Dedicated Weapons Light Forum?

Lightbringer · 2018-10-09T04:33:39.000Z

Aside from being able to repeatedly take a high-G beating, what would distinguish a “weapon light” from a regular LED light?

My own definition would be 1-mode only (to not accidentally slip into moonlight or SOS modes), and have a forward-clicky (momentary-on) switch.

Additionally, a simple stoopit driver (eg, just stacked 7135s, no µC to go mental).

Buuuut, that’s just me.

everydaysurvivalgear · 2018-10-09T04:46:00.000Z

We do see a lot of weapon mounted lights that work with rifles not so much handgun lights .We could give gun lights its own section but that has its own issues. Problem is these lights will also fall into the battery types category say 18650 so then its a pain because you can’t tag forum categories so some one looking for say a B158 common hunting light would need to check both categories.

A tagging system sounds good?

Lightbringer · 2018-10-09T04:50:16.000Z

Yeh, I built a few one-trick-pony C8s. Mildly-driven XP-E2 for throw and long runtime, but a higher-strung version (driven harder, else a dedomed XP-G/-G2) might be better at the expense of runtime.

They’re great for goin’ a-killin’, but for my purposes are just as good for spotting what’s making those eerie noises in the backyard.

toddcshoe · 2018-10-09T06:19:09.000Z

Lightbringer:

Aside from being able to repeatedly take a high-G beating, what would distinguish a “weapon light” from a regular LED light?

Aside from taking a good beating and still working afterwards. Handgun lights usually have a mounting system built into the light so it can attach to the rail of the weapon. There are some mounts you can buy to attach to your weapon that will hold a light depending on the dia. of the tube. A lot of lights made for rifles come with mounting hardware, whether it be Mlock, a Pic/Weaver, or an old 3/8 dovetail on some 22lr guns.

Most of them are just normal flashlights using normal cells and emitters. Of course most of the good ones are potted and extra material added where needed to hold up to whatever round will be fired from the weapon. Though a few of the more well known brands most gun people know still use out dated emitters and are 5 times the price they actually should be. Just think $200 200lumen lights. I won’t mention any names.

Enderman · 2018-10-09T06:27:44.000Z

Also the optional tailcap with remote switch so you can turn the light on and off from the grip.

toddcshoe · 2018-10-09T06:41:37.000Z

Enderman:

Also the optional tailcap with remote switch so you can turn the light on and off from the grip.

Good point. Forgot about that. I’m slacking in my old age.

pennzy · 2018-10-09T13:36:52.000Z

toddcshoe:

Give Handgun Forum a try. I see a bit of talk here and there of weapon lights here but not a bunch. I see much more of it over there.

Most gun forums are not really that up on Chinese flashlights in my experience. That is how I ended up on BLF.

oceanfreak · 2018-10-09T18:33:38.000Z

Weapon light vs. “normal” LED flashlight:

1. G force/Impact Resistance CRUCIAL for whole system
2. Optic or Glass able to withstand Shock and Concussion
3. Dust/Mud/Solvent/Water PROOF
4. Switch/es that are accessible and Modes that make sense and are intuitive while attached to a firearm
5. Mounting System; Picatinny Rail, M-Lok Mount, Keymod Mount, etc…
6. Beam pattern with minimal to zero artifacts, and a zeroable hotspot if there is one
7. Long lasting battery with an early low battery warning, say at 65% charge remaining
8. Quiet Electronics
9. Beyond RUGGED Bomb Proof!

Jack_Kellar · 2018-10-10T14:57:02.000Z

Or you could make like in 2035:

strayz · 2018-10-10T21:29:34.000Z

Just as a note. There are a Ton of already out there lights.

Most of them are not supper budget but if you need a good one they should be around 100 bucks or so.

I have the Olight Valkyrie Mini and the Stream light TLR-1HL and both are more than adequate for hand guns. When you get in to Carbines and Shotguns you have to start asking how far do I really want to shoot after dark. Most WL are not ment to be ran for long times. Light up the target and address issue then back off. (Falls under the ” Do not point a firearm at anything you do not want to destroy/kill.” )

So the question comes to, Hunting, or Tactical?

10, 20, 50, 100 yard?

Reflective target or very subdued?

Time lighting up target?

ryukin2000 · 2018-10-11T16:25:04.000Z

oceanfreak:

Weapon light vs. “normal” LED flashlight:

1. G force/Impact Resistance CRUCIAL for whole system
2. Optic or Glass able to withstand Shock and Concussion
3. Dust/Mud/Solvent/Water PROOF
4. Switch/es that are accessible and Modes that make sense and are intuitive while attached to a firearm
5. Mounting System; Picatinny Rail, M-Lok Mount, Keymod Mount, etc…
6. Beam pattern with minimal to zero artifacts, and a zeroable hotspot if there is one
7. Long lasting battery with an early low battery warning, say at 65% charge remaining
8. Quiet Electronics
9. Beyond RUGGED Bomb Proof!

i’ll add this. The Fenix PD35 has a spring at the positive side of the tube and the tail cap. Better for the battery when recoiling and should reduce power cutouts. i would look for a light with dual springs.

Yourrid · 2018-10-11T17:06:18.000Z

I would definitely like to see a dedicated weapon light sub-forum here. I recently bought a new pistol, and want to buy a light for it, but definitely don’t want to spend $200+ on a Surefire light. I also want to take the light apart and see what I can do to upgrade the emitter, or boost the output.

I found these Chinese clone lights that look the exact same as the expensive lights. A lot of them even have “SureFire” written on them (copyright infringement I’m sure). I tried finding threads where people modified some of these lights, but I couldn’t find anything at all. Not even a picture of what the internals look like. Might have to take a $30 gamble and see what I get. If all else fails, Olight makes this PL-2 Valkyrie that has a XHP35 Hi for $100 that would be a pretty good deal.

oceanfreak · 2018-10-11T17:27:47.000Z

Springs on both ends of the cell does seam like a good idea! I’ll make that point 10.

11. Rear weighted design with good left to right balance
12. Snag proof in both the forward and reverse motion
13. Profile similar to another mainstream adopted light to allow use in existing holsters - and/or a program sending dummy molds out to holster manufacturers

and a question… Would polymer or an alloy housing be preferable on a weapon light? I tend to lean alloy.

Lightbringer · 2018-10-11T17:54:20.000Z

Yourrid:

I found these Chinese clone lights that look the exact same as the expensive lights. A lot of them even have “SureFire” written on them (copyright infringement I’m sure).

What?? That would be dishonest!

Yourrid:

If all else fails, Olight makes this PL-2 Valkyrie that has a XHP35 Hi for $100 that would be a pretty good deal.

Think VOB reviewed that a ways back, no?

Yourrid · 2018-10-11T18:20:19.000Z

Lightbringer:

What?? That would be dishonest!

Think VOB reviewed that a ways back, no?

HAHA, I was actually surprised that the SureFire logo was used. Bold to say the least…

I’ll have to take a look. I’m leaning towards buying a cheap clone (non branded), gutting it and seeing that I can come up with.

strayz · 2018-10-11T18:27:57.000Z

For pistols I would say see if you can catch the Olight Valkyrie mini. It is a great deal at $70-$75 bucks. Now it is good for up to 20 or so yards. If I remember correctly it is is around 600 lm.

All the cheep ones I have seen do not inspire confidence for things that go bump in the night. (Moose, bears, raccoons, Coyotes, wild dogs, and such. Listed in the order of how many I have found in my backyard over the years and locations.)

oceanfreak · 2018-10-11T20:21:58.000Z

Oveready modded Surefire… so what could a Olight Valkyrie mod be? and would it be “better” than an INFORCE or STREAMLIGHT considering price?

strayz · 2018-10-12T19:19:30.000Z

oceanfreak:

Oveready modded Surefire… so what could a Olight Valkyrie mod be? and would it be “better” than an INFORCE or STREAMLIGHT considering price?

Not sure the Olight Valkyrie Mini can be modded much proprietary battery and completely sealed, and looks like not many ways to get in to it.

Olight Official Store

Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie is a compact rechargeable Tactical Light with 600...

Olight PL-MINI 2 Valkyrie is a compact rechargeable Tactical Light with 600 lumens,100-meter throw, and Adjustable Rail, Perfect for shooters and hunters.

Yourrid · 2018-10-12T19:28:36.000Z

oceanfreak:

Oveready modded Surefire… so what could a Olight Valkyrie mod be? and would it be “better” than an INFORCE or STREAMLIGHT considering price?

Which Surefire did you mod? Have any pictures of the internal workings?

I’m messaging Inforce now about their APL light. I found a site that sells just the shell, lens and reflector (pretty much a host) for $28. I guess they use the shell just for making holsters with. Might be a perfect host to throw a driver and emitter in. Waiting to hear back from Inforce as to how “gutted” the internals are.

Jack_Kellar · 2018-10-12T19:47:17.000Z

Oksy, no memes in this post:

I’m surprised no one has mentioned potting the electronics thus far. As far as I’m aware, that makes a torch with a good build almost indestructible in regular use. (Didn’t someone pot their C8 specifically to put on a rifle?)