Another "tactical/weapon" light thread...

[Merchant]

Hello all, as you can see I am new here. It sounds like there is enough knowledge here to hopefully answer my question, as I have exhasted my google-fu abilities. So I will get right to it, I'm looking for something fairly specific...

1. The primary purpose for this light is to mount on a rifle (5.56) so it needs to be able to with stand the recoil. (However I am not looking for something 100% weapon dedicated, something that could double for other uses would be nice as well)

2. As far as Lumens go, around 300-500 for max output sounds about right for my intended use.

3. Size has been a struggle. I have found a number of lights in the 6/6.5 inch range which is toward the larget size in my opinion, however acceptable. Most preferable would be 5 inches or so. The light also must have a 1 inch dia. body.

4. UI: This also has been a catching point for me. Idealy the most tactical interface is going to be something along the lines of a tailcap push button that would only be momentary on, and rotate the cap for constant on. However I relize this may just not happen, so i there was something out there with a UI that is leaning towards the more simple side, and few settings that would be prefered.

5. Price: I'm not really feeling anything above $150, however put an over glorified cylinder of aluminum in front of my face that spits out more light than the sun and meets my criteria and that might change.

I know it is bad form to go into question asking with out research so here is what I have found and why I am either unsure or ruled them out:

Surefire Fury: There is a tactical version that fits just about every thing I wanted and I would have bought it, but it wasn't designed to be used on a rifle and can't withstand the recoil according to the packaging, and I have found no review that has tested it on a rifle. I don't want to start breaking bulbs...

4Sevens Mealstrom M7/whatever the latest one is: Seems like a great light, and the one I am leaning toward now for sure, however I can't help but wonder if there is anything smaller and simpler out there. (I don't doubt that I couldn't figureout how to use the functions of the light...its mostly that I just don't need 4 brightness settings, and then 4 "special" settings...

ThruNite Scorpion: I was sold, I know it is a little bigger than the Maelstrom, but the simplicity of the tail cap won me over...and then I read a thread about how magnets were switching the light on and off. Some people were having issues wit the light in their car, and the light would turn on when the car did, ect ect. Either way, not good.

Let me know what you guys think. I realize I won't be able to get all my wishes granted, but I'm just wondering if there isn't something out there I haven't found yet, or if I am just being to picky. I am also not opposed to assembling a light from different components, but I have no knowledge of what parts are compatable, or what I would use. My appologise for the word wall.

--Thanks

 

[CamoNinja]

Thrunite TN11s

 

[strat81]

Will this light be used indoors?

 

[TEEJ]

Actually, the Klarus XT11 would be about perfect.

It has about the easiest pressure switch to use, in that you can change the brightness and modes from the pressure switch...which duplicates the tail cap. Its a simple on/off switch, always comes on in HIGH (Tactical)...but a second tail button allows you to hit a strobe, or make the light dimmer, etc.

Its great on a rifle...it has a double sprung cell chamber to absorb recoil, mines ok with pump guns and rifles...I never used it with a pistol though.

It comes on at 600 lumens with an 18650 cell, or ~ 850 Lumens with two RCR123A's.

Its less than $100, has the 1" body for weapon mounts, is less than 6" long, and is very tough and reliable...mine's been thrown and dropped, etc...and it won't die.

All in all, its sounds about perfect for you.

 

[madecov]

Actually dual springs are not an indication of recoil tolerance. Dual springs allow the recoil forces on the battery to maintain contact.
As one spring contracts under recoil the opposite will expand, maintaining contact of the battery to both positive and negative contact points.
True recoil resistance comes from "potting" the circuit and assembly of the LED making more shock resistant.

That being said I run the older XT-10 on my duty carbine and even though it does not have a positive contact spring I have not had any issues.

The Klarus XT-11 has been tested on Shotguns and preformed perfectly. .223/5.56 is not an issue for it.

 

[Merchant]

Thanks guys, I actually found that light in another thread (the klarus) and will check into it some more!

The light's main purpose would be outdoor for lowlight/no light shooting, I wanted something with a little punch without sacraficing size/weight.

Any other suggestions while I'm here?

I did find the Jetbeam 3M XML, any thoughts? It seems like a decent canidate.