The Martialist: For Those Who Fight Unfairly

Gerber Expert LED Light

Review by Phil
Elmore

Gerber Legendary Blades
“Expert” is an LED flashlight marketed as being for “military”
applications.  It’s a handheld tactical light with a tailcap
switch and a metal pocket clip.  Its technical specifications, per
Gerber’s website, break down as follows:

Construction:  Aluminum
Length: 5.5 inches
Bezel Diameter: Just Over 1.25 inches

Output Time:  1 Hour
Lumens:  100+
Powered By:  2 CR123A Lithium 3 Volt Batteries

The LED incorporates regulated circuitry, which means the light
output does not fall as the battery power drops with use.  The
beam looks, to my amateur eyes, to be 100 lumens easily; it is
nicely bright and nicely white, easily outshining my 60-lumen Laser
Devices Operator (whose incandescent beam is much more yellow).
 All white LEDs are essentially blue LEDs combined with a phosphor
cap to produce white light; the Expert’s beam is free of blue tint (at
least to my eye).

The tailcap switch activates with light pressure.  There is no
positive “click” or even much give when the switch is activated;
pressure makes the light activate, while the release of pressure allows
it to switch off again.  The tailcap can be twisted up or down to
adjust the pressure required; twisting the cap down all the way causes
the light to enter always-on mode.

The pocket clip is removable and reversible; it is designed to
attach
readily to military MOLLE webbing and is “paracord adaptable,” although
I’m not certain precisely what that’s supposed to mean.  It rides
comfortably in my pocket with the light oriented bezel-down, drawing
easily.  The clip fits tightly enough that it does not shift or
come loose with wear, which was a problem so significant on my previous
daily carry light that I eventually lost the clip, permanently, quite
by accident.

The black anodized body is grooved or fluted, but only mildly so.
 While the light’s surface is quite smooth to the touch, the
irregular shape of the body and the grooves combine to yield adequate
traction.  The rubberized tailcap switch has a raised, checkered
pattern.
 Facets on the bezel and by the tail prevent the light from
rolling when it is resting on a flat surface (though the pocket clip
would prevent this too).  The bezel is crenelated but in a subtle
fashion, so it does not look overtly aggressive.

This is a handy light that has all of the basic requirements for a self-defense tactical carry torch as outlined in my book, Flashlight Fighting.
 It is sturdy, well-suited to striking, produces a reliable,
bright white light, and has a pocket clip to facilitate daily carry.
 I consider it a well-thought-out offering amidst Gerber’s product
line. >>


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