Kel-Lite

Kel-Lite was the first of what have become known as "tactical flashlights."

History

Developed in the late 1960s by Donald Keller, the Kel-Lite was a highly-durable, weather- and shock-resistant flashlight, primarily constructed of heavy 6061-T6 aluminum (commonly known as "aircraft aluminum"). Though the company has been defunct since the early 1980s, surviving Kel-Lites are still in use worldwide. The basic final design was manufactured by Streamlight (to whom Kel-Lite was sold to when they closed) into the early 1990s. A similar model, also designed by Keller, is still being sold as the Brinkmann "Legend" series of flashlights.

The first Kel-Lites were manufactured in Covina, California, then the company moved to Barstow, California as demand increased. The last home of the company was in Texas, where the company was based when it was sold.

Donald Keller left Kel-Lite in 1972 and continued designing lights, for Brinkmann, ASP, and Maglite.

Technology

The Kel-Lite was intended as a replacement for the baton carried by police officers, and the series of Baton Light models (available in various lengths) were designed as a direct replacement, which would fit into a standard baton ring on the officer's belt. Kel-Lites were available in sizes ranging from a model using two "1/2 D" cells (together the length of one D) to those using 7 D cells, and any size in between. This in addition to the above-mentioned extended baton sizes.

Prior to the Kel-Lite, flashlights were relatively fragile and undependable, usually made either of molded plastic or stamped sheet metal. Dropping one would usually break the bulb, and dents would often lead to frequent replacement. Keller designed the Kel-Lite to be robust, and salesmen demonstrating the light for public safety customers would demonstrate this by pounding large nails into a block of wood, while the light was operating. Other demonstrations included throwing the light as hard as possible across a concrete parking lot, or turning the light on and putting it into an aquarium.

The success of the Kel-Lite led to the rise of competition, primarily Maglite and Streamlight, who improved on Keller's basic concept. Streamlight opted for high-output models using rechargeable battery and halogen bulb technology, while Maglite developed a greatly improved switch and a variable-focus system, allowing a single light to be used for a high-intensity flashlight or wide-angle lantern. Mag-Lite later developed their own high-output rechargeable, as the police market converted entirely to that style of flashlight. A decade later a new company, Laser Products, miniaturized the tactical flashlight with their SureFire series.

These more advanced and mass-produced products eventually took over the market, forcing Kel-Lite (already suffering from poor distribution and mismanagement) out along with most other early makers of similar flashlights. Despite design weaknesses and outdated construction, Kel-Lites were one of the more durable makes and large numbers are still in use today. They remain popular on the used market both as working flashlights and collectibles. A Kel-Lite torch was also mounted on the HS-10 bullpup shotgun.