What type of light on LPVO equipped carbine? Why?

[davisj]

July 4th I ordered another carbine, BCM 14.5 ELW upper and a Centurion F-15/Nuke lower because Independence Day. Undecided on an optic at this point. I currently have Aimpoints and a PST II 1x6x24 to swap around until I decide. Currently the PST lives on a 16” gov profile with no light. It previously had a P3X Fury but the weight of the entire rifle was more than I wanted.

Currently leaning towards another PST II for this carbine and I’m curious how people have decided on the type of light to use, if any, paired with a LPVO. Do you opt for a “red dot” light like a U boat or RML for use at the 1X dot level or go to the other end of the spectrum with something like a Cloud Defense “all the candella” for the higher end of the optic range? Less interested in brand, more interested in why and the use case.

Thanks!

[dontshakepandas]

July 4th I ordered another carbine, BCM 14.5 ELW upper and a Centurion F-15/Nuke lower because Independence Day. Undecided on an optic at this point. I currently have Aimpoints and a PST II 1x6x24 to swap around until I decide. Currently the PST lives on a 16” gov profile with no light. It previously had a P3X Fury but the weight of the entire rifle was more than I wanted.

Currently leaning towards another PST II for this carbine and I’m curious how people have decided on the type of light to use, if any, paired with a LPVO. Do you opt for a “red dot” light like a U boat or RML for use at the 1X dot level or go to the other end of the spectrum with something like a Cloud Defense “all the candella” for the higher end of the optic range? Less interested in brand, more interested in why and the use case.

Thanks!

I like the Modlite PLHv2 and use it on everything from my B&T APC9k to 16 inch rifles. The Cloud Defensive Rein would also be a good option as the light output is similar, but they have a bit more weight/bulk. Pretty much everything I like about the PLHv2 also applies to the Rein.

I like that the PLHv2 has a good combination of throw for PID at a distance and spill for situational awareness. This is what really sets them apart from most of the other options on the market, including Surefire. They are also very durable and can stand up to rifle use. After using a few Streamlight and Inforce lights on rifles, I don't trust them for that use. The Surefire Scout lights are plenty durable, but X300 can have some issues with the battery door if you don't have something protecting it from behind. I like that the Modlite uses Surefire scout mounts, tailcaps, and pressure switches (Rein uses the scout mounts but has their own switches which are also very good if not better).

The cost of the Modlites and Rein is hard to swallow, but I doubt you'll be disappointed with either.

[Nephrology]

I have Arisaka E2XTs which give me a nice long tight throw. Still light enough to illuminate a room but not much flood.

I'm not very tactical but given that I built my SBRs around shooting things up close, I wanted to build my 16" guns with LPVOs around shooting things at intermediate distances with greater precision than a RDS equipped gun, I feel a tighter throw helps me accomplish that but I don't carry a gun for a living so what do I know really.

[Wake27]

Surefire M600DFs for LPVO rifles, M300s for RDS rifles. Extra throw makes sense for something with magnification to me. Downside is your now talking about a two cell light vs one cell so it brings extra weight to a gun that is already chonky.

[BobinNC]

My 16" 300 Blackout carbine with a 1-6x24mm Illuminated LVPO, sports a Streamlight ProTac Rail Light 2 (two CR123A batteries), mounted on a Haley Strategic THORNTAIL2 SBR LIGHT MOUNT, coupled with a Cloud Defense Light Control System to manage the tape switch.

Why?? Because if I need illumination I have it, and it produces 22,000 max candela, which can be pretty blinding to an intruder in the dark, maybe obviating the need to shoot them, and/or helps identify a friendly.

[TWR]

I like the Modlite PLHv2 and use it on everything from my B&T APC9k to 16 inch rifles. The Cloud Defensive Rein would also be a good option as the light output is similar, but they have a bit more weight/bulk. Pretty much everything I like about the PLHv2 also applies to the Rein.

I like that the PLHv2 has a good combination of throw for PID at a distance and spill for situational awareness. This is what really sets them apart from most of the other options on the market, including Surefire. They are also very durable and can stand up to rifle use. After using a few Streamlight and Inforce lights on rifles, I don't trust them for that use. The Surefire Scout lights are plenty durable, but X300 can have some issues with the battery door if you don't have something protecting it from behind. I like that the Modlite uses Surefire scout mounts, tailcaps, and pressure switches (Rein uses the scout mounts but has their own switches which are also very good if not better).

The cost of the Modlites and Rein is hard to swallow, but I doubt you'll be disappointed with either.

Curious which Streamlight lights you had problems with and what kind of problems?

[dontshakepandas]

Curious which Streamlight lights you had problems with and what kind of problems?

2 of the 3 HL-X rail mounted lights I had developed flickering issues after very low round count. I’ve read multiple reports of people having issues with the pressure switch and tailcap so that could have been my issue, but I took advantage of the Brownells return policy and got something else rather than spending time diagnosing the issue.

[davisj]

Ordered a PLHv2 today. Thanks!

[TWR]

2 of the 3 HL-X rail mounted lights I had developed flickering issues after very low round count. I’ve read multiple reports of people having issues with the pressure switch and tailcap so that could have been my issue, but I took advantage of the Brownells return policy and got something else rather than spending time diagnosing the issue.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that. I hate pressure switches but decided to try this one on the HL-X after saying I wasn't going to. I might go back to the push button just because.

[jrbway]

So my “carbine,” a 16” Centurion Arms, wears a PST II 1-6 and a Modlite OKW. My gentrified neighborhood home defense long gun (a 10/22–thanks Growing up Guns) wears a Surefire Scout Duel Fuel and a Vortex dot (one of the Aimpoint micro pattern ones). In my thinking and for my ability, I wanted lights which roughly fit the abilities of the optic. The 1-6 can see more than the red dot, so it gets all the candela. For me, seeing matters most.

[Tokarev]

2 of the 3 HL-X rail mounted lights I had developed flickering issues after very low round count. I’ve read multiple reports of people having issues with the pressure switch and tailcap so that could have been my issue, but I took advantage of the Brownells return policy and got something else rather than spending time diagnosing the issue.Just FYI (since you've returned them) Arisaka Defense makes a Streamlight to Surefire tail cap adapter that should resolve the flickering issues.

I'd like to see Arisaka make a run of adapters that allow the old Surefire M95X tail caps to be used. These caps can usually be found pretty cheap on eBay and I think the general size and shape would look good on the somewhat large Streamlight tube.

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[dontshakepandas]

Just FYI (since you've returned them) Arisaka Defense makes a Streamlight to Surefire tail cap adapter that should resolve the flickering issues.

I'd like to see Arisaka make a run of adapters that allow the old Surefire M95X tail caps to be used. These caps can usually be found pretty cheap on eBay and I think the general size and shape would look good on the somewhat large Streamlight tube.

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I've seen it, and while I generally like everything Arisaka does, I still wouldn't consider that for anything but a hobby/range gun. It adds more failure points and makes the light unreasonably long by the time you add the light, the adapter, the tailcap, and the plug.

Also, by adding the cost of the adapter to the price of the light you are narrowing the gap between the Streamlight and a quality light. If you already have a Streamlight and are having issues and you don't want to buy a new light, that may be a good option, but for people starting off buying their first light I'd just avoid the Streamlights.

[TWR]

I haven’t had the flickering but I’m using the 18650 battery. I was told most of the flickering issues were traced back to looser fitting cr123’s.

That said I compared my TLR1-HL 1000 lumen light to the HL-X 1000 and just ordered another TLR this morning. They are brighter, lighter, easier to mount and easy to use at 12:00. I’m hunting pigs and not bad guys with mine. So far I have 5 of these on pistols and rifles and have yet to have any problems.

I was very close to ordering a Cloud Defense or Modlight light but realized I don’t need to spend $400 plus to hunt pigs just yet.

[Tokarev]

I've seen it, and while I generally like everything Arisaka does, I still wouldn't consider that for anything but a hobby/range gun. It adds more failure points and makes the light unreasonably long by the time you add the light, the adapter, the tailcap, and the plug.

Also, by adding the cost of the adapter to the price of the light you are narrowing the gap between the Streamlight and a quality light. If you already have a Streamlight and are having issues and you don't want to buy a new light, that may be a good option, but for people starting off buying their first light I'd just avoid the Streamlights.Didn't say it was perfect but rather an option to deal with the flicker. As with all things YMMV

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[BobinNC]

I've seen it, and while I generally like everything Arisaka does, I still wouldn't consider that for anything but a hobby/range gun. It adds more failure points and makes the light unreasonably long by the time you add the light, the adapter, the tailcap, and the plug.

Also, by adding the cost of the adapter to the price of the light you are narrowing the gap between the Streamlight and a quality light. If you already have a Streamlight and are having issues and you don't want to buy a new light, that may be a good option, but for people starting off buying their first light I'd just avoid the Streamlights.

That's ridiculous assertion in avoiding all Streamlights. The flickering problem is related only to the dual fuel, Protac Rail Long Gun mount HL-X model. The Streamlight Protac Rail Long Gun mounts #1 and #2 have been solid & trouble free.

Oddly enough, Surefire has also had problems with flickering on their dual fuel Scout Light Pro model, at nearly 3x the cost of the similar Streamlight HL-X. The lesson here is avoid dual fuel weapon lights. Get one that's uses all 123a or all 18650 or 18350 only.

Modlights are also fine weapon lights, but also a bit pricey for people on budgets.

IMHO and YMMV

[DpdG]

The Scout 600DF can cause issues using the Surefire pressure switches as well. I had issues with flicker/pulse using a SR07/UE cap/pad combo, which persisted with a modbutton lite pressure pad. Turns out there were two issues- the SR07 is kinda marginal for the power level of the 600DF and other high output lights, plus the UE tailcap can have issues with high current draws if it isn't in perfect condition. SF replaced my SR07 and UE tailcap- works fine now but I prefer the modbutton lite pressure switch for native mlok capability.

In addition to the above, the 600DF is more flood oriented than its form factor would suggest. For a mid range carbine I would prefer something with more throw/candela. I might try one of the Modlite heads on my 600 body.

[TWR]

I was removing the HL-X 1000 and stuck the clicky cap back on and it seemed brighter. So after confirming the pressure pad was the culprit, I ordered an Arisaka offset keymod mount and mounted the light at 11:30 without the pressure pad. It’s a cleaner setup with the direct keymod mount and I like the throw this light has. I think I’m done.
https://i.postimg.cc/LXHtNN1Y/172-E7-C94-34-D6-40-A2-9-D28-32398-D3-DC62-C.jpg (https://postimg.cc/gwTL0y4m)