Hey All!!!
Let me get the business out of the way and then on to the fun… The Olight PL-Mini Valkyrie 2 that I will be looking at today was provided by Olightstore.com.
There is an introductory flash sale going on today!
Let me start of by saying… this light is tiny! This is the first light that has properly fit my Springfield XDS, more on that later.
Factory data:
GENERAL DATA
Beam Distance (ft)
Beam Distance (m) 100
Max. Performance (lumens) 600
Charge type Magnetic USB charge base
Compatible Batteries Customised Li-Ion Battery
Light Intensity (candela) 2500
Light Form Standard hotspot diameter with impressive distance. The perfect all-around beam profile.
Lens / Reflector Type Smooth reflector (central area and flood area)
Mode Operation Side Switch
Form/Size Factor Small size (Car key / Zippo Lighter)
Series Series PL (gun flashlight)
Unique Characteristics
Adjustable rail(authorized patent): Slide the rail adapter back and forth freely to fix the light in the desired position for your specific firearm, making the PL-MINI 2 compatible with most pistols including subcompacts.
Huge performance: 600 lumens with 100 meters of throw. Performance comparable to mid-sized weapon lights.
Convenient charging by connecting the light directly with the included magnetic USB cable. There is no need to remove a battery or plug into a port that will wear out over time.
Quick install and removal within one second.
Compatible with both Glock (insert already installed) and Picatinny sized rails (insert included in the package).
Ultra-compact and lightweight.
LIGHTING LEVELS
LEVEL 1 (lumens) 600
Run-time LEVEL 1
600lumens (~60lm);
60m (1m).
Strobe No
SOS / BEACON No
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Waterproof IPX6
Weight (g / oz) 73 / 2.57
Length (mm / in) 52.5 / 2.07
Head Diameter (mm / in) 32 / 1.26
Body Diameter (mm / in) 32.5 / 1.28
Led Cree XP-L HD CW
Packaging Carton box
Use Police, military, tactical use
Package Contents
Flashlight x 1
MCC (magnetic charging cable) weapon light edition x 1
1913 Rail Mount (for 1913 Rail) x 1
T6/T8 Socket Head Wrench x 1
Instruction Manual
Packaging and Contents
Everything need to mount to either a Glock rail on 1913 rail is include in the package. The tool required to change the mount lug is included as well. Also included in the Olight magnetic charger.
On to the light, after all isn’t that what we are interested in?
Did I mention that this light is really small? It also generates 600 lumens, and I do believe that number. The light is mounted in 2 parts. The first is the mount that attaches to the rail, this is where you would choose your rail type. It comes with the Glock crossbar in place, it was what I needed as well. To mount this part, release the clip lever and start one side on the rail and apply a little pressure to the clip, straight in and it will pop right on the rail. After the mount is installed, and before locking it into place, slid the light into the front of the mount. Once the light is slid into the proper location, lock the side lever by camming it over. The instructions do not indicate that splitting the 2 halves is needed for mounting, but my old fingers found it easier.
Top view of assembled light:
Front view of assembled light:
Back view of assembled light:
And finally, a split view of the light ready for mounting.
As said earlier… I have a Springfield Armory XDS that really has needed a light for a good while. I have tried a couple of others that either did not fit right or were just to big. This is the first light that has properly fit the XDS. The mount is very solid and has not appreciable give in any direction. The buttons are easy to activate with a downward sweep of the trigger finger, they are easy to locate in the dark as well.
PL-2 mounted on XDS:
Operational notes and observations
I do believe this light is in the 600 lumen range, but I have no way to measure that. I can only go off of my experiences with other lights of known outputs. You will notice that this light does not use the normal Olight TIR, but is reflector based. The output is very well projected for the lights intended purpose. A target would be very well illuminate anything within normal range of a 3.3 inch 45ACP. This light only has to modes, on and momentary. If you click the switch, the light stays on until clicked again. If you hold the switch, it will shut off when you remove your finger.
I charged the battery with the included charger when I unpacked the light. I then let the light sit on until it died, this took 62 minutes! Recharging took 58 minutes from that state. I have found one thing that concerns me to some degree. I have several Olights that use the magnetic charger, so I assumed that I would always have something around to charge this light with… Guess again! The charger is marked “Special” and it magnetically oppositely charged from the standard Olight charging cord!!! I am not sure why this was done, could be a different charging rate or I suppose even a voltage tweak.
Despite the minor issue of interchangeable chargers, this light has a whole lot going for it.
Now that I have seen this light… would I buy it for myself or recommend it to a friend? You bet I would. There are not many lights that offer the output level of this light and are small enough for the XDS and built of the level of quality seen in this light.
I did not get out for night shots, it was snowing like mad and we had zero and lower wind chills the evening I could have done the shots. I will get some range time with it and post a couple of pics at that time.