Time for a light

[TheBadGuy]

I am about ready to purchase a weapon light for my M4 build. I originally planned to purchase a Daniels offset mount and use my thumb off of my foregrip but since I have a Tango Down with that pocket for a pressure switch, I am open to all options.

What is the best light in the $350 or less market?

What is the best mounting option?

Thanks

[USMCsilver]

$350, eh? Well, you're just shy of some really good lights; however, sometimes you can get great deals.

As all here know, I love Surefire. I suggest the M962; they have the QD A.R.M.S. mounts and use three batteries. The M952 series is less expensive, uses one less battery, and uses the cheaper thumb screw mount. Used, they are decently under your price range. New, well, retail is over-rated.

The good thing is you can go basic, and then add parts as needed. Finding a 962 or 952 with a tapeswitch tailcap for under $350 may be difficult, but one with a normal tailcap is possble. Later, you can easily add an XM tailcap when funds permit.

Others will suggest things like the G2 mounted to a 1" ring. Some will say to get a Streamlight M3. Yeah, you can buy 3-4 of those set-ups, but, well, IMHO, you get what you pay for.

Here's two lights to give you some ideas. The top one is a M962 with a Turbo Head. 225 blinding lumens due to tight focus. The bottom is a M900A; again, 225 lumens, but not as tightly thrown. It has LED "entry" lights as well:

http://webpages.charter.net/usmcsilver/images/M962.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/usmcsilver/images/green_on_green.jpg

[datsun280zmike]

ive got the pentagonlight model x3 xenon 120+ lumen output
very nice quality super bright heres the link

http://www.pentagonlight.com/item_detail.cfm__id.331

[Keith5579]

I just made my first rifle/tac light purchase. I went with the Surefire 910 due to the price which I couldnt beat anywhere. I've only had it a couple days, but so far I love it!

[Sierra]

On one of my AR carbines I have a PentagonLight X3 Xenon Light which has 135 lumens and a run time of 60 minutes. Its no Surefire but its close and costs 60% of the equivilent Surefire.

My assessment of this light is that its a great 50 yard light. My requirements are for no more than half that so I am one happy camper.

[TheBadGuy]

Originally posted by Sierra
On one of my AR carbines I have a PentagonLight X3 Xenon Light which has 135 lumens and a run time of 60 minutes.

Do you have a picture to this set up?

[Sierra]

Here is a review I posted on another board.


PentagonLight X3 Xenon Light

Sorry No Pictures

Recently I decided to upgrade the lumination capability with some of my firearms particularly with the M4 clone I have designated as my barebones home defense carbine.

The lights that I had used up to this point included the Surefire G2, the Streamlight Scorpion and the Surefire 500 Series mounted light on my Son’s M4 clone. All of these lights were used for subjective comparison in this evaluation.

Background. I have used handheld flashlights (Surefire 6P) issued during my LE career. In that capacity we did a lot of home searches and were in environments which often needed to be luminated. Nothing at all wrong with the 6P and since the Department was buying batteries I was happy. Well now I am retired and have to spring for my own batteries and equipment and I am considerably more critical of the products and accessories I purchase. My opinion of the 6P was that I needed more of everything.

My Surefire G-2 is rated at 65 Lumens which is the same as the 6P. The Streamlight Scorpion is rated at 42 Lumens. While I felt that either of these was adequate as a 10 yard luminator I wanted something with a longer throw. Something appropriate for duty on a M4.

I began my search looking at Surefire lights and I must admit they make a fine product. I was about ready to purchase one when I noticed the PentagonLights. I started examining them and though they looked good; reading the specs they were similar in performance to the Surefires; price wise they were about 30% less expensive than the Surefires. The quality of finish and materials looked about the same…by that I mean very well done.

Need. I had concluded that I needed about 100 Lumens for the lumination level that I desired. I wanted to be able to identify targets with reasonable detail out to 50 yards. The 50 yard requirement was chosen because that would give me sufficient lumination anywhere on my property.

Product Description: I selected the PentagonLight X3 Xenon Light. It is rated at 135 Lumens, has a run-time of 60 minutes, is powered by 3 CR-123A Lithium batteries and has a Military Spec Type III hard anodized Exterior finish. The finish is a flat gray with a tinge of green. The 1.5inch bezel meant, to me, that it could utilize most mounts and indeed this is the case. I have it mounted in a Surefire Model M16 mount. The packaging materials included three PentagonLight CR123-A batteries and a lanyard. The X3 comes with a tailcap assembly which can be used either as a twist (full time on) or with a push button (temporary manual lumination). The button extends outside the assembly (like the G2) instead of being flush (like the Scorpion) or indented.

Comparison to Surefire M500. This is a subjective comparison and is intended to describe the overall construction, finish and features of these two products. I know they are not equivalent lights nor are their intended applications the same but the durability, quality and appropriateness for heavy duty work should be relevant.

Finish. On both units the finish is well applied and appears to be durable. The X3 is more of a flat-opaque appearance with less reflectivity off the bezel than the Surefire M500.

Machining. Excellent with both units.

Seals. The X3 has double 0-rings and is water proof. The M500 has a single o-ring but it also looks waterproof. Neither were submerged to find out. Rain had no effect on either.

Bulbs. Both are isolated from shock. (This is not the case with the 6P or the G2)

Reflector. Both are polished. The Surefire has done a better job in this area but the X3 reflector surface is probably 80-85% as bright.

Lens Cover. The Surefire is glass and the X3 is some sort of plastic. The Surefire is more focused and is a superior lens cover. Durability should be excellent with both.

Lumens. The Surefire throws a beam that is simply awesome. 225 Lumens . The X3’s 135 Lumens are noticeably less intense.

Accessories. All of the lights listed have accessory heads/bulbs available for increased power at the expense of a shorter run-time.

The Test. Criteria established was simple. The target should be well luminated (the complete upper torso of a human should be completely visible for detail inspection for weapons or objects held) and the intensity of the emitted light should be blinding to the subject and I wanted the person to be unable to establish any detail at or around the source of the light.

Testing was done on two different days. Indoor tests were done at a range of 10 yards. Outdoor testing was done at 20, 35 and 50 yards.

Test Result 1:

At 10 yards. All lights met all requirements.

At 20 yards. All lights met requirements but the Scorpion and G2 were showing their lack of power.

At 35 yards. The Scorpion and G2 were not acceptable. At that distance I could target the source and felt that a threat would put me at substantial risk. That could mean a lot of liability. The X3 delivered the goods with power to spare and the M500 had not even began to lose any capability.

At 50 yards. The X3 was just beginning to lose some power, maybe 10%. The advertising says this is good for 400 yards. They must measure differently than me. The M500 did not look like it lost anything it is truly a tactical light for those who go in harms way.

Beam Characteristics. The X3 focuses about 35-40% of its power into the center spot of the lens. The falloff is moderate. It’s a good pattern. The G2 and Scorpion also center about 30% in the center and the falloff is more pronounced because the light is not as powerful. Those are not bad lights but they are for a different use than a weapons light. The M500 also has a strong center spot of about 30% of its power with moderate fall off.

Test Result 2.

Last weekend it rained hard in this area. We received about 1.5” delivered in several showers. We decided to do the outdoor testing again in the rain.

At 20 yards. The G2 and Scorpion were marginal. Lumination Reflection from the raindrops diffused the light and cut down the intensity incredibly. Neither of these lights were effective IMHO. The X3 performance was also diminished. While it met my objectives there was a lot of light diffusion and scattered light. Add to this the effect of water on your glasses and the cumulative effect requires a different skills set. The M500 also was affected. It was like a flare with a cone of light extending out. Remarkable.

At 35 yards. The X3 was working harder but was effective. The M500 continued to impress.

At 50 yards. The X3 had reached its limits for this shower. The field of covered light was considerably wider with both of the lights. The M500 remained unaffected but lit up about a third more area than in the dry area.

Conclusions:

First, the lumen rating for the G2 and the Scorpion are not accurate. Those lights are about equivalent in power and completely adequate for 10 yards.

Second, the X3 is an impressive light. It is completely suitable for my needs and the price is attractive.

Third, Surefire is finally getting some competition and that is good. The consumer will eventually be the winner in the market place.

The PentagonLight X3 is certainly worth a look if you are in need of an intermediate weapons light.

[Blah!]

Little something I put together with light parts I had laying around. Very light weight and didnt break the bank. :)


http://intenseghetto.com/%7EGutwrench/blah2.jpg
http://intenseghetto.com/%7EGutwrench/M4gery1.jpg

[strazz]

I originally purchased a Surefire M951XM07 for my midlength. Great light, great features, but obnoxiously heavy when mounted. I didn't want to have a light that I'd be tempted to remove on a regular basis. I decided to switch to a Scout with an incandescent lamp and a tape switch. It's plenty of light and, with its small size, I barely even notice that it's there. The tape switch works well with the Tango Down grip. I'd strongly recommend this setup for about $200.

http://plaza.ufl.edu/strazz/guns/Mid.jpg

[Yojimbo]

Originally posted by Blah!
Little something I put together with light parts I had laying around. Very light weight and didnt break the bank. :)


http://intenseghetto.com/%7EGutwrench/blah2.jpg
http://intenseghetto.com/%7EGutwrench/M4gery1.jpg

Very interesting, is that a non-Surefire after market light body? If so where did you get it from?

[Blah!]

Originally posted by Yojimbo
Very interesting, is that a non-Surefire after market light body? If so where did you get it from?



Yeah its after market got it from this guy...HERE (http://stores.ebay.com/surefireparts_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm)