A few years back, I snagged a Modlite handheld flashlight. I don’t recall the exact details of how it came about, but I was pumped for a couple of reasons. First, this was during the era when gear nerds were locked in heated debates over the best tactical lights, with Modlite and Cloud Defensive as the new kids on the block vying for the crown. Second, I’d recently taken a low-light personal defense course at KR Training, which sparked my search for a new handheld light. I ended up with the Fenix PD35 V3.0—a solid choice among budget-friendly options I could actually afford. Modlite, though? Way out of my price range. That is, until I squirreled away enough cash over a few months to grab one. Even then, it took a few more months to find one in stock since they were flying off the shelves as the latest hotness.

The short version? Modlite makes a damn good flashlight, and the price tag reflects that. I’m not sure why it’s taken me this long to write about it, but better late than never.

One of the coolest things about Modlite’s lineup is its modularity. You can mix and match heads, bodies, and switches to build a light tailored to your needs—whether it’s weapon-mounted or handheld. While complete packages are available to get you started, all components are sold separately for full customization.

I went with the PLHv2-18650 handheld package: a body that holds a single 18650 battery paired with a PLHv2 head. At the time, the PLHv2 was brand new, and the other options were the original PLH (now discontinued) or the OKW (more on that in a future post). I chose the PLHv2 because its specs seemed better suited for an everyday carry light.

So, what are those specs?

The 2.1-ounce PLHv2 head boasts dual-fuel compatibility, meaning it can run on a single 18350, a single 18650, or two CR123 batteries. It pumps out 1,350 lumens and 54,000 candela. I’ll spare you the tangent on lumens versus candela and how marketing often misleads by hyping lumens alone—I’ve ranted about that before. But both numbers matter when understanding a light’s performance. The PLHv2 delivers a focused center hotspot with a modest amount of spill, giving you a long throw that still lights up the surrounding area generously.

And yeah, it’s bright. Really bright. So bright that I’ve accidentally wrecked my night vision with the light’s splash every time I’ve used it indoors without thinking. It’s not ideal for mundane tasks like hunting for a dropped key in the dark. On the flip side, it’s perfect for personal defense tactics, including disorienting a potential threat. You could say it’s like carrying a pocket spotlight.

These days, the PLHv2 head comes in a multimode variant that you can disable if you prefer simplicity. The multimode version offers the same high-output blast plus an “admin” mode that dials it down to 15% power. This stretches battery life from 75 minutes at full tilt to 10.6 hours in admin mode with an 18650 battery. If I were buying today, I’d probably go for the multimode head. But I’ve grown accustomed to my single-mode version, and I’m not itching to drop a couple of Benjamins on an upgrade just for that feature.

The tail cap, standard with all handheld packages or bodies, is a straightforward push-button design. It pairs perfectly with the reverse-hand grip used in most leading defensive flashlight techniques.

If I’m not mistaken, the whole setup is crafted from 6061-series aluminum. More importantly, this thing is tough as nails. I’ve dropped it countless times, and it barely shows a scratch. That speaks volumes about the quality of the finish.

So, the big question: is it worth the $300 price tag?

As much as I love this light and as well as it’s served me, I can’t give a full-throated “yes.” The truth is, it lives deep in the land of diminishing returns. It’s a fantastic light, no question, but there are plenty of alternatives—like the Fenix PD35 V3.0—that handle all the handheld flashlight tasks you need for a fraction of the cost.

Don’t get me wrong: Modlite makes a hell of a light. But it’s for folks who want top-tier performance and don’t mind paying a premium. I suspect Modlite gets this, which is why they recently launched the Noxon line—trading modularity for a lower price point without skimping on illumination.

At the end of the day, I’m thrilled with my Modlite, and it’s staying in my pocket.