Factor COSSATOT Tactical Lights Review - Performance with No More Batteries Ever
Every year I see hundreds of old and new tactical flashlight manufacturers introduce yet another newer improved light. Usually it is a bit of an underwhelming re-warmed product re-introduction of the same light as last year with some extra lumens. There are also plenty of brand new tactical light companies which offer non-competitive features at a above market price wrapped with great marketing. This year I was pretty excited to find Factor Equipment’s CASSATOT line of tactical flashlights which offered something not only a bit different, but really very practical at a extremely affordable price. No marketing hype, just great tactical lights at an extremely affordable price.My interest was split between the very small and unusually powerful sub-$30 AA and AAA battery powered MiZPAH 130 Lumen and 160 Lumen models and the Factor Equipment’s Sub-$85 COSSATOT USB rechargeable 1000+lumen models. Yes, USB rechargeable for under $100 featuring CREE LED lamps.
FIT, FINISH, FEEL, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONS
All the Factor Equipment lights feature extremely high-tier quality components including premium CREE XP-L/XP-G2 LEDs with a life of 50,000 hours, real glass lens with double-sided anti-reflective coating, Type III hard anodized aluminum alloy bodies, removable coated steel pocket clip, are all waterproof submersion rated to IPX-8 standard (2 meters for 30 minutes), and feature digitally regulated output to maintain constant brightness. All the models feature a “Blast Mode” which maxes out power to the LED for the highest light output possible. This mode is intended more for temporary use the output runtime of the battery, however the runtime is greatly reduced.Operation across the models are very simply clicky tailcap operation to cycle through the modes, momentary half-switch positions and on/off operation. The COSSATOT 1000 and smaller lights just recall memory default to whatever the last mode used. The two larger light models included nylon holsters, but all the models included spare o-rings, and a replacement rubber tailcap - nice touches that make the Factor Equipment lights stand out in a sea of competitors.
Overall the light output of these lights compared to competitors is in the top tier from the 1000-lumen USB powered models to the AAA powered light. The light output to price ratio makes the Factor Equipment lights a bargain. Sure we how have a lot of options in the 500+ lumen range, however generally these lights jump above the $150 price pretty quick. Factor is delivering a heck of a light for the price and considering the COSSATOT models all include micro-USB rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and USB cables and still remain 2xCR123 battery compatible for backup, the rich features make it really tough to not consider these lights.
Factor Equipment COSSATOT 1000 XL Specs
The COSSATOT 1000XL is the company’s flagship USB rechargeable light delivering a blinding 1000-lumens. This light is setup and designed as shock and awe tactical light and always comes on at the 1000-lumen Blast Mode. For the record, the “blast mode” delivering 1000-lumens is insanely bright, but the 1000XL’s 6, 80, and 253 Lumen Low, Medium, and High modes deliver exceptionally useable light just a click or two away. The Strobe Mode is really REALLY bright and seems to be using the 1000-lumen output.
The full sized COSSATOT line of tactical lights run on either the supplied Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack or two CR123 batteries, so if you do not have a USB charger handy you can still get back up and running. No need to remove the batteries to charge the 1000 or 1000XL. Charging the COSSATOT Factor Equipment models is as easy as flipping up a waterproof rubber micro-usb cover on the side of the flashlight and plugging it into any USB outlet on your computer, a battery pack, solar panel, or even the same USB 110V outlet charger used for your phone. This recharging feature is an exceptional. The small blue indicator light on the side of the flashlight will turn off after the light is charged.
As someone who travels extensively each year, having a flashlight which can be easily charged via a USB outlet is an important feature. Those that use their tactical light continuously for work will find that rechargeable models can pay for themselves quick.
Another unique feature is the charge indicator light within the body of the COSSATOT flashlight. When remaining power is more than 50%, the light will remain off. When the remaining power is less than 50% a blue light will flash slowly. When power is below 10%, the blue light will flash rapidly. The flash is not a very bright which would be my preference anyway for a tactical flashlight.The 1000 XL is pretty much a standard sized 1” tactical light profile with a 1.34” head and overall length of 5.93”. The light output is no joke with a clear daylight output with a strong penetrating center dot with a softer flood extending out to around the 30-degree range.
The Factor COSSATOT 1000 shared all the features of the 1000XL including the rechargeable features, and included battery and charger. The light output is similar to the 1000XL with clear daylight output with a strong penetrating center dot with a softer flood extending out to around the 30-degree range, but the operation is different in a more working light use. The on/off and momentary switching are all still done with the tail switch, however the modes are all cycled through using the side-thumb Mode Switch located on the opposite side of the micro-USB charging port.
The 1000 offers all the same modes as the 1000XL, however it is designed more as a general purpose tactical light. Where the 1000XL only comes on at the highest blast setting each time, the COSSATOT 1000 has a memory recall function which turns the light on to the last mode used. This is a handy feature exponentially increasing runtime and also delivers a better utility light which can be “staged” to a particular mode. If you want to “stage” the light for strobe, or a lower working light mode, you can. Select the mode, click and turn off the light, wait a few seconds and then turn it back on and it will be in the mode you selected last. That operational recall mode continues until you either remove the batteries or start cycling through other modes. The CASSATOT 1000 is still a 1” tactical light, however it is a bit trimmer easier to carry profile with an overall straight profile versus having an enlarged reflector head. 
Factor has tuned the COSSATOT 1000 light modes differently than the 1000XL with overall higher output low, medium, and high modes. The 1000 also adds SOS and Rescue Beacon modes which could be handy in a survival situation. At an MSRP of $79, the 1000 is an outstanding practical light for the everyday user who is not looking for “just” a dedicated tactical light. Sure it can serve that purpose, however I think with the extra features and last memory recall and more useful everyday lighting output modes, it is perfect for dedicated CCW task and tactical lighting.
Factor Equipment MIZPAH 160
The MIZPAH is not rechargeable, however it is powered by just a single AA battery. At only $29 this single AA powered Factor MiZPAH 160 is freaking unbelievable bright and would easily challenge the vast majority of CR123 powered lights on the market. Though I carry a Streamlight AAA Microstream every day so much that the anodizing is worn off, I swapped in a heartbeat to the Factor MiZPAH 160 considering they are almost the same size and it offers higher output, mode based selectable lighting, and a high output strobe mode.
The 3.73” x 0.75”Factor MiZPAH 160 offers 6-500 lumen modes with 80-hour to 30-minute runtimes depending on the mode. The light recalls the last setting used, so you can stage the mode beforehand should you want to assure it is set to a particular mode. Though I love the single AA battery power, a rechargeable 14500 rechargeable Li-Ion battery can be used, however this is likely nothing I will every do. For $29, it is a steal and if you want something even smaller without giving up much light output the single AAA powered MiZPAH 130 drops the overall width down to around 0.5”.FINAL THOUGHTS
The overall recommendation on any of these Factor Equipment lights is to “Buy One”. Through my testing, I have been extremely impressed with this lights. These are amazing lights with the good useable features without going nuts cycling through twenty modes and needing a manual every time you want to click into low power mode. Operation is so simple you do not need the manual. The price should really grab people’s attention considering the price is extremely competitive across all the models and the quality and features of this new tactical light line form Factor Equipment.
SPECS
Shared Features
Utilizes high performance CREE XP-L/XP-G2 LED with a life of 50,000 hours
Glass Lens with double-sided anti-reflective coating
Body is corrosion resistant, CNC machined, Type III hard anodized aluminum alloy
Removable coated steel pocket clip
Waterproof to IPX-8 standard, 2 meters for 30 minutes
Rubber tail-switch operation; turns light on/off and switches modes
Recall memory function allows the light to turn on in the last mode used
Digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness
Factor Equipment COSSATOT 1000 XL Specs
LUMENS6-Low80-Med253-High 1000-Blast
RUNTIME130h-Low16h 30min-Med4h 12min50min-High
DISTANCE748ft. (228m)
INTENSITY6580cd (Max)
IMPACT1m
WATERPROOFIPX-8, underwater 2m
MSRP $84.95
Flashlight’s blast operation ensures that light turns on highest 1000 mode output every start to support tactical operations
Four modes plus Strobe
Size: Length: 5.93” Head: 1.34” Diameter: 1”
Weight: 4.7 oz. (134g) excluding batteries
Battery: One 18650 Rechargeable Li-ion battery (included)
Includes: Cossatot 1000 XL flashlight, 18650 Li-Ion rechargeable battery, USB charging cable, holster, user manual, coated steel pocket clip, two spare o-rings, and replacement rubber tail cap
Factor Equipment COSSATOT 1000 Specs
LUMENS10-Low107-Med 417-High1000-Blast
RUNTIME100h-Low15h-Med 2h 45min-High50min-Blast
DISTANCE551ft. (168m)
INTENSITY5350cd (Max)
IMPACT1m
WATERPROOFIPX-8, underwater 2m
MSRP $79.95
USB Rechargeable
Dual switch operation; tactical tail switch provides momentary activation and turns light on/off; side switch changes modes
Recall memory function allows the light to turn on in the last mode used
Four modes plus Strobe, SOS and Rescue Beacon.
Size: Length: 5.32” Head: 1.1” Diameter: 1”
Weight: 3.4 oz. (97.2g) excluding batteries
Battery: One 18650 Rechargeable Li-ion battery (included)
Includes: 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery, USB charging cable, holster, two spare o-rings, and replacement rubber tail cap
Factor Equipment MIZPAH 160 Specs
LUMENS6-Low 50-Med160-High500-Blast
RUNTIME80h-Low12h-MEd1h-High30min-Blast
DISTANCE148ft. (45m)
INTENSITY500cd (max)
IMPACT1m
WATERPROOFIPX-8, underwater 2m
MSRP $27.95
Recall memory function allows the light to turn on in the last mode used
Three modes plus Strobe
Size: Length: 3.73” Diameter: 0.75”
Weight: 1.1 oz. (32.2g) excluding batteries
Battery: One AA battery (Alkaline, Ni-MH, or Lithium) or one 14500 battery (rechargeable Li-Ion battery)
Includes: one AA battery, user manual, two spare o-rings, and replacement rubber tail cap
SOURCES
Factor Equipment Tactical Lights - https://www.factorequipment.com/product-category/flashlights-lanterns/tactical-flashlights/