Over the course of the last 20 years, we’ve been fortunate to develop some great friendships with those we support. One individual who has been a part of the First-Light USA extended family for nearly a decade is our good friend Ron Holmes. Ron is a MSgt. USMC (ret.), and currently owns and operates Ryker USA, Inc. Ryker USA manufactures the #RykerGrip – the highest performing foregrip on the market. Ron was kind of enough to drop us a note recently about his experience with First-Light USA and our purpose-built tactical lighting tools.
“I was first introduced to Jeremy Ross (Founder, Inventor) of First-Light USA at Shot Show 2015. I was given a T-MAX PRO at the show to put through the ringer. I just realized I have had the same T-MAX PRO and TORQ for almost 10 years! These 2 lights have become staples in my EDC. (I won’t go down the rabbit hole that EDC only pertains to firearms, let’s just say it doesn’t and move on.) The T-MAX PRO has been on the shoulder strap of every backpack I have used since. I have had a lot of backpacks but the one thing that remains constant is the T-MAX PRO. It is the perfect “do everything light.” It has been thrown around, run over, dropped, and it always performs. There has only been one issue. About 5 or 6 years ago, the cover on the thumb activation buttons had started to peel off. This in no way interfered with the stellar performance of the light. So, I reached out to First-Light USA and asked if I could get the button cover fixed. I was also adamant that I wanted my original light back and DID NOT want a new light. My original was sent back, repaired, and returned in about 10 days.
The TORQ stays in the map case in my driver’s side door. (In the event you did not know that little storage compartment on your vehicle’s door had a name it’s called a map case.) The TORQ has come in handy many times, for plugging a tire in low light, to finding a Lego piece that fell under the seat, it’s always there and it always turns on.
Recently we, RYKER USA, created a video series with MIRA Safety called MIRA U Tactical. We covered a variety of topics. To really make this project amazing we had to get amazing products in the episodes. I reached out to my guy Todd Jones at First Light, gave him the rundown and how they could support. They came in with over-the-top support. You will be able to see their lights in full use in a few of the episodes on the MIRA Safety YouTube Channel.
The First-Light USA line of products should be viewed as lifesaving equipment. You are making an investment into your safety and security. They are an American owned, and American Made company. That is important now more than ever. These lights are on my gear now and will be going forward. If I could sum up how I feel about their lights in one word, that would be TRUST. Pick one or two or three up today, you will not be let down.”
Ron Holmes, MSgt USMC (ret.)
RYKER USA, Owner
LIFE SKILLZ USA, Owner