Smith & Wesson Delta Force CS-20 LED Flashlight Review

Compact Smith & Wesson Delta Force Flashlight CS-20 Travels Well

When I fly, I travel light and that means giving up some of my EDC items such as my pistol, knife, and pepper spray since I don’t check a bag. A good flashlight makes for an excellent non-lethal alternative for defense and it’s handy to have once the sun goes down. On a recent quick trip, I switched out my normal travel flashlight for the compact Smith and Wesson Delta Force CS-20 LED Flashlight to see how well it travels.

Pros

Lightweight and compact enough to easily carry in your pocket
Waterproof to 1 meter
Removable clip works in both directions without flipping it around
Affordable

Cons

Not rechargable

Using the Smith & Wesson Delta Force CS-20 LED Flashlight

Output

For such a small flashlight, the CS-20 boasts an impressive 215 max lumens and is visible up to 120 meters. It has a low mode at 25 lumens and a strobe in high. That strobe is a must-have feature to work as an EDC since it’s the best at disorienting a potential attacker, signaling for help, or making yourself seen in traffic.

Smith & Wesson Delta Force CS-20 Flashlight Review

Switching modes is simple with the tail cap switch. You can full-click your way through the three modes or use a momentary press and the light remembers the last mode you used. Personally, I love a flashlight with a momentary engagement to quickly light up what I need to see and turn the light out by just lifting my thumb off.

The Smith & Wesson Delta Force flashlight’s beam has a bright hotspot in the center with a medium-size corona and wide side spill. While there are no noticeable artifacts, it’s not as circular as higher-end lights. Instead, you see a bit of the square CREE XPG2 LED influencing the beam. It’s not a big deal considering the flashlight’s price tag.

Runtime

For runtime, expect about two and half hours in high or seven and a quarter in low. Part of it depends on the battery you choose. A high-quality one such as the Energizer Lithium CR123 that comes in the package offers the best performance (I usually buy SureFire for this size). It’s fine to use one that’s easier on your wallet, but it may cost you a little runtime.

Size

The CS-20 is impressively compact for the amount of light it puts out. It measures just under 3.5 inches and weighs just 2.5 ounces with a battery and clip. It’s easy to carry in your toolbox, carry-on bag, pocket, or even clipped to the brim of your hat.

Smith & Wesson Delta Force CS-20 Flashlight

Additional Features

Anodized aluminum construction
Waterproof to 1 meter
1 meter drop rated
Weapon mountable (not recommended for pistol use)
Removable clip holds in both directions without flipping it around

Smith & Wesson Delta Force CS-20 LED Flashlight Price

MSRP on this Smith & Wesson flashlight is $43.99, but we’ve seen online prices at $32.99. For its construction and output, that’s a fair price.

The Bottom Line

We’re sold on the Smith & Wesson Delta Force CS-20 LED Flashlight. For the price, the output, size, and construction make it an excellent EDC flashlight. Even though it’s not rechargeable, its pros far outweigh the cons.

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