January '05 - latest configuration:The M600A/Scout light is now equipped with the 5w KL4 LED head. While LED's are incredibly tough and shouldn't fail like conventional lamp can they do have some setbacks. In the case of the KL4 LED head it has some major short comings in the area of throw (range). It is certainly a high intensity light with blinding capability but as far as weaponslights go it has an approx. maximum effective range of 35 yds. of good 'clean' target identification. An LED's beam can also suffer severe washout from any significant ambient light such as close street lights or house lights so that's another possible consideration.
Now I realize the Scout was not intended to rival it's big brothers like the M961/M962/M900/etc. but this system was certainly intended for rifle use. With that said, it is my opinion that with a light system on a rifle you should always try to have an effective illuminated range of 50 - 60 yards. With the KL4 head that type of range isn't possible but if you go back to the earlier design where the Scout was using the E2E/E2D MN03 incandescent lamp (60 lumen) & bezel format then it was very capable system. There is a new incandescent conversion kit for the M600A Scout which uses an adapter with P60 lamp and the M2 shock isolated bezel but this will look a bit odd due to 1.47" bezel on the small body.
It is also possible to use the new KL1 LED head which has extended range over the KL4 but does not have as much flood. I still would delegate this KL1 & the KL4 to indoor use but if circumstances called for more range then at least the KL1 will offer it. The KL1 also offers much longer battery life and that could be a bonus for some users who truly would use this in a scout role.
The current M600A now comes configured as the Scout light with an integral thumbscrew base and equipped with a clicker style tailcap and KL4 5w LED head. Also included is another tapeswitch/tailcap assembly if you want to go that route. Because the Scout is now configured with the KL4 and comes with both tailcap configurations that has pushed the price up a good bit. HOWEVER, I will
let you decide on the configuration that you want and will price it accordingly, basically that means you have the following choices:
- M600A in its current form of the KL4 & both tailcaps
- M600A in its current form of the KL4 & whichever tailcap you prefer
- M600A revised to the incandescent E2D style format and either both tailcaps or whichever you prefer (see November '04 pics below)
- M600A revised to the KL1 and either both tailcaps or whichever you prefer
- M600A with the LU60A shock isolated bezel module -
pic 1 -
img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/315352/lights746.jpgpic 2 -
img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/315352/lights747.jpgAt this time, my preference is to still use the E2E/E2D bezel & MN03 lamp combo. With this combination you'll have adequate range, blinding performance and equal battery runtime (70 minutes) to that of the KL4. If desired, you can also swap to the MN02 lamp for nearly the same performance (though rated @ 25 lumens visually it's within 10-15% of the MN03 lamp) but with a 2 hour runtime.
Thanks for listening!
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November '04 revision:June/July '04 initial release: