carries, be sure to check out their website.