By Steve Kirkpatrick

The Brite-Strike EPLI (Executive Precision Lighting Instrument) is a great (slightly larger than) pen sized flashlight. At 5.125" long and just over .5" wide this is a small yet surprisingly bright pocket flashlight. I think carrying a flashlight is one of those things that you don't realize how much you can use until you have it.

While I do my share of outdoor activities, my day-to-day routine is in an office environment. Because of this, I don't want to carry a flashlight that would be much larger in size. It would be bulky and out of place. However, with the EPLI, I have it clipped on my left pants pocket almost every waking hour, on jeans, khakis, dress pants, you name it.

The flashlight has three settings than can be rotated between by pressing the tailcap button. The first is high (160 lumens), the second setting is low (80 lumens) and the third is a strobe setting. All three have their purposes and work great! The light is turned on by pressing the tailcap, obviously, but it can be pressed lightly and turns off when pressure is relieved or pressing it harder locks the light on. When the light is on, turning it off and back on switches to the next setting, whether it was locked on or not. After a small period of time of the light being off, it will reset to come on at the first (high) setting again. I’ve heard some arguments against setups like this because users may want only one option that always works as expected. I, however, think this is a great setup for an everyday, lightweight light that could be used for many situations. If you’re worried about pulling this in an emergency, possibly life-threatening, situation, you can train to know how many clicks you want for each setting (it’s as simple as 1, 2, or 3 clicks or taps).

This may not be the ideal flashlight for a camping trip or a long hike. I’m sure a heavier duty, longer lasting, and brighter flashlight would be a better choice in a situation where you are certain you’ll need one for a long period of time. However, for day-to-day use, this is great! And that’s not to say I wouldn’t trust it for the aforementioned tasks, it just might not be the BEST for them. Requiring AAA alkaline batteries, the power source is often easily replaced in any environment. I believe every concealed carrier should carry a light along with their firearm, and I believe this would be a great option for that situation.

Functionality aside, this is a really sharp looking flashlight. The black anodized finish and polished stainless steel and brass bezel look great on this flashlight! The only downside I found with this light is that the paint on the clip chipped within a month and not from heavy use. I wrote to Brite-Strike customer service and they eventually were willing to replace the clip for free, but I would have to pay shipping. Knowing it would be the same clip and likely to do the same thing, I just stuck with what I have, not willing to pay any extra for the same result. It’s tolerable, but not what I’d expect from a light that retails at $80.00. The body of the light itself is starting to show a little bit of wear on the edges, but I would expect that after a year of carrying almost every waking hour. Besides the clip paint chips within the first month, it has held up very nicely.

All-in-all, I love this flashlight. If I were to lose it today, I’m pretty certain I’d get the same one again. Sadly, these seem to go for $55.00+ now, whereas I was able to get mine for $40 new on eBay in April 2013. Still, for as great of a flashlight as it has been for me, I’d spring for the extra $15 that the price has risen.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Slim and sleek penlight

Target Market: In their own words, “for the warrior whose battlefield is the board room”...in reality, it’s great for anyone looking for a small, easy-to-carry but bright flashlight.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Max Output: up to 160 lumens / Lo-80 Lumens
Waterproof and Shockproof
Battery: Two AAA Alkaline (included)
Length: 5.125 inches
Runtime: Hi-(.5 Hours) Lo-(6+Hours) Strobe-(.75 Hours)**
Gift Box (included)

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The Brite-Strike EPLI Flashlight is only available in black.

What others are saying?: "the Executive light is indeed a white LED with a focused beam. Of the two lights featured herein, this one is ‘long and thin’. The Executive’s size is actually deceptive, looking at it you wouldn’t believe the light is as powerful as it is (220 Lumens) or that it is so stout and well made." - Paul Markel, Officer.com

Price Point:

MSRP = $69.99
Retail = $52.38

I need it now! Availability: You can purchase this flashlight from many retailers, including Amazon, Optics Planet, and directly from Brite-Strike.

Our Rating: + Bright + Compact + Small + Lightweight + Sturdy + Functional

Could use a more durable finish on the clip

Score: 9.0 Amazing

I bought this light as my first carry light. I immediately loved it. My plan was to carry it in my back pocket, where I could easily reach it. The next day, while at work, I took it out of my pocket and it never went back in. It was a little too bulky for daily carry, but that’s not to say that it’s a bad light. It is very bright with an advertised lumen output of 172. The reflector is deep, which allows the light to throw the beam very far. I would say that the beam is usable to at least 75 yards. The user-interface is unique, though a bit odd. There is a single button on the rear of the light. To activate it, you press the button once, and it’s on. If you hold the button down, while also twisting the light in your hand, it will dim or brighten the beam(depending on which way you twist it) through the use of an accelerometer. To switch to other modes, you have to quickly tap the rear button differing amounts of times. Once for on, twice for strobe, three times for sleep(more on that in a second), four for signal mode, and five for SOS. The strobe have variable speeds activated the same way you dim/brighten the light. The sleep mode is a mode that leaves the light on your selected level until you set it down. Once it is still for a few seconds, the beam will dim to its lowest level. This could be used as a night light and locating the light in the dark. As soon as you pick it up, the beam goes back to your selected level. The SOS mode sets it to blink in the universal SOS pattern(3 long beams, 3 short beams, 3 long beams). The run-time is not great on high. I have never officially timed it, but it just seems to always die or be dim. Another negative would be that the light is completely round, so it doesn’t have anything to keep it from rolling off of a table. You can buy the Mini Maglite Accessory Pack and use the slip-on anti-roll head. This will also give you color filters, if you want. In the end, I would not recommend this light for carry, but as a relatively inexpensive, feature-packed light for all other occasions, I would recommend it.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Compact flashlight that offers five basic, easy-to-use functions and stunning brightness.

Target Market: Sporting goods and general use

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

Key Features

Compact
Bright
Multiple modes
Motion-controlled power level
3 AAA batteries

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? This light is available in black, red, gray, and blue.

What others are saying? “Leading the Maglite product line both in terms of function and performance, the XL200 is a great multi-purpose performance flashlight.” - Robin Wang, LED Resource

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: The Maglite XL200 LED Flashlight is available from Amazon.

Our Rating: + Bright + Far reach + Somewhat inexpensive + Multiple modes

- Low Run-time - Strange user-interface - Rolls too easily - Somewhat bulky