need help picking a new weapon-light

[SouthernSorrows]

I've been using a pentagon X3-HA for a long time now on my AR-15, it's second bulb assembly just went out after years of use/abuse and of course they don't make parts for it anymore :ironic: any suggestions for a good light in the 135+ lumen range preferably in the $120-185 range ? pretty much everything now is LED back when i got the light, led's had crap distance for shooting use but now 5+ years later I'm guessing the weapon led's have better range. I already have various light mounts and offsets so the new light doesn't have to come with a mount but deff want something that comes with or accepts a tail/pressure switch

 

[SouthernSorrows]

keeping in mind sometimes the best use of an item is not what it was designed for, it doesn't have to be somthing stamped "weapon light" can be a handheld as long as they are shockproof/waterproof it could make a good weapon light "i think lol" it's not like I'm mounting to a .50 cal rifle or anything just 5.56/223

 

[madecov]

4 Sevens maelstrom, EagleTac T20C2 or G25 series, Klarus XT-11
There are so many to choose from it's hard to decide.

 

[doctorsubie]

4 Sevens maelstrom, EagleTac T20C2 or G25 series, Klarus XT-11
There are so many to choose from it's hard to decide.

I second the XT-11--just picked one up, and it's built right...nice gun pic!

 

[Solscud007]

Take a look at the inforce wml. It is only $120. Has IR mode too.

 

[SouthernSorrows]

currently kind of torn between maelstrom x7 $135 shipped for light & pressure switch and eagletec t20c2 $105 shipped for light & switch the g25c2 eagletec looks good but no pressure switch option. being used as a weaponlight I obviously want the one with the better throw/range rather than flood

 

[SouthernSorrows]

I really like the klarus xt11 aswell lol once again though which has best throw and beam ? current lowest can find the klarus setup "light + tail switch" is about $99 shipped

 

[cland72]

I think you'd be happy with a SF X300. You can find them for around $185 and it is much lighter than your Pentagon. Lumens rating is around 200 I believe, and it has a TIR optic so it throws extremely well.

 

[SouthernSorrows]

went threw tons of brands/lights/models/combos etc and i narrowed myself down to the sunwayman t20cs Xm-L u2 , The Klarus XT11 , 4 Sevens Maelstron x7 and the newest version Thrulight Scorpion. which gives the best beam and throw for the price "aka beam for the buck"

The t20CS XM-Lu2 is $135 "including shipping for light plus tail switch"

Maelstrom X7 XM-L is $135 "including shipping for light plus tail switch"

Thrunite Scorpion XM-L is $150 "including shipping for light plus tail switch"

and the Klarus XT11 is $100 "including shipping for light plus tail switch"

 

[spc smith]

SouthernSorrows,

Your going to have to sacrafice one function for another with the klarus XT11 vs the Sunwayman T20CS. Again for weapon mounting you will have better options with the klarus XT11. You might just want to get both! Lol for the price of one SF X300 @ 185 dollars. Either way, your performance from what you last had will be HUGE with any of these newer lights flood or throw;)

SPC smith

 

[madecov]

The Klarus XT- tail switch will duplicate all modes available from the tail switch. It is very nicely made.
If your looking for a.light with throw and.work without the pressure switch you might consider a.Crelant 7G5-V2.
You can set.it up as a 6V light and get a really nice long distance beam

 

[BobBarker]

SouthernSorrows,
In what use do you have in mind for the -15? Is this work gun? Is it intended for home use?

Also... I'm working on (building a prototype) what I think an "Ideal" light will be...
So, keeping that in mind. If you could have ANY features in a light what would they be?

Most of the guys that I have talked to (infantry and some SOCom guys) have wanted some things that defy modern "weapon light" thinking.
They were asking for a bright wide angle light for room clearing (most were asking for 45+ horizontal dispersion). They had more than a few stories of someone who was somewhat familiar with room clearing tactics. They had people hiding in corners behind coverage that weren't seen at first because the lights they have are focused fairly narrowly. Some of the other complaints were about lights that were TOO bright when they were using them inside.
So I'm looking at ~1000 lumen flooded over about a 45 degree horizontal (30 degree or so vertical). This would allow enough light to be useful but not so much brightness that they will get dazed by their own lights.
Also by request, there will be a focused (aspherical lens) strobe (at about 500 lumen) set to about 10 degrees or so.

It will be set to use 2-3 18650s (I think, depending on what will fit). Run time needs to be about 2 hours continuous. I was told most missions didn't need more time than that (and they would rather carry more batteries than have less light output)

Sorry... i didn't mean to hijack...
Bob

 

[srazeq]

Olight M3x You can get a special weapon mount for it and a pressure switch, it has a very good throw and light weight

 

[SouthernSorrows]

SouthernSorrows,

You might just want to get both! Lol for the price of one SF X300 @ 185 dollars.
SPC smith

lol damn you wound up way over budget but atleast now i have 2 new lights on the way... got the t20CS with Ap01 tail switch for constant and momentary on and got the xt11 by itself it i like it better I'll buy a pressure switch for it

 

[SouthernSorrows]

@bobbarker

making a light sounds cool especially a weapon mountable light

The Ideal light would have to have

1. a 275+ throw range
2. a maximum brightness or a setting "such as high or medium" of 400 lumens with true no drop-off brightness that'd run atleast 2 hours
3. be weapon mountable with a pressure switch like the xt11 uses "multi-function"
4. a 700+ lumen turbo mode for temp blinding "or maybe possibly perm blinding an attacker lol"
5. have the option to use more than 2 cr123a's a 3 bat light would be nice
6. changeable focus for spot or flood like on a maglite
7. included flip-up filter or atleast ability to put a surefire one on
8. have a nice sharp strike bezel on the front and if making a flip-open filter/lens protector a striker on it aswell

 

[SouthernSorrows]

maybe i'll mount the 2nd light on the back of the gun with pressure switch if someone sneaks up behind me BAM turbo mode

 

[SouthernSorrows]

incase anyone is actually following this thread and wants to buy themselves one of these lights:

Cheapest place "in stock" I could find the Sunwayman t20cs was CFRlights.com at $111 shipped priority mail. they also have Duracell Ultra and Energizer cr123a's pretty cheap "duracel always seems brighter in my currently owned lights "

Cheapest place for the Klarus Xt11 was BladeHQ Link removed. See red banner at top of page.

 

[SouthernSorrows]

now all I gotta do is find my note book with all my duracoat recipes in it so I can camo the light(s) to match the gun... I mixed up 5 colors and damned if I can remember what all was used.

 

[BobBarker]

@bobbarker

making a light sounds cool especially a weapon mountable light

The Ideal light would have to have

1. a 275+ throw range
2. a maximum brightness or a setting "such as high or medium" of 400 lumens with true no drop-off brightness that'd run atleast 2 hours
3. be weapon mountable with a pressure switch like the xt11 uses "multi-function"
4. a 700+ lumen turbo mode for temp blinding "or maybe possibly perm blinding an attacker lol"
5. have the option to use more than 2 cr123a's a 3 bat light would be nice
6. changeable focus for spot or flood like on a maglite
7. included flip-up filter or atleast ability to put a surefire one on
8. have a nice sharp strike bezel on the front and if making a flip-open filter/lens protector a striker on it aswell

SouthernSorrows;
First I want to say thank you for your opinions. These are indeed helpful.
Also, you have a private message.
Thanks,
Bob.

 

[rambo180]

I second the XT-11--just picked one up, and it's built right...nice gun pic!

The Eagletac throws further than the Klarus but batteries don't last as long.

Been wondering...
How far does the XT11 throw practically? 150m?
And also, how far away are your shooting targets?


Cheers.