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

[bpasky]

Surefire X400 - $460 - LED light source, 4.5 oz, 2.4 hr runtime, 170 Lumens, aerospace-grade milled aluminum body, water resistant up to 66 feet, scratch resistant tempered pyrex glass
+ very bright center spot, brightest in short to intermediate range
+ very bright red laser, brightest in category
+ built like a tank
- very expensive
- heavy body
http://www.surefire.com/X400product
http://www.opticsplanet.net/surefire-x4 ... light.html
Surefire X300

Surefire X400



Streamlight TLR-2 - $225 - LED light source, 4.7 oz, 2.5 hr runtime, 135 Lumens, 160 Lumens w/ strobe function on "s" model, machined aluminum body
+ very bright peripheral light, center spot not quite as bright as X400
+ decent red laser
+ very affordable (not quite best but very good compared to price)
- heavy body
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=81
http://www.opticsplanet.net/streamlight ... laser.html
Streamlight TLR-2



Insight M6X - $300 - Xenon light source, 4.4 oz, 1 hr runtime, 125 Lumens, Polymer plastic body, water resistant up to 66 feet
+ brighter light at longer distances
- not as bright as TLR-2 at close to intermediate distances
- some say laser does not hold true after a few rounds
- short battery life
http://www.insighttechgear.com/products-m6x.htm
http://www.opticsplanet.net/insight-tec ... nator.html

Insight M6X



Viridian X5L - $315 - LED light source, 2.9 oz, 1 hr runtime, 100 Lumens, 140 Lumens w/ strobe function, polymer plastic & aerospace-grade aluminum body
+ green laser, easier to see in daytime
+ pulsing laser function
+ light weight body
- larger size (drops below trigger guard)
- green lasers burn up battery life 25% faster than red lasers
http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com/video/viridianx5l/
http://www.opticsplanet.net/viridian-gr ... 55786.html
Viridian X5L



Sig Sauer STL 900L - $190 - LED light source, 3.5 oz, 1.3 hrs runtime, 130 Lumens, same w/ strobe function, polymer housing w/ aluminum bezel
+ built in hex key wrench for laser adjustment
+ very affordable purchasing from BotachTactical.com for as long as they are still running the sale
- complicated controls (button layout)
- laser on function is independent from main on/off switch
- laser is placed behind lens, if dirty it can show a "ghost" laser
http://www.sigsauer.com/sigstore/showpr ... ductid=285
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/53433-1.html
http://www.botachtactical.com/sigsasttali.html $95 - get an additional 15% off using keyword "stimulus"
Sig Sauer STL 900L


Insight X2L - $215 - tungsten halogen w/ xenon filled light source, 1.7 oz, 0.5 hr runtime, 40 Lumens, polymer plastic body, made specifically for sub-compact pistols
+ finally and option for subcompact pistols
- very expensive for size (needs competition to bring down price)
- only fits on sub-compact pistols (does not fit on FN FiveseveN)
http://www.insighttechgear.com/products-x2l.htm
http://www.opticsplanet.net/insight-tec ... light.html



Glock GTL 21 - $250 - Xenon light source, 3.2 oz, 1.2 hr runtime, ? Lumens (was not advertised), polymer plastic body, water resistant up to 33 feet
+ nice compact design
- battery door can easily come undone
- bulb could become unseated

http://www.glock.com/english/acc_gtl21.htm
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/18273-1.html


HellFighter Underboss DOH 202/203 - $125 - Halogen/LED light source, 3.2 oz, ? Runtime(not advertised), 150 Lumens Halogen/120 Lumens LED, Aramid fiber composite body
- battery door can easily come undone
- bulb could become unseated
- laser does not hold true
http://www.opticsplanet.net/dark-ops-he ... light.html
http://www.hellfireusa.com/cgistore/sto ... 11291.4992
HellFighter Underboss DOH 202



After review, strictly on paper from other reviews, the Streamlight TLR-2 would come out on top. Just for the price compared to the quality received. As far as best product, the Surefire X400 in my opinion wins gold. If best is what your looking for, at double the price, the X400 would be the way to go. The X400 is well built in every way and thats how Surefire likes to build their products. The Viridian X5L is a nice option if you prefer the green laser for use in daylight hours. However, green lasers lose battery life much faster as compared to red lasers. If this can be fixed, Viridian could possibly pose as top light in this category. The green light does seem to be easier to see, especially at longer distances.

All pricing was used from opticsplanet.com. They seemed to be consistently on par with a low price, if wasn't available, found an average low price.

Also keep in mind, I have never had any of these lights in my hands ever. These comments are strictly from other posts from this website, manufacturer's website, and other forums/review sites.

[blueorison]

Please help to this issue. If I am missing a light, please let me know.

I am pretty sure something like this was never covered on the site. If it has I am sorry and please redirect me to it. I am totally unbiased to any of these lights, although I like getting the best because it's a better chance it will work and work well. If dollar value is high, the best has to be clearly better.

LOLLLLLLLLL

buddy, I like how you are so sure, have you even touched the search function? It's been covered SO many times before. This isn't barf.com or another FsN forum, we're alot different here and do have legitimate answers from people who USE the stuff.

And welcome to the site

[panzermk2]

Posting spree starting a little early this morning..........................

[bpasky]

Blue. Thanks for the help. I'll check other forumns.

I didn't know Trolls lived in these parts.

[bpasky]

we're alot different here and do have legitimate answers from people who USE the stuff.

Thanks for the legitimate answer!

Basically most other topics on the subject just turned into everyone saying what they use. I guess I am looking for why you like the specific light that you have.

[blueorison]

Oh, my bad, bpasky! Didn't mean to troll on ya!

Obviously it's my fault. I mean, who am I to question a newbie who makes close-to-universal claims that are completely inaccurate?

Let me get that for you,

here ya go!

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4918&hilit=viridian" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6230&hilit=laser" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5348&hilit=laser" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

there were more links, but, you'll just have to tune in another time! :p

"Basically most other topics on the subject just turned into everyone saying what they use. I guess I am looking for why you like the specific light that you have."

Well, see, I'm thinkin, I guess they use it because the light is

1. bright
2. reliable
3. robust
4. darn thing just works great

There really aren't crazy differences between different mfg.'s. Though some have green lights and other have red lights. During the day, Green is easier to see on non-green surfaces. Red is easier to see on non-red surfaces. Green might not work in some temps.

Hope that helps!!

[bpasky]

Thanks. I haven't viewed the third link before. I think Vortec MAX's post helps the most from that topic.

[murphies_finest]

I have a 120 dollar chinese green light called "field sport" with being attached to my 57 and bouncing along in the bronco all the time througout the weeks it still has yet to lose it point of aim.

[PGT]

Obviously it's my fault. I mean, who am I to question a newbie who makes close-to-universal claims that are completely inaccurate?

as someone who has also search on this topic on this very forum, I applaud the man for putting together a well-thought out and linked post cataloging the choices. The info might be previously discussed, but that 'n00b' did an admirable job of organizing information in a way that's useful for everybody.

Perhaps its better to encourage this behavior instead of jumping on the guy for being new (and not finding what he was looking for). Just sayin...

[blueorison]

Obviously it's my fault. I mean, who am I to question a newbie who makes close-to-universal claims that are completely inaccurate?

as someone who has also search on this topic on this very forum, I applaud the man for putting together a well-thought out and linked post cataloging the choices. The info might be previously discussed, but that 'n00b' did an admirable job of organizing information in a way that's useful for everybody.

Perhaps its better to encourage this behavior instead of jumping on the guy for being new (and not finding what he was looking for). Just sayin...

Very pertinent point, PGT! Thank you for chiding me. I will be sure to take this as part of my education to become a better FsNizen. New term I made up.

I definitely marginalized you, bpasky, and for that I apologize. My main concern was that you were making a statement we see alot of newbies make; that there is "no or almost no information on etc." when all that you have to do is use the search function. I felt that I was not overly critical, just a bit tongue in cheek. Perhaps I need to guard my speech more closely to achieve a less trenchant effect that will appeal to verity and succinctness instead of perceived spite. :cya:

Hope you find what you need, bpasky! I've handled the Viridian on a pistol; didn't shoot it, but I was able to fully commit to its function and effect by having it shone in my eyes during the DAYLIGHT. This blinded me for about 2 minutes cold. Think of what it would do during the night. That's my input on the LIGHT of the Viridian; the laser is incredibly bright, as is the green laser from Lasermax. I've used Lasermax's green and red lasers. :guns:

[PGT]

"search n00b!" is a common post on any forum. As a former moderator on an active car forum, balance was needed for those who truly did attempt to look for info but came up short and those who didn't bother but posted anyways. The old-timers ate both for breakfast without distinguishing between them. Encourage the former, destroy the latter. :P

As for lasers, I chose the LaserMax over the Viridian just for form factor. The cost was the same but the Viridian looks HUGE on the FiveSeven while the LM disappears on it.

[bpasky]

Thank you for the apology Blue.

I was actually steering away from the Viridian because of size and light, but that helps what you said about the 2 mins blind in the daytime. A lot of people hype the laser in the reviews and lack to talk about the light. I think I would actually put the Light as a primary and the laser as a secondary.

PGT, how is the light on the LaserMax? Would you prefer the green laser over the red or is it matter of preference?

[PGT]

green is supposedly better. Frankly, the red would serve my purposes well too and be significantly cheaper

[burdy]

This forum is KING of "use the search function". To the point of being ridiculous. Why dont we just catalog all possible topics into an excel spreadsheet, add information as we learn more and shut down the discussion part of the forum? Kind of defeats the purpose. Its one reason I do a lot more reading on this forum than posting, and it has nothing to do with being thin skinned, I can assure you. Its just not worth the hassle trying to figure out who actually responded to your question while sifting through the 37 "use the search function" replies by people who I guess feel they are on another intelligence level b/c they are more familiar with forum etiquette than others. I can assure you everyone on here is a specialist in some area enough to make others feel inadequate were the topic to arise. Sorry for the tantrum, I can just image we run off a ton of new and good people weekly on here, and its not like there is so much discussion going on that we don't need anymore.

[f3rr37]

We have a wiki for such information. People just haven't contributed to it to consolidate all of the information.

It does seem that some members do jump on the "use the search function" bandwagon when new members come to ask questions, and to that I apologize. If maybe some of them would instead direct their search function posts to help developing the wiki into what it is meant to be for, then we might not run into this as much. **hint hint**

Thank you for your feed back burdy, we do appreciate it and use such criticism to help make this forum a better place for people coming to seek information.

[blueorison]

This forum is KING of "use the search function". To the point of being ridiculous. Why dont we just catalog all possible topics into an excel spreadsheet, add information as we learn more and shut down the discussion part of the forum? Kind of defeats the purpose. Its one reason I do a lot more reading on this forum than posting, and it has nothing to do with being thin skinned, I can assure you. Its just not worth the hassle trying to figure out who actually responded to your question while sifting through the 37 "use the search function" replies by people who I guess feel they are on another intelligence level b/c they are more familiar with forum etiquette than others. I can assure you everyone on here is a specialist in some area enough to make others feel inadequate were the topic to arise. Sorry for the tantrum, I can just image we run off a ton of new and good people weekly on here, and its not like there is so much discussion going on that we don't need anymore.

burdy, you're saying we should not have to sift through posts, and simply get spoonfed? I'd have to disagree with you. The search function is there for a reason, I use it, too. It's not just something piled on newbies that come onto the forum. It's not a battle over intelligence quota.

We have a wiki for such information. People just haven't contributed to it to consolidate all of the information.

It does seem that some members do jump on the "use the search function" bandwagon when new members come to ask questions, and to that I apologize. If maybe some of them would instead direct their search function posts to help developing the wiki into what it is meant to be for, then we might not run into this as much. **hint hint**

Thank you for your feed back burdy, we do appreciate it and use such criticism to help make this forum a better place for people coming to seek information.

OWWW!!! Fuzzy something just poked me really hard in the side. I don't think it's your hinting at me because I'm definitely not qualified to update wiki. I really don't see what the big deal is having to read through 40 posts to find what you want. You use google to find things, so why can't you use search here? I'm perplexed.

[PGT]

access to information isn't the point. easy, organized info is. The search feature on forums doesn't usually work very well. I find things easier/quicker/mobetter by using google's site search.

think about the internet before google. the info was out there...just search! yeah, it didn't work well. dead links, reading ten hits to get the one gem of a thread. Looked at another way...how often do you go to wikipedia to read up on something? I go almost daily, usually linked off a search in google. No, it's not the end-all-be-all of knowledge and can frequently be incorrect but considering how hard it was to gain knowledge a decade ago on the web, these two sites are golden.

Other forums organize "FAQ's" or "threads of note" - a single repository or table of contents from which one can get to other threads. Well organized and kept updated. That's essentially what the wiki intends to do....catalog the knowledge base in an easy to use format.

[f3rr37]

Its just a matter of getting someone to do it... we're lazy

[bpasky]

I know I may be a "Noob" but whatever I learn about each light I can add and update this topic at the top. If anyone has something I need to correct or add just let me know. I don't mind doing it if you don't. It sounds like we need to start somewhere. I'd like to give it a shot as long as everyone is cool with it.

[f3rr37]

Sounds good to me, go for it.