The Striker VG is a very bright Luxeon III flashlight from LED Logic. To quote the packaging, "It is a tactical flashlight exclusively designed for Law enforcement, Military, Border Patrol, Corrections and Security Officers and those civilians who desire a Non-Lethal Self Defense tool." It includes a multifunction switching system that allows for momentary use, dimming, strobe, and constant full output use. The Striker can run on two 123A cells or two common AA cells at reduced output with the help of a conversion kit. Two Striker VG lights were tested for this review, one with 123A cells, the other with AA cells.

Body: The body of the Striker-VG is very tough. Thick aluminum is used and then anodized for abrasion resistance. The surface of the entire light has a slight texture for improved grip. The tailcap has grooves to facilitate removal and attachment, and there are four rings around the head to help dissipate heat from the high-output Luxeon LED. A flat panel on one side provides a platform for the manufacturer's logo and also serves as an indicator for finding the side-mounted switch.

Bezel/Head: The head of the light is significantly larger than the rest of the body in order to accommodate the large collimator optic system inside. Disassembly reveals that this is a custom optic mounted on a threaded aluminum plate. This plate, in turn, holds the heatsink-mounted LED and circuit board in place, below the optic. The shear mass and solid contact of the aluminum seems to do a very effective job of carrying damaging heat away from the LED. The top optic does not have a protective replaceable lens, but is recessed fairly deeply in the bezel for protection. If the lens becomes damaged, LEDLogic has informed me that the user can purchase a replacement for a nominal fee.

Output: Output is in the form of a fairly smooth spot, very bright central spot surrounded by a bright corona and dim spillbeam. In fact, this LED light has the brightest throw numbers of all LED lights tested on this site to date. This means that the Striker-VG is the most effective LED light for illuminating subjects at a distance, relative to all other LED lights tested so far.

Working with collimating optics can be tricky with Luxeon LEDs. If the LED is not perfectly (and I mean PERFECTLY) centered in the optic you tend to get a central spot with a squarish beam corona which appears to be off center from a secondary round corona. If centered you get a round corona surrounding the central spot. Two lights were actually tested and one had a very well centered beam, while the other was only slightly off.

The white light produced by the LED is a high color temperature and produces good color rendition. No significant tinting is detectable when compared against a near sunlight-white source.

   
Beam at one meter at target center and at target edge to show spillbeam.

Runtime Plot: 2 x 123A cells - 50% at 1 hr 09 min. You will notice a very unusual regulation curve that rises, dips, rises again, and then performs a steady decline. At any rate, you get over an hour to 50% output with 2 x 123A cells, which is comparable to other tactical type lights.

Runtime completed with Maxell brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Runtime Plot: 2 x AA cells - 50% at 21 minutes. Good for emergencies or when AA are the only cells available, but you only get a very short runtime.

Runtime completed with Maxell brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Switching/Modes of Operation: The switch itself is a textured rubber covered clickie which provides silent operation.

Unfortunately, I felt that the original switching system designed by LED Logic (reviewed in November 2005) needed some work as it was difficult to accurately operate the light.

My recommendation was that they should switch it to something like:

1. Press and hold for any length of time for momentary, release for off. Perfect for tactical use.
2. Click twice rapidly for strobe at any time. Click and release for off.
3. Click once then quickly press-hold (~ 1 sec.) for constant on at highest output, indicated by steady light.
4. Continued holding after constant-on activation (> 1 sec.) causes dimming and give 2-3 seconds for the light to display the range of outputs available, cycling through them repeatedly. Release at desired level. Click and release for off.
   

Well, on March 06, 2006 I received an updated circuit board and LED module from LED Logic and they have implemented this system!!!

This makes the switching system much more intuitive over the original design, much easier to use, truly "tactical momentary" in operation, and much easier to remember when compared to the original setup. This change results in a BIG boost in the review rating.

I have been told that this new switching system will be available after April 15, 2006. Check the LEDLogic site for current information.

Seals / Water Resistance: There are O-ring seals at both ends of the body tube and the bezel is sealed with a rubber gasket. I'd say it's "dunkable" at the least. I did notice that the O-rings did not appear to be lubricated at the factory. It may be a good idea to give them a thin coat of silicone grease upon arrival.

If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible without tools and let it dry before using again.

Ergonomics: Larger and heavier than a common two AA cell aluminum light, but much, much brighter!

Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light

Batteries: Either two 123A cells power the light, or two AA cells can power the light with the AA conversion kit. If purchasing 123A cells, I would recommend Titanium brand cells for $1.00 each (here's a review) or BatteryStation or Surefire brand cells for less than $2 each. I would not recommend purchasing these cells at retail stores since they cost $10 a pair or more in most retail stores!

The conversion kit for AA cell use consists of a plastic spacer tube which has a smaller outer diameter on one end and a new tailcap. The tube's smaller end fits into the tailcap and can then be loaded with two AA cells (+ toward the head of the light) and inserted as a unit into the light.

To change out the batteries: unscrew the tailcap, drop out the old cells, place in new cells observing proper polarity. Reattach the tailcap and you're ready to go. If using the AA conversion kit, the larger end of the internal spacer tube always goes in first.

Accessories: AA adapter available, 123A cells included in the package.

What I Liked: Water resistant, Tough/impact resistant, Good battery life considering output, Bright, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Stands up

What I Didn't Like: Nothing

Picky Little Things: Nothing.

Conclusions: The Striker-VG is an exceptionally long-throwing LED flashlight. Able to illuminate a target at a very good distance, it is built very solid, is comfortable in the hand, and has great output. Changing the switching system in March 2006 has resulted in the genesis of an excellent, much more user friendly, tactical-use-type light. The strobe option is quite disorienting, the dimming feature is very handy, and the momentary operation is truly momentary until the user selects otherwise. Well done, LEDLogic!

UPDATED March 2006 to reflect new switching system to be implemented soon. Until it is implemented (anticipated April 15, 2006), the system mentioned in the review will appear different from the system received in lights purchased. See the LEDLogic website for the latest details.

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