FirstLight USA TORQ NV

FOG HORN 2014

Twobirds Flying Publication

Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV

First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV 2014

Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

First-Light USA’s TORQ™- NV

By: Sal Palma

First-Light USA began shipping the TORQ™

personal tactical lights in July of this year. I was

fortunate enough to see a preproduction

version of the new light in May, which gave me

a chance to pull together my thoughts on First-

Light’s entry level product.

The company introduced three models, the

TORQ™, TORQ™ LE and TORQ™ NV meeting a

wide range of end user requirements. The line is

directed at customers who want the

characteristics and function of the Tomahawk

without incurring its cost, so this new light

features an injection molded polymer body well

suited to individual users looking for the

advantages of a highly evolved and versatile

tactical light but don’t require machined

aluminum housings.

Before I jump into the bells and whistles of this

outstanding light, I want to revisit First-Light’s

design concept because it’s an important

differentiator.

The need for a tactical light is irrefutable; not

just among the law enforcement community

but in home defense. Tactical lighting provides

a measurable advantage in a threat

environment, a fact that has given rise to the

explosion of weapon mounted lights you now

see on so many handguns. However, not all

firearms have rail mounts, and as effective as

weapon mounted lights are, proper and safe

use requires training and a level of discipline

that under stress may breakdown. For

example, some police departments have

attributed accidental officer shootings to

weapon mounted lights; this is how some of

those scenarios unfold.

An officer in a high threat situation has his or

her weapon drawn and as he navigates through

a dark basement, or back yard, points the

muzzle in a direction he wants to illuminate; in

essence using the weapon as a flashlight

resulting potentially in an unintended shooting

of a fellow officer or bystander.

First-Light USA recognized the value of

separating the illumination source from the

weapon and introduced a tactical light that

allows the user to, quickly and effectively,

transition from flashlight to target illumination

if a shooting scenario develops.



The hands-enabling

concept was introduced

in 2007, when the

company launched the

Liberator. It continued

through to the Tomahawk

line, in 2008 and the

current T-MAX and TORQ

lines. So, it’s safe to say

that idea withstands the test of time, and on

that bit of background I’ll share my thoughts

and comments about the, new for 2014,

TORQ™ NV.

The TORQ – NV is at the high end of its product

line. It features more functionality than

anything currently on the market; including IR

functions in a compact and lightweight package

that will only set you back $142 M.S.R.P.

The light is powered by two AA batteries that

install by dropping the battery cap held in the

closed position by a spring steel clip.

As with the Tomahawk, the TORQ light can be

worn on the belt, MOLLE attached or attached

to a vehicle, or any other magnetic surface,

using three optional mounts. I recommend

concurrent with your purchase of a TORQ light

that you pick up a TRS Belt Mount; it does a

great job of securing your light with ease of

deployment.

If you plan to carry your light on a load bearing

vest or plate carrier, infused with PALS

webbing, the TRS MOLLE BLADE is a route you’ll

want to take. I like it a great deal because it’s

easy to install and remove. First-Light has done

away with the ubiquitous malice clips in the TRS

MOLLE mount replacing them with a locking

polymer blade that work s great!

Somewhere, deep in First Light’s R&D

laboratories, lives a mad mathematician

because this light has more combinations than

anything I’ve seen; all of which are controlled

via 3 buttons. Let’s see, 33 or 27? BTW, a side

benefit to owning a TORQ – NV is that it

doubles as a memory trainer for you snipers out

there. I jest of course, but you’ll want a short

acclimation period to get used to the buttons

and functions.

So, let’s take a look at what functions are

available via these three switches:

1. Lock

2. Unlock

3. IR Mode Select

4. Low white (constant)

5. Medium white (constant)

6. High white (constant)

7. White constant off

8. High white (momentary)

9. Low Red (constant)

10. Medium Red (constant)

11. High Red (constant)

12. Red constant off

13. Low Green (constant)

14. Med Green (constant)

15. High Green (constant)

16. Green constant off

17. Low Blue (constant)

18. Medium Blue (constant)

19. High Blue (constant)

20. Blue constant off

21. White strobe

22. Safety beacon

23. IR low (constant)

24. IR medium (constant)

25. IR high (constant)

26. IR strobe

27. IR high (momentary)



I want to take a moment to highlight

that in spite of the wide choice of

functions, accessing them is intuitive

and very well organized.

One very nice departure from the

Tomahawk architecture is the

articulating head. The TORQ

illumination head rotates a full 320°

giving the operator the flexibility to

place as much light as needed on any

plane regardless of orientation; very

convenient, especially when reading a

map, working with a smart device or

your weapon system.

Continuing with the articulating head,

First Light included eight audible

detents at 40° intervals; however, the

operator is not restricted from directing

light to any spot within the 320° arc of

its rotation.

Very high on my list of likes is access to

the full array of LED colors: red, green

and blue. Even better is that an

operator can regulate the LED output

with the push of a button for optimal

illumination in three steps of low,

medium or high. For example, a

medium green setting is ideal for

reading topological maps, aviation

charts and nautical charts.

All things considered, I’m not sure how

the folks at First Light could squeeze

more functions out of the three existing

buttons; however, were that possible

I’d ask for a red/green mix option. It

seems to work better than straight

green for map reading or detail work.

All the constant on LED functions of

white, red, green, blue and IR have a

memory and will turn on at the last

used output level. I like this feature, but

some would argue that having them

always turn on in low is the best

approach. I certainly see that point of

view but to be perfectly honest it’s not

a show stopper for me.

The white primary LED has a maximum

output of 155 lumens and takes

advantage of a very nice parabolic

reflector to create a well-defined hot

spot with an abundance of peripheral

lighting. In a time where handheld lights

are pushing past the 600 lumen barrier,



the 155 lumens provided may seem

anemic, but rest assured that it’s more

than adequate to help a homeowner or

police officer gain and retain a tactical

advantage.

When discussing IR modes with people

there is a tendency for them to think

that you’re trying to illuminate a tank 2

klicks down the road. If that is your

desire don’t bother with the NV version

of the TORQ. The IR function provides

three levels of IR illumination that are

navigation and task oriented; not part

of a weapon system. The IR beacon

serves to identify you to others on your

team under night vision conditions.

In closing, I have to tell you that I love

this light, and it does everything so

well…

Quite often I run across gear reviews

that spend way too much time

establishing that a particular piece of kit

does something well “for its price.” I

want to sell you on a slightly different

thought process. Start by assessing your

needs using a realistic approach that

answers two questions. What do I need,

and how well does my choice need to

perform those functions? Next,

consider a product in terms of how

many of your needs it meets. Then and

only then bring price into the equation.

It’s when you take this approach that

you’ll begin to unearth those rare gems

in the marketplace; products like First

Light’s TORQ line of illumination tools.

First Light USA delivered on four fronts:

quality, form and function at an

unsurpassed price point.

First Light’s TORQ – NV will certainly go on my

“coveted” Stocking Stuffer List for the coming

Holiday Season.

In the meantime, pick one up along with the

mounting option that meets your intended use.

You’ll be happy with that decision!

-SP

Manufacturer’s Specifications

Maximum white light output: 155

lumens*

Runtime: 10 hours*

320 Degree rotating head

Waterproof (1 meter)

Constructed from proprietary

polymers

Weight: 4.4 ounces

Dimensions: 3.9"H x 2.6"L x 1.4"W

* Tested to ANSI FL1 Standard

First-Light USA

205 S. Main St.

Seymour, IL 61875 USA

Toll-Free: 877.454.4450

http://www.firstlight-usa.com/

http://www.firstlight-usa.com/

FirstLight USA TORQ NV

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