There are tons of flashlights on the market, but the MOLLE Gear Light from Nightstick is just a little different. It’s not a handheld light, and it’s not a weapon-mounted light.
It’s basically a small, portable, hands-free light for when you need both hands to perform a task. It works on your vest, jacket, MOLLE panel, or even your car visor. It’s small, so it doesn’t get in the way, and it has four modes, including a red and green light.
Let’s jump right in and take a look at this newest flashlight from Nightstick.
Nightstick USB-4510M Floodlight Features
The Nightstick USB-4510M USB MOLLE Gear Light is a compact, rechargeable flood light. It’s designed for close-up tasks in low-light conditions when you need a hands-free light.
A floodlight spreads light across a broader area rather than a focused beam. This is not a blinding floodlight. It only gives off about 250 lumens on High mode and 60 lumens on Low. That makes it ideal for illuminating paperwork, equipment, vehicle interiors, and more, without washing out your night vision.
Over the past couple of years, it seems like everyone has been competing to see who can make the brightest light. But you don’t want every light to be blindingly bright. In fact, when you are doing something up close, a light that is too bright can do more harm than good.
The USB MOLLE Gear Light is about 2.5 inches long and less than an inch thick. A plastic clip on the back allows you to attach it to a MOLLE, or basically any type of strap that is about 1-inch wide.
Lights: White, red, and green
As I mentioned above, it has a standard LED white light (High and Low), but also has red and green. The red and green lights are 60 lumens, just like the Low setting on the white light. This is really the setting most people will use when trying to see while preserving their sight during night hours.
There are two buttons at the top of the light. The one on the right alternates between Red, Green, and Off. The button on the right alternates between Low White, High White, and Off.
Like some of Nightstick’s other lights, the MOLLE Gear Light has a Lock mode to keep it from turning on when you don’t want it to. Simply press and hold both buttons at the same time for three seconds, and the light will flash once. This indicates it is locked, and it will not turn on if a button is accidentally pushed.
Just repeat the processes to unlock the light.
Run-time and durability
The USB-4510M runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. According to Nightstick, it will run for 7 hours on the High setting (250 lumens), 35 hours on Low, and 12 hours for the red and green lights.
That’s plenty of run-time for this type of light and leaves plenty of time to recharge it in between uses. A USB-C charging cable is provided with the light, and it takes about 2.75 hours to fully charge.
The USB MOLLE Gear Light is made from engineered polymer and has a waterproof rating of IP-X7.
USB MOLLE Gear Light Specs
- Model: Nightstick USB-4510M
- Lumens: Up to 250 lumens (white light)
- Light Colors: White, Red, Green
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
- Run Time: Up to 35 hours (on low setting)
- Charging: USB-C compatible
- Construction: Impact and chemical resistant polymer housing
- Mounting: Multi-angle MOLLE clip
- Water Proof: IPX7
- Dimensions: Compact and lightweight for tactical use
- Weight: Less than 5 ounces
What’s It for?
So, who exactly needs a light like this? Short answer: just about everyone who works in the dark. It’s great for first responders, hunters, hikers, and anyone else needing both hands free while they work.
For those who wear some type of vest with MOLLE, you can clip the USB-4510M directly onto the vest or chest rig. Whether you’re filling out a report in your cruiser or searching a vehicle interior, the white floodlight gives you clear visibility without using your flashlight hand.
When you need to read or write, the red or green lights are perfect for allowing you to see without lighting up your surroundings.
Besides mounting it on a vest, you can use a headband to convert the MOLLE Gear Light into a headlamp or add an elastic band to anything else you want to attach the light to. I keep mine on my work vest, but it has a ton of uses for just about anyone.
Why Red and Green?
You may be wondering why a light would need both red and green lights. Most people already know red is a go-to for preserving night vision, but what about green? Let’s break it down.
Red Light: The Classic Choice
Red light has long been the default for low-light work, especially in tactical, military, and astronomy settings. Why? Because red wavelengths are less disruptive to your natural night vision. Your eyes adjust slowly to darkness, and when you hit them with bright white light, it resets everything.
Red light allows you to see what you’re doing without ruining your adapted vision. It’s also less likely to draw attention, making it perfect for stealthy situations or when you don’t want to light up the whole block just to take notes or read something.
Green Light: The Underrated Utility
So, what about green? Turns out, green light can be better than red in some situations. Like anything, it all depends on what you’re doing.
Your eyes are more sensitive to green light, which means it provides better clarity and detail than red, especially for reading or identifying small objects.
Green still has a minimal impact on night vision, though not quite as good as red in that area. But it can be a good compromise between brightness and stealth. Again, it depends on what you need at the time.
In foggy or smoky environments, green light cuts through the haze better than red, which can get washed out. That’s a big bonus for firefighters, utility workers, or anyone dealing with poor visibility.
Having both red and green lights gives you more options to choose from, which is always a good thing, right?
Small, simple, but important
Some people put more thought into the type of light they carry than others. I had a light stop working one time when I was dealing with an armed suspect, and it wasn’t pleasant. After that night, I paid a lot more attention to my lights. Nightstick is a company I trust on duty and for personal defense.
You want a light that is reliable, bright or dim enough for the task at hand, and is easy to use.
The USB MOLLE Gear Light is a small accessory, but it can be extremely important when you need it. Remember the days of trying to hold a light under your arm while you use both hands?
This light isn’t expensive, and Nightstick makes some of the best lights you can find. If you pick one up, I’m guessing you will find yourself using it more than you thought.
