Lights

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LRI Photon Freedom Micro-Light Review

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Photon Freedom

This light may look like a last-minute grab at the gas station check-out counter, but it is far from that! The Photon Freedom has proven to be an excellent light. It is very small and light, plus can be activated with one hand by a push button on the top. It is offered in the regular version and the “Covert” model. The covert model adds a shield around the LED to prevent spilling of side light. I chose the Covert model for that reason. Unlike most key-chain lights, it has an actual on/off switch, rather than just a momentary on. It is not incredibly bright, but very usable, when you need it. It will even dimly light up my neighbor’s yard from 

Photon Freedom Magnetabout 40 yards away just enough to make sure my dog isn’t wandering. When you hold the activation switch, the light will start on a very dim setting and ramp its way up to its max output. Once there, the light will flash once, to notify you that it is in max. If the light is on, it will do the opposite and get dimmer, once again, flashing when it’s at its lowest setting. Continuing to hold the button past the flash will start the light into its specialty modes. You can choose slow beacon, fast beacon, strobe and auto SOS by releasing the button once on the desired setting. You can even set it to momentary by rapidly pressing the on/off button 6 times. The light comes in many beam colors including white, red, blue, purple and even infrared. It also comes with a mount that has a clip and magnets for nearly unlimited hand-free placement options.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: U.S. Made, feature-packed Micro-Light

Target Market: Anyone and everyone! 

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

Key Features

  • Small & light
  • Multi-mode
  • Varying light output
  • Uses 2 CR 2016 batteries

Key Benefits

  • One-handed activation
  • Easy battery change
  • Comes with hat clip\magnet mount

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

The standard Photon Freedom comes in black and pink, but the Covert only comes in black.

What others are saying?

“A great little pocket light - put it on your keychain and you'll always have a light with you when you need it.”  - Flashlight Reviews

Price point:

I need it now! Availability:

Widely available! I purchased mine from Amazon.com

Our Rating For its intended purpose (always there EDC), this light is amazing

+ Small + Light + Always there + Multi-Function + Feature-packed + Easy battery change

Score: 8.585

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FourSevens Preon 2 Review

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Preon 2 Main

The FourSevens Preon 2 is a great everyday carry light. Powered by 2 AAA batteries, it is very slim and easy to carry in the pocket. It is about the size of a standard size Sharpie marker.

Preon 2 with Sharpie

The advertised output is 160 Lumens. It has a very shallow reflector, so it does not project the beam very far, but the light is still usable for seeing movement out to about 50+ yards. The light has 3 output levels and 4 Special modes. The modes are Low(2.2 lumens), Medium(22 lumens), High (160 lumens), Strobe, SOS, Beacon Hi and Beacon Lo. The light turns on in low mode and to access other modes, you can either “soft” tap the tailcap switch, or turn it off and back on within a second. Once you cycle through Low-Med-High twice in quick succession, you will start to cycle through the special modes. The light has a beautiful anodizing that feels almost like velvet to the touch. It holds up very well, except around the hard edges, like the bezel. The tailcap activation switch is very positive and easy to actuate, but it’s almost TOO easy. If you carry this light in your pocket, rather than clipped inside of your pocket, you are sure to activate. One way around this is to purchase a flat tailcap from FourSevens. It is the tailcap that comes standard on their single battery version. With the flat tailcap installed, you must twist the bezel to activate the light. Another way is just to unscrew the bezel. It will work just like having the flat tailcap, except you will have to make sure the clicky switch is on at the same time. The lights are a little pricey, for their size, but very much worth it, in my opinion.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Ultracompact and incredibly bright!

Target Market: Anyone who needs to carry a flashlight with them, which, in my opinion is EVERYONE!

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

Key Features

  • Slim, sleek design
  • Simple interface
  • Bright

Key Benefits

  • “Always there” compactness
  • Runs on AAA batteries

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There are many colored anodizing options available including black, red, blue, gold and satin titanium/black 2-tone.

What others are saying?

“For its excellent ergonomics, longer burn times, and attention getting brightness level, I prefer the Preon 2.”  - nutnfancy

Price point

I need it now! Availability

Readily available from many retailers, including Amazon.

Our Rating

+ Compact + Bright + Simple interface + Many finish colors

- Possible inadvertent activation - Pricey to some (worth it to me!)

Score: 990

 

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Primary Arms - Ultimate Weapon Light (Gen 2)

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Primary Arms - UWL

By Eric Janhunen

I've been in the market for a rifle mounted light option for awhile now.  After checking the usual suspects for something affordable, I Primary Arms - UWL 2went to the forums and that’s where I found the Primary Arms UWL (Ultimate Weapons Light).  The light comes with an integrated picatinny rail mount, multiple o-rings to seal things up and tight machine work.  I was also happy to see Streamlight batteries included to bring me the power needed to operate that light.  When I first saw this, my first thoughts were that this is a bit on the big side when you configure the housing to hold all 3 battery cells.  However, that was not the case.  The light may be a bit on the larger side, but not so much as to causing it to be a hinderance.  A small issue that I discovered is that I've yet to find a tape switch holder that will hold the switch to my rail.  This has caused me to improvise a bit.  From my research, I found that the rear housing and tailcap is outsourced. Primary Arms made the flashlight head and battery cell extension tube.  So sorry guys, this is not a 100% made USA product.  On the other hand, this sucker is bright at 450 lumens!  The UWL features one high power LED inside of an aluminum polished bezel flashlight head.  On a 16” bull barrel AR, there is slight muzzle shadow but it’s not enough to be an issue.  I find the beam to be sharp and very solid.  This makes the light comparable to some higher-end lights that I've used in the past.  With that being said, I think this is a great option for someone who wants to light up their life ( ha-ha) and not break the bank in doing so.  Primary Arms is on a lot of the AR and builder forums, so it’s clear that they listen to the customer base.  Overall, I have a feeling that these lights can only get better from an already solid system.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  A value light that is a real contender!

Target Market:  A weekend warrior’s rifle to duty guns.

FNBs:  (Features & Benefits of this product)

  • High Lumens for the price point.
  • Very clean machining work on the housing.
  • Aluminum reflecting bezel instead of plastic.
  • Configurable from a 3 cell Cr123A body, to a 2 cell smaller body.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  You have two options for colors; Flat dark earth and black.  They also offer to bundle the light with a tape switch for another $19.

What others are saying?:  YouTube

Price point:

MSRP - $89.99 Retail - $89.99

I need it now! Availability:  Primary Arms ships  these products out extremely fast.  Primary Arms

Our Rating:  It’s a great little light! I’ve been to the range quite a bit and don’t take it easy on my guns, so far its held up great!

+ Cheap! With the tape switch this is a touch over 100 bucks shipped + Bright (450 Lumens) + Waterproof/shockproof + One year warranty

- Made overseas - Tape switch is on the large side and wont fit most rail switch mounts - Housing and head on the large side with the 3 cell configuration

Score: 8.080

 

 

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Elzetta ZFL-M60 Flashlight Review

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Elzetta-Light-Mounted.jpg

Elzetta Light Dark

By Jake Challand

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 key points

Claim to Fame:  Eleztta makes the claim on their website that they make the “Toughest Flashlights on the Planet.”

Target Market:  People whose lives depend on a good flashlight, police and military just to name a few.

FNB’s: (Features & Benefits of the product)  One tough flashlight made right here in the USA.Elzetta Light Mounted

Key Features:

  • Modular Design, heads, bodies and tailcaps are all mix and match compatible
  • 2 and 3 cell bodies
  • 235 Lumens

Key Benefits:

  • Virtually unbreakable
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Waterproof
  • Made 100% in the USA, even the batteries

What aesthetic options or finishes are available?  Custom laser engraving is offered for $10.00.

What others are saying?:  “These lights offer a level of durability and reliability that I am not sure can be equaled by any other flashlight that is available.”

Price point:

I need it now! Availability:  In stock at Elzetta.com and Amazon.com

Our Rating:

+ Made in the USA. + Lifetime Warranty. + Virtually indestructable.

- No belt clip option.

Score 9.0 Amazing!90

Featured FFL:

Jake Challand prefers ZZ Cops Gun Room for all of his FFL needs.

Jake Challand Gun Guy Radio This Week In Guns

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Streamlight Nano Light

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Streamlight Nano By Devin Blystone

This is one of the most compact flashlights I’ve ever seen or used. It’s not the brightest flashlight but for its size, it’s more than adequate. I’ve used this flashlight for lighting up a lock, finding lost items, and to light my path in the dark. I can also attest to its claim to be weatherproof since I lost mine during the winter and found it after the snow melted, half buried in mud. A quick trip to the sink cleaned it up and showed that it was still working great.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Tiny, weatherproof personal flashlight

Target Market: Every day carry, keychain light

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

  • Easily attaches/detaches to just about anything with convenient pocket clip or key ring.
  • Up to 8 hrs. run time.
  • Machined aircraft-grade aluminum with anodized finish.
  • 100,000 hr. lifetime high-intensity LED.
  • LED available in white (10 lumens).

Does it come in black? Black, Blue, Pink, Red, Coyote, Orange.

What others are saying? “Perfect EDC”

Price point (MSRP versus actual retail)

I need it now! Availability: They may have some models at Walmart but Amazon and LA Police Gear have tons of availability.

Our Rating + Long run time. + Multiple ways to attach it to things. + Batteries can be found cheap online. + Weather proof. + Sturdy.

- The finish chips off if stored on a key ring. - Doesn’t provide a good grip to twist on/off.

Score 8.5 Great85

To hear more about this and other gear go check out the Firearms Radio Networks new show Firearms Insider Gun & Gear Review Podcast.

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Streamlight TLR-1s

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Untitled

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame  Intensely bright, virtually indestructible tactical light, attaches/detaches to almost any gun in seconds.

Target Market Home Defense/Self Defense minded gun owners.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product) Untitled LED rating of 300 lumens Strobe setting (toggle or hold) 2.5 hour run time Compatible with various mount types using included rail keys.

Does it come in black? Black Only

What others are saying? Glock Pro

 Price point (MSRP versus actual retail) MSRP =  $202.98 (no MSRP given on streamlight's website, but listed on LApolicegear Retail = $99.99

 I need it now! Availability Local Gun Shops, Sporting Goods, LE Suppliers, Cabelas

 Our Rating + Controls are easily in reach when mounted on a handgun (paddles on either side of the trigger guard) + Robust construction and bottom is flush with Glock trigger guards. + Extremely bright, temporarily blinding with direct eye contact. +  Mounts fast and easy with thumb screw and spring loaded mounting jaws, easily swap between sidearm, shotgun, and long guns with picatinny rails present. +  Activation modes - light momentarily activates with pressure on the paddle in one direction, and toggles on when pressed in the opposite direction. -  Light protrudes over half an inch past the muzzle of a Glock 19 (Choice of firearms/light issue: Streamlight makes shorter models) -  Control paddle activates with slightest pressure, often flashes on when drawing from holster or setting down on uneven surface. -  May require a custom holster, light body is 1.375" wide where as most handguns are narrower, as well as holsters.

Score:   8.5 Great85

 

Featured FFL Ryan Cross prefers Promised Land Firearms for all his FFL needs.

 

Ryan Cross Blog

 

The TLR-1s is a great light for those looking to forgo pressure switches and specifically mount to a handgun platform, although it works on shotguns and rifles decently as well.  The strobe's activation is a bit challenging to use in stressful scenarios, as it requires a rapid "double tap" of the paddle switch (easier to do with supporting hand's thumb as opposed to trigger finger on a handgun). The light does protrude over half an inch from the muzzle of my Glock 19, however it isn't too intrusive and the controls are exactly where they need to be.  I've used the beam as a spotlight numerous times, its deceptively bright for its size. Great addition to the 'truck gun.'

 

 

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