I have used the traditional 3 cell “Bright Star” flashlight since it was introduced to me by my tracking mentors during the Universal Tracking Services era, and I have tried to find a better flashlight. My personal experience has shown me that the 3 cell flashlight with the cheap bulb is the tracking flashlight that works best for night tracking missions. Unfortunately many of my missions catch me without my large 3 cell flashlight and I am forced to use whatever is handy. I used to get stuck with the maglite flashlight quite often because it was what I had while on duty, it was a great light for lighting up the area, but it had the shadow ring which was quite a hindrance and the light was bright, which allowed me to see the sign but it burned out my eyes faster. They now make a LED bulb kit that replaces the traditional bulb for the maglite. It is an awesome upgrade allowing me to use my old Maglite for tracking missions without the shadow ring. The problem is that the bright light still remained as a cause for eye burnout for night tracking. I have used many smaller flashlights like the Coast LED Lenser and they are quite amazing as a well rounded flashlight, but they still can’t compare to the 3 cell flashlight.
Many people have tried and swear by colored lights. In my experience…I have experimented and tried to make them work but found they are not worth the effort. Colors for night vision retention, or blood ID, etc.. are all futile attempts to find a better light for trackers than the time proven 3 cell cheap flashlight. For tracking I have conceded that the soft white or yellowish white light produced by the cheap bulbs and reflector of the Bright Star are a perfect light for the tracker during night operations.
During daytime operations, I have found that a bright LED works very well where you are tracking in shaded areas and eye burnout is less likely. The very best light that I have ever used for tracking was a Variable wavelength light source owned by the sheriff’s office. It was a “shoebox” sized power source with a 5’ cable holding the light head. The light was held above dust prints we found on a kitchen counter top and the wavelength was adjusted until our print showed the finest details that we could not obtain with our tracking or other hand held lights. This light source would not be practical for tracking outdoors, it is too cumbersome and a price tag of $3000 makes it a specialized tool that a tracker can ask the agency they are working for, if one is available if the situation calls for it. they are comming out with a new forensic flashlight almost monthly, but they are typically not a good match for trackers on sign in the field.
I helped train a 15 person Special Forces unit that was created specifically for tracking missions, and they fully endorse the 3 cell flashlight as the standard, and used it in night time combat missions, busting the myths about tracking at night with flashlights. They did use NVG’s and I/R flashlights at times, but was more of a hindrance to productive tracking.
I don’t normally get too wrapped up in which flashlight is best, its one of those things where your tracking mentors will give you their endorsement based on many years of experience, and it will be up to you to seek out the truth through detailed dirt time with the light.
Try various lights that you think will be more beneficial for night tracking, and get used to them while training, that is the place to make mistakes and improvements.
The truth is, the best flashlight is the one you have with you at the moment you find yourself needing one, but you may kick yourself for not having the right light. Find a way to keep a quality light with your equipment at all times.
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Bob Brady