Anybody Still using a KEL-LITE?

M

maury

Joined
Sep 24, 2000
Messages
606
I still have mine, originally purchased over 30 years ago and carried on duty for most of 'em. I know they haven't been made for a while; too bad, they were really solid and a well made, reliable piece of equipment. Despite some routine wear, mine is just about as good as ever. Did notice that the reflector is starting to loose a bit of it's silver. Swapped it for a Streamlite with recharageable battery a whle ago. Suspect it will not be around 30 years from now. And I definately do not miss the weight of the Kel!
 
I started in the late 80's and my first T.O. had one. I bought a Streamlight SL-20 and converted him over. The term lasted for several years after that, as a generic term for any big flashlight you used in patrol.
 
My Kel-Lite (figured I'd post a photo for those of you who have never seen one): 3 D-Cell, approximately 10.5" long, marked "KEL-LITE INDUSTRIES, Barstow, California" on the end cap and serial # on the side. Slide switch has momentary on/off red button and was originally black - the finish has worn off from being carried in a leather holder. One light level. No strobe/signal/SOS, just ON/OFF. Don't remember the price, but it was probably a bit more than I wanted to spend, but still affordable. Still working and looking pretty good after 30+ years ........and I can't help wondering how many owners of today's high priced lights will be able to make a claim like that 30 years from now. Ah, so it goes........

Lite-2.jpg
 
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maury, my memory must be fading. I recall Kel-Lites as having a significantly larger head than your sample - was a earlier or later model?

An impact tool without equal I've been told..however recall a 5 cell Mag-Lite had some utility...blackjacks, slappers, batons, Mace, flashlights, pepper spray, tasers...having the right tool at the right time usually works.
 
Went down celler, my KEL-LITE , 4 D cells has a 3 inch head measured diameter, and purchased 8-24-74, 'caused I marked it.The PD administration banned the carry and use of same. I seem 2 recall something about it being used too aggressively by some officers in some departments as clubs/nightsgticks/billy clubs or what ever you want to call them. Our department (I think) never had the problem, the ban was so there would not be a problem.
 
The Kel Lite came with at least two different sized heads.From the ones that I've had it seemed like the d-cell versions came with the larger heads. Definitely a cool little piece of history.I even had a couple of the 7 c-cell lights.Not too much light output by today's standards but you couldn't certainly put a hurtin on somebody with one.They also had a couple different style switches and tailcaps as well.
 
I also vaguely remember some Kel-Lites with a larger head, but I think this one was all that was available on the shelf when I bought it. (maybe 1978?). Hey, this was in the dark old pre-internet days when you chose stuff by walking into a shop and you bought what was there. And yes, there were some departments that had a problem with officers carrying Kel-Lites because they weren’t “official” police equipment. Fortunately, mine was not one of ‘em.

I also recall some private guards who could not legally carry night sticks or any other impact weapons carrying the longer models.
 
I've got one of the big 5-cell models. Must be about as old as the one you mention, we had several back in a storeroom where they'd been sitting for years.
The chief put 'em in the squad room and said "take one if you want". Still works great.
 
I still have 3 Kel-Lights. #1, a 3-C cell with the plastic switch was sent to me at my MP unit in TSN, RVN. #2, a 5 D-cell was sent to me at my new unit, B Co. 728th MP in South Korea--later I acquired an orange traffic cone for it which is mounted on in my unit. #3, a 5 C-cell unit which I scrounged up working for the Interior Dept., now has the extended 'baton' on it, also with a Federal traffic cone available. All three are 'working' lights. I've gone through numerous MagLights and other clones but the Kel-Lights still soldier on, a little bit the worse for wear but still working. Also, they've ALL been used at one time or another to 'adjust attitudes'...... First pinned on a badge in the Fall of 1970 and will retire sometime next Spring-the Kel-Lights will continue! BTW, a nick-name for them was "Kill-lights"....... Can't imagine where they got that name!!!!! LOL!
 
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