The right angle head flashlight is now a common light and a style that is made by most large flashlight manufacturers for tactical use or any job where being hands free will be important.
You can check out our favorite tactical lights if you are looking for a light right now. Right now there is 1 angled light on there and it is even specially designed to be held with a pistol along with all of the normal benefits of L lights.
Let us dive into the history and benefits of this piece of gear that has been a government issue service accessory for the united states army, navy, air force, and marines for a long time.
Working without a proper source of light in the dark can be quite challenging. While flashlights are a popular choice, they can be quite limiting if you need to use both hands. Of course, there are many things you can do to get around this.
One of the ways that people use to remedy the situation is by setting the flashlight at a somewhat convenient location and getting down to work. However, if you must switch positions frequently, you are likely to be very uncomfortable.
Another option some people go for are headlamps. Despite their ability to give hands-free light, they can be uncomfortable, as you need to put your head in awkward positions continuously to light up your point of focus. Also, headlamps might not fit properly and can be heavy.
As a result, most people with a need for a flashlight that allows them to work without holding it often wish they could find something that bridges the gap between a headlamp and a regular flashlight.
Fortunately, there is the anglehead flashlight.
Also known as angled flashlights, 90-degree flashlights, right-angle flashlights, or L shape flashlights. They are extremely handy due to their ability to clip onto clothing, ranging from belts to shirts. As such, you can attach an angled flashlight onto the most convenient location so you can work in peace.
This is why tactical angled flashlights are extremely popular among law enforcement officers, search-and-rescue personnel, firefighters, and less strenuous things like camping, hunting, and hiking.
History Of Right Angle Flashlights
The angle head flashlight traces its origins back to the Second World War when almost all armed forces soldiers found that standard flashlights were practically useless in the extreme conditions, they found themselves in daily.
Wartime necessity led to the development of the TL-122 right angle tactical flashlight. It was produced by Eveready and Niagara. The design has since become the blueprint for all angled flashlights that have followed it. The angle head flashlight is a staple in the average soldier’s toolkit today.
In 1960 a new military design called MX99/U (U stands for underwater), it was put into service in 1963. This light has had a few modifications and has been produced by my government contractors like Fulton, Eveready, GT-Price, and Bright Star.
They are used for navigation, to signal others, and in extreme situations morse code. It has become a common sight to see a soldier carrying this flashlight on the front of their load-bearing suspenders. It fits in great with the olive drab uniform color.
The angled flashlight has a belt clip on the side as well as a D ring that you can unfold from the flashlight’s base to allow for more effortless hanging. It also comes with a rubber O-ring seal that serves as an additional coating for enhanced water resistance.
The lens of a standard L shaped flashlight is thin, clear plastic. However, some come with colored lenses to avoid interfering with a soldier’s night vision equipment. Colored lenses also significantly reduce the chances of being spotted by the enemy from greater distances. In addition to being a versatile flashlight, the military angled flashlight can double as a weapon if the situation calls for it.
Benefits of 90 Degree Flashlights
While the right-angle flashlight was designed for tactical use, civilians have found many uses for this convenient tool.
Some of the advantages that the 90-degree flashlight has over regular flashlights include:
Ergonomic Design
Thanks to the right-angle design, you can hold this flashlight without having to contort your arm or wrist into awkward positions. The significantly less strain that anglehead flashlights have on wrists and arms means that you will be able to keep fatigue at bay for longer.
Hands-Free Use
Again, due to the flashlight sitting at a right angle, you can put the flashlight on its base to provide adequate illumination to an area. As a result, your hands will be free for you to work with more ease. Its hands-free use is the primary reason behind the angle head flashlight’s immense popularity.
Durability
The military version of the angled flashlight is made from extremely durable materials that makes it so sturdy that it can be used as a weapon. Additionally, its design ensures that it does not fail you in extreme conditions involving water thanks to rubber O-rings that make it waterproof.
The design also ensures that you can carry extra lenses and bulbs with you in case of the unexpected.
Safety
Even as a civilian, your dexterity when walking at night in poorly lit neighborhoods is essential. An angled flashlight will not only illuminate your path so you can avoid accidents but will also ensure that you are not compromised in the event you have to protect yourself.
Energy Efficiency
This is about personal energy efficiency, not the light. The less that a person needs to fuss with a light the more energy and decision making power they are going to keep for important tasks.
Today’s Angled Flashlight
Modern right angle flashlights are much more durable and bright compared to the previous generations. You can still get replicas of the original but with better materials. But we would recommend going with a newer design from and respectable flashlight maker like Streamlight, Fenix, or FoxFury. There are even new designs that can rotate from 90 degree to straight.
The most significant advancement has been the incorporation of LED lights in today’s angled flashlights. Past flashlights used incandescent bulbs. The benefit of using LED is that it is far more durable, which allows it to survive impacts that would destroy incandescent bulbs. Additionally, LEDs use a lot less energy to produce the same amount of light or way more. Check this article if you want to see what the strongest lights are right now. These torches will last significantly longer on a single charge.
When it comes to materials, original angle head flashlights were made from metal that was not sealed. Unfortunately, this made them susceptible to corrosion. Today’s flashlights are made from either high-impact plastic or aluminum, which are materials that are both strong while being resistant to corrosion. These materials also make them lighter and hence more comfortable to use without compromising on their build. Making them better for survival and emergency situations, especially in the outdoors
Closing Statement
We can thank WWII engineers for the Military angle head flashlights are handy tools that will prove to be invaluable to people who work in the dark regularly. You will no longer have to curse under your breath due to your flashlight feeling uncomfortable in your mouth or on your head. We encourage you to give one a try and let us know what you think.
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