Coast TX40 Tactical LED Flashlight
The purpose of any good flashlight is to provide you with bright light where and when you need it, and this LED Flashlight certainly does not disappoint. While it is hard for me to accurately measure its output, this flashlight is exceptionally powerful. The reported 164 lumens actually could be modest considering how well this flashlight illuminates a dark sidewalk.
One Bright Light:
The Coast TX40 LED flashlight uses a “Bulls Eye Spot” to generate a focused area of light. It is advertised to have a maximum beam distance of 518 feet; I found it bright enough to cast light on an object more than 300 feet away, so I trust that this light can approach the advertised distance of 518 feet. In addition to the Bulls Eye Spot, the TX40 creates an outer ring of “flood” light that enables the user to illuminate several additional feet around the bright center.
This approach allows for greater peripheral vision, which certainly increases the safety of the user. When walking outdoors, this light will illuminate an entire sidewalk with the center spot, as well as several feet of the land on either side of you. This model does not have an adjustable focusing head, so the spotlight and outer “flood” area are fixed. This is not a negative in my opinion since the TX40 provides such a bright center and a wide outer ring of light.
Long Lasting Light:
I especially appreciated the fact that three AAA batteries power the Coast TX40 LED flashlight . Any home with young kids and electronic remotes has these batteries on hand, making it very convenient to replace them when necessary. The batteries are reported to have a runtime of 7 hours 45 minutes. I kept the flashlight on all night and 7 hours later it was still producing a bright light. With more than 8 hours of runtime on my first set of regular Duracell batteries, the TX40 would be a valuable addition to any home during a snowy New England winter.
Ease Of Use:
The Coast TX40 LED flashlight is very convenient to operate. The unit comes with a rugged nylon sheath with a loop for mounting on your belt. The sheath secures the TX40 inside it with a Velcro hook and loop closure. At the rear of the flashlight, there is a ring for adding the included strap. The strap was the perfect size for an adult’s wrist as I could walk outdoors and allow the flashlight to dangle from my wrist with no fear of it falling off.
The TX40 has a rear on/off switch. I appreciate this style of switch since there is little chance of accidentally turning it on or off when your hand is wrapped around the body of the flashlight. The switch provides full illumination when engaged as there is no dimmer setting if you were to click the power button twice, for instance.
Durable Deign:
The TX40 is wrapped in an impact-resistant aluminum casing. The durable casing resists rust and corrosion. The diameter of the flashlight’s body is just over 1 inch in width and the front bezel is almost 1.5” inches in diameter. It has a rubberized O-ring in the front (near the battery compartment) and another rubberized O-ring in the back when you remove the on/off button.
The TX40 is not waterproof, but it should be water resistant when walking outside in damp conditions. The TX40 has an unbreakable LED that should provide more than 100,000 hours of enjoyment. The people at Coast back it with a Lifetime Guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship.
Coast advertises the Coast TX40 LED flashlight as a “Tactical Use Flashlight”. While I don’t own a handgun, this flashlight was designed to easily mount on a weapon and fits in a standard one-inch rail mount. You can purchase a tactical rail mount separately. The rear on/off button and housing unscrews from the body, allowing for the addition of a momentary on/off pressure switch, also sold separately. Based on how well the TX40 illuminates a center Bulls Eye and the surrounding area , I imagine this would be a valuable flashlight for law enforcement agencies and home defense.
Overall Impression:
The Coast TX40 Tactical LED Flashlight provides me with everything I need in a home flashlight—a durable and lightweight body, the convenience of AAA batteries to power it, and 164 lumens of broad light to illuminate my path in a dark house or on a dark sidewalk. The TX40 will be my “go-to” flashlight when I need powerful light that fits in the palm of my hand.
I have greatly enjoyed my time using the Coast TX40 Tactical LED Flashlight. The TX40 is lightweight (5.4 ounces including batteries) and very portable (5.94 inches in length). The beam it produces is extremely bright, advertised at an output of 164 lumens. It has a retail price of $50.00 and you can purchase this model online through several vendors, including Coast’s preferred vendor at: http://www.lightsandknives.com.
John Peachey is a 21-year veteran teacher, a big fan of technology and gadgets, and also a homeowner. He enjoys completing DIY projects around the house and has been responsible for managing and maintaining a local sportsman club for 10 years.