Bar none the best handheld light on the market. The multi-channel function allows the operator to tailor the light to the situation. Battery life could be better, but on par with other hand helds. I was so impressed with this light, I purchased a second one and mounted it to my M4 as a dedicated weapon light.

This is bar none one of the best lights I have ever seen. I really like the little ring around the end- finger ring around the bottom for better control. The only two things wrong with this is #1- The price tag, not to many street cops can through around $200 plus on a light. and The 2nd- The battery life could be a little better.

I've been using this light for well over a year now. It’s gone though a lot of abuse -- A LOT of abuse! It's scraped and gouged now, but it has never malfunctioned on me and has been the best "illumination tool" I have ever spent money on. Other people have complained about battery life, but even working nights, I have had the same pair of batteries in the light for almost two months. The only time I had battery issues was when I first received the light; I played with it a lot, especially the strobe, which seems to chew up the most battery power. The low battery indication feature lets you know when to change batteries and I always carry a spare set in my glove pouch just in case. As for operationally, I have found that the Gladius has saved my partner and I some aggravation. When we are about to place someone into custody that we feel may be a problem, I switch to strobe function and give a good burst in the eyes, while my partner grabs one arm and I grab the other. We routinely have subjects secured in handcuffs before they know what's happening. Most of the time, all the subjects can talk about is the light. One said, "Man, I thought we were just talkin' (then we got word the man was wanted "armed and dangerous" through our earpieces) and then you flashy thinged me and I was in handcuffs." Best light I have ever bought. Even though it’s pricey, it is worth every penny. I am just waiting for the CQC holster and Xiphos combination for the Glock 21.

Excellent back up flash light to put on your belt! I carry it and use the 3 different settings for different things. The strobe is a good distraction light when dealing with gang members and, by the time the know what's going on after I hit them with a blast of it, I am already out of the car and on top of them. It's reliable and it's switch is easy to use.

I too recently acquired this flashlight as an ebay purchase. I was lucky enough to get it for the low price of $115.00. As stated in other reviews, the strobe function is an excellent "brain scrambler". Many students have commented on how the strobe makes them feel anything from dizziness to experiencing nausea.

The price does hurt anyone on a tight budget. There are some other tools on the market right now that will convert other tactical lights costing much less into something comparable to the Blackhawk Night Ops. The Lightsaver IQ Switch is but one conversion that will work with a few models of Surefire Tactical Lights. Here is the link: http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/military/level4.tam?cart=07H21utw.vtw&lpg=%2Fmilitary%2Fresults%2Etam&lpt=1187751730&xax=18691&M5COPY%2Ectx=29931&M5%2Ectx=29931&M2%5FDESC%2Ectx=Flashlights%2C%20Headlamps%2C%20Lights&level3%2Ectx=results%2Etam

I love this flashlight. The only downside to it is the battery life. Very bright, multi-settings and durable.

nice product but you can get a light of equal or better quality for less than 1/2 the price, this is a tool for sombody with money to waste.

I was given this light by a friend who was a distributer to show to our tactical team. They loved it till administration heard the price (and he was offering a deal). This is one of my constant carry, along with my S&W model 60 The batteries you get from BlackHawk are poor durability swith to Duracel or Energizer and you'll have longer life. The adjustable light level is perfect for night shift counts in a Correctinal Facility and the strobe is great for distraction I have yet to see someone not "Have too!" close there eyes when flashed.

The light produced by this flashlight is second to none when you compare it to others of the same size. I have put this light through hell and it hasn't missed a beat. I received the light as part of a T&E and if it weren't for that I probably would not have one, but it is good to be the purchasing agent. I am also a firearms instructor and it has been put through more than a few night fire classes without missing a beat. If you can find the money I highly recommend this light.

I got the Strategos modified Gladius, with the brighter LED bulb and same run time (more efficient). http://www.order-gear.com

Pros- very bright with excellent throw. The strobe doesn't really affect me when I've tried it on myself but I haven't had a chance to use it on the street yet, as it has become my AR mounted light.

Durability seems high, and the lense is clear and tough. LED bulb technology means you can drop the light while it is on and its not going to blow out.

Cons- the tailcap switch seems cheaply made- the one part likely to break if you dropped it. The distance between the anti-roll tangs and the tailcap switch is rather short, so using the "Rogers" or "laser" technique for shooting a pistol is problematic for me because of my large hands (My Glock 21C fits my hands just fine). A longer tailcap would be nice. Also, a rechargeable version would make this light MUCH more popular among law enforcement circles.

Would I buy it again? Yes, I would buy the current light again for my rifle. There are rumors of a rechargeable version in 08, so I am waiting for that to add one to my duty belt.

This flashlight is the best light I have used for tactical use. I don't personally own one but have used friends in sims force on force drills and it works. The strobe effect disorients the subject greatly allowing you to fix the target and engage. I'd own one if I could talk myself into dropping nearly 200 buck on a light.

it is one of the best lights

As a Detective I am normally in dress cloths. This light allows me to place it in my back pocket without fear of it falling out and getting lost somewhere. The intensity of the light is equal to or greater that the 3 c-cell light that I had in my patrol car. Great item

Bought this light when I went to a low light class and thought it was great. I read a lot of reviews of this light some good some bad. I have dropped it on the pavement and in water and had no problems. Only two draw backs: if used a lot the batteries go quick so keep another light with you, and make sure the light is off and lock when holstered otherwise the low light feature comes on and wears out the batteries.

When I first got this light, I thought WOW!! what a light. I liked the fact it had three different light intensities and the strobe feature was excellent. However, I encountered a problem with the tailcap button and the holster it came with. The light just quit working one night and the holster broke into 3 pieces. I contacted the manufacturer about this problem and apparently there was some kind of design flaw with the tailcap button. I sent it off and had it repaired but now I use it as a back up light. I switched to the Stinger LED, which btw has a strobe feature and light intensity setting as well.

this light rocks!!!

Awesome light... the strobe is a great tool to have on your side to really surprise the suspect. Would recommend for all to have..

Very Very good light. The best duty belt light I have used. I would give the Gladius a 5 however; the only problem I have had is with Batteries. The life is not as long as it should be and the $ of a 3 volt is a little high. The light its self is very good stuff. The light has a strobe setting on the tale cap, that can be used for may things. The price of the unit is way high. Make sure you look around before you buy. The range of Price is 200's to 150's.

This flashlight is bright and the beam pattern is fairly narrow (which in my opinion is a good thing). The strobe feature works fairly well at night (though I haven't had the opportunity to use it against a bad guy yet, just friends). I've had mine for about 2 years and nothing mechanically has gone wrong yet. However, sometimes certain modes will stop working until you take the end-cap off and then put it back on.

Also, as I've noticed with many LED lights, it has a very hard time going through tinted windows.

powerful and reliable flashlight, but the coating scratches quickly and it is a little bit bulky for a pocket use. the push button is very sensible and one time with the movements it stayed illuminated for a moment in my pocket til' i felt the boiling ouch!

Great light, but you better have a stash of extra batteries. The strobe will cause a perp to go into a siesure. If this light falls off of your duty belt, on the button end just right is will break a small clip on the inside of the button causing the turn style switch to malfunction. You will have to send the light back to Blackhawk for repair. Blackhawk said this is a very rare occurance. I believe BlackHawk because I have put this light through HELL!!!!!

I like this flashlight as a backup light to my streamlight that is rechargable. The batteries do not last that long. On the positive side it is a very bright light.

This is by far the best light I have ever had

In a dark area, this light is worth every penny. I have been on the receiving end of the strobe in training and it works. You will want a spare set of batteries on hand or in your gear bag, it goes through them.

Just received mine, and the first night it was put to use. Hell of a light for many applications. A bit pricey; I got a free holster with it, but at $180 I think I should have.

This is the Greatest Light I have used. The Strobe function is AWESOME!! Battery life is a downfall and the price is a little high (definitely shop around for deals). But all in all I would recommend this lighting tool to anyone. Weapon mounter version now available identified as the Xyphos. Got mine from lapolicegear.com at half the listed price.

I feel that this light is over priced and over rated for what it has to offer. I carry one but only because my department provided it for me. The strobe function is an excellent tool but to pay this price for the gladius is rediculous when you can buy a surefire 6P and ad the Blitzer tailcap for about half the price. Another downfall to this light is there is very little warning when the batteries are drained. Better keep batteries on you because when they die, you won't know it until they are gone.

Love my Gladius, but...3v batteries don't last long and are expensive to replace. Waiting for someone to get a good 3v rechargeable option. Strobe is great at night for confusing people. I've had people think they were about to be Tazed when you hit them with the strobe...Funny

WAY OVERPRICED. Got mine for free otherwise I'd never buy it. That being said it's a great light. The strobe is handy not only on entries, but traffic stops and many other situations. I have heard that the chip in it can go haywire especially if carried next to your radio. I carry mine next to my radio and have had no problems. I don't like the fact that it's not rechargeable and batteries can be costly and you have to order them. The holster is good, but you have to use Blackhawk's because not really any other ones out there.I like that it dims down and you can lock it off for travel or dayshifts. Overall a great light, but if you're paying then go with a Streamlight Stinger XT. If someone else is buying... grab one!