I find myself in a dilemma regarding the taclight setup on my STG-556’s. Until recently I’ve used the Streamlight TLR-1 w/tapeswitch on the vertical foregrip. This has worked well since the tapeswitch unplugs from the TLR-1 so I can remove the STG’s QD bbl for cleaning and the rocker switch on the TLR-1 is easily manipulated by my trigger finger should I want constant-on. The TLR-1 puts out 80 lumens w/a 2.5hr runtime per set of CR123 batteries.
Enter the Fenix TK11: output is adjustable between 60 lumens & 225 lumens w/a slight twist of the bezel and battery runtime is 10hrs at 60 lumens & 1.5hrs at 225 lumens. A tapeswitch w/constant-on switch is available. Sounds good, right? However…
The tapeswitch is very sensitive compared to the Streamlight tapeswitch, I don’t think I could place it on the VFG w/o accidental activations of the TK11. It’s also permanently attached to the tailcap so I would have to either remove the tapeswitch from the VFG or unscrew the tailcap every time I want to remove the bbl for cleaning. The constant-on switch can’t be manipulated by the trigger finger w/o removing my hand from the firing grip. A possible solution is to mount the tapeswitch on the side of the pistol grip to be activated w/the fingers of the firing hand (others have reported liking this setup) and this would certainly solve the QD bbl problem but I’m not certain I want to give my firing hand 2 things to worry about manipulating.
So, let’s be honest here, the 4x battery life at 60 lumens & the option for nearly triple the lumen output when needed is very attractive to me. However, I really like the ergonomics of the Streamlight setup, so…
Which is more important, longer battery life & dual output modes or control ergonomics? Am I worrying too much about a constant-on capability?
Thx!..
Tomac
Don’t get me wrong, I like Fenix lights a lot–I edc one (L1DCE), but I would stick with Streamlight/Surefire/Insight for a weaponmounted light. Better customer support/warranty service if you need it, and built by folks with a concept of what a weaponlight should withstand.
YMMV.
Vic
Thx, I appreciate the input. I am leaning towards staying w/the TLR-1, the new C4 135 lumen version looks like it might be my best option.
Tomac
For the time being I’m going to try this as an experiment. If it doesn’t work out then I’m not out a lot of $$$ and I’ll go straight to the new C4 TLR-1. Here’s the Fenix mounted on one of my STG’s. I’ve got the tapeswitch attached to the VFG w/Ranger Bands and set at 4:30 istead of 3 o’clock to lessen the risk of accidental activations yet it’s still easily reached w/the fingers of the hand grasping the VFG. The Fenix’s constant-on switch is also easily reached but requires removing the hand from the firing grip.
Tomac
The last sentence of your post is the key question:
Do you want a light with a lot of neat options that is harder to use under stress, or a light with fewer bells and whistles that is easier to use under stress and that makes regular maintenance easier?
To me the answer is a no-brainer: Stick to what you can use with the most proficiency when it counts.
There are a lot of lights on the market these days that can do a whole bunch of neat things. In fact, one of the criticisms I hear of many Surefire products is that they don’t do as many different things as some other lights. This criticism misses the point, in my opinion. When you’re trying to use a tactical light to solve a problem where your life is on the line the last thing you want to be doing is fooling with complicated controls. You’re plate is already going to be full.
I’m not an expert gunfighter and I didn’t even stay at the Holiday Inn last night, but what I really want in a weapon light is enough light without too much light (60-100 lumens as measured by SF for a carbine light), reliability, and ease of use under stress. Once you get past the basic requirements for a weapon light, how you use it is what really matters in a critical incident, not how many different settings it has.
When you go through enough low light training you watch people struggle with their equipment. Running the weapon, running the light, trying to clear rooms, trying to discriminate between threats and innocents…you get to see just how easy it is for equipment issues to screw them.
Thx, JW777, that’s exactly why I didn’t want something w/18 intensity levels, multi-strobes, multi-function tailcaps, etc. The TK11 has only 2 modes: 60 lumens & 225 lumens, and that’s set w/a very slight twist of the bezel.
As it’s set up now, tapeswitch is in the same preferred location on the VFG as the TLR-1 and constant-on is still available if desired or the tapeswitch fails. I’ll run this setup for awhile (guess it’s time for more nightshoots) side-by-side w/another STG that has the TLR-1 setup and see which wins out. Thx again!..
Tomac