Posted: 5/27/2009 5:18:02 PM EDT
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So I've taken some pistol classes where night shooting is practiced and used various lights in my support hand.
I've never tried a rail mounted light while shooting, no biggie to me as my mindset is that the light on me beats the light sitting at home in the nightstand drawer. I tried a G2 (twin CR123) and a Fenix L1P (single AA). I like the momentary tailcap switch function of the G2 but its too big to EDC on my belt. I like the EDC-ability of the Fenix but its a bit too thin (length is ok) but undecided on the clickie aspect when using it in conjunction with my pistol (plus it needs just that little bit more light power) I've been looking at the Surefire E1B and the Fenix PD20 (both clickies though) and was curious about your input. |
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I tried a G2 (twin CR123) I like the momentary tailcap switch function of the G2 but its too big to EDC on my belt. . Why must you wear it on your belt? I keep my G2 on a lanyard around my neck. It has a magnetic clasp so that it will break free in the event someone tries to strangle me with the lanyard. I know that it is not fashionable. But neither are GSWs |
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OP, how little are you?
Serious question. You say the G2 is "too big" to carry on the belt. Why? I carry a G2 and an E2D everyday. G2 is in a Blackhawk carrier, E2D is in a pocket. Hell, carry your G2 in your left front pocket if you want. It would work in several different places. I just like having it accessible to both hands. 
Surefire and other companies also make Nylon carriers that are very concealable. I have one and use it sometimes too. Not too big at all. But good on ya at least for seeing the need to have a good, dependable light with you. Very important.
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OP, how little are you? Serious question. You say the G2 is "too big" to carry on the belt. Why? I carry a G2 and an E2D everyday. G2 is in a Blackhawk carrier, E2D is in a pocket. Hell, carry your G2 in your left front pocket if you want. It would work in several different places. I just like having it accessible to both hands.
Surefire and other companies also make Nylon carriers that are very concealable. I have one and use it sometimes too. Not too big at all. But good on ya at least for seeing the need to have a good, dependable light with you. Very important. It's too long/tall. With the exception of my pistol, I like everything else to be as compact and subdued as possible. I actually EDC'd a Surefire Aviator for some time in my pocket and it was the clip that made it easy to do. But alas that was too big as well and didn't allow for a very 'tactical' draw on the flashlight. My EDC these past few years has been a Fenix L1P in the Fenix scabbard it came with. Just too slim (and no momentary switch) |
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I personally use this combination: Insight M3X: http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/stream_m3x_pistol.jpg Fobus FM3: http://www.ombexpress.com/images/product/250x250/GA116.jpg With that I'd have two lights. For CCW I'm looking to be as sleek as can be. Sure there is the 'two is one, one is none' thing ...... In one of the classes the instructor pointed out that when searching/sweeping with a weapon mounted light you're obviously also muzzle sweeping ..... not ideal when checking on the kids room. At home you'd have another light but in this case we're talking about public CCW where a handheld would serve me better. |
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I like the NiteCore D10; I only wish it had a strobe. The clip (not shown) is robust and allows carry in my left front pocket clipped out of the way...(I can still access the pocket for other stuff). It has a different system of clickie... https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=709&osCsid=896a335d93ef144209512d3e2627ce41 |
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I personally use this combination: Insight M3X: http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/stream_m3x_pistol.jpg Fobus FM3: http://www.ombexpress.com/images/product/250x250/GA116.jpg With that I'd have two lights. For CCW I'm looking to be as sleek as can be. Sure there is the 'two is one, one is none' thing ...... In one of the classes the instructor pointed out that when searching/sweeping with a weapon mounted light you're obviously also muzzle sweeping ..... not ideal when checking on the kids room. At home you'd have another light but in this case we're talking about public CCW where a handheld would serve me better. Roger that danpass that's one of the main reasons I also don't use gun-mounted lights. Absolutely. So on the size, I hear ya on wanting things to be as low profile as possible. Sounds to me like a light that's the right size to carry, for you, is too small to use effectively. (and it was lacking a momentary switch, which is a MUST) And one that's big enough to be a decent light, is too big for your particular mode of carry. This is the part where I say swe have to compromise sometimes so that we've got the right equipment for the job, when we need it. But then again, Surefire and Stream light have so many models..........................surely there's one that's slimm enough for you. And by the way, carrying that Aviator by clip in the pocket can lend itself to a very good draw on the light, with training and practice.
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I personally use this combination: Insight M3X: http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/stream_m3x_pistol.jpg Fobus FM3: http://www.ombexpress.com/images/product/250x250/GA116.jpg Lights mounted on handguns are useful in only a certain limited set of circumstances, namely those circumstances in which you are justified in having a drawn weapon. Lights mounted on handguns are not, I repeat: NOT a substitute for a hand-held light. They are a damned fine addition to a hand held light, but not a substitute. |
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Surefire E1b Backup http://www.surefire.com/surefire/content/E1B_large2.jpg Best carry light I have. No question that it's a great carry light and it's the perfect size with the right hi and right low for EDC and 'tactical' use ......... I just wonder about that switch UI in an 'excited' situation. Will it be easy to turn off or will it simply go into low? 20 seconds later when I press for full on will it simply hit on low? It would be nice if Surefire had more momentary switch lights with the functionality of the A2 switch/tailcap. This light would be perfect with that. |
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I personally use this combination: Insight M3X: http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/stream_m3x_pistol.jpg Fobus FM3: http://www.ombexpress.com/images/product/250x250/GA116.jpg Lights mounted on handguns are useful in only a certain limited set of circumstances, namely those circumstances in which you are justified in having a drawn weapon. Lights mounted on handguns are not, I repeat: NOT a substitute for a hand-held light. They are a damned fine addition to a hand held light, but not a substitute. Absolutely. Very true. |
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Quoted: It's too big? What? You know Comp-tac makes kydex belt holsters for a wide variety of lights. It will be the exact same size as a spare magazine. I carry a Fenix TK11 for 220 lumens (yes, I know JW777s opinion on this brightness level)Quoted: OP, how little are you? Serious question. You say the G2 is "too big" to carry on the belt. Why? I carry a G2 and an E2D everyday. G2 is in a Blackhawk carrier, E2D is in a pocket. Hell, carry your G2 in your left front pocket if you want. It would work in several different places. I just like having it accessible to both hands. Surefire and other companies also make Nylon carriers that are very concealable. I have one and use it sometimes too. Not too big at all. But good on ya at least for seeing the need to have a good, dependable light with you. Very important. It's too long/tall. With the exception of my pistol, I like everything else to be as compact and subdued as possible. I actually EDC'd a Surefire Aviator for some time in my pocket and it was the clip that made it easy to do. But alas that was too big as well and didn't allow for a very 'tactical' draw on the flashlight. My EDC these past few years has been a Fenix L1P in the Fenix scabbard it came with. Just too slim (and no momentary switch)  |
| I EDC a Fenix P2D and it works great for everything I've ever needed it for. The only thing I wish was different about was that it had a dimmer low beam. 11 lumens is just a little much sometimes. But I like the brightness, runtime, and strobe. Plus the clickie doesn't have to be completely depressed off and then back on to adjust the brightness between levels like the similar deerelight does |
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Fenix LD10 http://www.fenixtactical.com/images/fenix/fenix-ld10-001.jpg Smaller than my pocket knife, fits perfectly in my fist and very lightweight. I'm very impressed with the beam as well. Wow. This looks interesting. But I don't like how the LD10's output modes are changed via tailcap. When I want it / need it, I want it ready to go and not set to SOS or low setting accidentally if I don't hit the correct combo of tail-cap presses, or press one too many times or something. While bulky, my TK10 is set to 220 so when I need it, it's there. Momentary on / click on. No confusion. And if I want it for less critical tasks, I simply twist the bezel for 60 lumens and then turn it on with the tailcap. Not go through some confusing sequence of tail-cap presses and pauses to get where I want to be. I don't think the TK10/11 are really options for the OP since they're similar to G2 in size, if not bigger. Actually, the Novatac 120P looks promising. |
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Fenix LD10 http://www.fenixtactical.com/images/fenix/fenix-ld10-001.jpg Smaller than my pocket knife, fits perfectly in my fist and very lightweight. I'm very impressed with the beam as well. Wow. This looks interesting. But I don't like how the LD10's output modes are changed via tailcap. When I want it / need it, I want it ready to go and not set to SOS or low setting accidentally if I don't hit the correct combo of tail-cap presses, or press one too many times or something. While bulky, my TK10 is set to 220 so when I need it, it's there. Momentary on / click on. No confusion. And if I want it for less critical tasks, I simply twist the bezel for 60 lumens and then turn it on with the tailcap. Not go through some confusing sequence of tail-cap presses and pauses to get where I want to be. I don't think the TK10/11 are really options for the OP since they're similar to G2 in size, if not bigger. Actually, the Novatac 120P looks promising. Unless I read it wrong your idea of the tail caps modes isn't quite right. With the front part untwisted (just slightly) pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the lowest constant setting. Tapping the tail cap changes the beam from low to medium, tapping it again turns medium to high, tapping it again turns high into SOS, tapping it again turns SOS to low. Every time you press the tail cap, it goes to the low setting. Press the tail cap again and the light turns off. With the front part tightened all the way pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the highest constant setting. Tapping the tail cap again turns it to strobe mode (which I personally think is useless). The weight is noticeably less than my knife, about the same as my keys, cell and unloaded P32. So far I'm very happy with this light. I do wish it had a pocket clip however. Fenix, if you are watching, that would be a VERY nice accessory! 
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Fenix LD10 http://www.fenixtactical.com/images/fenix/fenix-ld10-001.jpg Smaller than my pocket knife, fits perfectly in my fist and very lightweight. I'm very impressed with the beam as well. Wow. This looks interesting. But I don't like how the LD10's output modes are changed via tailcap. When I want it / need it, I want it ready to go and not set to SOS or low setting accidentally if I don't hit the correct combo of tail-cap presses, or press one too many times or something. While bulky, my TK10 is set to 220 so when I need it, it's there. Momentary on / click on. No confusion. And if I want it for less critical tasks, I simply twist the bezel for 60 lumens and then turn it on with the tailcap. Not go through some confusing sequence of tail-cap presses and pauses to get where I want to be. I don't think the TK10/11 are really options for the OP since they're similar to G2 in size, if not bigger. Actually, the Novatac 120P looks promising. Unless I read it wrong your idea of the tail caps modes isn't quite right. With the front part untwisted (just slightly) pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the lowest constant setting. Tapping the tail cap changes the beam from low to medium, tapping it again turns medium to high, tapping it again turns high into SOS, tapping it again turns SOS to low. Every time you press the tail cap, it goes to the low setting. Press the tail cap again and the light turns off. With the front part tightened all the way pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the highest constant setting. Tapping the tail cap again turns it to strobe mode (which I personally think is useless). The weight is noticeably less than my knife, about the same as my keys, cell and unloaded P32. So far I'm very happy with this light. I do wish it had a pocket clip however. Fenix, if you are watching, that would be a VERY nice accessory!
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/millsusaf/CIMG6351.jpg Thanks for the clarification. This part I like: "With the front part tightened all the way pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the highest constant setting." It's this part I'm not too crazy about: "Tapping the tail cap again turns it to strobe mode." Still, for the form-factor, performance and price ... it's worth a look/consideration from me. |
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Fenix LD10 http://www.fenixtactical.com/images/fenix/fenix-ld10-001.jpg Smaller than my pocket knife, fits perfectly in my fist and very lightweight. I'm very impressed with the beam as well. Wow. This looks interesting. But I don't like how the LD10's output modes are changed via tailcap. When I want it / need it, I want it ready to go and not set to SOS or low setting accidentally if I don't hit the correct combo of tail-cap presses, or press one too many times or something. While bulky, my TK10 is set to 220 so when I need it, it's there. Momentary on / click on. No confusion. And if I want it for less critical tasks, I simply twist the bezel for 60 lumens and then turn it on with the tailcap. Not go through some confusing sequence of tail-cap presses and pauses to get where I want to be. I don't think the TK10/11 are really options for the OP since they're similar to G2 in size, if not bigger. Actually, the Novatac 120P looks promising. Unless I read it wrong your idea of the tail caps modes isn't quite right. With the front part untwisted (just slightly) pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the lowest constant setting. Tapping the tail cap changes the beam from low to medium, tapping it again turns medium to high, tapping it again turns high into SOS, tapping it again turns SOS to low. Every time you press the tail cap, it goes to the low setting. Press the tail cap again and the light turns off. With the front part tightened all the way pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the highest constant setting. Tapping the tail cap again turns it to strobe mode (which I personally think is useless). The weight is noticeably less than my knife, about the same as my keys, cell and unloaded P32. So far I'm very happy with this light. I do wish it had a pocket clip however. Fenix, if you are watching, that would be a VERY nice accessory!
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/millsusaf/CIMG6351.jpg Thanks for the clarification. This part I like: "With the front part tightened all the way pressing the tail cap switch automatically goes to the highest constant setting." It's this part I'm not too crazy about: "Tapping the tail cap again turns it to strobe mode." Still, for the form-factor, performance and price ... it's worth a look/consideration from me. I mis-spoke and it was a little miss leading. It is more correct to say, Tapping the tail cap turns it to strobe mode. From the off, pressing the tail cap turns the high mode on. |
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For a tactical/ccw/defense light, I don't approve of the Fenix L/P series lights (nor the Surefire E1B, E1L, E2DL etc). Manually strobing the light by repeatedly pressing the button should not change modes on a defense light. I do, however, love these lights as utility lights. At approximately the same size as the Fenix L1P that you tried, the Nitecore Defender Infinity would be a good substitute. It takes one AA-size battery of any kind (alkaline, lithium, nimh rechargeable, lithium-ion rechargeable). It has a forward-clickie switch, so that you can do momentary-on by lightly pressing the tailswitch. It has multiple modes, but they are NOT changed via the tailswitch. Instead, you change modes and choose the brightness level of the user-programmable setting by loosening and tightening the bezel/head. So when the bezel is tightened, you will only get maximum brightness no matter how you click the tailcap, and you can manually strobe the flashlight to your heart's content. If you want to use the light's built-in strobe function, while the light is on, loosen then tighten the bezel within ~2 seconds, and it is in strobe mode. You can turn the light off, and now the light will strobe at max brightness whether you click the light on or momentary-press the tailswitch. If you want to go from strobe back to max, just loosen and tighten the bezel again while the light is on. If you want the user-chosen (anything from very low to max) level, just loosen the bezel. All of the mode-switching and programming is done by loosening and tightening the bezel - the tailswitch only ever turns the light on or off, just as a tactical/defense light should be. You should never have to guess in what mode a tactical light will come on based on how quickly you are re-pressing a button. With the NDI, the light WILL come on in the same level it was last on, unless you switch modes via the bezel. I do not have this light, but I have the Nitecore Extreme Infinity, which has the same user-interface but uses one cr123 battery instead of one AA battery. It's a little shorter, but brighter with slightly thicker body and noticeably thicker bezel (like the Surefire E1B). It is a great light that I highly recommend. I think you should look into these lights at 4sevens Quoted:
So I've taken some pistol classes where night shooting is practiced and used various lights in my support hand. I've never tried a rail mounted light while shooting, no biggie to me as my mindset is that the light on me beats the light sitting at home in the nightstand drawer. I tried a G2 (twin CR123) and a Fenix L1P (single AA). I like the momentary tailcap switch function of the G2 but its too big to EDC on my belt. I like the EDC-ability of the Fenix but its a bit too thin (length is ok) but undecided on the clickie aspect when using it in conjunction with my pistol (plus it needs just that little bit more light power) I've been looking at the Surefire E1B and the Fenix PD20 (both clickies though) and was curious about your input. |
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I think this is the best light you can buy.
most bestest light you can buy |
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I use a surefire 1E1 for many many years
I did update to LED head I like MY E1e led surefire Better than my Surefire E2 Defender LED I have NO NEED TO BLIND just ID ! aint going to shoot BG at 50y anyway
My little E1e with led head is plenty enough G2 surefire is on LMT M4 But Im just a civi |
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Surefire E1b Backup http://www.surefire.com/surefire/content/E1B_large2.jpg Best carry light I have. No question that it's a great carry light and it's the perfect size with the right hi and right low for EDC and 'tactical' use ......... I just wonder about that switch UI in an 'excited' situation. Will it be easy to turn off or will it simply go into low? 20 seconds later when I press for full on will it simply hit on low? It would be nice if Surefire had more momentary switch lights with the functionality of the A2 switch/tailcap. This light would be perfect with that. It only goes into low if you double click the tai cap. If the light is off for a few seconds, it will always return to full power the next time it is turned on. BTW, the tail cap can be used as a momentary switch. |