Been on my helmet for awhile now as well.

The new programmable PT lights are pretty nice. Those are the Charge-X and Switch-RGB. The Charge-X is dual fuel (AA or CR123A) and the Switch-RGB is coin similar to the legacy Switch MPLS.

The Charge-X hasn't started shipping yet but is expected very soon. We have the Switch-RGB in stock.

Beyond that the TNVC HMTL with an S&S M-Ax mount is super awesome but may be out of your price range vs the PT lights.

It's dual spectrum white/IR and 2 settings (low/high). The 5 lumen white light low setting is fantastic.

^This




Although IPX4 the Switch is designed to be water resistant. PT actually recommends flushing out salt water and letting it dry (see below). Of course it'd be better if it didn't wet in the first place but if that's a requirement then the Charge is the way to go.

I personally prefer the Charge for it's easier battery changes and especially now with the Charge-X adding to that is a dual fuel capability (AA or CR123A) and multi-spectrum capabilities (RGB programmable, white, and IR). For those who aren't familiar with them, the legacy versions have a gazillion variations based on the body color and LED colors. The new RGB series eliminates all of those. It's really not a "big deal" for those who know what colors they need/want but it's nice that you don't have to buy a new light if you want a different variation.

With that said, it's important to know that the Switch-RGB isn't an all-in-one solution like the Charge. There are 2 families and you choose based on if you need IR or not.  
1) RGB with white light
2) RGB with IR.


Taken from PT Switch RGB user manual:

This light has been designed to be water resistant. Check the light for water contamination on the circuit board. The light will resume normal operation once any water is shaken or blown out and the light is left open until completely dry. If the light has been contaminated with salt water, flush the unit with fresh water and dry as described above.

The battery cap is different.

Switch Rail battery cap screws/twists off/on.

Switch MPLS pops off/on.

I want to clarify regarding pricing of the MPLS. They are not not all over $100.

The original Switch MPLS is $72.99
The new Switch RGB MPLS is $79.99
The Charge X (RGB programmable with white & IR) is $149.99
And if want a super simple light in only one color (say red) the Point MPLS is $49.99

These PT lights without question are the most popular helmet task lights for valid reasons which is why you see so many people using them.

The increased costs versus knockoffs are other lights made overseas aren't unreasonable for the product that you receive which are designed and MADE in the USA.

10-4. Most people for whatever reason call the Switch the MPLS so that's what I thought you were referencing.

FWIW, info for everyone - MPLS isn't a product but rather refers to their tactical products. MPLS  stands for Modular Personal Lighting System.

More info here: https://princetontec.com/tactical-overview/

Which parts have you been breaking?

I ask because the two most common issues I've seen, which as you've pointed out Princeton Tec is pretty good about warrantying / replacing, are the flexible metal "neck," and the mounting tabs of the MPLS Switch / Point.

Of the two, I've actually and ironically never broken the mounting tabs, though I know a few guys, including TNVC guys who have, but I pretty much assume that the flexible neck has a limited lifespan in my use, and within a year or two usually needs to be replaced, to the point where even before joining TNVC and admittedly having pretty ready access to replacements, I more or less regarded them as semi-disposable, as I reasoned $45-$75 per MPLS Switch per year (shows how long I've been using them... hahaha) wasn't all that expensive as long as you looked at it more like buying ammunition for your gun or something, rather than a one-time buy, and I found the form factor and function to still be the best for my uses, even despite being semi-disposable.

The same applies / applied for the Charge family, but as has been pointed out, they've always been a little bit more expensive.

Anyways... the reason I ask is that the new updates to both the MPLS Switch and Charge, in the form of the Switch RGB (currently available) and Charge-X (incoming) with a much thicker (probably double the diameter), rubberized coated flex necks are a huge improvement to the durability and longevity of both MPLS systems, and is the same flex neck being used on the MPLS RAILINK, which I have been using for some time now, and Jamey Caldwell has been using his even longer, and neither of us have had issues with the flex neck that I am aware of.

The new thicker neck is slightly less flexible if you really want to bend it to the extremes, but IMHO not excessively so to a point where it affects practical usage.

All of that is to say, if you already like the MPLS-family of lights but had issues with the neck durability at least, then I'd highly recommend looking at the newer models with the improved necks.

~Augee

That being said, I know I'm supposed to be trying to talk y'all into buying brand-new, purpose built lights, but what can I say, old habits die hard...

...but if you really want a cheap cheap task / admin light solution that's extremely effective, simple, and low profile, there's honestly nothing wrong with getting one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FLFZJG?tag=arfcom00-20

...and slapping some sticky Velcro to the back of it and to your helmet (or if you have a FAST SF, sticking it to the already existing forward Velcro), if you want to talk about "semi-disposable," could not care less if it got lost, damaged, or destroyed, there are parts of the country where a beer or cup of coffee costs more than this solution.

I'll try to get / dig up some photographs of ones I've made...

~Augee