You need to think about the activity you’ll be doing, when you’ll be doing it, and why you’ll be doing it. A camping trip with friends in a safe environment will not necessarily require a tactical flashlight, though a regular one should definitely be considered. In this scenario, a tactical flashlight will definitely make the experience easier and more enjoyable.
Police
As a member of the force, a police flashlight (tactical) is a must-have accessory. Entering unknown buildings at night, chasing offenders or even as a last resort of self-defense, having the best police flashlight is going to be extremely useful and may even save your life.
Fire
In the fire department, your job is often going to require you to enter burning buildings in order to save someone’s life. But you also need to consider your own life. Finding your way to somebody trapped in a burning building is going to be extremely difficult without adequate lighting, so you should equip yourself as best possible; with a tactical flashlight. A lost life will should not come down to inadequate visibility, be it theirs or yours.
Hunter, Bushcrafter, Outdoorsman
As a hunter, you will find yourself on weeklong tracks, following your prey (read our article about flashlights designed specifically for hunters). This means tracking at night, which can be dangerous for numerous reasons. If you can’t see adequately, you can easily put your foot into a hole and break a leg, leaving you stranded and alone in the wilderness. You need to see your path. Also, if you have wounded your pray, a blue lens will help you track it with a blood trail.
However, if you need your hands free at all times; if you’re the runner in your field of work, or if you’re caving or climbing, maybe a headlamp is a better option. As a tactical flashlight isn’t that small or light, it might become something of a burden, despite it’s obvious and many uses.