Why doesn’t my flashlight seem to hold the charge as stated in the brochure?

Why doesn’t my flashlight have the run time as stated in the brochure?

Why won’t my flashlight go into “high” mode?

Why is the blue light on the charger only blinking slowly?

For best results, it is recommended that the flashlight’s first charge cycle be for 24 hours. Once this first charge cycle is complete, the flashlight will perform at its optimum level.  It is also recommended for the flashlight to be periodically placed on the charger for 1 hour. The flashlight maintains optimum performance when left on the charger when not in use.

Why won’t my 12-volt AC adapter work with my charger?

Please ensure that your 12-volt AC adapter is rated for a minimum of 7 amps.  Many typical AC adapters have ratings of less than 7 amps.  Please see the 5.11 website or contact our customer service team at +1.866.451.1726 to purchase a 5.11 AC adapter.

Why won’t my flashlight charge when my vehicle is not running?

Some vehicles are designed to disable the power to the cigarette plug connector when the ignition is turned off.   It is recommended that your vehicle is started during the 90 second recharge cycle for the flashlight.  This light maintains optimum performance when left on the charger when not in use.

May I leave the flashlight on the charger when not in use?  Would this cause any problems with the longevity of the capacitors’ charging capabilities?

The flashlight maintains optimum performance when left on the charger when not in use.  The flashlight may stay in the charger indefinitely with no change in longevity.

How long does it take for my flashlight to recharge?  

The flashlight only takes 90 seconds to recharge fully.

How does the flashlight re-charge so fast?

The reason the flashlight recharges quickly is because of the unique characteristics of its capacitors and its patented FlashPoint® Power Technology.  Flashpoint® Power Technology carefully manages the energy for a very fast charge with no degradation.

Will my car battery go dead if I leave my flashlight plugged in and charging while the ignition is off?

The charging unit uses very little battery power once it has completed its charge cycle and the blue light stops flashing.  The low power consumption of the charger will not compromise your car’s battery when leaving the flashlight stored in the charger and connected through the DC plug.

How many times may I recharge the flashlight before the capacitors no longer hold a charge?

The flashlight has been designed to recharge over 50,000 times.

What makes the flashlight environmentally friendly?  

Because the capacitors contain no heavy metals (they contain mostly carbon and aluminum), never need to be replaced, and use less energy to charge, the Light for Life flashlights are the most environmentally-friendly flashlights on the market.  The capacitors will last over 10 years without replacement, so they won't be thrown away and add to the 179,000 tons of U.S. battery waste per year.

How long does the flashlight last without needing to be recharged?

The  PC3.300 flashlight runs for 45 minutes at 70 lumens, then it automatically switches to reserve mode for an additional 15 minutes starting at 25 lumens.  In total, it delivers usable light for one hour.  The UC3.400 flashlight runs for 1 hour at 90 lumens, then it automatically switches to reserve mode for an additional 1 hour starting at 25 lumens.  In total, it delivers usable light for 2 hours.

Why not rate the bulb in watts?

The reason we do not rate the bulb in watts is because watts don't tell how much light is being emitted.  In addition, different LEDs require different amounts of power (watts) for a given amount of light.

When do you have to replace the capacitors?  

Never.

How long will the flashlight hold a charge when not in use?  

When the flashlight is fully charged, it will tend to hold a usable charge for about two weeks.

What is the difference between a battery and a capacitor?

Batteries require a chemical reaction to store energy.  A capacitor stores the electrical charge or energy directly.  It's like storing a lightning bolt.  Each time an ordinary battery charges and discharges, it converts electricity into a chemical bond and vice versa.  During each charge the chemicals wear down and over time, the batteries lose their ability to retain a charge.  

Are these lights intrinsically safe or do they have a "Class" or "Div" rating?

The PC3.300 and UC3.400 are currently not rated as intrinsically safe.    

May the flashlight be used in IDLH atmospheres?

The PC3.300 and UC3.400 are currently not rated to be used in IDLH atmospheres.  IDLH means "immediate danger of life & health," which is a safety term for environments that may have reduced oxygen levels and possible toxic conditions.

How well do the flashlights work in smoke-filled environments?

The flashlights have  been designed to penetrate smoke and still provide a useable halo for flood illumination..

What is the weight of the flashlight?

The approximate weight of the PC3.300 flashlight is 10 ounces and the UC3.400 flashlight is 16 ounces.

Although many products claim to have batteries with no memory effect, if left on the charger, their batteries may often lose much of their capacity.  Is this true for the Light for Life flashlights? 

The flashlight may be left on the charger when not in use indefinitely with no loss in performance.  Its capacitor has no "memory" effects. The flashlight may be recharged anytime throughout its use and there is no loss of life or performance.  Whether you charge it up after every use or drain it down completely, it’s working like new in 90 seconds. 

Does the charger automatically detect a full charge and switch to trickle charge mode or shut down charging all together if no trickle is required?

Our FlashPoint® Power Technology monitors the flashlight's recharge requirements to ensure that the flashlight is always "ready to go."  The charger does not trickle charge.  It is either on or off.

What are the physical dimensions of the PC3.300?

The PC3.300 is approximately 8.75 inches long, is 2.0 inches wide at the lens, has a barrel diameter of 1.2 inches, and weighs approximately 10 ounces. 

What are the physical dimensions of the UC3.400?

The UC3.400 is approximately 11.5 inches long, is 2.75 inches wide at the lens, ha a barrel diameter of 1.75 inches, and weighs approximately 16 ounces.

How has the flashlight’s impact resistance been tested?

We have validated the structural integrity of the flashlights by performing many different drop and durability tests.  It is designed and built to withstand the rigors of law enforcement use.

What type of switch comes on the flashlight (e.g., momentary, strobe, etc.)?  How do I engage the multiple modes with the switch?

The  flashlights are operated with an on/off button pushed similarly to a computer mouse’s “click.”

There are multiple modes of operation with the flashlight. You may activate the various modes by pressing the side button or tail button (PC3.300 only) on the flashlight.

Modes (depending on the type of configuration):

There are also three different configurations for the button depending on the type of flashlight purchased.  The three different configurations are identified as P1, P2, and P3.

P1:
1. Peak - from any mode, hold down button and keep it down, release button and revert to previous mode.
2. Standard - single click.
3. Strobe - double click.

P2:
1. Peak – single click.
2. Ramp – hold button down and keep it down and light will steadily increase in brightness; release button when desired           brightness is achieved.
3. Strobe - double click.

P3:
1. Peak - from any mode, hold down button, release button from any mode and flashlight turns off.
2. Standard – single click.
3. Low Light – double click.

Click once from any mode to turn the flashlight off.

Can a traffic wand cone fit on the flashlight?

Yes, we have designed a traffic cone accessory specifically for the Light for Life flashlights.  Please visit your local dealer, the 5.11 website, or call U.S.  +1.888.511.4LFL (4535), or International  +46 40230080 for additional information on how to order this accessory.

Are the flashlights available globally or only in the United States?

The flashlights are available globally.

How does the flashlight function in cold temperatures?  What is the minimum operating temperature?  Would extremely cold temperatures affect any of the other electronics or LEDs?

We have tested our flashlights to -20ºC.  Because the flashlight does not use batteries, it can operate without any loss of performance at very low temperatures.  The electronics are not adversely affected by cold temperatures.

Is the flashlight water resistant and/or water proof?  Is it safe to use in heavy rains?  

The flashlight is water resistant and it may safely be used in heavy rain.  It is recommended however, that the flashlights not be submerged in water.

May I buy the flashlights with an EU standard charger (e.g., 230 volts AC), or can I use the charger only in a 120-volt AC network?

You can use the flashlight’s charger with either AC adapter – 230 or 120-volt AC networks.  The flashlight charges in a 12-volt DC car adapter plug or in a universal AC adapter that plugs into a standard wall socket available for U.S., U.K., and E.U. sockets. 

Is 5.11 planning to make other flashlights with the same technology?

We will continue to develop flashlights with unique technologies to meet our customers’ needs.

Where is the switch located on the flashlight?

The switch is located on the side of the flashlight housing (both flashlights) and on the tail (PC3.300 only). 

What kind of darkness penetration can we expect from the flashlight?

The flashlight issues a tightly-focused beam that easily illuminates objects over 100 yards away.  The halo or corona is also effective at illuminating nearby objects.

What does the beam pattern look like on the flashlight?

The beam pattern for the flashlight has a focused center beam with a useful halo or corona.

How does a three-LED beam compare to a single-LED, multiple-lumen, tactical light beam?

The three LEDs are seen as one tight beam because of how the optics were designed.  You cannot tell the difference between the beam emitted by the three LEDs in the flashlight, as compared to single-LED flashlights.

Does this flashlight have a dual low-hi setting?  I need the ability to use the low setting to save my night vision, but I need a high-intensity beam as well.

The flashlight has several different modes and different button configurations/programs available to meet your unique requirements.  There are three different programs:  P1, P2, and P3.  The P3 program was specifically designed for low-light situations with the peak output and standard output available by holding down the button or clicking once, while a low-light mode is operated by double clicking the button.  The low-light brightness is about 20 lumens and is excellent for reading maps and documents.  An additional lens filter is available in red to protect a user’s night vision.

What happens if my flashlight breaks?

For flashlight technical support or repairs, please go to the 5.11Light for Life warranty section at www.511tactical.com/lightforlife for locations and additional information regarding authorized repair centers near you. You may also contact one of the following technical support/repair representatives:               

U.S.:  +1.888.511.4LFL (4535) or LFLUS@511tactical.com
International:  +46 40230080 or LFLEU@511tactical.com

Who pays for shipping?

For replacement flashlights, 5.11 will pay the shipping costs for the replacement light and for the current light to be shipped to the repair facility.

How long will it take my flashlight to be repaired?

In the event your flashlight needs to be repaired, you will receive your replacement flashlight within a few days from the time of your call to 5.11.  In the case where your light is to be repaired and returned to you, there is a week of repair time plus the transportation time each way.

Are there any repairs I can undertake myself?

Customers should not attempt to perform internal repairs to their flashlights.

Can I purchase replacement parts?

We will be offering a lens and button replacement kit for sale on our website soon.

How do I change the lens of my flashlight?  

All replacement part directions will be provided with the applicable accessory kit.

May I use rechargeable batteries in my flashlight?

No. 

How do I install my car adaptor for the flashlight?

Please refer to the User Guide instruction booklet included with your flashlight.

Can I fly commercial air transportation with these flashlights in my carry-on bag?

Yes.  The density of the advanced capacitors is different than batteries, so you may get an occasional question as you go through the x-ray check in security.  Typically if you turn the flashlight on to demonstrate it’s a working device and communicate that there are capacitors inside the flashlight instead of batteries, the security team clears the flashlight for air transit inside the cabin.