Lights are a popular tool for just about anyone, not just those who carry for self-defense. I will also admit, I’m about as big a geek for lights as I am for firearms and other tactical gear.
The first time I saw the TUSK EDC was at SHOT Show in 2025. It is a rectangular shape, making it stand out from most other light designs. But it’s not just the shape that I like; it’s also crazy bright for its size.
I use a light just about daily with my job. While you normally don’t think about where the power button is or how it’s oriented with the belt clip, it matters. Or at least when you use the light regularly, it matters. All the small things (good or bad) start to stand out at that point.
Because it has a UV light built in, this is a perfect light for those in law enforcement. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a great light for anyone else as well, but this is a detective’s dream light.
TUSK EDC USB-557 Pocket Light
As I mentioned above, the TUSK EDC light is a rectangular-shaped light. The square head on the light is what allows for three separate functions, but I also just like the look. These three functions include white light, UV floodlight, and a green laser.
Overall, it measures about 4.72 inches in total length and weighs around 4.2 ounces. This makes it extremely comfortable to carry, and it fits perfectly in just about any size of pocket.
Another reason I like the flat, rectangle design is that it’s easier to orient with the power button when you grab it. With a lot of round lights, I find myself rotating the light constantly, looking for the power button.
Some of my other lights have a power button on the back of the light, which makes it easy to find, but it’s not the most comfortable position to hold a light when turning it on. With the power button being on the opposite side of the light, your thumb naturally falls on it when you draw the light. Again, this may not seem like a big deal, but when you are constantly using your light, it is.
And when you carry a concealed firearm, keys, wallet, and other items, it’s nice to have a good light that is still compact.
White light, UV light, green laser
Even though it’s a compact light, Nightstick integrated three distinct illumination tools into a single bezel.
It has a massive 1,700-lumen (turbo) white light spotlight, which is extremely bright for a light this size. You can also change from this to medium or low by holding down the power button for 1 second.
A second option is the ultraviolet (UV) floodlight, which works great for reading or seeing things close in the dark. It’s handy for a ton of other applications, but that’s what I end up using it for the most. I have blinded myself more than once by turning on my light in the cab of my vehicle. When you’re trying to look at something two feet in front of you, a bright light becomes blinding.
The third option built into the bezel is the daylight-visible green laser. I can’t say I use a laser very often in the field, but my cat loves chasing it around. Either way, it’s handy to have the option just in case you need it.
There are no batteries to change on this light; just plug it into a USB port. There are four battery status lights just below the power button, so you know when it’s getting low. You also have two brightness settings for the white light to choose from. I opted for the brightest setting since I have the blue light as well.
- Turbo Light Mode: 1,700 lumens on Turbo for intense situational awareness.
- Medium and Low White Light: 700 lumens for 8.5 hours or a 30-lumen low setting that lasts an incredible 70 hours.
- UV and Green Laser Modes: Engineered for forensic tracking, fluid detection, and rapid target acquisition with highly efficient, long-lasting runtimes.
Operating the TUSK EDC light
Operating the TUSK EDC light is straightforward. There is a 3-position radial selector switch just above the blue power button. This interface controls all lighting modes, allowing you to select the setting you want. Just flip the light to the desired setting and hit the power button once.
With the white light, you can push the power button once to turn it on, then hold it to cycle through the low and high settings. The light will stay on the last setting you selected.
You can also set the light in lock-out mode by holding the blue power button down while the light is off. It will flash once, and then the battery status lights will turn red instead of blue. To turn the lock-out off, just hold the power button down again.
TUSK EDC Specifications
- Light Outputs: White LED Spotlight, UV Floodlight, and Daylight-Visible Green Laser
- Maximum Output: 1,700 Lumens (Turbo Mode)
- Chassis Material: Aircraft-Grade 6061-T6 Aluminum with Type III Hard-Anodized Finish
- Battery Type: Internal Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
- Charging Interface: USB-C Rapid Charge with Red-to-Green Indicator
- Ingress Protection: IP67 Dustproof and Waterproof
- Drop Rating: 2 Meters
- Dimensions: 4.72″ L x 1.06″ W x 0.63″ D
- Weight: 4.20 ounces
The perfect everyday carry light?
Nightstick uses a heavy-duty pocket clip that holds the light firmly in place in your pocket. Between the size of the light, the location and size of the power button, and bezel options, this is among the best EDC lights I’ve used to date.
I used it daily for about a week and a half before I needed to charge it. And it wasn’t even dead then, but it was down to one status light.
If this light were any shorter, it would not be as comfortable to grip and find the power button in one motion. If it were any larger, it wouldn’t be as comfortable to carry in your pocket. I think Nightstick found the perfect size, layout, and combination of lighting options for the perfect light. Ok, nothing is really ever “perfect,” but this one sure comes close.
FAQ
What advantage does the flat, rectangular design offer over a traditional round flashlight?
The rectangular shape prevents the light from rolling and makes it easy to orient by feel the moment you grab it.
How do you operate and switch between the three different lighting modes?
The light features a mechanical 3-position radial selector switch located just above the blue power button. You simply click the dial to your desired setting (White Light, UV, or Green Laser) and press the power button once to activate it.
What are the output levels and expected runtimes for the white light modes?
- Turbo: A blinding 1,700 lumens for intense situational awareness.
- Medium: 700 lumens with a sustainable runtime of up to 2.75 hours.
- Low: A 30-lumen setting that offers an incredible 70 hours of continuous runtime.
How does the lock-out feature work, and how do you know it is activated?
To prevent the light from accidentally turning on and overheating in your pocket, you can activate the lock-out mode by holding down the blue power button while the light is off.
