Any experience with Arisaka lights?

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07-22-20, 20:19
LowSpeed_HighDrag

Any experience with Arisaka lights?

Ive got a Mk18 with 1-6 Razor on top that acts as my GP carbine. For fear of reliability issues, I sold the HLX I had on it (after seeing some issues with another first hand). I'm looking for a lightweight light with alot of throw, that costs less than a modlite or OWL (I have an OWL and will have a Modlite before the end of the year). While I don't hunt, this Mk18 does get used at night, thus the need for the throw over spill. Whatever I light I get will be mounted at the 11 o'clock in an HSP Thorntail 2 with a Cloud LCS.

I recently stumbled on the Arisaka 600 series lights, specifically the E2HT and the E2XT, although I think my main focus is on the E2HT as it has a slimmer profile. I've spent my entire adult life/military/LE buying SF lights based on Lumen alone, and have only this month discovered candela and lights with a lot of throw. As such, I am impressed with the E2HT's candela (35k) but wholly unimpressed with the lumens (500). The E2XT sports 55k candela but again only 500 lumens.

I can find very little on these lights beyond superficial youtube reviews or wildly technical candlepower forum discussions. Do you any of you have direct experience with either light? How do you find they stack up to the Modlite or OWL, or even the Surefire 600DF? How are the Arisaka lights reliability wise, any issues with recoil or anything else?

Can the rechargeable 16650 cells be charged using my Nitecore charger that came with my OWL?
07-22-20, 21:18
grizzman

I own both the E2HT and E2XT (and other Malkoff E-series weaponlight heads), but have never experienced the Modlight or Cloud Defense lights.

High lumen count isn't necessary when the light is focused mostly into the spot of the beam.

The head is a fully potted Malkoff, so you don't need to worry about it breaking. 16650 cells work very well in these heads....even better than primaries. The increased diameter of the XT's head isn't noticeable in the hand or on the AR.
07-22-20, 22:17
LowSpeed_HighDrag

Quote:

Originally Posted by grizzman

I own both the E2HT and E2XT (and other Malkoff E-series weaponlight heads), but have never experienced the Modlight or Cloud Defense lights.

High lumen count isn't necessary when the light is focused mostly into the spot of the beam.

The head is a fully potted Malkoff, so you don't need to worry about it breaking. 16650 cells work very well in these heads....even better than primaries. The increased diameter of the XT's head isn't noticeable in the hand or on the AR.

Does the E2XT outperform the E2HT to justify the additional cost increase? What are you using to charge the batteries?
07-22-20, 22:27
grizzman

The throw increase of the XT is very noticeable, and well worth the extra cost. I haven't taken 100 yard measurements of them yet, but that's planned. I was afraid the XT would be totally devoid of spill, but that's not the case.

I'm one of those Junkies active on candlepower forums.

I use a couple different XTAR chargers, as well as old Pilas I've had for years. Nitecore chargers are highly regarded, so it should work well.
07-23-20, 08:11
1168

I have the E2HT, along with Modlights and an OWL, and other stuff. The Arisaka/E2HT will absolutely do what you are asking. And the battery that comes with it will charge in the charger that comes with the OWL, no problem. I have not yet used a E2XT, and I feel like thats reaching the point where a Modlight would make more sense.
07-23-20, 20:02
LowSpeed_HighDrag

Thanks guys, very informative. I am shocked there isn't more info in these lights. I ordered the E2HT simply due to cost. When it arrives, I'll do a side by side with the OWL in a separate post, maybe throw in my buddy's 600DF for good measure.
07-23-20, 23:06
Five_Point_Five_Six

I have been using the Arisaka lights for a few years now. I have the 300 series with E1HT heads on mine. Despite only being like 325 lumens, the 23,000 candela really throw the beam out there. It's not comparable to Modlite or the OWL, but it kicks the shit out of the Surefire 300 series that they replaced.

The one on my home defense gun is setup with the Surefire tailcap and pressure pad, the one on my AR pistol that I travel with is mounted on a ModButton, which is an awesome little package that weighs next to nothing.
07-26-20, 13:45
JoshNC

AD lights are excellent. Super bright. Excellent throw. I have around 8 in AD mounts. I personally feel AD lights and mounts are best in class. Buy with confidence.

I would personally adios the IWC mount in favor of an AD 1913 rail mount.
07-26-20, 20:12
LowSpeed_HighDrag

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshNC

AD lights are excellent. Super bright. Excellent throw. I have around 8 in AD mounts. I personally feel AD lights and mounts are best in class. Buy with confidence.

I would personally adios the IWC mount in favor of an AD 1913 rail mount.

Why AD over IWC?
08-10-20, 16:49
ColtSeavers

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowSpeed_HighDrag

Why AD over IWC?

I have both ADM and IWC SBR Thorntail mounts. I cannot say one is definitively better than the other. The thorntails offer offset AND extra reach(?) That helps get the light further forward around stuff on your rail (or further back if you need to go that route). Otherwise, the ADM has less screw together pieces and a machined recoil lug instead of straight screws, if that's a concern.
08-10-20, 16:52
ColtSeavers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five_Point_Five_Six

I have been using the Arisaka lights for a few years now. I have the 300 series with E1HT heads on mine. Despite only being like 325 lumens, the 23,000 candela really throw the beam out there. It's not comparable to Modlite or the OWL, but it kicks the shit out of the Surefire 300 series that they replaced.

The one on my home defense gun is setup with the Surefire tailcap and pressure pad, the one on my AR pistol that I travel with is mounted on a ModButton, which is an awesome little package that weighs next to nothing.

Just bought a 300 w/E1HT head and Z68 tailcap last night instead of an M300C to replace an M600DF in IWC SBR Thorntail mount on my (re)build AR Pistol on Friday night because of the throw.
08-10-20, 20:34
ColtSeavers

Some nice beam shots of the e1ht, e2ht, x300u 600lm, and (I believe) the m300c 500lm, plus a few others

https://m.imgur.com/a/YaXGcaJ

**NOT MY IMGUR ACCT, FOUND IT WHILE SEARCHING FOR BEAM SHOTS**
09-07-20, 00:13
maxpetros

Wanted to bring this back up to see how you're liking the light. Noticed you put an arisaka 600 on your patrol rifle, are you also running one on the rig in the OP? What kind of effective range do you think you'd get trying to engage a target through the LPVO with the light?

Also what did you end up using for the mount? Stick with the IWC like you intended or did you go with an arisaka mount?

Thanks in advance.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk
12-27-20, 14:04
LowSpeed_HighDrag

Max,

I'm running it exclusively on my patrol rifle, a 6933. It's in a Thorntail 6 mount because that's what I had on hand. Furthest range I've actually needed it for was about 75 to 100 yards for perimeter on barricaded subject, beyond that it gets used mostly within 25 yards on high risk stops or building clearance.

Here's some outdoor shots with range listed:
https://i.imgur.com/OgCyFNU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aZFQTfh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VXFDbdR.jpg
12-30-20, 19:58
WS6

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowSpeed_HighDrag

Ive got a Mk18 with 1-6 Razor on top that acts as my GP carbine. For fear of reliability issues, I sold the HLX I had on it (after seeing some issues with another first hand). I'm looking for a lightweight light with alot of throw, that costs less than a modlite or OWL (I have an OWL and will have a Modlite before the end of the year). While I don't hunt, this Mk18 does get used at night, thus the need for the throw over spill. Whatever I light I get will be mounted at the 11 o'clock in an HSP Thorntail 2 with a Cloud LCS.

I recently stumbled on the Arisaka 600 series lights, specifically the E2HT and the E2XT, although I think my main focus is on the E2HT as it has a slimmer profile. I've spent my entire adult life/military/LE buying SF lights based on Lumen alone, and have only this month discovered candela and lights with a lot of throw. As such, I am impressed with the E2HT's candela (35k) but wholly unimpressed with the lumens (500). The E2XT sports 55k candela but again only 500 lumens.

I can find very little on these lights beyond superficial youtube reviews or wildly technical candlepower forum discussions. Do you any of you have direct experience with either light? How do you find they stack up to the Modlite or OWL, or even the Surefire 600DF? How are the Arisaka lights reliability wise, any issues with recoil or anything else?

Can the rechargeable 16650 cells be charged using my Nitecore charger that came with my OWL?

Arisaka lights are made by Malkoff.
Will@Arisaka is very OCD and a perfectionist. If he puts his name on it, it's good stuff.
12-30-20, 20:20
1168

Since this thread started, one of my buddies got a E2XTD, and another got a E2XT. We’ve compared them side by side. I’d give the edge to my OKW and OWL, and another friend’s PLHv2, but in a practical sense, they are comparable. Especially to the PLHv2. If I were married to 16650’s I’d absolutely choose an XT or XTD head, and have no qualms about it. My Arisaka E2HT is still kicking and its probably the best choice for a slim light on the market. I like mine a lot.
03-04-22, 09:35
markm

I got my Midway USA mailer and saw that Arisaka lights are inside it.
03-06-22, 08:57
camoman

I have an E2XTL. It is a very nice light.
Throw is similar to my reign, not as much spill but still usable.
03-06-22, 10:54
markm

Unfortunately Arisaka has established itself as primo product and is now priced accordingly.
03-08-22, 19:47
Five_Point_Five_Six

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm

Unfortunately Arisaka has established itself as primo product and is now priced accordingly.

You get what you pay for. They're cheaper than their competitors and are pushing good performance via lumen to candela output. They absolutely blow Surefire out of the water in terms of performance and price.
03-08-22, 21:11
titsonritz

Quote:

Originally Posted by markm

Unfortunately Arisaka has established itself as primo product and is now priced accordingly.

Well, in fairness, they do make a primo product. It's not not like buy an Anderson lower for a 100 bucks.
03-09-22, 10:20
markm

I agree. My Arisaka/Malkof light on my KMR is the best light I have... by far. I still want 50% off, man!
06-19-22, 22:47
SilverBullet432

Just ordered my setup today after running a SF G2X Pro handheld on a Gear Sector mount for years and years.

I went with the 600 series, E2XT head, and Modlite Modbutton (new version). I already have an inline scout mount I picked up from T Rex a while back when they went on sale.

Super stoked to finally have a “proper” WML setup.
06-26-22, 00:40
ubet

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