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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:07:14 PM EDT
I have an older TW LTP and I need a task light. I want a light with white and IR. Not sure what else I need to look for?
I'm looking at the Princeton Tec lights right now. Any others I need to look at? |
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Avatar by NorthPolar
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[#1]
I'm cheap, so I use a streamlight sidewinder.
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[#2]
The MPLS (not the Charge but the old school MPLS) has been my go-to task light for years. One red, one white bulb.
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[#3]
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Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC.
http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Dedicated to the men and women in uniform who fight the good fight. |
[#4]
Originally Posted By Inimicalone: I'm cheap, so I use a streamlight sidewinder. View Quote This. They kinda stick out and hit on shit but ours have been indestructible. Ours have white, red, blue, and ir with 3 power levels for each. Something I bought as a starter that just keeps on working. The oring on mine disintegrated awhile ago and it gets water inside but works anyway. |
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[Last Edit: TNVC_Will]
[#5]
Originally Posted By DirtyHandsRob: I have an older TW LTP and I need a task light. I want a light with white and IR. Not sure what else I need to look for? I'm looking at the Princeton Tec lights right now. Any others I need to look at? View Quote The new programmable PT lights are pretty nice. Those are the Charge-X and Switch-RGB. The Charge-X is dual fuel (AA or CR123A) and the Switch-RGB is coin similar to the legacy Switch MPLS. The Charge-X hasn't started shipping yet but is expected very soon. We have the Switch-RGB in stock. Beyond that the TNVC HMTL with an S&S M-Ax mount is super awesome but may be out of your price range vs the PT lights. It's dual spectrum white/IR and 2 settings (low/high). The 5 lumen white light low setting is fantastic. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
[Last Edit: XTCBX]
[#6]
The TNVC SF vampire head on a S&S M-Ax body/mount is what I’ve settled on for both my ballistic and bump helmets. They are the best. Full stop. Pricy…but allows you to basically ditch everything else.
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[#7]
Originally Posted By XTCBX: The TNVC SF vampire head on a S&S M-Ax body/mount is what I’ve settled on for both my ballistic and bump helmets. They are the best. Full stop. Pricy…but allows you to basically ditch everything else. View Quote Re-direct the hotspot of the light so you're using the spill to illuminate things, but still sort of overkill for a admin/task light. |
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[Last Edit: XTCBX]
[#8]
The TNVC version has low (comes on first) & high for both IR & white. The white low is like 5 lumen…it is…super rad.
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[Last Edit: WTFShane]
[#9]
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[#10]
Can anybody explain why the Princeton Tec Switch is the only model in their tactical lineup that only has IPX4 rating? Every other model has IPX7.
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[#11]
I have the Charge PRO and Switch MPLS and honestly prefer to the MPLS. Fewer options to click through and a lower profile. The CR2016 vs CR123 is a consideration, but we're all carrying extra batteries anyway, so tossing a couple CR2016s into the mix isn't a deal breaker.
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[#12]
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[#13]
Charge Pro with IR has never let me down.
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[#14]
I use an Inforce WML whi/IR. It’s cheap, mounts low, and can switch from IR to white easily with just the flip of a lever.
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[#15]
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[Last Edit: TNVC_Will]
[#16]
Originally Posted By WTFShane: I'm thinking due to the design of the battery cap. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes ^This Originally Posted By javemtr: Can anybody explain why the Princeton Tec Switch is the only model in their tactical lineup that only has IPX4 rating? Every other model has IPX7. Although IPX4 the Switch is designed to be water resistant. PT actually recommends flushing out salt water and letting it dry (see below). Of course it'd be better if it didn't wet in the first place but if that's a requirement then the Charge is the way to go. I personally prefer the Charge for it's easier battery changes and especially now with the Charge-X adding to that is a dual fuel capability (AA or CR123A) and multi-spectrum capabilities (RGB programmable, white, and IR). For those who aren't familiar with them, the legacy versions have a gazillion variations based on the body color and LED colors. The new RGB series eliminates all of those. It's really not a "big deal" for those who know what colors they need/want but it's nice that you don't have to buy a new light if you want a different variation. With that said, it's important to know that the Switch-RGB isn't an all-in-one solution like the Charge. There are 2 families and you choose based on if you need IR or not. 1) RGB with white light 2) RGB with IR. Taken from PT Switch RGB user manual: This light has been designed to be water resistant. Check the light for water contamination on the circuit board. The light will resume normal operation once any water is shaken or blown out and the light is left open until completely dry. If the light has been contaminated with salt water, flush the unit with fresh water and dry as described above. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
[#17]
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
[#18]
Thanks for the detailed answers, that helps a lot!
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[#19]
For a task light that does white, IR, blue/red/green with 3 levels of brightness, strobe, dual fuel CR123A or AA batteries it's hard to beat a Stream light Stalk
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[#20]
Originally Posted By MunnyShot: For a task light that does white, IR, blue/red/green with 3 levels of brightness, strobe, dual fuel CR123A or AA batteries it's hard to beat a Stream light Stalk View Quote It's got some good features, but the controls seemed confusing. It also sticks out a lot. I was looking at it to replace a Switch Pro that I lost, but ended up buying another because I was accustomed to the single button operation. |
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[Last Edit: Millennial]
[#21]
Originally Posted By ThatGuy01: The MPLS (not the Charge but the old school MPLS) has been my go-to task light for years. One red, one white bulb. View Quote I use the MPLS with the CR123 battery (MPLS Charge Pro?) ... Red/White. It's really really good and works good on TW LTP or Ops Core style helmet side mounts. The little aimable lamp is nice, too. They make white/Red/IR version too... but I have the built in IR illuminator on my NODS if I need IR task illumination. I got the White/Red only MLPS because I'd rather just do admin stuff with a dim red light looking down under my NODs with my own eyes. Even with simple pinhole focus flip caps, focusing on up-close stuff with nods is a bit of a pain having to fiddle around. The iris eclipse rings were even more a hassle to fiddle around with stuff and I got rid of them after one outing. It's supe reasy to just hit the MLPS button for dim red light and glance under my NODs to do something real quick. I don't bother with a bright umbrella IR light, but if i did want one, there's a gazillion cheap 850-940nm very bright china LED falshlights you can get on amazon and stick to the back of your helmet aimed upwards. The INFORCE IR lights are a good cheaper option for this too. I don't want to drop SF Vampire or Kiji-10 money on a light dedicated to my helmet. |
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[#22]
Petzl Strix IR
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[#23]
Originally Posted By WTFShane: It's got some good features, but the controls seemed confusing. It also sticks out a lot. I was looking at it to replace a Switch Pro that I lost, but ended up buying another because I was accustomed to the single button operation. View Quote The Princeton coin battery task lights are definitely going to have the lowest/thinnest profile, but are not as universal for light output as with AA or CR123A lights. For me the Stalk is easily operated with a rotary 4 dial and a multi use single button that controls intensity brightness and color selection. As far as size, it has a lower profile then my ARC adapters so it's a non issue on my rig. I prefer to run a Princeton on my Crye night cap where I try and keep everything at a minimum, but having options is always a good thing. |
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[#24]
Originally Posted By Millennial: I use the MPLS with the CR123 battery (MPLS Charge Pro?) ... Red/White. It's really really good and works good on TW LTP or Ops Core style helmet side mounts. The little aimable lamp is nice, too. ... I got the White/Red only MLPS because I'd rather just do admin stuff with a dim red light looking down under my NODs with my own eyes. Even with simple pinhole focus flip caps, focusing on up-close stuff with nods is a bit of a pain having to fiddle around. The iris eclipse rings were even more a hassle to fiddle around with stuff and I got rid of them after one outing. It's supe reasy to just hit the MLPS button for dim red light and glance under my NODs to do something real quick. View Quote Pretty much my philosophy. In 10+ years of working under NODs I never found a good way to do admin tasks with NODs on. It's all a trade off so I'd rather have a dim red light for my use case. For serious white throw or IR I have a Surefire KM1V head on an S&S M-AX on the other side. Low weight, low profile, does the job well. I used to just wear a headlamp around my neck but ended up snagging it a few times. |
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[#25]
Princeton Tec MPLS, 1 Red and 1 White is what I use.
I run a PVS14 with built in IR with a Matblock Tarsier so I don't need IR for my task light. Red is great for most tasks, but anything medical I'd want white light. Definitely need red though for your general task use, IMO. I see a lot of guys running massive lights on their helmets, but I wanted to go as light weight a humanly possible since even my TW Exfil SL ballistic is heavier than I'd like already. The light output is actually bright enough to provide enough illumination in a small room anyways if need be, I don't need massive night into day lumens for SSE or tasks. |
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[#26]
I've gone through three of the MPLS lights so far. I need to stop buying these.
I've gone through two of the MPLS Charge Pro lights. I am on my third unit, shame on me. Princeton tec was responsive to the warranty claims I made. I have begun replacing the Charge Pro lights with Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk lights. So far, those are holding up pretty well. They've got a bunch of features that make it a good admin light with enough white light to navigate with. It's not a replacement for an M300 or similar ilk but it's pretty good. |
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Mike_Golf says: "You're not an ethical hunter and likely an asshole to boot."
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[#27]
Not gonna lie - I find the $100+ price for these plastic task lights, ridiculous. I have a Night Evolution copy of the AA MPLS (Red, Green, White, IR) that is still ticking. I also just got a WASDN copy of the Sidewinder Stalk that looks and feels just as tough (but it's new, so we'll see for $35).
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[#28]
Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: Not gonna lie - I find the $100+ price for these plastic task lights, ridiculous. I have a Night Evolution copy of the AA MPLS (Red, Green, White, IR) that is still ticking. I also just got a WASDN copy of the Sidewinder Stalk that looks and feels just as tough (but it's new, so we'll see for $35). View Quote They are absurdly over priced for what they are. |
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[#29]
Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: Not gonna lie - I find the $100+ price for these plastic task lights, ridiculous. I have a Night Evolution copy of the AA MPLS (Red, Green, White, IR) that is still ticking. I also just got a WASDN copy of the Sidewinder Stalk that looks and feels just as tough (but it's new, so we'll see for $35). View Quote |
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[#30]
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
[Last Edit: Bizzarolibe]
[#31]
Streamlight Sidewinder 100%. Has all the shit you need, nothing you don’t. Absolutely no need to pay any more than what those go gor.
Whatever you go with, make sure it has a blue light option. I learned real fast during night time FTX’s that blood is hard/practically impossible to see under red light if you need to treat an injury… |
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"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
-C.S. Lewis |
[Last Edit: Defaultmp3]
[#32]
Originally Posted By Bizzarolibe: Whatever you go with, make sure it has a blue light option. I learned real fast during night time FTX’s that blood is hard/practically impossible to see under red light if you need to treat an injury… View Quote |
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[Last Edit: TNVC_Will]
[#33]
I want to clarify regarding pricing of the MPLS. They are
The original Switch MPLS is $72.99 The new Switch RGB MPLS is $79.99 The Charge X (RGB programmable with white & IR) is $149.99 And if want a super simple light in only one color (say red) the Point MPLS is $49.99 These PT lights without question are the most popular helmet task lights for valid reasons which is why you see so many people using them. The increased costs versus knockoffs are other lights made overseas aren't unreasonable for the product that you receive which are designed and MADE in the USA. |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
[#34]
Originally Posted By XTCBX: The TNVC version has low (comes on first) & high for both IR & white. The white low is like 5 lumen…it is…super rad. View Quote @XTCBX you ain’t wrong. I’ve got one on an echo arms mount and I very much like it. Attached File |
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[Last Edit: XTCBX]
[#35]
I started with that exact mount but for more pointability check out the Thyrm Veriarc version of that mount…it allows you to light your path better when working overt and does the umbrella thing really well, it’s almost as good as the S&S body and waaaaay cheaper.
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[Last Edit: mickdonaldson]
[#36]
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[#37]
Originally Posted By mickdonaldson: I have the clone of this - the one I was referencing (price-wise): https://i.imgur.com/PNdrHGl.jpeg The SW Stalk is is around $124. I'd love to see distributor and/or dealer price on them. View Quote 10-4. Most people for whatever reason call the Switch the MPLS so that's what I thought you were referencing. FWIW, info for everyone - MPLS isn't a product but rather refers to their tactical products. MPLS stands for Modular Personal Lighting System. More info here: https://princetontec.com/tactical-overview/ |
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Sales Manager
Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC. http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 610 |
[#38]
Thanks for all the great discussion here. I did some research and just bought the Princeton Tech Charge Pro with Red, Blue and IR LEDs. A USA manufacturer and 25% off sealed the deal. Bought directly through their website.
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Avatar by NorthPolar
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[#39]
Originally Posted By Magsz18: I've gone through three of the MPLS lights so far. I need to stop buying these. I've gone through two of the MPLS Charge Pro lights. I am on my third unit, shame on me. Princeton tec was responsive to the warranty claims I made. I have begun replacing the Charge Pro lights with Streamlight Sidewinder Stalk lights. So far, those are holding up pretty well. They've got a bunch of features that make it a good admin light with enough white light to navigate with. It's not a replacement for an M300 or similar ilk but it's pretty good. View Quote Which parts have you been breaking? I ask because the two most common issues I've seen, which as you've pointed out Princeton Tec is pretty good about warrantying / replacing, are the flexible metal "neck," and the mounting tabs of the MPLS Switch / Point. Of the two, I've actually and ironically never broken the mounting tabs, though I know a few guys, including TNVC guys who have, but I pretty much assume that the flexible neck has a limited lifespan in my use, and within a year or two usually needs to be replaced, to the point where even before joining TNVC and admittedly having pretty ready access to replacements, I more or less regarded them as semi-disposable, as I reasoned $45-$75 per MPLS Switch per year (shows how long I've been using them... hahaha) wasn't all that expensive as long as you looked at it more like buying ammunition for your gun or something, rather than a one-time buy, and I found the form factor and function to still be the best for my uses, even despite being semi-disposable. The same applies / applied for the Charge family, but as has been pointed out, they've always been a little bit more expensive. Anyways... the reason I ask is that the new updates to both the MPLS Switch and Charge, in the form of the Switch RGB (currently available) and Charge-X (incoming) with a much thicker (probably double the diameter), rubberized coated flex necks are a huge improvement to the durability and longevity of both MPLS systems, and is the same flex neck being used on the MPLS RAILINK, which I have been using for some time now, and Jamey Caldwell has been using his even longer, and neither of us have had issues with the flex neck that I am aware of. The new thicker neck is slightly less flexible if you really want to bend it to the extremes, but IMHO not excessively so to a point where it affects practical usage. All of that is to say, if you already like the MPLS-family of lights but had issues with the neck durability at least, then I'd highly recommend looking at the newer models with the improved necks. ~Augee |
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Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC.
http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 201 |
[Last Edit: TNVC_Augee]
[#40]
That being said, I know I'm supposed to be trying to talk y'all into buying brand-new, purpose built lights, but what can I say, old habits die hard...
...but if you really want a cheap cheap task / admin light solution that's extremely effective, simple, and low profile, there's honestly nothing wrong with getting one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FLFZJG?tag=arfcom00-20 ...and slapping some sticky Velcro to the back of it and to your helmet (or if you have a FAST SF, sticking it to the already existing forward Velcro), if you want to talk about "semi-disposable," could not care less if it got lost, damaged, or destroyed, there are parts of the country where a beer or cup of coffee costs more than this solution. I'll try to get / dig up some photographs of ones I've made... ~Augee |
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Tactical Night Vision Corporation - TNVC, INC.
http://www.tnvc.com [email protected] (909) 796-7000 Ex. 201 |
[#41]
Originally Posted By TNVC_Augee: Which parts have you been breaking? I ask because the two most common issues I've seen, which as you've pointed out Princeton Tec is pretty good about warrantying / replacing, are the flexible metal "neck," and the mounting tabs of the MPLS Switch / Point. Of the two, I've actually and ironically never broken the mounting tabs, though I know a few guys, including TNVC guys who have, but I pretty much assume that the flexible neck has a limited lifespan in my use, and within a year or two usually needs to be replaced, to the point where even before joining TNVC and admittedly having pretty ready access to replacements, I more or less regarded them as semi-disposable, as I reasoned $45-$75 per MPLS Switch per year (shows how long I've been using them... hahaha) wasn't all that expensive as long as you looked at it more like buying ammunition for your gun or something, rather than a one-time buy, and I found the form factor and function to still be the best for my uses, even despite being semi-disposable. The same applies / applied for the Charge family, but as has been pointed out, they've always been a little bit more expensive. Anyways... the reason I ask is that the new updates to both the MPLS Switch and Charge, in the form of the Switch RGB (currently available) and Charge-X (incoming) with a much thicker (probably double the diameter), rubberized coated flex necks are a huge improvement to the durability and longevity of both MPLS systems, and is the same flex neck being used on the MPLS RAILINK, which I have been using for some time now, and Jamey Caldwell has been using his even longer, and neither of us have had issues with the flex neck that I am aware of. The new thicker neck is slightly less flexible if you really want to bend it to the extremes, but IMHO not excessively so to a point where it affects practical usage. All of that is to say, if you already like the MPLS-family of lights but had issues with the neck durability at least, then I'd highly recommend looking at the newer models with the improved necks. ~Augee View Quote I never broke a neck as I don't really move that all that often to be honest. I broke the mounting tabs on all of the MPLS units that I had. I tend to take them on and off to replace batteries proactively and those tabs are really, really flimsy. I'm probably attempting to pigeon hole a light into a use it wasn't meant for as I doubt most users are replacing batteries once a month. The Pro units just simply stopped working. The light would flicker on and then fail to illuminate on all of the defective units that I had. Princeton tec was very easy to deal with. |
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Mike_Golf says: "You're not an ethical hunter and likely an asshole to boot."
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[Last Edit: JohnDough]
[#42]
I just bought a Charge Pro. Red/blue/ir and white.
It replaced my PT switch and TNVC v1 on variarc woth arisaka body and mount. I did this because the tnvc admin white light is similar to the Pro, and on full power its pretty lacking. The IR function was a monster in high or low and redundant with onboard ARNVG illumination. The switch and Pro had obviously overlap. In short, I saved 3oz, eliminated another cr2032 device, and am happy with it. |
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[#43]
I have used many of the popular IR/white helmet lights and all the PTec are great but the PTec Charge is hands down the best IR/White light available
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[#44]
I run the S&S M-AX with Surefire head/tail and it is really great. I really like the ruggedness of the mount, the articulation of the mount, and how well the mount keeps the light tucked away.
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Montani Semper Liberi
NRA Life Member - GOA - WVCDL |
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