Note: this is not a review, since I didn't use or stress tested the PL-2 as a weapon light
Disclaimer: The Olight PL-2 pistol light was provided for testing by the manufacturer free of charge
The Olight PL-2 Valkyrie weapon light uses an interesting combination of a domeless XHP35 HI emitter and TIR lens. The result is a distinctive large hotspot with great throw for the size.
Manufacturer's specifications
Batteries: 2xCR123A lithium or 2x16340/RCR123A rechargeable in series
LED: Cree XHP35 HI in cool white
Waterproof: IPX6
Mode memory: no (only one mode plus strobe available)
Low voltage protection: no
Thermal regulation: no, hard stepdown at 1.5 minutes
Output specs
Maximum output: 1200 lumens for 1.5 minutes + 600 lumens for 1h 10m
Other output levels: none
Light intensity: 13800 candela
Beam distance: 235 m
Measured dimensions and weight
Length: 83.2mm
Head width: 27mm
Body width: 36.6mm
Body height: 30.7mm
Weight: 84g light only + 35g for 2x16340
Bundled in the box with the light:
Two Olight 1600mAh CR123A batteries
1913 rail mount
T6/T8 wrench
User manual
The two lithium primaries or rechargeables are installed in series. The battery compartment will not accept long protected cells, such as Keeppowers. It was a very tight fit to install two Olight RCR123A's for the runtime tests.
Unprotected flat top batteries need magnets or solder blobs to work. Most protected 16340's will not fit. Lithium primaries (CR123A) offer the longest runtimes.
User interface
The light is operated via the two switches in the rear. They function identically, but strobe is activated by pressing on both of them at the same time. Single click turns the light on and off. Press and hold is for momentary. There's only one brightness mode.
Beam, tint and color rendering
Tint in different parts of the beam
The PL-2 is compared to other ~1000 lumen lights. The hotspot is very large and well defined. There is definitely some spill to illuminate the immediate surroundings though, but it is much more dim than on the other TIR lights such as the Olight S2R (XM-L2) and Armytek Prime C2 Pro (XHP35 HD).
White wall
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
White wall from afar
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
Woods
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
Peripheral light
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
Spectral data and color rendering
For spectral information and CRI calculations I use an X-rite i1Pro spectrophotometer with HCFR, Babelcolor CT&A and ArgyllCMS spotread for the graphs and data. For runtime tests I use spotread with a custom script and an i1Display Pro because it doesn't require calibration every 30 minutes like the i1Pro.
Explanation of abbreviations (click link to read more)
CCT = correlated color temperature, higher temperature means cooler (bluish)
CRI (Ra) = color rendering index consisting of 8 different colors (R1-R8), max value 100
CRI (R9) = color rendering index with deep red, usually difficult for led based light sources, max value 100
TLCI = television lighting consistency index, max value 100
CQS (Qa) = Proposed replacement for CRI, RMS average of 15 color samples
CRI2012 (Ra,2012) = Another proposed replacement for CRI, consists of 17 color samples
MCRI = Color rendering index based on the memory of colors or 9 familiar objects
NEW Read more about the IES TM-30-15 method here (link is external)
TM-30 = The newest color rendering method using 99 samples. Preferred for comparing LEDs.
TM-30 (Rf) = Accuracy of colors, fidelity index. Replaces CRI(Ra).
TM-30 (Rg) = Gamut of colors, saturation index. Higher number means more saturated colors.
Tint dev. ("Duv" in the CTA screenshots) is the tint's distance to the black body radiator line in the CIE graphs. The higher the number, the greener the tint. 0,0000 means absolutely neutral white and negative numbers mean rosy/magenta tint. Anything over 0,0100 can be described as visibly green.
If you have an hour to spare, I recommend watching this presentation on IES TM-30-15 which also shines light into color rendering in general.
Output and runtimes
The output matches Olight's numbers perfectly, except that mine steps down to 490 lumens, not 600. Fan cooling doesn't affect the step down level or timing. The light always drops in output at 1.5 minutes. All the lumen measurements have been done with a new sphere, so they cannot be compared to my previous reviews.
PWM
There's no PWM, but the circuit noise has a significant amplitude. Because of the very high frequency of 256kHz it is invisible to the eye. I couldn't get it to show on an electronic shutter camera either.
The flicker on strobe is more evident and slower in frequency, but who cares about that... You'll be more disoriented by the 13Hz strobe than the noise within it.
Temperature
The light drops down in output after 1.5 minutes to prevent overheating. However, the light will heat up to very high temperature if you reset the output by switching the light off and on again.
Verdict
I could definitely see a light with the same emitter + optics configuration in a typical flashlight with modes and temperature regulation. Seeing a large evenly lit hotspot at a distance feels very special and still the efficiency is good at over 100 lumens per watt. Maybe with a bit more mass for higher sustained output and throw... with a neutral white option... mmm. I could totally get into that.
+ Clean, bright and large hotspot is easy to aim and will surely dazzle an opponent
+ Very simple to use with good tactile feel to the switches
+ Even tint
+ Exceptional build quality
- No thermal regulation (hard timed stepdown)
- Limited space for protected lithium ions (most will not fit)
Disclaimer: The Olight PL-2 pistol light was provided for testing by the manufacturer free of charge
The Olight PL-2 Valkyrie weapon light uses an interesting combination of a domeless XHP35 HI emitter and TIR lens. The result is a distinctive large hotspot with great throw for the size.
Manufacturer's specifications
Batteries: 2xCR123A lithium or 2x16340/RCR123A rechargeable in series
LED: Cree XHP35 HI in cool white
Waterproof: IPX6
Mode memory: no (only one mode plus strobe available)
Low voltage protection: no
Thermal regulation: no, hard stepdown at 1.5 minutes
Output specs
Maximum output: 1200 lumens for 1.5 minutes + 600 lumens for 1h 10m
Other output levels: none
Light intensity: 13800 candela
Beam distance: 235 m
Measured dimensions and weight
Length: 83.2mm
Head width: 27mm
Body width: 36.6mm
Body height: 30.7mm
Weight: 84g light only + 35g for 2x16340
Bundled in the box with the light:
Two Olight 1600mAh CR123A batteries
1913 rail mount
T6/T8 wrench
User manual
The two lithium primaries or rechargeables are installed in series. The battery compartment will not accept long protected cells, such as Keeppowers. It was a very tight fit to install two Olight RCR123A's for the runtime tests.
Unprotected flat top batteries need magnets or solder blobs to work. Most protected 16340's will not fit. Lithium primaries (CR123A) offer the longest runtimes.
User interface
The light is operated via the two switches in the rear. They function identically, but strobe is activated by pressing on both of them at the same time. Single click turns the light on and off. Press and hold is for momentary. There's only one brightness mode.
Beam, tint and color rendering
Tint in different parts of the beam
The PL-2 is compared to other ~1000 lumen lights. The hotspot is very large and well defined. There is definitely some spill to illuminate the immediate surroundings though, but it is much more dim than on the other TIR lights such as the Olight S2R (XM-L2) and Armytek Prime C2 Pro (XHP35 HD).
White wall
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
White wall from afar
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
Woods
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
Peripheral light
Links to individual images: PL-2, S2R, SC600w Mk3 HI, Prime C2 Pro, S2+
Spectral data and color rendering
For spectral information and CRI calculations I use an X-rite i1Pro spectrophotometer with HCFR, Babelcolor CT&A and ArgyllCMS spotread for the graphs and data. For runtime tests I use spotread with a custom script and an i1Display Pro because it doesn't require calibration every 30 minutes like the i1Pro.
Explanation of abbreviations (click link to read more)
CCT = correlated color temperature, higher temperature means cooler (bluish)
CRI (Ra) = color rendering index consisting of 8 different colors (R1-R8), max value 100
CRI (R9) = color rendering index with deep red, usually difficult for led based light sources, max value 100
TLCI = television lighting consistency index, max value 100
CQS (Qa) = Proposed replacement for CRI, RMS average of 15 color samples
CRI2012 (Ra,2012) = Another proposed replacement for CRI, consists of 17 color samples
MCRI = Color rendering index based on the memory of colors or 9 familiar objects
NEW Read more about the IES TM-30-15 method here (link is external)
TM-30 = The newest color rendering method using 99 samples. Preferred for comparing LEDs.
TM-30 (Rf) = Accuracy of colors, fidelity index. Replaces CRI(Ra).
TM-30 (Rg) = Gamut of colors, saturation index. Higher number means more saturated colors.
Tint dev. ("Duv" in the CTA screenshots) is the tint's distance to the black body radiator line in the CIE graphs. The higher the number, the greener the tint. 0,0000 means absolutely neutral white and negative numbers mean rosy/magenta tint. Anything over 0,0100 can be described as visibly green.
If you have an hour to spare, I recommend watching this presentation on IES TM-30-15 which also shines light into color rendering in general.
Output and runtimes
The output matches Olight's numbers perfectly, except that mine steps down to 490 lumens, not 600. Fan cooling doesn't affect the step down level or timing. The light always drops in output at 1.5 minutes. All the lumen measurements have been done with a new sphere, so they cannot be compared to my previous reviews.
PWM
There's no PWM, but the circuit noise has a significant amplitude. Because of the very high frequency of 256kHz it is invisible to the eye. I couldn't get it to show on an electronic shutter camera either.
The flicker on strobe is more evident and slower in frequency, but who cares about that... You'll be more disoriented by the 13Hz strobe than the noise within it.
Temperature
The light drops down in output after 1.5 minutes to prevent overheating. However, the light will heat up to very high temperature if you reset the output by switching the light off and on again.
Verdict
I could definitely see a light with the same emitter + optics configuration in a typical flashlight with modes and temperature regulation. Seeing a large evenly lit hotspot at a distance feels very special and still the efficiency is good at over 100 lumens per watt. Maybe with a bit more mass for higher sustained output and throw... with a neutral white option... mmm. I could totally get into that.
+ Clean, bright and large hotspot is easy to aim and will surely dazzle an opponent
+ Very simple to use with good tactile feel to the switches
+ Even tint
+ Exceptional build quality
- No thermal regulation (hard timed stepdown)
- Limited space for protected lithium ions (most will not fit)
