Weapon light advice

[DDadams]

I've always just bought whatever was on sale from wherever I was buying, not going to lie. I never cared to get into all the different heads, tailcaps, switches etc.

But to avoid spending extra money that I may not have to - those of you who really know the light game - what would you recommend?

All I'm looking for:
600-1k lumens without a ton of flood
Tapeswitch that preferably has a button for momentary and one for constant
Mlok mount included if possible, the handguard I'm using has mlok on every side so no need for an offset really

No need for IR.

Whats out there that I can get all of that in one package and is durable? Budget doesn't really matter but I'd rather not spend more than $300-350 honestly

 

[ACC]

Surefire Scout or Streamlight Pro-Tac

 

[Ark]

Streamlight HLX is pretty much the default. There's a rail mount with a switch, or one with a simple tailcap that you can put in a ring mount. Good light, kinda bulky.

 

[tcecil88]

I use Streamlight Pro-Tac RM-1 (325 lumen) and RM-2 (625 lumen) lights for my short guns and the tape switch has a button for constant on. They do have a little bit of flood to them, but not too bad. I also have a couple Inforce WMLs, but they don't have a remote. I have a TLR-1 HP that is very focused, but not terribly bright. Streamlight has their TLR-1 HPL light, 1000 Lumen with an advertised focused beam and comes with a remote switch. It has a very wide bezel though. The Pro-tac rail mount HL-X is 1000 lumen with the same tape switch as the other lights in the RM series. There have been reports of counterfeits of these off Amazon, so I'd buy from a reputable dealer.

 

[NyleRN]

Cloud Defense REIN
or
Modlite
Buy once cry once. If you can wait till Memorial Day there'll be good sales. Cloud Defensive usually knocks off $75 of their products. Gets you a REIN 2.0 for $300

 

[Gravyman]

Streamlight HL for like 130 good for life

 

[danielosborn1994]

Streamlight pro tac has rail mount with switch 350 lumpen’s, has momentary/or constant for about $115

 

[Squid556]

I think this or one of its variants would fit your needs well. We use the handheld version of this almost every day. Very reliable product. Quite happy with all my streamlights.

ProTac® Rail Mount HL-X | Weapon-Mounted Light | Streamlight®

www.streamlight.com

There’s a few more of their rail mount options here

Streamlight ProTac Flashlight Series | Streamlight

Streamlight's ProTac series. The brightest of everyday carry tools, ProTac rechargeable flashlights are designed small but beam strong.

www.streamlight.com

 

[DDadams]

Well, thank you guys so much.

HLX it is until memorial day for a REIN. I wanted to support cloud defensive but not at full price atm. Good thing I need a few lights right now. And super happy I can stay way under 300 for all but one.

 

[92FSTech]

Another vote for the Streamlight Protac Rail Mount. It checks all your boxes and is well within your budget. Mine has been excellent.

My other gun has a Streamlight Polytac handheld mounted to a rail segment with a 1" scope ring...works just as well, lighter, even less money, and IMO I almost prefer working the tailcap button over the tape switch as it's simpler and takes up less room on the handguard.

Amazon product ASIN B07TBBMYND

 

[bwillits]

I’m a huge Modlite fan but Cloud and Arisaka/Malkoff are up there also.

I run PLHv2 on most of my rifles but choose the OKW head if it’s going on a DMR build.

I’m not a fan of tape switches. I run a DS00 tailcap on everything for redundancy as switches will fail. I like the Unity and Modlite switches.

 

[.38 Special]

My Streamlights and Surefires haven't done me wrong yet, can't go wrong with either brand IMO.

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

Well, thank you guys so much.

HLX it is until memorial day for a REIN. I wanted to support cloud defensive but not at full price atm. Good thing I need a few lights right now. And super happy I can stay way under 300 for all but one.

I was a big cloud fan but too many excuses and too many delays. Try and get your hands on one before you buy and play with the switch. It's not great and there aren't any real viable alternatives.

 

[NyleRN]

I was a big cloud fan but too many excuses and too many delays. Try and get your hands on one before you buy and play with the switch. It's not great and there aren't any real viable alternatives.

Got anymore details? I think you're the first person I've heard have a complaint with them. The proprietary switch is a valid point though. But I didn't think it's horrible

 

[JGIBSON]

100% cloud defensive rein series.

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

Got anymore details? I think you're the first person I've heard have a complaint with them. The proprietary switch is a valid point though. But I didn't think it's horrible

All you have to do is search. Facebook and Instagram posts when not censored, all talk about faulty switches and orings. Every release has been a comedy of errors with Sean repeatedly saying "It's out fault and it's no excuse but we'll take care of it."

The good news is that it seems like they fix all the mistakes eventually but I'm not interested in being qc guinea pig anymore.

I sold my reins and owl and went back to modlite.

 

[NyleRN]

All you have to do is search. Facebook and Instagram posts when not censored, all talk about faulty switches and orings. Every release has been a comedy of errors with Sean repeatedly saying "It's out fault and it's no excuse but we'll take care of it."

The good news is that it seems like they fix all the mistakes eventually but I'm not interested in being qc guinea pig anymore.

I sold my reins and owl and went back to modlite.

I've never had a FB or IG account so that's probably why. Weird I've never come across it on gun forums

 

[BR8818]

If any of you guys are looking for a cloud Rein 2.0 or 3.0 this place is by far the cheapest I've ever seen them.

Cloud Defensive REIN 2.0 Complete Kit

Top deals for all things tactical

tacticalsurplususa.com

$260

Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0 Complete Kit

Top deals for all things tactical

tacticalsurplususa.com

$305

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

I've never had a FB or IG account so that's probably why. Weird I've never come across it on gun forums

Not sure what gun forums you're on but almost every one of them I've seen have more than one person with a less than stellar cloud experience.

They definitely have some flame thrower voodoo coming out of those tubes but for me, the juice just wasn't worth the squeeze.

 

[Elcardo]

Love my rein but there are downsides depending on your likes and dislikes and setup


If you watch YouTube "brassfacts" has a pretty good video about the rein with some issues to consider