Security Archives - Page 2 of 9

As I've discussed in the past, I'm a gear nerd. I love trying new stuff and I'm constantly on the search for new products. A while back, OLIGHT reached out to me and offered to send me a weapon-mounted light (WML) to review. As with all my reviews...you will get the good, the bad, and the ugly. As a result, if any of you guys decide to buy anything from OLIGHT, feel free to use coupon code optiongray to save 10% on your order. Anyways, we are here to talk about weapon lights...more specifically, the OLIGHT PL-PRO Valkyrie. With that in mind, let's get to it. In a tactical or self-defense situation, you always have to be prepared. Especially when there is little to no light present in your environment. If you are currently looking for a weapon-mounted light for a weapon with a Glock rail or a Picatinny "MIL-STD 1913" rail attached to it, you’re in the right place. This is a review of the OLIGHT PL-PRO Valkyrie. At this point, you’re probably in the market for a light that will be a good fit for your pistol or maybe even a rifle or shotgun. Regardless of your role, or desired application, you probably want something you can trust at a solid price point. There is no doubt that the OLIGHT PL-PRO Valkyrie can perform, but the question is, is it right for you? Time will tell. Let’s take a closer look at the OLIGHT PL-Pro Valkyrie. Specifications and Features LumensHigh: 1,500/600Low: 300Runtime: 1.5 mins to 90 minsBeam Distance: 280 metersLength: 3.27”Width: 1.46"Height: 1.3"Weight: 3.25 ouncesMetal: AL6061-T6 Aluminum AlloyBattery: 900mAh 3.6V lithium polymer batteryActivation: Ambidextrous tail switchMSRP: $139.95 MSRP at OLIGHTStreet Price: $116.96 with 10% off code: optiongray at OLIGHT$129.95 on Amazon Buy on OLIGHT Buy on AMAZON Use coupon code optiongray to save 10% at OLIGHT Starting off with the technical stuff, the OLIGHT PL-PRO Valkyrie has a beam distance that really impressed me. This allows it to function really well in not only working targets/threats that are close range but also at extended ranges. This opens the door somewhat in regards to the types of weapon platforms you can use it on. The light itself is 1500 lumens, making it bright enough to be usable up to 300 yards. The battery is a 900mh 3.6V lithium polymer battery that is charged by way of a USB charge base with a magnetic attachment. You can recharge the battery for about 1.5 hours for a full charge. Depending on the output you select, you can potentially run this light up to 90 minutes between charges Thus, you get a light that will last you quite a while even if you don’t use it often. You have an excellent light profile and a hotspot diameter that provide pretty good results at distance. You can turn it on or off using a side switch, which is also how you select brightness, lockout, etc. And it’s the size of a Zippo lighter, which will be a good fit for a lot of applications. OLIGHT PL-PRO Valkyrie size compared to the Streamlight TLR-1 and TLR-3 It’s lightweight, weighing in at around 3.25 oz. (92 grams) and measures out to about 3.27 inches. Also included is a 1913 Rail Adapter, an Allen screw, 4.2v 1A MCC Special charging cable, a T6/T8 Socket Head Wrench, and a user manual. It is IPX6 waterproof, meaning it can stay in working order even if it’s exposed to high water pressure or massive amounts of water spray. Compatibility Obviously, if you’re looking for a weapon-mounted light, you want to make sure that it fits your weapon of choice. If you own anything with a Glock style rail with an available notch or standard Picatinny rail, you are good to go. How To Install When installing the light, you may want to create clearance between the trigger guard and rail slot of your pistol. For most pistols, you will need to have at least 1.5-1.6 inches of clearance between the trigger guard and the rail slot so you can be able to securely install the light. You can use the swing arm to attach and detach this light with ease. You can obtain additional peace of mind by using the Allen screw and Socket Head Wrench, you can properly secure the light. It can be easily removed if you need to charge it. Why Should You Use This? If you are looking for a reliable light that will give you a good amount of visibility in the dark, the Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie will get the job done. It’s also very durable, meaning that it shouldn't give you any issues with a little abuse. Most lights like this are designed for tactical purposes and will be durable and reliable. This light offers nothing less than that based on my use. If you use a home defense pistol, you know that a lot of incidents occur at night. Because of this, you want to be prepared by making sure you have the ability to properly identify any threats. This light will help you navigate around obstacles and allow you to get a good look at whatever is presenting itself. If you have to use your firearm, you will have the ability to make a shot with confidence. Pros and Cons Every weapon mounted light has its advantages and disadvantages. So what does the OLIGHT PL-Pro Valkyrie have? Let’s begin with the pros. Pros Durable: As mentioned, durability matters when it comes to tactical add-ons for your pistol or any other weapon. Tactical situations, and even recreational shooting, can call for equipment that will need to be durable, shockproof, and almost impervious to impact-related damage. Even though it’s lightweight, don’t count out a piece of equipment like this light as weak. Easy to attach: Installation doesn’t have to be complex. This light is simple to install and should take no more than a couple of minutes to secure. It's that easy to work. No additional batteries needed: What’s the point? You have one battery and it’s rechargeable. And it has a pretty long lifespan. So don’t worry about grabbing replacements at any given time unless you absolutely have to. This can save a lot of money in the long run. Focused light beam: If you want solid output, you’ve got it. You can use this light and feel confident you won't "lose" a lot of the light's effectiveness at close range. Numerous light modes: You have three settings or modes: low, high, and strobe. So it’s basically like most tactical flashlights. It also offers a lockout mode to prevent any accidental changes to your setting. Affordable: Let’s face it, not all pistol lights are going to come cheap. But they certainly don't have to be too expensive either. If you’re modifying or adding on to your current weapon but want to stay within a certain budget, this one is the clear choice. Especially when you want to focus on price in addition to performance. At $129.99, it's hard to beat. Excellent brightness and throw: The light is bright and can be visible up to 200 meters. The throw or distance is impressive compared to other WML's in the same price range. After all, its max reach is just south of 1000 feet. Cons Holster selection: There is some uncertainty regarding whether or not you can find a suitable holster to use once this light is attached. Otherwise, you may want to consider using this on the pistol that you normally keep at home. It could be ideal for a home defense weapon Final Verdict Buy on OLIGHT Buy on AMAZON Use coupon code optiongray to save 10% at OLIGHT Given its reliability, ease of attachment, price, and overall satisfactory performance, the Olight PL-PRO Valkyrie is worth the investment. Especially if you are looking for a good tactical light that will easily attach to your weapon of choice. It’s durable, easy to use, offers a rechargeable battery that we've all grown to love. You may not want to spend an arm and a leg on a weapon light. Lucky for you, the Olight PL-PRO Valkyrie just might be what you need. Needless to say, this light doesn’t disappoint.