Hello everyone thank you for checking out the Charlie Mike Project. Today we take a look at the HP7 flashlight by Coast.
The HP7 retails for $74.99. This is well worth the price considering everything Coast includes with it. When compared to a 5.11, Streamlight, Surefire or similar light the Coast is very competitive.
I have been using the HP7 series lights for over a year for duty and at home. They are my go-to light. I use them on a daily basis when working the swing or night shift, doing projects at home or just taking a nighttime walk with the family. They are great for search warrants, clearing a house or alley or when working under the sink or in the attic. I know I can rely on this light to do what it is designed to do and do what I need it to do when I need it to do it. I accidentally dropped my HP7R from my attic onto the concreate floor of my garage. It works perfectly and there was not a scratch on it.
The HP7 is a focusing beam flashlight. It comes in black and has a pushbutton tail cap. It weighs a nice 7.2 OZ and is just less than 6 inches long. The light features high and low output, strobe and one handed beam focus and lock. This adds versatility and usability to this light and helps eliminate having to carrying extra gear.
The HP7 is light and fits easily in the included pouch on my duty belt and tactical vest. It removes and goes back into the pouch easily with one hand. The light is easy to use and operate with one handed. It does not slip even when wet. It feels comfortable and is solid in the hand. It is easy to use with different shooting techniques. The strobe frequency varies so the person caught in the beam is more disoriented and does not recover as fast. From personal experience the strobe from the HP7 & HP7R are very uncomfortable and disorienting.
The rechargeable batteries and battery pack are wonderful. I keep the extra AAA battery and Li-ion pack in my duty bag on the passenger seat. The rechargeable batteries can charge in the flashlight or on their own with the included UBS cord. The battery fully charges in just about an hour from the wall or car charger. Charging from a USB port will take considerably longer. Changing the battery takes a couple of seconds and is easy. The charging port on the tail cap locks so it does not accidently come open.
Coast boasts a hefty 3.5 hours of runtime on high beam using AAA batteries and 20 hours on low. I found my HP7 run just over 4 hours using quality batteries. The flashlight did not die and become a brick out near the 4 hour mark. Instead the HP7 switches to a lower power setting allowing me to still use the light for a while longer. This is a advantage over other lights like the 5.11 TMTL2X which offers 3 hours of runtime on high beam using CR123 batteries.
The HP7 series are extremely durable. Coast states the HP7 is rated at ANSI/FL1 standard. My HP7 was kicked, dropped and run over by a car, all in one evening. Minus the battle scars it now has it still works like new. As I stated above my HP7R took a high fall bouncing off some rafters than fell from over twelve feet, landing on concreate and is fine.
The current HP7R beam is rated to reach 613 feet. The light is bright, white and clear with no haloing or discoloration. Being able to focus the beam is extremely helpful. Searching a wide area or long distance is easy with the focusing beam. Hotspots and washout are easily eliminated simply by focusing the beam.
Just like the HP7R the HP7 comes in a nice display/gift box. If you are giving or receiving the either light as a gift the presentation box is very nice. The HP7 comes with a nylon case, a USB charging cord, wall charger, car charger, belt clip and a wall or car mount. It also included one AAA battery pack.
The only drawback I have found with the HP7 series is that Coast does not make a weapon mount or pressure switch for this light. Don’t worry; Coast does make a weapon mounted light. The TX40 is a light capable of being mounted on a rifle or shotgun. Come back and check out my review of the TX40. The HP7 measures just about 1 3/16” on a ruler. So, a 1” ring will not work.
I know I can depend on the HP7 to help me Charlie Mike.
If you like the HP7 or any of the Coast products I have reviewed check out Coast products and visit them online at www.coastportland.com.
Coast HP7
Pros
- Light Quality
- Durability
- Cost
- Battery Life
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