FOG HORN 2014
Twobirds Flying Publication
Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.
First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV
First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV 2014
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV
By: Sal Palma
First-Light USA began shipping the TORQ™
personal tactical lights in July of this year. I was
fortunate enough to see a preproduction
version of the new light in May, which gave me
a chance to pull together my thoughts on First-
Light’s entry level product.
The company introduced three models, the
TORQ™, TORQ™ LE and TORQ™ NV meeting a
wide range of end user requirements. The line is
directed at customers who want the
characteristics and function of the Tomahawk
without incurring its cost, so this new light
features an injection molded polymer body well
suited to individual users looking for the
advantages of a highly evolved and versatile
tactical light but don’t require machined
aluminum housings.
Before I jump into the bells and whistles of this
outstanding light, I want to revisit First-Light’s
design concept because it’s an important
differentiator.
The need for a tactical light is irrefutable; not
just among the law enforcement community
but in home defense. Tactical lighting provides
a measurable advantage in a threat
environment, a fact that has given rise to the
explosion of weapon mounted lights you now
see on so many handguns. However, not all
firearms have rail mounts, and as effective as
weapon mounted lights are, proper and safe
use requires training and a level of discipline
that under stress may breakdown. For
example, some police departments have
attributed accidental officer shootings to
weapon mounted lights; this is how some of
those scenarios unfold.
An officer in a high threat situation has his or
her weapon drawn and as he navigates through
a dark basement, or back yard, points the
muzzle in a direction he wants to illuminate; in
essence using the weapon as a flashlight
resulting potentially in an unintended shooting
of a fellow officer or bystander.
First-Light USA recognized the value of
separating the illumination source from the
weapon and introduced a tactical light that
allows the user to, quickly and effectively,
transition from flashlight to target illumination
if a shooting scenario develops.
First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV 2014
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
The hands-enabling
concept was introduced
in 2007, when the
company launched the
Liberator. It continued
through to the Tomahawk
line, in 2008 and the
current T-MAX and TORQ
lines. So, it’s safe to say
that idea withstands the test of time, and on
that bit of background I’ll share my thoughts
and comments about the, new for 2014,
TORQ™ NV.
The TORQ – NV is at the high end of its product
line. It features more functionality than
anything currently on the market; including IR
functions in a compact and lightweight package
that will only set you back $142 M.S.R.P.
The light is powered by two AA batteries that
install by dropping the battery cap held in the
closed position by a spring steel clip.
As with the Tomahawk, the TORQ light can be
worn on the belt, MOLLE attached or attached
to a vehicle, or any other magnetic surface,
using three optional mounts. I recommend
concurrent with your purchase of a TORQ light
that you pick up a TRS Belt Mount; it does a
great job of securing your light with ease of
deployment.
If you plan to carry your light on a load bearing
vest or plate carrier, infused with PALS
webbing, the TRS MOLLE BLADE is a route you’ll
want to take. I like it a great deal because it’s
easy to install and remove. First-Light has done
away with the ubiquitous malice clips in the TRS
MOLLE mount replacing them with a locking
polymer blade that work s great!
Somewhere, deep in First Light’s R&D
laboratories, lives a mad mathematician
because this light has more combinations than
anything I’ve seen; all of which are controlled
via 3 buttons. Let’s see, 33 or 27? BTW, a side
benefit to owning a TORQ – NV is that it
doubles as a memory trainer for you snipers out
there. I jest of course, but you’ll want a short
acclimation period to get used to the buttons
and functions.
So, let’s take a look at what functions are
available via these three switches:
1. Lock
2. Unlock
3. IR Mode Select
4. Low white (constant)
5. Medium white (constant)
6. High white (constant)
7. White constant off
8. High white (momentary)
9. Low Red (constant)
10. Medium Red (constant)
11. High Red (constant)
12. Red constant off
13. Low Green (constant)
14. Med Green (constant)
15. High Green (constant)
16. Green constant off
17. Low Blue (constant)
18. Medium Blue (constant)
19. High Blue (constant)
20. Blue constant off
21. White strobe
22. Safety beacon
23. IR low (constant)
24. IR medium (constant)
25. IR high (constant)
26. IR strobe
27. IR high (momentary)
First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV 2014
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
I want to take a moment to highlight
that in spite of the wide choice of
functions, accessing them is intuitive
and very well organized.
One very nice departure from the
Tomahawk architecture is the
articulating head. The TORQ
illumination head rotates a full 320°
giving the operator the flexibility to
place as much light as needed on any
plane regardless of orientation; very
convenient, especially when reading a
map, working with a smart device or
your weapon system.
Continuing with the articulating head,
First Light included eight audible
detents at 40° intervals; however, the
operator is not restricted from directing
light to any spot within the 320° arc of
its rotation.
Very high on my list of likes is access to
the full array of LED colors: red, green
and blue. Even better is that an
operator can regulate the LED output
with the push of a button for optimal
illumination in three steps of low,
medium or high. For example, a
medium green setting is ideal for
reading topological maps, aviation
charts and nautical charts.
All things considered, I’m not sure how
the folks at First Light could squeeze
more functions out of the three existing
buttons; however, were that possible
I’d ask for a red/green mix option. It
seems to work better than straight
green for map reading or detail work.
All the constant on LED functions of
white, red, green, blue and IR have a
memory and will turn on at the last
used output level. I like this feature, but
some would argue that having them
always turn on in low is the best
approach. I certainly see that point of
view but to be perfectly honest it’s not
a show stopper for me.
The white primary LED has a maximum
output of 155 lumens and takes
advantage of a very nice parabolic
reflector to create a well-defined hot
spot with an abundance of peripheral
lighting. In a time where handheld lights
are pushing past the 600 lumen barrier,
First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV 2014
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
the 155 lumens provided may seem
anemic, but rest assured that it’s more
than adequate to help a homeowner or
police officer gain and retain a tactical
advantage.
When discussing IR modes with people
there is a tendency for them to think
that you’re trying to illuminate a tank 2
klicks down the road. If that is your
desire don’t bother with the NV version
of the TORQ. The IR function provides
three levels of IR illumination that are
navigation and task oriented; not part
of a weapon system. The IR beacon
serves to identify you to others on your
team under night vision conditions.
In closing, I have to tell you that I love
this light, and it does everything so
well…
Quite often I run across gear reviews
that spend way too much time
establishing that a particular piece of kit
does something well “for its price.” I
want to sell you on a slightly different
thought process. Start by assessing your
needs using a realistic approach that
answers two questions. What do I need,
and how well does my choice need to
perform those functions? Next,
consider a product in terms of how
many of your needs it meets. Then and
only then bring price into the equation.
It’s when you take this approach that
you’ll begin to unearth those rare gems
in the marketplace; products like First
Light’s TORQ line of illumination tools.
First Light USA delivered on four fronts:
quality, form and function at an
unsurpassed price point.
First Light’s TORQ – NV will certainly go on my
“coveted” Stocking Stuffer List for the coming
Holiday Season.
In the meantime, pick one up along with the
mounting option that meets your intended use.
You’ll be happy with that decision!
-SP
Manufacturer’s Specifications
Maximum white light output: 155
lumens*
Runtime: 10 hours*
320 Degree rotating head
Waterproof (1 meter)
Constructed from proprietary
polymers
Weight: 4.4 ounces
Dimensions: 3.9"H x 2.6"L x 1.4"W
* Tested to ANSI FL1 Standard
First-Light USA
205 S. Main St.
Seymour, IL 61875 USA
Toll-Free: 877.454.4450
http://www.firstlight-usa.com/
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