Off Duty, Technology - Army Times

Bright ideas

These products will light up your life.

Pentagon light

K2 Porcupine

One twist of the barrel and sharpened spikes sprout from around the head of the new K2 Porcupine light. A spiky tail cap also offers some tactical advantages. The spike exterior is anodized to meet Type III military specification for repeated abrasions and scratches. An incandescent bulb produces 70 lumens of white light and cuts the darkness with a sharp beam of powerful illumination. Run time is about 60 minutes using two lithium batteries. Length is 5.5 inches. The activation button is tucked in the tail cap — one press of the button gives momentary operation, and a full plunge provides constant light.

Cost: $129

http://www.pentagonlight.com

Surefire

VA2 Optimus

The folks at Surefire tout the Optimus as “the most versatile, most controllable and most technologically advanced flashlight on the planet.” If the prototype we saw lives up to the specs, the company line won’t be hyperbole. Due out later this year, the Optimus will feature eight output levels ranging from 2 lumens to a blinding 200 lumens with a press of the tail-cap button. There’s also a tactical strobe setting and an SOS beacon. The best part: Vari-Beam technology allows users to change the Optimus’ light distribution from spot to flood and all points in between with a slight bezel twist. There’s also a built-in fuel gauge for this LED dandy.

Cost: Undetermined

http://www.surefire.com