I am always happy if I see other brands next to Surefire lights on the shelf. Every now and then there is one with a better price tag, better performance or better looks. Last time I’ve seen something close to a SF light was the Pentagonlight tactical series but now I will talk about a new challenger on the field of entry level tactical lights.

INFORCE lights are branched out of the INOVA brand and I always wanted to try one. I like their naming system: 9V and 6V, it’s just plain and simple. The packaging is excellent and only minimum amount of plastics were used. These lights come on a thick cardboard “postcard” with a plastic hump in the middle and this hump holds the light in place. The light can be accessed without using knives, scissors or C4: you just need to peel the back cover off the cardboard and you’re good to go. Units ship with Energizer batteries, manual/registration card and an Allen key to take off the pocket clip which I did immediately after I got my hands on them.

Here’s what you can find out before you open the packaging:

• Designed and engineered specifically for the armed services.
• Ultra light carbon fiber composite body
• Belt clip with lanyard hole
• Premium quality LED focused by 2nd generation TIROS optics
• Heat reducing vent system increases LED efficiency
• Electronically regulated for extended runtime
• Available in black and desert-sand colors
• Ultrasonically sealed tail cap switch

INFORCE 6v LED FLASHLIGHT

• Maximum output: 115 Lumens
• Run time:
  • 5+ Hours of tactical light
  • 10+ Hours of useful light
• Size: 4.78" L. x 1" D.

INFORCE 9v LED FLASHLIGHT

• Maximum output: 135 Lumens
• Run time:
  • 4+ Hours of tactical light
  • 10+ Hours of useful light
• Size: 6" L. x 1" D.; 1.25" Head diameter.

Here are the things you can find out after you open the package: Your brand new flashlight has damaged glass! The plastic bubble and paper had no damage on them but still the glass was chipped at the bezel. By the looks of it, it’s most likely a cutting error than shipping damage. Not the best start, but I had worse.

Used materials and pricing suggest that the 9V and 6V meant to be an attack on the entry level Surefire lights: G3L and G2L. The 9V is only 21grams (0.75 ounces) lighter and 1.2cm shorter than the G3. The Inforce light offers extra 55 Lumens output compared to the G3L but its output is two hours shorter on a tactical level (above 50 Lumens). It’s easier to see the difference if we compare the 9V with a stronger 3-battery SF light like the G3D-L as that “only” gives you 3 hours of tactical level output at 115 Lumens so now it’s clear that the Inforce 9V uses a less power-hungry LED assembly. If the numbers on the packaging are true and we only consider the numbers (price, dimensions, output, runtime) then I need to say that the 9V packs great value.

The 6V can be a great buy as well. It outperforms the G2L in both output and runtime as well. It has 35 more Lumens to play with and two extra hours of tactical level output.  What I like about the 6V is that the lamp head is not wider than the body itself plus the whole light is about 10mm shorter and 25 grams (0.9 ounce) lighter than the G2L. The 6V not only outperforms the G2L but it leaves the abovementioned G3D behind and that runs on three batteries unlike the 6V with two CR123A!

I don’t have any kind of equipment to measure output or heat so I had to do my research and I found a flashlight geek forum where people put all sorts of lights to test. A review showed that the 6V performed at 95% of its output for nearly 3 hours and 30 minutes while the G2L drops down to 75% in just 15 minutes but keeps that level for over four hours. I let you do the math and make conclusions. The mentioned forum has numerous posts about poor INFORCE Quality Control and mostly they come down to faulty reflectors and broken rubbers on the tail cap.

Let’s go over the things I like about the Inforce lights: These lights are very well focused. The reflector is smooth and the beam has plenty of “spill” with a bright hot spot. Light won’t heat up as much as other lights even after prolonged use. I like the looks too...hmmmm. Now that was quick.

Now let’s talk about the ugly:

The color of the 9V is rather grey than black and you can see this right away when you check the bezel which is distinctly has a different shade (more black). Because of the design and shape it could be hard to clean after a hard day on the field plus mud can get stuck between the cooling fins. Tail cap switch feels hard to operate and you need to push all the batteries forward against a spring in order to flash rather than have the spring in the tail cap. Pocket clip... Here we go again!! Because of their design the 9V flashlights will only fit the INFORCE weapon mount and that will cost you $60-$70. You can slide the 6V into the ring mounts (because its head isn’t wider than the body) but the 9V can be used only with universal clamp mounts and that is a big shame. Of course you can do a little bit of grinding what will get rid of the pocket clip base but not everyone is experienced enough to do that plus the modification is irreversible and ends in a lost warranty. The lamp assembly cannot be replaced separately while other brands offer optional lamp assemblies for their products.

The batteries go in backwards and this might confuse some people. Rubber seal and thread are both dry out of the box but the manual recommends applying a non-petroleum based lubricant. The bezel is rubber that can protect your lamp assembly but I am not sure how long that material will survive because it’s only glued (ultrasonically sealed) to the body.

My good old Viking Tactics Flashlight Mount saved the day again. After removing the pocket clip with the included Allen key I was able to mount the INFORCE lights on my guns but I was unable to use any mounting solution other than the VT offset mount for the 9V while the 6V can be used with regular 1” ring mounts because the head isn’t wider than the body. I suggest skipping the 9V all together if you’re not planning to buy the dedicated INFORCE mount for the price of a 6V.

I know that the majority of people won’t mount a flashlight to a gun but those people can buy MagLites and the INFORCE lights were designed for Mil and LE use so it’s hard to look over the flaws. Don’t get me wrong, the quality of the product is not below average but it failed a single practical test where other lights passed without a problem. And it’s not just me. While I was looking at the products in the PX a soldier was right next to me and he asked me how he can mount that 9V to his gun using his current CAA base. I had to drag him to the next aisle where they had the Viking mounts hidden on the bottom shelf for 17 bucks. The private was so happy that I saved 50 bucks for him and he can finally get rid of his incandescent flashlight which is a power-hog . I hope there will be a day when tactical lights will be offered with rail mounts and pocket clips will be optional accessories only, but the future isn’t that bright. Just keep on reading and you’ll see.

Here some information that you might not be aware of, unless you als frequent reading forums and news about tactical equipment manufacturers:

Emissive Energy Corp. sold INOVA to NITE IZE but they kept INFORCE under their wings. I hope this means further improvements along the years. Getting rid of INOVA could only mean good things because now they can focus on stuff rather come up with ways making stronger LED key chains.

Pentagonlights Inc. is NO More!!! Thanks to Surefire who sued the pants off the small company saying that Pentagonlights violated a SF patent regarding the click-on tailcaps. Some lights are still available on amazon.com so get them before EBay people will buy them up and sell them for double the price. I really liked them because they included a weapon mount (LaRue style) and remote switch in the price. One true tactical maker was killed by Goliath who likes to sell every little peace at an extra cost. Maybe tomorrow SF will patent the doorknob and sue you and your mama too.

Not necessarily flashlight related but I have to put it out because probably it will affect the airsoft world. CAA is No More!!! Probably this is the reason why DYTAC was brave enough to come out with a 1:1 copy of the Grip Flashlight Mount. I am excited and sad at the same time. Excited because now China makers will come out with bunch of CAA knock-offs and airsofters from around the world will have access to these accessories. I’m sad because their product was always excellent quality at affordable price. The company was sold to EMA Tactical from Israel (known for their über-awesome Glock SBR conversion).

Brigade Quartermaster was sold to Ira Green. I always hate to see the good ones go.