Gun Mounted Light w/ Laser - Review/Poll -updated 7.13.10

[Hoss]

Optics Planet :lmao: had changed my shipment date a the second time to the week of July 6th and now to the first week of September.....Yes Sir!

Optics Planet has been taking streching the truth lessons from Obama who learned from Bill Clinton!

[jgreenberg01]

FWIW, I started using Optics Planet but switched to OpticsBestBuy.com because their prices tend to be a tad better. They missed a shipping date one time for me and sent it 2nd day air at no charge (and without me asking for that).

I think all these transactions are kind of a snapshot in time, but I have no complaints about opticsbestbuy.com.

[Hoss]

Thanks for the info....I called OpticsBestBuy.com they are not a distributor of Varidian products.

It appears that Optics Planet runs the sales for Varidian. I am sorry the service isn't any better. I haven't found any other options!

[Nickf150fx4]

Yep been there done that...after being jacked around for a few months I canceled my order and got my gen 2 X5L from my local dealer who is a buddy for $50 cheaper. It's weird optics planet seems very hit or miss because they were great with my other tac light laser I bought from them!

[GONRA]

Looks like you 5.7x28 FN pistol shooters highly recommend the http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; BATTERY POWERED Viridian X5L gen2 green laser / blinding flashlite combo.

GONRA was gonna get one to fool around with,
BUT just noted the
RECHARGEABLE http://www.lasermax.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Genesis green laser.
This doesn’t seem to have the blinding flashlite.
But, RECHARGEABLE sure sounds GREAT to me!

Both products use “5 mW green lasers” so
electrical power demands FOR THE LASER ONLY should be identical.

Bet knowledgeables can speculate on future / practicality of a
RECHARGEABLE laser with specs otherwise same as the highly regarded BATTERY POWERED Viridian X5L gen2 laser / blinding flashlite combo.

Another way of posing the issue would be –
would the appropriate battery system be
small / light weight enough to be practical in this application?

Wouldn’t mind waiting around for this RECHARGEABLE product to appear – IF it really seemed feasible!

Thanx in advance, Laser / Blinding Flashlite / DC Power Pack Experts!

[Valorius]

I have a Viridian C5L on mine. Works great...

[Nickf150fx4]

^^ Such an awesome pic

[Valorius]

Thanks Nick!

[eVenom]

I think you need more mag's

[Valorius]

Buy them for me.

[Adjuster]

The CL5 has been excellent so far, no need to change the battery, and I've used the laser for about 6 hours now, and light about .5 hour. The fact it uses the very common to my other lights/lasers 123 Lithium battery is a serious plus. (Just stock 3 types of batteries in my safe, N, 123 and 2030 disk type and of course AA and AAA. )

I picked up a Streamlight LED lamp that is amazing. It's too big for a pistol, but for a PDW or rilfe/carbine, it's just right. Holds a tight spot out to about 100 yards! Up close, on a shotgun, it's a "light" aiming device! LOL Just put the light on the target and you are good to go. They make a rechargable version, but mine uses 3, 123 batteries, and I have yet to replace them. I tend to only use the light for a few seconds at a time, as it destroys your night vision, even from the light reflected back. (I keep it in my car to look up house numbers, and such.. Just open the sun roof, or roll down the window, and you can "spotlight" the house address, or confirm what car/truck you are looking for etc.)

It has replaced my trusty Mag Light for this duty, and is 1/3 the size, if that.
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=136" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SeaHawkDriver-B]

I'm considering the TLR-3 for a Glock 30... but I jus saw a picture of one and theres a noticable GAP between the front of the trigger guard and the light switch... not much thought put into actually making the TLR-3 fit on compact pistols obviously.

Anyone have experience with what fits well on some of the smaller pistols?

[srt-4_jon]

I'm considering the TLR-3 for a Glock 30... but I jus saw a picture of one and theres a noticable GAP between the front of the trigger guard and the light switch... not much thought put into actually making the TLR-3 fit on compact pistols obviously.

Anyone have experience with what fits well on some of the smaller pistols?

Im pretty sure it is because of the Glock rail. Because it isnt a picitinny rail, it would sit against the trigger guard because the slot on a Glock is so far forward. I have seen pictures of someone that added another slot closer to the trigger guard to fix it.

[SeaHawkDriver-B]

Thanks Jon, Yes the Glock rail is not a Pic, but the rail width is identical to a Pic, it just doesn't have the Pic serations. I'm trying to find a picture of a G30/G29 with a Viridian CL5 on it. The Viridian website says that it fits all Glocks.

[GONRA]

GONRA suggests a great article "Going Green" in latest (October 2011)
"The American Rifleman" magazine.
ESPECIALLY note "Sources for Green Lasers" appended.
Lists 13 vendors + internet contact info.
As out Dear Leader sez - "Lets All Go Green"!

[Valorius]

I shot this 12 rd group at 20 yards rapid fire with my Viridian C5L, using Elite S4M:



All bad guys are advised to stay the hell off my block.

[Valorius]

[FNForever]

I have only used the Streamlight TLR-2 on my Glock 20. It is a very solid setup. The light is blinding bright and focused @ under 15yds. The laser could be more powerful but serves its purpose and holds zero even under the heavy recoil of the 10mm. Great light/laser for the price. Oh and its switchable. You can have light/laser/both....always on or instantaneous.

[GONRA]

GONRA wants to get a Viridian X5L as recommended by you experts out there
for my 5.7x28 FN pistol. http://www.OpticsPlanet.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; info specifies a CR2 battery.
Any suggestions (actual experience only please) on
a rechargable CR2 battery / charger combo?
Apparently many CR2 batteries are rechargable, but not all.
Some brands mention "one time use" or "primary" -> NOT RECHARGABLE
but other brands do not specify ANY info that applies to recharging!
Its confusing, so am seeking an
ACTUAL USER EXPERIENCE RECOMMENDATION
from you World Renouned Experts.
THANX!

[Rapier1772]

I've had bad luck with my X5L (Gen 1) so while I like it when it works, it's not reliable enough to keep on a weapon - even after I sent it back to the factory for repairs.

As for the battery, I only use the non-rechargeable & they last a while. I have not tried the rechargeable kind.