Good or Bad laser? Good or Bad light?

[ohhrico1969]

With all the different companies that manufacture laser and lighting system for handguns, we definitely don't want to "cheap out" on a system that doesn't work when you need it to. That being said, aside a product actually "working" is there any real "good" or "bad" systems? Aren't they all pretty much the same? If I could get a combo system for $150 bucks why should I spend $300?

Thoughts?

 

[SIG_Fiend]

These are the only lasers I would trust:

-Streamlight TLR-2 light/laser combo, ~$299
-Surefire X400 light/laser combo, ~$450
-Crimson Trace laser grips, anywhere from $150-300 depending on the gun
-Insight M6X, ~$270-300
-Insight X2L, ~$180

IMO, all others (excluding high dollar $1-2k light/laser military grade stuff) are not worth wasting time on.

As far as lights go, these are the ones I'd choose from:

-Streamlight TLR-1, ~$120
-Streamlight TLR-3, ~$75 (best deal, great light, compact, cheap price)
-Insight M3X, $120-150
-Insight X2, $100-120
-Insight WX150, ~$140-180
-Surefire X300, $220-250

I think there may be a handful of others out there that are good options. Basically, I'd try to stick to the big 3 companies, Surefire, Streamlight, and Insight Technology to insure you are getting something rugged and reliable. Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

 

[cougartex]

+1 Crimson Trace and Streamlight TLR-3.

 

[SC-Texas]

There are a lot of cheap lasers that are toys, but are sold as bet-your-life gear.

You get what you pay for.

Surefire, Insight, streamlight are 3 of the best.

 

[Clockwork]

Are these ones by LaserMax any good?

Lone Wolf Distributors - Products - LaserMax

Been considering one for a G19.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

Supposedly there have only been very few failures of the Lasermax guide rod lasers, and most of them seem to work. I personally don't like the idea of replacing an internal component, and especially the guide rod because if it did break it could potentially jam the gun up completely. I also have yet to see anyone do any torture tests with them to see what kind of abuse they can take. They are also less instinctive since you have to press the take down switch to the side to turn it on. On top of that, if you look around you kind find the previous generation Crimson Trace lasers for the Glock (pressure switch on the back) for ~$199, and the Lasermax is $300. It's all personal preference though.