Flashlight style weapon light suggestions for <$90 ??

Looking for a weapon light to use with a VTAC mount that costs ~$90 or less. I liked the simple button features (don't want various modes) of the G2X but they're up to $95 now, and I'm not sure if it's worth it.

Any suggestions on what other lights I should consider?

Klarus


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If Light diameter is too small I use SyrVet Cohesive (tacky and sticks to itself) bandage to make it fit in larger outlet. This also makes it so it stays put in the mount.
This the clip comes off. Sale at 4 Sevens. This has programable modes so program it so the tightened bezel is maxed out and the loose bezel can be 50-90 lumens or so for cell life.

I use an Olight M20 in a MAKO Group PLS 1" With just that done because the light is a little small in diameter. The mount releases without tools from the rail via spring loaded bar and I can still use it in hand with the mount on it.

If you need to the part that sticks out can be trimmed down. I did that to keep the Roger's Technique ring on the M20

Yup. Great light

Check out some of the Fenix lights also. Good lights for a good price. We just got done mounting a light to my dad's weapon along with a vertical grip using a few pieces of magpul rail and it was right over 60 bucks for the whole shebang.

FENIX TK10 / TK11

Use a VTAC mount and you're good-to-go!

These are both bad ideas. While the flashlights are good, you should not put them on a weapon. Neither of these lights have potted electronics and neither are recoil-proofed. Anything higher than a .22 and you run the risk of shattering the PCBs.

That's good to know. The TK10 in a VTAC has been running fine on my main gun light still works fine (during and since shooting), but of course that just a sample of one. I'll take your word for it and do more research on potted electronics and PCB-whachamacallits thingy you mentioned.

Fenix and 4Sevens make tough lights, certainly. I believe nutnfancy has been using a quark on his shotgun for a while now. They will certainly work to an extent, but I wouldn't trust my life to them on a weapon. Because one day, the recoil might just push the circuit board past its limits...

4Sevens offers the Maelstrom G5 and X7, both of which are weapon-ready and recoil proofed.
Fenix also has some recoil-proof lights. I think the TK15 is one of them, but I'm not sure.

Streamlight Polytac HP
Surefire G2/6P LED

Whatever you do, make sure the light has springs on both the positive and negative ends of the battery. Many Fenix lights do not.

Thanks guys. I have a TK12 that I really like for EDC so I was considering a TK11 as a weapon light...but not so sure now after reading about the lack of shock proofing.

I like the size and button configuration (twist on/push momentary) of the G2X...is it gtg for weapon mounting? Any other suggestions are more than welcome...

Olight M20-X use holiday code bf1120 for 20% off

Palmetto State Armory has Surefire G2X Tactical lights on sale for $55 + about $6 shipping.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/surefire-g2x-tactical-led-flashlight-black-g2x-a-bk.html

SureFire does not recommend the G2X for use as a weapon light.

Not sure why they would replace a light that has seen a lot of use mounted on weapons with one that supposedly can't handle it, but that's the official word. The first light I ever mounted on an AR was a G2L and I shot a lot of rounds with it on there with no problems. I only changed it because I built a 6P with a drop-in to replace it. The 6P with the 300 lumen Solarforce LED didn't run me much over $90, but prices have increased since.

I'm sure someone here has done it anyway, maybe they can offer up some real-world reviews.

Solarforce L2.

Surefire G2 LED with a Malkoff drop in.

That would be pushing his price point, if not breaking it, and you will still, IMO, need to upgrade the tailcap.

Save a little extra and get a Surefire M300 scout from Kevin at BrightFlashlights (Site Sponsor) I think I pair @ $170 for mine without the tape switch. Call him up, he knows more about flashlights than anyone I've ever spoken to. If the M300 is out of your range he'll be able to recommend something.

Good lights. The XT10 is my EDC



That's what I had before the Klarus.

The XT10 is a bit big for EDC. Then again, your work wear might be different than mine. I have a P1C that I'm fiddling with.

The 80/120 lumens out of a stock SF G2L should be sufficient for close range and indoor use. The tail cap may not be a Z58, but you can still push for momentary, twist for constant, and back it out to lock it. If you want a better run time or a brighter light, a Malkoff drop-in is hard to beat. The G2L and Malkoff are proven to be reliable, and both could be had for under $100; worth it, IMHO.

The Streamlight PolyTac LED is another popular light thats usually compared to the SF G2L. But for weapon mounted lights, I always recommend: a stock SF G2L, SF G2L w/ Malkoff, Elzetta ZFL, SF VTAC L4/mini, or a SF Scout 600/300.

Streamlight PolyTac LED

Best $35 bucks I ever spent. Buy yourself 3.

Streamlight Polytac LED. $35-40.


Recognized brand with good CS.

Where can one be bought for that price? Would you recommend it over the Streamlight ProTac 2L Professional Tactical, or even the Surefire G2X Tactical?

The G2X is not recommend for a weapon light.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/streamlight-88850.html

Thanks. I went ahead and bought the Streamlight 88850 for $31.35 at Optic Sale using coupon code 350331.

Good choice. Mine held up to several hundred rounds on the shotgun before going on the AR. Works fine.
Now you have $60 left over for batteries and ammo.

I don't think you can beat 4Sevens lights. We have had them in our shop well over a year and have run a variety of their lights hard.

In my opinion they are Good to go and best for the money. They are also extremely small and light which is great for keeping your AR balanced.

I like this light a lot, but there are a few things you should know. Mine had a weak spring in the tail cap, and since the head is just a metal contact the battery would move in recoil, and cause the light to blink. It's not really an issue, but I now have a different light for the gun, and carry the 88850 as a hand held light. A lot of people have also reported this blinking so its probably not an issue with just my light. If it bugs you, and your on a tight budget, i've heard of modding it to use a stronger spring in the tail cap.

Also this light uses cr123a batteries. I would recommend avoiding rechargeable cells. They have a nominal voltage of 3.7v per cell, the standard cells have a nominal voltage of 3v. Since your light uses two cells in series that produces an increase of voltage to the tune of 1.4v almost a whole Alkaline cell. Streamlight does not design for this voltage change in any of their lights and says so in the FAQ section of their sight. I've also heard they discharge pretty fast, and may explode. I'd stick to the non-rechargeable cells in this light, and on a weapons light in general.

Which 4sevens lights have you used, I just bought their Maelstrom X7 since it's designed as a weapons light, but was under the impression that their other smaller series of lights was not suitable. I already had a Quark 123 Turbo. I might have used if I had known it would hold up.

You went with a solid choice, from a pretty good company.

You are correct.

While the Quark series can hold up to recoil (many use them on high-recoil weapons), does't mean that they will. The maelstrom series, however, is pretty much bomb-proof. It would take one hell of a recoil to break one, considering that the body itself holds the battery away from the head.

Thanks guys, I'll keep everything in mind. Now for the hard part: which mount should I use?

I am thinking of an off-set mount since I have a Magpul RVG. I do see the value in a QD version, but don't want to spend a lot of money on a flashlight mount. The elZetta ZORM seems like it would hold the light fine, but $70 is too much for it.

You could just get a bit of rail for your handguard and use a weaver 1" ring.

I have a BAR free-float rail and the $10 1" rings I've seen look bulky/heavy.

Try Luma Force.

http://www.lumaforce.com/weapon-lighting-systems.html

Klarus XT10, Olight M20s,Olight M21 are the ones i use but if i had to pick only one out of the 3 i mentioned it would be the M21.

VTAC mount with a piece of MOE rail section at 12:00.

The Klarus is not recoil-resistant. The Olights are. However, in that price range, I would strongly recommend going with 4Sevens.

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