When I first considered purchasing the PowerTac Warrior Gen IV Flood Light, I was a bit hesitant because I thought it may be a little over the top for my purposes.

Popular among law enforcement officers and security guards, it seemed like such a serious tactical flashlight and I wondered if I was going overboard by getting something like this. However, being an avid hunter and outdoor enthusiast, I had been drooling over this flashlight for quite a while so I decided to go ahead and take the plunge. Of course, learning about PowerTac’s “No Hassle” lifetime warranty definitely helped sway my decision.

And boy am I glad I did!  I can assure you that the PowerTac Warrior Gen IV Flood Light did not disappoint. With a stunning max output of 4200 lumens, this flashlight can seriously light up the darkest and remotest of areas. The brightness combined with the throw makes this a great flashlight for hunting or remote camping. With a throw of up to 214 meters, you can really light up a wide range of area around you well enough to make out features and identify objects. I’ve used it to successfully scout and set up base camp locations after dark in remote wilderness and desert areas. I’ve also been able to use it to identify and can keep pests away both at home and at camp.

It’s also a really tough and durable flashlight, which I like, because being out in harsh weather conditions can sometimes be rough on my outdoor gear. Not the case with this flashlight. It can really withstand some abuse. It has worked great even in freezing temperatures, has held up in rain and snow and after being dropped in puddles and mud, and so far has shown no signs of slowing down. Its body-parts are made from aircraft grade aluminum, and it has a tough, durable Type III anodized finish. Since the lens is made of tempered glass with double-sided coating, the lens has remained intact despite being dropped so many times. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out this insane torture test that shows the PowerTac Warrior lights can really hold up.

What’s also impressive about it is the fact that despite being able to use it as a flood light, it is still small enough to clip to a utility belt or mount to your rifle. It’s too big for regular size pockets, but can fit in most larger pockets like cargo or jacket pockets. While you’re sacrificing a bit in terms of portability and lightness, you’re making up for it with the extra brightness as this light practically turns night into day.

I also like that the auto-memorization feature allows me direct access to my preferred brightness setting without having to toggle through each setting every time, so I know that I can quickly light up an area around me if I need to. This allows the flashlight to double as a self-defense tool as well. I feel safe carrying this flood light in very dark, very remote areas, because I can easily light up dark corners at a distance. And with the easy to use strobe feature, I know I could temporarily disorient an attacker if need be.

At $199.95, I thought the flood light was a steal. While it may seem steep if you’ve never carried a top of the line flashlight like this, its durability, brightness, and range have made it worth every cent. After using one of these, I would never go back to using an ordinary cheaper flashlight.

Check out the Warrior Gen IV Flood Light and other POWERTAC lights here!