Surefire Helmet Light

k_cheerangie · #1 03-15-09, 18:55

I did a pretty good search here but could not find anything so I have to ask,does anyone have any experience using the Surefire Helmet light, mainly I was interested in using it as a navigation light for a rifle in conjuction with a primary light probably going with Surefire X-300 or Streamlgiht TLR-1, for a project for my AK that I had in mind.

Iraq Ninja · #2 03-15-09, 19:03

So, you want to put the helmet light on your rifle, or keep it on your helmet or gear? I have used one on my helmet for awhile and it has held up well.

joe138 · #3 03-15-09, 20:51

I have one on my helmet. It is very robust, as any Surefire product is. You can get an attachment to mount it on molle gear. But it works great on the helmet. It provides enough light for admin. type things, not tactical things.

k_cheerangie · #4 03-15-09, 20:57

Sorry I was more interested in the use of it mounted to the rifle, (did not phrase my question correctly),as a secondary navigation light, this is all in my head right now, but the idea is to mount it using the Tango Down mount onto an AK upper handguard at the 1 o'clock position.

The AK hanguard will have a gg&g forearm mounting rail attached to it, because I think it sits lower than the other ones I have seen.

Iraq Ninja · #5 03-15-09, 23:37

Ah, ok. I didn't know TD made that. I guess it would work if that is something you feel you need. Under what situations do you feel you need a navigation light?

I assume it is for you to see where you are going in an admin situation, and that you are a civilian interested in home defense? Running around with a navigation light in a tactical situation is not a good idea.

The only problem I see is that the weapon is pointing to where the light is. A lot of the reconstruction sites I escort folks to are without electricity, and thus we often have to use lights to check them out. The problem with a weapon mounted light is that you end up pointing the weapon at the workers. That is not very good for public relations.

There is a good reason why helmet mounted lights are popular now, but if you don't have a helmet then what?

k_cheerangie · #6 03-15-09, 23:50

They also make a mount to put the light on a baseball cap, you are making sense though about , I have no disillusions of myself using a long gun to defend my home.

I guess the question was really do like the light and has it held up?

k_cheerangie · #7 03-15-09, 23:51

They also make a mount to put the light on a baseball cap, you are making sense though about walking around with a navigation light in a tactical situation , I have no disillusions of myself using a long gun to defend my home.

I guess the question was really do you like the light and has it held up?

Iraq Ninja · #8 03-16-09, 00:26

The light has been rock solid. Another option is to use something like a Tikka head lamp. Military Moron has some good reviews of the different types at his site.

militarymoron · #9 03-16-09, 23:56

here's the link to the pics on my site of the TD adapter:
http://militarymorons.com/weapons/wlights.html#tdsf

basically, they made it so you can mount your SF helmet light onto a rail for use like the little navigation LEDs on the surefire M900 vertical grip/light. the logic behind that was you can vary the intensity of the helmet light output and make it real low, just enough that you can move through a dark room, building etc without using your primary bright light. YMMV of course.
TD doesn't have them in stock right now - last i talked to them about it, they were updating the mold to secure the helmet light better. the U portion of the helmet light is flexible, and it'd pop off the mount with a tug. they've been so busy with the ARC mag project that it might have been put on the back burner for now.

k_cheerangie · #10 03-17-09, 10:53

Does anyone know of any other solution for mounting the helmet light to a rail?

hk51pdx · #11 03-17-09, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by militarymoron

TD doesn't have them in stock right now...

I just got the mount directly from TD, but i had to call to order it as the website still showed OOS. Now, i don't know if i got the 'new and improved' version MM mentioned, but it was $3 more than it used to be so i'm crossing my fingers.

I planned on using the helmet light just as the OP suggested... for moving through an area where a little bit of light is enough. Actually, the helmet light surprised me with the output it provides, so it has even more utility.

While i certainly understand using a weapon-mounted light as a general purpose flashlight is not good for business when you are with other people, i like to keep my eyes and my firearm pointed in the same direction, and if the light were to fall upon another person or animal, it might be because they deserved to have the light pointed at them. And that's when the primary light would be used to make any critical decisions.

Shane1 · #12 03-17-09, 12:17

I have only had mine a short time but here goes. Surefire dependability as usual. Easy to use. Enough light output for what it is designed for. I hadnt drop tested it yet, no for lack of trying. Mine will sit on my ballistic helmet except for when I have drill, then it goes on my ACH. I have not used it as a navigational aid on a weapon, that is what NODs are for. If I need extra light in a room , that is what my M1 is for. I like it enough I bought another for my brother who is deploying to Afghanistan. YMMV

militarymoron · #13 03-17-09, 13:23

i checked with TD today and they're getting the new parts, so yours might be one of them. the new one has extensions which wrap around the U of the helmet light - the old one didn't.
edited to add: i got my replacement parts and they're the new ones which retain the SF helmet light securely.

Paladin_139 · #14 03-17-09, 16:56

Make sure you spend time getting used to feeling how each of the switches feel. The first time I used mine I would accidently turn the whitelight on instead of red which can make for a bad situation at times. Also you're not gonna know if you accidently turned your IR Strobe on unless your NOD wearing buddy tells your or are are constantly finger checking it. This can drain your battery without you knowing it.

I never had any trouble with the lights being switched on while I was wearing it on my helmet, but dropping your helmet for the night with your gear could cause them to turn on and I suppose it could get caught on stuff if your running it out on your rifle somewhere. There is of course a disable knob you can use to prevent all this but it's kind of a bother.

All in all though I love and it comes in handy often, I use it on my ACH and my bball cap at times.

prestonoconnor · #15 03-31-09, 21:54

i was issued a surefire helmet light and i really like it. but like already posted you have to get in the habit of using the disable switch or you will accidently run the battery done. we mostly use it for its ir capability. it works much better than the fireflys. the only complaint i have is you have to keep checking to make sure the light doesn't pop off its mount. it happened to me a couple of times but i admit to just throwing my mich sometimes. having said that it is really expensive for what it does. a petzl headlamp works better and is much cheaper to boot. a cheap led light dummy corded/ziptied and or taped to your long gun will work as a navigation light. i just bought a dozen cheap leds from countycomm for 2.25 each. they are the same as my crye visor lights but come with a clip.