Need a Light for My Rifle. Streamlight PolyTac HP?

[Tack Driver]

New to CPF, but I've been lurking in the shadows, and you guys are :twothumbs

I recently purchased a M61 from BrightFlashlights (great transaction) for use on a converted Saiga .308. I put it in a G2L host and ran it on a set of fresh Surefire 123's. While I am impressed with the wall of light this thing puts up, and the intensity of the large hotspot at close range, it's just all the wrong beam characteristic for my use. I want something with a lot more throw. Something more in line with the Surefire/VTAC L4 with the YX2C head, or my EDC, the 200 lumen E2DL.

Don't get me wrong, I love the drop in, and it's going to get used, just not on this rifle. It is going into a VTAC offset mount on my 870 shotty. I think it is perfection for the ranges of a defensive shotgun.

Truth is, I've got more than one rifle/carbine to outfit, and I would like to find something bright with great throw that I can shamelessly buy multiples of. Something under $50 would be awesome.

With these criteria in mind, I started researching the available stuff. I think that the PolyTac HP with it's deep, smooth reflector and 150 lumens might fill the bill. It being polymer with a clicky cap is a plus to me too. I am trigger shy about just getting one, because I am no light guru like you guys. Am I on the right track, or am I on the road to buying another great light for the wrong gun? :fail:

 

[Qmotion SIS]

I'd say a lot depends on how far your going to shoot your rifle and need light. I put an Eagletac T20C MkII on my PS90. It throws light out past 100 meters. That's as far as I'll need to shoot. If your going for 200 to 300 meters I'd say you need at least 500 to 900 lumens of light.

 

[Minjin]

I'm curious as to what situation you are thinking of that you need to be able to shoot your Saiga at long distance in the dark?

 

[Tack Driver]

I'd say a lot depends on how far your going to shoot your rifle and need light. I put an Eagletac T20C MkII on my PS90. It throws light out past 100 meters. That's as far as I'll need to shoot. If your going for 200 to 300 meters I'd say you need at least 500 to 900 lumens of light.

I'd like to be able to identify and dispatch if necessary, a 100-150 yard target. Of course, more would be better, but that range seems reasonable, and within the confines of my property.

I'm curious as to what situation you are thinking of that you need to be able to shoot your Saiga at long distance in the dark?

One never knows. It would be naive to believe that I could predict something as unpredictable as civil unrest, invasion, or insurrection or just a simple attack on my family. However, as a man, it is my duty to my family and country to prepare, best I can at least, for those things, and then hope like hell they never happen.

ETA…That's really not where I want this thread to go, as I would really like to get some first hand experience about the PolyTac HP and it's throw, or get some alternatives for my stated goal.

 

[Tack Driver]

Well, I got antsy and just pulled the trigger on one from BrightFlashlights. Calvin re-assured what I was thinking without even being prompted. He said that the throw was impressive. I'll get this first one in and see if it fits the bill. If it does, I'll order a few more.

I'll report back to this thread when I see what this light is like.

 

[Qmotion SIS]

Well as a retired LEO let me say this. As long as someone invades your house and therefore they imposes a threat to you and your family then you are ok.

If someone is a hundred yards away from you, you would have a hard time rationalizing the threat that they imposed on you if you shot them. Unless you find a sniper rifle alongside the body I'd say you have some serious explaining to do.

 

[outersquare]

so unless you are shooting at some sort of varmint or game...you probably would have given away your position a lifetime ago before you even acquired a target..


as for the light itself..it appears to be built like a regular polytac with a giant reflector/head on it..still cree XRE based

 

[Minjin]

Exactly what I was thinking. There just aren't any scenarios, even in military or law enforcement, that I can think of where you would want a high powered light attached to your gun for long range shots. Maybe he's preparing for the zombie apocalypse?

 

[Qmotion SIS]

:devil::welcome::devil::devil:lovecpf:devil::thumbsup::welcome::devil:



I plead the fifth !!!!!!!

 

[Tack Driver]

You guys are still :thumbsup:, even though you insist on de-railing my question about the light or it's alternatives.

Thanks for the welcome Qmotion. :wave:

Again........

It would be naive to believe that I could predict something as unpredictable as civil unrest, invasion, or insurrection or just a simple attack on my family. However, as a man, it is my duty to my family and country to prepare, best I can at least, for those things, and then hope like hell they never happen.

ETA…That's really not where I want this thread to go, as I would really like to get some first hand experience about the PolyTac HP and it's throw, or get some alternatives for my stated goal.

Like I said, you cannot predict exactly what is going to be expected of you or your equipment. But for fun, I'll play a little hypothetical with you all if you want.

What if the area is out of power for over a week (this is the Florida Panhandle ya' know), the local officials and police are nowhere to be seen, and it gets noticed by some unsavory types, or even just desperate folks, that I have power (solar panels, generator, and lights on), water (rain barrels), food (garden and livestock), and gasoline? If I see three or four (because wolves travel in packs) unidentified armed men working their way around my property and pointing weapons at my house, you can bet I will take that shot.

In the great state of Florida, if I am in fear of my life or that of another, I have no duty to retreat, and may meet force with force. In the middle of the night, when people have lost their damn minds during a disaster, if someone trains a firearm on my place, while trespassing on my property, from 20 yards or 100, he's getting shot. If a DA thinks I am in error, he can bring charges. I wouldn't concern myself with my legal situation if I honestly felt like my family was in jeopardy.

so unless you are shooting at some sort of varmint or game...you probably would have given away your position a lifetime ago before you even acquired a target..

And varmint/game is the more likely use, even if that wasn't the original intention.

And outersquare, proper training fixes that problem. I spend nearly as much on training as I do equipment. You are absolutely right, though, it will give away your position.

 

[Qmotion SIS]

I appologize for making light of your scenario.

I don't have any experience with the light that you spoke of. How ever I do have a weapon light on my PS90. I would give the T20C MkII some serious thought even thought it will cost you a little more than $50. It can be had for more like $85.

Eagletacs for me has always represented the bang for the buck of high end. The T20C MkII can provide up to 398 Lumen, has a throw up to 250 yards.

:welcome:

Now make sure you post no tresspassing signs to mark the boudaries of your property well. When the Hurricane comes and knocks out all transportation and food isn't available for a couple weeks and you have to hunt Bami to survive. Make sure Bambi can read the signs in case Bambi has 2 legs and a .45 ACP.

 

[Tack Driver]

I appologize for making light of your scenario.

No problem. I am in a great community in a great part of the country and do not see an immediate threat outside of the normal in day to day life. I am however, a plan for the worst, hope for the best kind of guy.

I don't have any experience with the light that you spoke of. How ever I do have a weapon light on my PS90. I would give the T20C MkII some serious thought even thought it will cost you a little more than $50. It can be had for more like $85.

Eagletacs for me has always represented the bang for the buck of high end. The T20C MkII can provide up to 398 Lumen, has a throw up to 250 yards.

I'll take a hard look at it next time I need a rifle light.

:welcome:

Thanks again.

Now make sure you post no tresspassing signs to mark the boudaries of your property well. When the Hurricane comes and knocks out all transportation and food isn't available for a couple weeks and you have to hunt Bami to survive. Make sure Bambi can read the signs in case Bambi has 2 legs and a .45 ACP.

Already done.

 

[Tack Driver]

Ok, so as usual, brightflashlights.com was awesome. Took my info over the phone, and I had my stuff the next day.

This thing is ALL throw. There is a slight amount of spill, which is perfectly useable inside 25 yards. Outside of that, if the hotspot isn't on it, you can't see it. Inside the hotspot however, you can make out details on objects 250 yards away as if they were in daylight.

I think I got just what I asked for, but I find myself wanting some sort of useable spill, at least inside 100 yards. It is not as good of an all around weapon light as my VTAC/Surefire L4 on my AR. Not close. Then again, it cost 1/3 of that light as well.

As far as grading the beam on a wall, it's got a slightly irregular, extremely intense hot spot which may have something to do with the emitter not being perfectly centered in the reflector, and may just be a minor defect in my light. There is a NASTY multi colored ring around the hot spot. The spill area seems to be free of any defects.

As for the externals, the clicky cap is great (huge improvement over twisty on the entry level SF in my opinion), the big head looks cool on the rifle, but the light doesn't fit into 1" rings and mounts. I put my calipers on it, and it shows .98", just a wrap or two of electrical tape away from being totally secure in a 1" mount. Wrapped with a very small amount of tape, I'm not concerned with it being solid enough for really hard use.

 

[HeyGuysWatchThis]

I would recommend the EagleTack T100C2. The XP-E emitter actually throws better than the newer R5 in the T20C. You can get an XP-E dropin for the T20C, but that just drives up your total investment, and I believe the UI changes in the T20C aren't that helpful in a weaponlight. The kit with remote switch and rail mount are available for ~$80.

 

[WDR65]

I often use the SuperTac on my HK270 .22 for small pest hunting at night and feel that it does a good job within the limits of my weapon and my scope. In fact its pinpoint with my scope which is actually helpful in a way. I often use an LX2 as a spotting light and understand what you mean about the difference in spill. The only suggestion I have is moving up to something like a Jetbeam M1x with its mix of flood and throw for long distance.