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11/17/2011 9:32:38 PM EDT
Has ANYONE done a thorough review of this light yet, with quality pictures, comparisons, etc? They AA powered weapon light from Insight has been out for awhile now but I cannot find any decent write ups. I'm considering getting one to use on my pistol for night-time shooting but don't know what kind of output this light really produces. I know they say 150+ lumens, but I haven't owned an Insight light in years and don't know how accurate their output ratings are. That's only 10 lumens less than the Streamlight TLR-1S and I love those lights! Although I'm not sure how I like the full polymer construction of the Insight, and it looks like the bezel is very shallow so I don't know if it has any throw to it...

If anyone has one of these lights could you please share your thoughts? Thanks!

11/20/2011 4:26:43 PM EDT
[#1]
I guess I got my answer...
11/21/2011 5:40:11 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Has ANYONE done a thorough review of this light yet, with quality pictures, comparisons, etc? They AA powered weapon light from Insight has been out for awhile now but I cannot find any decent write ups. I'm considering getting one to use on my pistol for night-time shooting but don't know what kind of output this light really produces. I know they say 150+ lumens, but I haven't owned an Insight light in years and don't know how accurate their output ratings are. That's only 10 lumens less than the Streamlight TLR-1S and I love those lights! Although I'm not sure how I like the full polymer construction of the Insight, and it looks like the bezel is very shallow so I don't know if it has any throw to it...

If anyone has one of these lights could you please share your thoughts? Thanks!



Not a full review but I've had one for about a month now.  It's mounted on my house gun (Beretta M9A1) and it's replaced the TLR-1 I used to use.  It's not as bright as the TLR-1 and definitly doesn't throw as far.  With that said, it's bright enough to do anything I might ask it to do on a handgun.  Personally I wouldn't use it on a rifle.  It might be fine for CQB but I think most folks would want more throw on a rifle then this light provides.  The polymer construction is fine as far as I'm concerned, since its lighter then the TLR-1.  It mounts and dis-mounts easily and is rock solid on the gun.  I prefer the switch of the Insight, since it works the same for both left and right handed use, unlike the TLR-1.  Battery changes are easy, which isn't always the case with the TLR-1 (at least for me).  Run time with good batteries is better then the TLR-1 by about half.  The strobe function is easy to use and works well enough, although that's not something I think I'm likely to use.  All in all I like it well enough that I've boxed up the TLR-1 for good.  If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
11/24/2011 8:24:41 AM EDT
[#3]
Anyone know how long the remote cable is? Haven't been able to find any info on the length.
Thx!...
Tomac
11/25/2011 8:18:58 PM EDT
[#4]
I'm not sure. You're best bet is to e-mail Insight and ask them.
11/26/2011 2:21:24 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
I'm not sure. You're best bet is to e-mail Insight and ask them.


Did that. Std long gun cable is 4" but an 8" is available only from Insight direct: "Thank you for inquiring with  L-3 Insight, we do have an 8” remote ITP-053-8 for a cost of $72.99."
Tomac  

11/26/2011 7:05:07 PM EDT
[#6]
HOLY... $73 is absurd! If you want a cheap tac light for a rifle with a remote pressure switch PM me because I know of a place you can get an awesome deal on a TLR-1S or TLR-2 setup for  along gun/shotgun.

Getting one of the WL1-AA lights is pretty low on my priority list, but I still want one. Maybe by the time I do end up getting one they will have updated them a bit or someone else will have come out with one even better...
11/27/2011 4:20:42 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
HOLY... $73 is absurd! If you want a cheap tac light for a rifle with a remote pressure switch PM me because I know of a place you can get an awesome deal on a TLR-1S or TLR-2 setup for  along gun/shotgun.

Getting one of the WL1-AA lights is pretty low on my priority list, but I still want one. Maybe by the time I do end up getting one they will have updated them a bit or someone else will have come out with one even better...


Agreed. As much as I like the idea of a weapons-grade AA light, we're now talking double the cost of a TLR-1S setup (which I already have) w/the only significant difference being battery type.
Tomac

11/27/2011 6:37:37 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
HOLY... $73 is absurd! If you want a cheap tac light for a rifle with a remote pressure switch PM me because I know of a place you can get an awesome deal on a TLR-1S or TLR-2 setup for  along gun/shotgun.

Getting one of the WL1-AA lights is pretty low on my priority list, but I still want one. Maybe by the time I do end up getting one they will have updated them a bit or someone else will have come out with one even better...


Agreed. As much as I like the idea of a weapons-grade AA light, we're now talking double the cost of a TLR-1S setup (which I already have) w/the only significant difference being battery type.
Tomac



I’m not trying to sell anyone on this light but compared to the TLR-1 it’s more then just the battery.  It’s lighter by over an ounce, the switch works better (for me) and it runs half again as long (1.5 hours vs. 1 hour).  

Now about that battery.  The only thing in my life that used a CR-123 battery was the TLR-1 mounted on my house gun.  Compare that to what runs on AA’s.  I’ve got several flashlights, 3 remote controls on the coffee table, a camera, an alarm clock and a little gizmo that can power my cell phone.  There are probably a few other things I’m forgetting now but basically everything in my life runs on AA’s, specifically rechargeable Eneloop’s.  The WL1-AA closed the loop for me with regards to what I need to keep on hand for an emergency or just the stuff I use in my every day life.

If the TLR-1 works for you that’s great.  It’s a very good light with a long history of satisfactory service.  It costs considerably less then the WL1-AA and is a bit brighter, which makes it a solid choice.  But for me, for all the reasons listed above, the WL1-AA is the better light.
11/27/2011 7:20:47 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I’m not trying to sell anyone on this light but compared to the TLR-1 it’s more then just the battery.  It’s lighter by over an ounce, the switch works better (for me) and it runs half again as long (1.5 hours vs. 1 hour).  

Now about that battery.  The only thing in my life that used a CR-123 battery was the TLR-1 mounted on my house gun.  Compare that to what runs on AA’s.  I’ve got several flashlights, 3 remote controls on the coffee table, a camera, an alarm clock and a little gizmo that can power my cell phone.  There are probably a few other things I’m forgetting now but basically everything in my life runs on AA’s, specifically rechargeable Eneloop’s.  The WL1-AA closed the loop for me with regards to what I need to keep on hand for an emergency or just the stuff I use in my every day life.

If the TLR-1 works for you that’s great.  It’s a very good light with a long history of satisfactory service.  It costs considerably less then the WL1-AA and is a bit brighter, which makes it a solid choice.  But for me, for all the reasons listed above, the WL1-AA is the better light.


My TLR-1S' are the only things I have that use CR123's (like you, everything else I use runs on AA's [I also use Eneloops] so the WL1 really appeals to me) but the price difference between the TLR-1S & WL1-AA buys a *lot* of CR123's w/very long shelf life (it's not like my weapons lights are expected to get a lot of "constant-in" time) and the stated runtime of the TLR-1S is 2.5hrs, not 1hr: http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=178

Heck, if the WL1-AA long gun kit came w/at least the option of 4" or 8" cable then I'd probably go for it but it just doesn't make sense for me to spend $200+ for the long gun kit then an additional $70+ for the 8" cable I need (YMMV).
Tomac

11/27/2011 8:28:04 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I’m not trying to sell anyone on this light but compared to the TLR-1 it’s more then just the battery.  It’s lighter by over an ounce, the switch works better (for me) and it runs half again as long (1.5 hours vs. 1 hour).  

Now about that battery.  The only thing in my life that used a CR-123 battery was the TLR-1 mounted on my house gun.  Compare that to what runs on AA’s.  I’ve got several flashlights, 3 remote controls on the coffee table, a camera, an alarm clock and a little gizmo that can power my cell phone.  There are probably a few other things I’m forgetting now but basically everything in my life runs on AA’s, specifically rechargeable Eneloop’s.  The WL1-AA closed the loop for me with regards to what I need to keep on hand for an emergency or just the stuff I use in my every day life.

If the TLR-1 works for you that’s great.  It’s a very good light with a long history of satisfactory service.  It costs considerably less then the WL1-AA and is a bit brighter, which makes it a solid choice.  But for me, for all the reasons listed above, the WL1-AA is the better light.


My TLR-1S' are the only things I have that use CR123's (like you, everything else I use runs on AA's [I also use Eneloops] so the WL1 really appeals to me) but the price difference between the TLR-1S & WL1-AA buys a *lot* of CR123's w/very long shelf life (it's not like my weapons lights are expected to get a lot of "constant-in" time) and the stated runtime of the TLR-1S is 2.5hrs, not 1hr: http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=178

Heck, if the WL1-AA long gun kit came w/at least the option of 4" or 8" cable then I'd probably go for it but it just doesn't make sense for me to spend $200+ for the long gun kit then an additional $70+ for the 8" cable I need (YMMV).
Tomac



I stand corrected on the run time, I'm not sure where I got the 1 hour from.  I have the TLR-1 (not the S), just pulled the box and it says 2.5 hours as well.

Regarding the batteries, if buying a dedicated box of batteries works for you then you're good to go.

I wouldn't recommned the WL1 as a rifle light.  It's not as bright and doesn't throw as far as the TLR-1.  It's probably bright enough for CQB but I think most folks would want more throw then this light offers.  

$70.00 for that cable is rediculous.

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