

Posted: 7/27/2014 9:09:45 AM EDT
What can the hive recommend for a weapon mounted white/IR light? We have the WML, the various Scout lights and a couple combos meant for primarily pistol use. Which light(s) should I consider and why?
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Brightest combination if you want white/IR in one light I've found currently is the Surefire Vampire series. M620V, M600 with KM2 head.
The new Surefire X300V is out now and offers both. With a Unity Tactical EXO guard added, it could do rifle duty. It works great as is on a pistol. The Surefire M300V is supposed to be out shortly and will offer both white and IR. Also, rumor has it the new LDI DBAL-PL will be out soon with both as well. I have used the Inforce WML with both IR and white and found the IR really wanting power. The Surefire IR lights have good throw and spill. I also have one rifle set up with dedicated M620V on one side for IR and a M300B for white on the other. For the ability to immediately go white without having to fiddle with anything, it is quick. Adds a little bit of weight up front though. |
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Have you seen the new Surefire slim profile Scouts? Is there anything different with these new models other than the head itself?
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Have you seen the new Surefire slim profile Scouts? Is there anything different with these new models other than the head itself? View Quote Just looking at the heads, and the fact that they have the same output, I'm wondering if the new heads have more throw and less spill than the current V series. |
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Just looking at the heads, and the fact that they have the same output, I'm wondering if the new heads have more throw and less spill than the current V series. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Have you seen the new Surefire slim profile Scouts? Is there anything different with these new models other than the head itself? Just looking at the heads, and the fact that they have the same output, I'm wondering if the new heads have more throw and less spill than the current V series. I've not sure the old or new KM2 head but wouldn't a longer tighter beam (within reason) be welcomed? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I've not sure the old or new KM2 head but wouldn't a longer tighter beam (within reason) be welcomed? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Have you seen the new Surefire slim profile Scouts? Is there anything different with these new models other than the head itself? Just looking at the heads, and the fact that they have the same output, I'm wondering if the new heads have more throw and less spill than the current V series. I've not sure the old or new KM2 head but wouldn't a longer tighter beam (within reason) be welcomed? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile It would probably be personal preference. With the lower output I'd absolutely take the tighter beam. If they ever got to Fury/600U levels I'd want more spill. |
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I would consider an m952v just because you can find them for ~$100-150 all day long.
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Anyone have any experience with the TLR VIR?
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Its IR light is anemic, very, very anemic. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Anyone have any experience with the TLR VIR? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Its IR light is anemic, very, very anemic. That's what I would guess just by looking at the design. While it boasts a high (1000) mW rating, it's a single LED with no reflector. |
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Is it the limit of the technology or a lack of market interest that keeps us from seeing something with a 500+ lumen and bright/longer distance IR illuminator?
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Is it the limit of the technology or a lack of market interest that keeps us from seeing something with a 500+ lumen and bright/longer distance IR illuminator? View Quote In the Vampires it's technology. From what I've read SF can't get their diode to do both and do it bright. However, I'm sure the market wants higher output, at least for the white light. It's one reason why I'm interested in the LDI MK3. 500 lumens 600mW. |
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Is it the limit of the technology or a lack of market interest that keeps us from seeing something with a 500+ lumen and bright/longer distance IR illuminator? View Quote Check out the Nitecore Chameleon CI6 for $79 • White LED: CREE XP-G2 (R5) LED provides Maximum output of up to 440 lumens. • Infrared LED provides 1500mW, 850nm |
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Check out the Nitecore Chameleon CI6 for $79 • White LED: CREE XP-G2 (R5) LED provides Maximum output of up to 440 lumens. • Infrared LED provides 1500mW, 850nm View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Is it the limit of the technology or a lack of market interest that keeps us from seeing something with a 500+ lumen and bright/longer distance IR illuminator? Check out the Nitecore Chameleon CI6 for $79 • White LED: CREE XP-G2 (R5) LED provides Maximum output of up to 440 lumens. • Infrared LED provides 1500mW, 850nm Not to sound contrary, but he's looking for a weaponlight. I don't trust Candle-Power Forums favorite toy of the week to stand up to weapon recoil for any amount of time and prefer to stick with established weapon designed lights. Surefire, Insight, LDI, Streamlight, Inforce... I've worked professionally testing firearms and peripherals and even a softshooting 5.56 AR will destroy electronics and optics in short order if not properly hardened against weapon recoil. |
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Not to sound contrary, but he's looking for a weaponlight. I don't trust Candle-Power Forums favorite toy of the week to stand up to weapon recoil for any amount of time and prefer to stick with established weapon designed lights. Surefire, Insight, LDI, Streamlight, Inforce... I've worked professionally testing firearms and peripherals and even a softshooting 5.56 AR will destroy electronics and optics in short order if not properly hardened against weapon recoil. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Is it the limit of the technology or a lack of market interest that keeps us from seeing something with a 500+ lumen and bright/longer distance IR illuminator? Check out the Nitecore Chameleon CI6 for $79 • White LED: CREE XP-G2 (R5) LED provides Maximum output of up to 440 lumens. • Infrared LED provides 1500mW, 850nm Not to sound contrary, but he's looking for a weaponlight. I don't trust Candle-Power Forums favorite toy of the week to stand up to weapon recoil for any amount of time and prefer to stick with established weapon designed lights. Surefire, Insight, LDI, Streamlight, Inforce... I've worked professionally testing firearms and peripherals and even a softshooting 5.56 AR will destroy electronics and optics in short order if not properly hardened against weapon recoil. Fair enough, but I would say it depends on the OP's intended application. For my purposes, I'd rather have better performance at a lower price. As to build quality and reliability, I own two Nitecore flashlights, including the one mentioned, and I haven't had any problems with either. They have been dropped on concrete and mounted to both 5.45 and 7.62 with no issues. If for some reason, one happens to break (which I have no reason to expect), I could buy 4-5 replacements for the same price as some of those other lights that have been mentioned. |
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This one should really be the unit to own when they finally start shipping. Specs look really good. Maybe I'll just "make do" with a WML or a used M952V off eBay for the time being. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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It's one reason why I'm interested in the LDI MK3. 500 lumens 600mW. This one should really be the unit to own when they finally start shipping. Specs look really good. Maybe I'll just "make do" with a WML or a used M952V off eBay for the time being. MSRP $699 ![]() |
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I have ordered the Inforce WML as well as the new Surefire X300V. I'll try them both out and keep whichever I like best.
Pro's for the Inforce are the size, weight and single battery but it seems there are multiple complaints on multiple boards about the IR's lack of throw. |
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+1 on the Inforce
Within 100 yards it does fine. I like having the low and high options and the simple throw lever to switch from IR to White light. They're the best bang for your buck. But a high end surefire will go further for 3x the price. Have you looked at any dedicated IR illuminators yet? |
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I've got the inforce and like it for indoors and up close. My scout is brighter and throws the beam a lot longer. Curious to hear how the 300v works out.
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The new M600 weapon lights just came out we really like the new dual spectrum capabilities. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/V2_2-2_zps47622705.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/V2_3-2_zpsd64a703a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Clutch99/m600v-a-bk_m4_1_zpsd5159a67.jpg View Quote Is the new slimmer profile head the same one Surefire is using on the X300V? |
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They are the same in terms of lumen output.
The head on the M600V is removable and has a much longer runtime. Whereas the head on the M300V cannot be removed. Vic |
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I use an Inforce as well.
It isn't as powerful as others, but good enough in most cases and it is very compact and easy to use.
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What differences exist between this and the old style? View Quote Sorry Joe, just saw this. When SF came out we asked the same questions, several areas are improved, output is the same though for both IR and Vis. 1. Bezel manipulation of the new head is much easier to rotate with the "pull and turn function" for the two light modes. (A very welcomed feature I wanted to see changed) 2. The lens is stronger than the previous unit. I've not cracked any, but was told several units did crack in the Mil circles where gear is beat up much more than us mere mortals. ![]() 3. The head is slightly smaller Hope this helps. ![]() Vic |
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One thing I would have liked on the new Surefire is some kind of small bump or groove or something that can be felt with a finger to verify if the light is set on IR without having to test the light to see what it is set on. This probably isn't a big deal in most cases but I think it could be important to be able to verify the setting by feel.
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One thing I would have liked on the new Surefire is some kind of small bump or groove or something that can be felt with a finger to verify if the light is set on IR without having to test the light to see what it is set on. This probably isn't a big deal in most cases but I think it could be important to be able to verify the setting by feel. View Quote Great suggestion and I personally talked about that feature, and having a deeper type notch or bump especially when wearing gloves at night. I understand this could be construed as a "training issue", but they took good notes. ![]() Vic |
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Is the beam adustable on any of the dual output lights? I have messed with both the WML and the Surefire now and neither will really throw well at about 100 yards. This is using the house down the street as a guide.
The Surefire will illuminate the tree/bush about 60 up the street pretty well while the WML will only push out to about 40 yards. By comparison, an old school Streamlight Stinger rechargeable with an incandescent bulb and IR filter is easilyseen aagainst the house. House is lasered at 97 yards. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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