Unfortunally the Shadow Hawk flashlight is discontinued! Another alternative is right under here…
We will be testing other flashlights soon. Meanwhile, a great option is the Gearlight S1000 LED Tactical Flashlight. It’s under $50 and has a great size.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Very bright concentrated light
- Multi-functional design
- Plenty adjustable features
Cons:
- Requires frequent charging
- Consider a replacement battery
As one of my favorite pieces of police gear, my tactical flashlight comes with me everywhere.
If you are on the hunt for one, too, then you are in the right place.
There is plenty to take in with this Shadow Hawk Tactical Flashlight review.
After all, this tactical gear offers a ton of innovative features, which makes it a phenomenal option.
Shadow Hawk Tactical Flashlight Review
One of the most notable parts of any Shadow Hawk X800 review is just how powerful it is.
It has numerous user-friendly features that law enforcement officers will love having on hand.
It can also be a significant upgrade to your existing flashlights at home if you need access to brighter lights.
The impressive 1,200-lumen bulb lights up an exceptional amount of area.
You will feel like you have optimal visibility, even in the darkest conditions, which is imperative for safety.
Finding suspects in unfamiliar terrain will be much more efficient, as you will be able to see everything.
This tactical flashlight is a significant upgrade from some of the older models on the market that require batteries.
Uniquely, the Shadow Hawk X800 is completely rechargeable using a USB cable.
You will no longer have to worry about managing special batteries in your kit, as you can simply charge it overnight.
Who Is This Flashlight Meant For?
A couple of groups will benefit the most from having this piece of equipment, especially in law enforcement.
When approaching tactical situations, you must have top-tier visibility.
Even for regular patrol, you want to ensure you have eyes on potential suspects at all times.
This tactical flashlight guarantees visibility is at its highest at a time when you need it most.
Military personnel can also use this flashlight to their advantage in training scenarios and during active duty.
You’ll love having several customizable features, which add to the versatility of the device.
As mentioned, survivalists might benefit from the flashlight, as it can easily be recharged instead of needing replacement batteries.
It is important to note that although there are plenty of functional features, these flashlights are not toys.
They are exceptionally bright and aren’t to be used by children, as it could cause significant damage.
What’s Included?
Everything you need to start using your new tactical flashlight upon arrival is included in the box.
I was thrilled to see it came with a built-in rechargeable battery as well as a USB cable for charging.
You can upgrade the cable for faster charging, but the included one offers a full battery within six hours.
Along with the USB charger, it also comes with a car charger and wall charger, giving you plenty of options when it comes to charging it.
I prefer using the wall charger, as it works faster than the other two.
For ensuring the flashlight is always ready to go, the car charger is convenient to have on hand, too.
I also recommend browsing the included owner’s manual to get a good idea of the flashlight’s different functions.
Otherwise, you could be missing out on several essential functions that improve its versatility.
A few other items included in the package are:
- Keyring
- Holster
- Battery holder
- Gift box
Overview of the Features
With the exceptional amount of power that this flashlight offers, you can tell it is not designed for civilian use.
However, it can be quite beneficial for survival scenarios or as a hefty backup for existing flashlights.
Here are the reasons why:
- LED Light
After reading more than a few Shadow Hawk X800 reviews and testing it out myself, I found that its most impressive feature is its brightness.
There is a built-in 1,200-lumen Cree LED light that is exceptional for sweeping large areas.
On average, you should be able to have clear visibility up to a thousand feet away, depending on the settings.
It is important to note that the brighter you have the light, the more battery power it will consume.
You might find the brightest setting is too much for average use, as even the medium setting is exceptionally bright.
Compared to traditional LED lights, the Cree LED XM-L2 is 20% brighter.
- Zoomable Beam
Have you ever encountered a tactical flashlight that didn’t reach the widths you need it to?
The Shadow Hawk X800 is exceptional for allowing you to customize the width of the beam.
You can opt for a wide beam or narrow it down for a more concentrated focus on specific areas.
- Five Lighting Options
Compared to traditional flashlights with an on/off switch, this tactical device has five lighting options.
A couple of them are quite useful for camping and survival, such as the SOS and strobe functions.
You’ll likely cycle through the high, medium, and low most often for law enforcement officers.
- Rechargeable Battery
I find it incredibly frustrating to replace the batteries in my tactical flashlights, especially as I often use them.
This device is a far better alternative, as it is fully rechargeable and easy to recharge at home.
The battery longevity is impressive, as well; it should last up to 50,000 hours with regular use.
The flashlight will go from empty to full within six hours by plugging it into the USB charger.
The wall charger is even faster by taking only four hours to charge.
Unfortunately, the car charger isn’t as powerful as expected but can be useful for trickle charging, if necessary.
- Weatherproof Construction
I want to caution that this tactical flashlight isn’t entirely waterproof, which means it cannot be submerged in water.
However, I would rate it as weatherproof, as it is IP65 water-resistant.
I love using it in the rain because it allows for a concentrated focus of light in specific areas for optimal clarity.
It is also convenient to have on hand in the winter since the battery is perfectly insulated to prevent power loss.
I highly caution keeping the flashlight in your vehicle in the hot summer months because doing so impacts the battery negatively.
- Intuitive Features
Adjusting the several features in this flashlight is very easy with its user-friendly design.
First, the flashlight is very compact and fits comfortably in any size hand.
You can access all of the control buttons and sliders on the body with a single touch.
One button is used to switch between the different lighting modes, while the slider is used for adjusting the zoom.
- Included Warranty
As with your handcuffs, you must have access to a high-quality flashlight warranty.
Fortunately, this flashlight is covered for up to 12 months, allowing you to put it to the test without any worries.
It also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which means you get a full refund if you are dissatisfied.
How to Use This Tactical Flashlight
There are several ways you can use your new flashlight, especially as a professional.
It has a highly concentrated beam of light that is easily adjusted with the slider on the body.
By moving your finger up or down, you will be able to create a concentrated beam or a pathway of light.
As you will find in other Tactical Shadowhawk Flashlight review, the lighting mode is yet another easy-to-access function of this tactical gear.
For your safety, there is a built-in SOS and strobe function.
Alternatively, you can choose between low, medium, and high lighting settings based on the brightness you need.
One of my top recommendations for this light is to prevent shining it in your subject’s eyes.
As the light is exceptionally bright, it can cause temporary blindness.
It is best suited when directed away from the face, especially if you are untrained in using tactical equipment.
If the flashlight gets exceptionally wet, it is essential to remember to wipe it down before storing it.
Otherwise, the water can work its way into the interior components and cause significant damage.
Remember, it is not waterproof, so it is best to ensure that it isn’t kept underwater for extended periods.
Alternative
Sometimes, it is not enough to go through one Tactical Shadowhawk Flashlight review. Instead, you must have a backup.
The GearLight LED Tactical Flashlight is a good alternative.
You’ll receive two flashlights in your package for a much lower price.
A few of the most notable features of the GearLight Tactical Flashlight are:
- Versatile Power Options
There are two ways you can choose to use this tactical flashlight.
You can either rely on the rechargeable battery or use three AAA batteries if the initial one is dead.
I love having a backup power source at my disposal to ensure my flashlight is always ready to go.
- Durable Design
Another feature I appreciate is how durably this flashlight is built.
It will surely withstand up to 10-foot drops without any damage and can be submerged underwater.
With that said, it is not entirely waterproof, so it shouldn’t be submerged for long.
- Tactical Features
Two of the most remarkable tactical features are the anti-roll design and the tactical switch.
On the rear of the flashlight, you will find an easy-to-push button that engages the flashlight.
This lets you effortlessly and immediately illuminate an area in seconds.
The anti-roll design prevents the flashlight from rolling on hard surfaces.
Verdict
One of the common aspects of this Shadow Hawk Tactical Flashlight review is that it is an excellent choice for all users.
Professionals will appreciate the brightness and easily accessible features it brings to the job.
Casual users will love how it gives them a safety net when camping or in survival situations.