Weapon Lights

Streamlight ProTac light: Alternative to Surefire?

Like most gear enthusiasts I have a problem not putting the “best” gear on my rifle. What is the best? Gear that is used and vetted by only the most accomplished/published gunfighters in the business. For the longest time, I’ve only trusted Surefire lights on my weapons. They’ve never failed me at home or abroad and it’s what is issued to me as well. Plenty of warfighters before me have trusted Surefire weapons lights to work when they are needed. When I was building my latest rifle I decided to break with tradition and take a look at a different weapon light. Not a newcomer but rather one that has been proving itself time and time again.

Streamlight has been used in rough and tough conditions for a long time. Many have said that the Streamlight is every bit of light that the Surefire is but at less than half the price. I decided to order a Streamlight Protac Rail Mount 1 with Arisaka mount through Arisaka’s excellent website. My particular Arisaka mount is the inline keymod mount which I can’t recommend highly enough.

What impressed me upon receiving my Streamlight ProTac was the amount of stuff that came with it. Pressure pads, zip ties, tailcaps, and other misc items. It was a very convenient package with everything needed to mount it to a rifle. The ProTac “Rail Mount 1” is 4.25 inches in length and can accept either a CR123A, AA alkaline or AA lithium. Pretty nifty though somewhat unnecessary as CR123A’s aren’t particularly rare. Though it certainly adds redundancy to the system. To my untrained boot stomping brain the Streamlight ProTac looks very similar to my SureFire M300 Mini Scout though is it slightly longer.

The Streamlight once mounted felt and looked good on my rifle. The pressure pad felt better than many of the pressure pads I’ve had the pleasure of trying in the past. The pressure pad features a button at one end that once depressed puts the light into a constant on position. It has solid powerful light when I compared it to my SureFire M300 Mini Scout. The Streamlight ProTac is rated at 350 lumens compared to the SureFire at 300 lumens. I will say that they are very close, but I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen from the Streamlight ProTac thus far. I was mildly irked when first trying it out and discovering it had a strobe function. However a quick read through the manual and I was able to put the light into a different mode on the first try (high output only). Though there are several other modes available.

I’ve done only limited testing with the light thus far. The light performed well in cold and warm weather, specifically moving from one to the other suddenly. The light while attached to the rifle was used in several shoot courses that went indoors at various times. The Streamlight has felt approximately 300 rounds of 5.56 thus far and will experience many more until my mind is made up. I will say this, what I’ve seen so far has impressed me. The quality of build, performance of the light in adverse conditions and it’s output have almost made me a believer in the short week I’ve had it so far. Time will tell how it does long-term.

Streamlight TLR-8 Weapons Mounted Light and Red Laser: Tiny and Mighty

The Streamlight TLR-8 Weapons Mounted Light is a small yet super bright 500 lumen tactical light designed to fit a broad array of weapons. A red laser gives the TRL-8 an edge over other lights for a wide variety of tactical situations. The TLR-8 enables shooters to identify a potential threat and accurately engage it, even from an awkward position.

The small and mighty TLR-8 with a red laser securely fits a broad range of weapons. It is ideal shotgun caliber firearms like the Remington V3 Tac-13. It fits full-size and compact handguns and most holsters which accommodate lights. The low-profile design prevents snagging and a “safe off” feature prevents accidental activation, saving batteries.

Features:

500 lumen white C4® LED, impervious to shock with a 50,000 hour lifetime.
4,300 max candela, 131m beam; runs 1.5 hours (light only or light/laser combo)
Custom TIR optic for concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination.
3 Modes: Laser only, LED only, both Laser and LED; selectable by pressing both switches.

Double tap either switch within ¼ second activates strobe (if enabled).
Borofloat high temperature glass lens
Red laser 640-660nm Runs 18 hours (laser only)
Length 2.15 inches (5.46 centimeters) Weight 2.64 ounces (74.84 grams)
User enabled strobe function.
Low profile ambidextrous switch
Safe off feature to prevent accidental activation
Rail grip clamp system securely attaches/detaches quickly and safely with no tools
Operating temperature: -20°F to +120°F
IPX4 water-resistant

A single CR123A lithium battery powers the TLR-8‘s LED to deliver 4,300 candela and 500 lumens with an integrated 640-660nm red laser at the bottom for aiming. Optimized electronics provide regulated intensity.

It can be operated in three modes: laser-only, LED-only or dual mode using both light and laser. The runtime is 1.5 hours with the light or 18 hours with laser only. TLR-8 lights feature a one-handed, snap-on and tighten interface that keeps your hand clear of the muzzle when installing or detaching.

Tougher than actual nails, the body and face cap are made of 6000 Series machined aircraft aluminum with a black anodized finish. The switch housing is impact and chemical resistant engineered polymer with elastomeric over mold.

No need to worry about the weather, IPX7-rated, the TLR-8 is waterproof submerged up to one meter for 30 minutes and they can operate in a temperature range of negative 40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Backed with Streetlight’s limited lifetime warranty, the TLR-8 has an MSRP of $350

You can get your very own Streamlight TRL-8 HERE

The 1200 lumen pistol light | Valkyrie PL-2

The tactical light world is chalk full of companies that are trying to reinvent the wheel these days. But it begs the question – Why? At the end of the day, we’re talking about a flashlight that’s mounted to the end of your weapon system. It needs to be reliable, it needs to be bright, and it should be low profile with minimal weight. Well, Olight has achieved that with great success.

The team at Olight reached out to me to test their premium weapon light – the PL-2 Valkyrie. Seeing as how I have used and own most other lights from other manufacturers, I pitted the Valkyrie against the TLR-2 and the X-300 to see how it stacked up against its competitors. My findings were quite surprising.

What really stunned me about this light is that they boast an absolutely impressive 1,200 Lumens. That is double what Surefire says the X-300 is blasting and over four times the lumens from the TLR-2. I was curious if this was a little exaggerated on Olight or if they actually made a 1,200-lumen weapons light. So what I did is I put fresh batteries in all three systems and tested them from my roof overlooking a wide-open lot. Not only was the PL-2 brighter than the other two, but it also had a really nice focus beam and a good amount of wide illumination. This is perfect for a tactical scenario so you don’t get tunnel vision on one singular beam of light and fail to see other peripheral threats.

If the 1,200 lumens weren’t enough of a bonus, the PL-2 is not only waterproof, but it’s also the smallest and lightest out of the three competitors. Coming in at 3.25” long and only weighing 2.28 ounces, this is significantly less of a footprint than the TLR-2 and X-300. This compact size really keeps the carbon off the lens keeping it clearer, longer and also prevents fatigue due to the extra weight at the muzzle.

Another design function that I found pleasing was the almost haptic click response of the on/off switch. Even with gloves, you can feel a firm response to finger pressure making every on and off activation of the light very deliberate. This seemingly simple feature is very critical in a tactical situation so as to not unintentionally destroy your adjusted eyes or give away your position. The Surefire X-300 failed miserably at this task, but the TLR-2 did a good job. I think that the PL-2 switch far surpasses the TLR-2, especially with the seamless use of keeping the light on or only momentarily.

With an attainable price point of $99.95, the Valkyrie should be a must-have for any responsible citizen or law enforcement professional. Olight has tapped on all of my must-haves for a weapon light – Bright, reliable, compact and lightweight. The PL-2 met and exceeded all of my expectations.

Purchase here

Beam Distance (ft)	770
Beam Distance (m)	235
Max. Performance (lumens)	1200
Charge type	Optional charger
Compatible Batteries	2 x CR123A/RCR123A
Light Intensity (candela)	13800
Light Form	Standard hotspot diameter with impressive distance. The perfect all-around beam profile.
Lens / Reflector Type	TIR reflector (big, defined wide hotspot)
Mode Operation	Side Switch
Form/Size Factor	Small size (Car key / Zippo Lighter)
Series	Series PL (gun flashlight)
Unique Characteristics	ambidextrous switch that can be front pushed or side pressed compact to fit all standard pistol sizes narrow and simple design perfect for IWB carry

Some thoughts on weapon lights and utilizing white lights

There seems to be some mixed info out there in regard to weapon lights and how to utilize them. One argument I’ve heard is that if your light is too bright you’re going to blind yourself out. Maybe this works for some, but if the room is pitch black, any amount of momentary light is going to mess with your self-adjusted night vision. I’ll also say this, I’ve never once heard an assaulter say, “Man, I sure wish I had a light that was less bright.” The white light on a gun serves as a tool to process information; mainly threats, room depth, obstacles, ‘red space’… the list goes on and on. In addition, many of you already know that the light also serves role in blinding out whoever is on the opposing end. The 3 main principles of CQB haven’t really changed since its inception. Speed, Surprise, and Violence of action. What’s more surprising to your target? A keychain light, or a 1200 lumen beam that’s so bright they are pretty much forced to close their eyes or look away?

My advice: Get the brightest light you can realistically put on your weapon, and one from a reputable brand that is within your budget. My rule of thumb is that I want my white light to at least be able to illuminate an entire average sized room within my home. It’s an older Streamlight HL handheld, (500 lumens I think.) It works well and didn’t cost an arm and a leg. The second I pass the threshold (at this point I’m done pie-ing off the room and need to push in,) and turn on the light, I am in control of that room, and I’m also able to process everything within that room very quickly. With a lower lumen light, I might only be able to process ¼ of the information within a room. Just my thoughts on the bright vs less bright weapon light debate.

Second thing: There seems to be some confusion on splash techniques (or strobing techniques, there’s like 20 different names out there now.) Momentary on and then off just to identify the next place you want to go makes sense. Moving through hallways, down stairs, whatever path you need to take to get to the area that the threat is in. Here is where I see people screwing this up, like constantly… People tend to enter rooms that the target is in and splash their way through the room. It’s tunnel vision. Guys will enter a room that the target is in, turn on the light and if the threat isn’t directly where they are aiming at that moment they’ll turn off the white light, and then move to another location just to have to re-illuminate and acquire the target. You have peripheral vision, (so use it,) and if your light is bright enough, you should be able to identify more than just a narrow field directly in front of you. I get it, the white light is a two-way street, but if you are already committed to a room, (meaning in the room,) it’s a lot faster just to leave the light on and turn to engage the target than it is to splash, move, re-illuminate, acquire and engage the target.

Just some food for thought, take it or leave it. Either way, if you don’t have a lot of experience with utilizing weapon lights or fighting in low light conditions, I’d advise that you train quite a bit on it.

Author – Tim M. is an Army Ranger who has served in Afghanistan and is currently a K9 handler for ARSOF. In his free time, he enjoys shooting, working out and hitting the trails with the dog.

Flashlights, weapon lights and your EDC options

Carrying a flashlight is a great idea and can seriously come in handy. It’s one of those tools that when you need one you really need one. There are a lot of light options out there and picking the right one for you can be a bit daunting. That said, carrying anything is better than nothing provided it isn’t impractical. I have my own personal preferences but really it’s about using what fits your lifestyle. Essentially, I would break down everyday carry (EDC) lights into two categories and that would be handheld lights and weapon mounted lights.

Handheld lights are excellent because they are versatile and above all can be used without having to pull out a gun — as opposed to weapon mounted lights — something imperative to not breaking the law. A handheld light can still be used (although not as effectively) in conjunction with a firearm too. They can also be used to blind an attacker momentarily or as an impact weapon. Handheld lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I prefer ones that are pen shaped/sized because they are small and barely take up space in my pocket. Standard sized flashlights like the Surefire G2X and 6P variants are excellent choices but tend to take up a bit more space, many people like to run lights this size on designated belt holsters.

Weapon mounted lights are a rather specific option that many feel are imperative to an EDC firearm. There are quite a few variants but my personal preferences are Surefire, Streamlight and Insight when it comes to handgun compatible lights. The benefits of weapon mounted lights are most apparent at night — which is probably when you’re going to find yourself in conflict. They allow you to positively identify targets and threats while simultaneously maintaining positive control of your weapon.

When selecting a light, it’s important to get the most out of it. Some things to take into consideration are durability, lumens and interface. Do your research and be sure to select lights that are robust since they may take a beating, weaker designs can be prone to failure under stress which results in darkness. Lumens are a unit of measurement for light output and the more you can get the better off you will be, higher lumen counts equal better visibility and potential to (I use this term loosely) stun an enemy combatant. Pick out a light or combination of lights that work for you and train with them to get the most out of your everyday carry tools.

Photo courtesy of the Author

Originally published on SOFREP and written by Kurt T

Some Thoughts on Guns With Lights

Modern firearms often come equipped with rails to accept, well, anything that may fit on them. A lot of people feel that a firearm is not complete without a light. We know there are tons of vendors willing to sell you lots of things you don’t need. The “lightweight rifle” won’t remain that way if you attach a fraction of one percent of all the gadgets out there.

Since the civilian firearms are copies of what the military/police use, they come with the same furniture. The professionals who chase people hither and yon require differing items than what the civilian user needs. Now that people are upset about not having those exact items, consider that the items used are likely restricted from civilian usage in the first place. Feel free to pick up your lollipop out of the dirt now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiI6diEamUY

Since any responsible citizen knows that they cannot chase barbarians away from their gates, they should realize that they do NOT need a light over more than 100 lumens to do their castle wall defending with.We also know that it’s not 1993 anymore and LED lights are superior to white lights.

If we do not listen to those who actually use lights in offensive/defensive tactics, we will indeed buy something with a lumen count in the hundreds. If you use one of the million candle power super lights inside your house, you will blind yourself with the reflection of excessive light off of the walls. Even if you have a sight picture on the primary offender (albeit briefly) you’ll fail to see his accomplice. Bad guys travel in packs.

Since it’s not 1993, we know that any device employing a cord,or pressure switch will eventually get tangled with…something, so avoid them. This is an inevitability.

Any light for home defense needs to have a battery that we can actually find in a store which doesn’t cost more than the light. Any light claiming to be rechargeable means that it is an expensive container to haul around dead batteries in.

I recommend against a light with a strobe feature. Having too much light in a room is bad enough, but when you have too much light in a room blinking super fast, it messes you up as badly as the threat. This is simply foolish.

Realistically, where is the optimal point of placement for your light on your AR platform? The answer is- wherever the hell you decide it should go. Knowing that, think about this- if you do any type of room clearing- even in your home, you’ll be using Support Shoulder half the time. Maybe a good idea is to put the light on the top rail, where it can be manipulated with either hand, from either shoulder. this also translates to shotguns, because, after all, we understand that defending a home with a pistol is an absolutely dismal choice.

Practice maneuvering around with an empty firearm, becoming proficient with both hands and light usage. The ability to have positive identification of a hostile threat is paramount. There have been tragedies of parents shooting their children who didn’t hear their parents, due to earbuds.

Believe it or not, there are people wandering around with lights on their pistols, too. There are even people who have this type of set up, and carry the whole shebang hidden in their pants. If you can do that, fantastic. Most people cannot have this arrangement tucked inside their pants, due to physical imperfections, age,tactical girth, etc.

Remember that with a light on your gun, you muzzle anything you point the light at. The same rule applies to pistols as rifles- that is- if you’ve got a light on a gun, don’t be using it to find the keys you dropped in the floor board. Indirect lighting can avoid this. This is where the super bright modern lights shine.

Did we touch on anything new here? Hopefully, yes we did. There are people who commit cardinal sins with lights/firearms every day/night.

Photo courtesy of Tim M.