IR Pistol Light / Laser - Surefire vs Steiner?

Let’s say a person can’t afford to put an optic on every handgun. Let alone optics with IR settings. A weapon light with all the goodies (white light, IR Illuminator, green laser, IR laser) could be used on any pistol.

Do we have any preference between the Steiner DBAL-PL and the Surefire XVL2-IRC? Both have 400 lumens white lights which is enough IMO.

https://www.steiner-optics.com/laser-devices/dbal-pl

https://www.surefire.com/products/il...c-weaponlight/

Any issues with switches? I’m used to the SF style from the X300. And Safariland has ALS holsters for the SF light. Any other pros or cons? Do I just pick the one with the best price?

Thanks!

The switchology is obviously quite different between the two; I've heard of some folks not liking the DBAL-PL because of it's limited flexibility in this regard. The SureFire also has the ability to take tape switches and pressure switches, which increases its versatility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Cid

Let’s say a person can’t afford to put an optic on every handgun. Let alone optics with IR settings. A weapon light with all the goodies (white light, IR Illuminator, green laser, IR laser) could be used on any pistol.

Do we have any preference between the Steiner DBAL-PL and the Surefire XVL2-IRC? Both have 400 lumens white lights which is enough IMO.

https://www.steiner-optics.com/laser-devices/dbal-pl

https://www.surefire.com/products/il...c-weaponlight/

Any issues with switches? I’m used to the SF style from the X300. And Safariland has ALS holsters for the SF light. Any other pros or cons? Do I just pick the one with the best price?

Thanks!

El Cid, I have no experience with the Steiner but I do however have two XVL2-IRC’s. Switching is good on the XVL2’s. I have both types of pressure pads one with the constant on and one momentary only for the carbines. I just use the paddles for the pistol. After having some time with them my only two real gripes are: IR flood not being strong enough and lacking the ability to go instant white light from IR. I would love to have just IR laser with Flood and instant white light with the white light being an override to the IR setting.

Other than that the XVL2 is incredible IMHO. There is a shit load of versatility. They work great on a pistol and decent on a carbine to 150 or so depending on illumination conditions from my experience. You could in theory parallel zero on carbine then remove it and learn/find the parallel offset to when it is mounted on your pistol and make the adjustment when switching from one to the other. I am not sure how the return to zero would be though. There are different inserts for the various rail slots. One for 1913 and a different on for the M17-18.

It would be an interesting experiment. Contact SF and see if you can get a one time Professional coupon code for a Mil/LE discount. PM me if you want the detail on pricing it was very reasonable for what you are getting especially when you factor in the versatility. Keep in mind you will not get MAWL like IR but it is still very usable. I line the fact the the IR does not create a light saber effect but that is me. Sorry if this is bunches together but I’m on my stupid phone.

Thanks! I’m leaning toward SF. Just wanted to be sure I wasn’t missing something with the Steiner.

In a room, the flood of the SF IR illuminator is very pleasant.