Tactical torches and headlamps from Recon Company – operational lighting for duty and outdoor use

A tactical torch is not a gadget – it is a piece of operational equipment. Anyone patrolling at night, searching a building or working on a training ground needs a light that works immediately, remains operable under stress and continues to shine even after being dropped onto tarmac. Recon Company has been equipping the German Armed Forces, the police and security forces with operational lighting for over 30 years – and applies the same criteria to its product range as we do in our own development projects for public authorities. From tactical torches with strobe and glass-breaking functions , through to helmet-mounted lights for MPLS operations, right through to headlamps for bivouacking and trail running: with us, you’ll find lighting that doesn’t let you down when it really matters.

Tactical torch – design, functions and what matters in the field

What distinguishes a tactical torch from a standard LED torch is not the lumen rating on the packaging. It is the combination of operating concept, build quality and functional reliability under stress. A tailcap switch that can be operated whilst wearing gloves. A housing made from aerospace-grade aluminium with Type III hard anodising that can withstand an impact against concrete. A strobe mode that can be activated without having to cycle through five brightness levels – in an emergency, fractions of a second count.

We stock tactical torches from Nextorch, Klarus, Streamlight and SureFire – manufacturers whose torches are in regular use by police units and special forces worldwide. The Nextorch TA30D, for example, delivers 2,200 lumens and can be switched between tactical and outdoor modes with one hand using the patented ring switch. With the XT21X Pro, Klarus offers an operational torch with 4,400 lumens and dual switch logic – a tail cap for instant turbo mode and a side switch for the finer brightness levels. SureFire has been setting the benchmark for military torches for decades: uncompromising reliability, even when the torch sits in a holster on a belt for weeks on end and then has to perform at the push of a button.

For users looking for a compact everyday torch with tactical credentials, there’s the EDC torch. Wuben, Klarus and Nextorch offer models here that fit in your trouser pocket, yet still boast over 1,000 lumens, USB-C charging and robust casings. The Wuben X4, for example, combines a torch, power bank function and RGB modes in a casing smaller than a thumb. Then there are pen torches from Princeton Tec and Wuben: slim enough for a breast pocket, yet powerful enough for vehicle checks or a quick pupil check.

Tactical headlamps and helmet lamps – working hands-free when it counts

Hands free, light on – that’s the basic rule for any work in the dark where you need to write, use a radio, secure the area or provide assistance at the same time. A tactical headlamp attaches to a helmet or headband and directs the beam of light wherever you look. It sounds simple, but it gets complicated as soon as you need red light for night vision, green light for reading maps or infrared for use with night-vision devices.

Princeton Tec is the specialist here. The EOS II MPLS was developed for mounting on a ballistic helmet (ARC Rail or MOLLE adapter) and provides white light plus coloured LEDs as secondary lighting – without any stray light that could give away your position. The Charge X RGG goes one step further: red, green and green-blue in a professional helmet lamp that fits Ops-Core, MICH and similar helmet systems. The SNAP 450 offers 450 lumens with a detachable headband and helmet adapter – allowing flexible switching between duty and leisure.

Nextorch covers the spectrum frombudget headlamps (ECO Star, 48 lumens, under 16 euros) to the eStar with 1,300 lumens and gesture control. Petzl and Silva round off the range for outdoor use. Our advice: if you mainly wear your headlamp on a helmet, pay attention to the mounting system – not every headlamp fits every rail. And if you don’t want to blind half the company at night, you absolutely need a moonlight mode below 5 lumens.

Headlamps for the outdoors and bivouacking – uncompromising light on the trail

Not every head torch needs to be tactical. On a night-time hike, when pitching a tent in the dark or on a via ferrata before sunrise, you need one thing above all else: reliable, even light that’s lightweight. The Nextorch UT31 features gesture control – a hand movement in front of the torch switches between modes without you having to fumble for the switch. Handy when your hands are full of carabiners or cooking kit.

With the E7, Wuben delivers a hybrid solution: an EDC torch and head torch in one, thanks to a detachable headband. 1,800 lumens, 6,500 Kelvin colour temperature, USB-C charging. For multi-day trips, runtime matters more than peak output – here, it’s worth taking a look at the lower brightness levels. A head torch that lasts twelve hours at 30 lumens will get you through the night. One that goes dark after 90 minutes at maximum brightness won’t.

Glow sticks and signal lights – tactical marking without the risk of battery failure

Cyalumeglow sticks have been standard issue with the German Armed Forces and NATO for decades. No battery, no switch, no risk of failure. Bend it, it glows, that’s it. Applications: marking assembly points, indicating cleared rooms, buddy identification during night operations, emergency lighting in the event of a power cut. Cyalume glow sticks are available in a range of colours and glow durations – from the 5-minute high-intensity variant to the 12-hour version for stationary markings.

Glo-Toob offers reusable signal lights with LED technology: waterproof to a depth of 60 metres, usable in continuous or flashing mode, MOLLE-compatible. Princeton Tec adds the AMP Cone to its range – a marker light for traffic control and incident sites. Nextorch supplies the UT51C warning signal tape – it glows 360 degrees, weighs next to nothing and makes runners, cyclists or emergency services personnel visible in the dark.

Power supply in the field – power banks, solar panels and rechargeable batteries

Even the best torch is of no use if the battery is flat and the nearest power socket is two days’ march away. Waka Waka offers field power supply that truly lives up to its name: power banks ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 mAh with USB-C Power Delivery, solar panels with 10 or 20 watts of power, and universal cables covering everything from USB-C to Micro-USB to Lightning. Plus a compact 30-watt travel adaptor for international use.

For the torches themselves, we stock Nextorch 21700 Li-ion batteries with an integrated USB charging port – no external charger required; simply plug in a USB-C cable. Powertraveller complements the range for users who want to power all their electronic equipment from a single power source. Our tip: always take a fully charged spare battery with you when out in the field. Changing a battery takes three seconds – nobody can afford to wait for a flat battery to recharge via the solar panel.

Whether it’s a tactical torch for patrol duty, a lightweight headlamp for your next Alpine crossing, or glow sticks for the training ground at night – Recon Company stocks operational lighting and signal lights from manufacturers that stand up to the test in real-world scenarios. We draw on over 30 years’ experience as a supplier to the public sector to advise you and help you find the lighting equipment that suits your operational profile – whether on patrol, at a field camp or climbing a mountain peak. Get in touch with us, either at our shop in Salzgitter or by telephone.

• Discounts for public sector organisations and members of the German Armed Forces, police, fire service, THW and emergency services.
• Field post delivery worldwide – so your equipment reaches you wherever you’re deployed.
• Expert advice from the Recon team: by phone, email or in person at our shop in Salzgitter.
• ISO 9001 certified – quality-assured processes from procurement through to order fulfilment.