Cloud Defensive OWL

[MontanaMarine]

Anybody using one? thoughts?

I need a light for a 14.7" carbine. The OWL is on my short list.

Thanks, Shane

[nate89]

I have one, and have been using it for about 6 months. I had the chance to try it out alongside a variety of lights like the modlite (we had several heads with different temps in the OKW and PLH). The OWL holds its own very well against the best competition in the market. I really like the all-in-one concept, and it works very well. The downsides are weight (it is super durable, but also very heavy, especially for something near the end of the gun), and in that regard the modlite offerings are more appealing. Also, I don't know if there is something wrong with mine, but the pressure pad on my OWL, in short, is terrible. I have several surefire and streamlight pressure pads and they all outclass the OWL pad by a large margin. I won't lie, I have been disappointed with how poor it is, especially considering the high price tag. That being said, I still have it, and it is on the rifle I shoot the most which I guess is saying something. After actually using it, if I could go back in time I would put the money into a modlite instead.

[MontanaMarine]

Wow, thanks for the good (honest) feedback.

I'm curious if anyone else can share how the pressure pad works on theirs.

I saw a YouTube vid by Mrgunsngear, but didn't recall any commentary about the pressure switch.

I noted the weight, and honestly that isn't a deal-breaker for me. But, for the price, I would expect it to function perfectly.

[crossgun]

Dont have any issues with my pressure pads, I have two OWLs. They do offer incredible light and the color/hue of the light is piercing and seems to offer more depth perception and contrast and I have the others listed above to compare it to. The light has the ability to slice through glass/windows with great clarity and no reflection even at longer distances ie room windows and windshields.

I ran the Modlite OKW on a LPVO in a low light/No light class and felt the guys running the OWL had better performance at distance to the point I was actually aiming of their light vs mine. That being said there is something special about that OKW head in that it is a light saber however it is color and brighter in color and it for that reason I felt the OWL had a slight plus in its performance. OWL also has a larger head and reflector giving more spill making it better for general use and CQB in my opinion. I believe it is nicely paired with the Cloud rails where the light is allowed to sit lower especially in a shorter or SBR application. Unfortunately for now there is only the 10" rail.

Some negatives to the OWL to consider if negatives. Doesn't work well with IR Lasers and you cant use the standard 18650 battery. Standard 18650 batteries have built in circuit protection and the circuit protection in the OWL is built into the head assembly therefore requiring and unprotected cell which is slight shorter in length. Its not like the batteries are expensive just different from the norm with SF and Modlite and yet another battery.

If cost is a concern probably some better all around options but I am happy with mine for the rifles they are on.

[prepare]

The OWL lacks forward mounting options extending beyond the rail.

[MontanaMarine]

Good info all, I appreciate it.

I'm already in the 18650 game, but the circuit protected cell. I'm using them in a Zebralight headlamp. I was kind of hoping batteries would be interchangeable, but looks like that's not the case. I could still live with that, looks like the OWL ships with two 18650s, that fit it.

The price is high, but I'm willing to pay it, if the light will do what I want/need ( durable, simple, bright, long throw, 100% in all weather, summer to deep winter). The carbine it will go on is a 'bump in the night' gun. Also since we live on a small acreage in rural MT, I want to be able to light up a bit of distance outside in needed. At the moment the carbine has a Primary Arms 1X prism sight. That could be changed out if needed. I'm hoping the OWL at the front of the float tube would not interfere with the sight picture enough to be a problem.

[me2hootyhoo]

I just recently bought an OWL, thanks to the black friday thread. At $287 shipped it was a substantial cost savings compared to the Dual Fuel, tape switch and mount. I don't run NODs so I wasn't concerned about the compatibility with IR devices.

I have yet to really go out and run it but my initial impressions are good. The beam pattern is tight and bright. This thing has some serious throw to it. Haven't done any actual testing per se, but the data out there now seems really accurate just comparing it to my SFs.

Cons:
I don't think the pressure pad is as positive as the SF however, it is such a big area, you can't miss it. Feeling it again now, it definitely isn't as positive.

This thing is BIG. Much bigger than I expected when comparing to the scout lights. It takes up so serious rail space, depending on how you mount your sling, it could be in the way but that would be a funky set up, plus you can easily set it up for either side.

Batteries included are Samsung and it comes with a high output and a long lasting one along with a really nice Nitecore charger. As noted, its annoying having different 18650s but these are like $5 we each compared to around $18-20. I mean that shouldn't be a reason not to get it, but can be a tipping factor if you're heavily invested in one system already.

All in all I still have a lot to do before I make a final decision but knowing what I know right now, it's an amazing light and wouldn't hesitate to recommend with the caveat that I have not seen a modlite in person. To me the OWL represents the "easy button" with no additional stuff required to purchase along with it.

This pretty much sums it up. I was getting overwhelmed trying to figure out a modlite/Surefire setup. The owl is less $, supposedly more durable, no extras required, affordable batteries, no wires or separate pad, no awkward positions trying to hit the tail cap button, no mounts to figure out, easily ambidextrous.

I have it mounted on a 11.5 pistol. Doesn’t feel too obnoxiously heavy. Mount on a 16” carbine and it would get heavy. I plan to get more for the back up rigs, cause you know, one is none and two is one. Even before Black Friday, I was tempted with sale prices closer to the $300 point.

[1168]

This is the carbine I need a light for.



I'd put the OWL all the way forward on the rail, thinking that should put the light bezel an inch or two behind the muzzle device. Shadowing shouldn't be too bad.

Upper is a PSA FN CHF 14.7 pinned/welded. 5.56, 1/7. I've had it a couple years, ran it with different optics, LPVO, 5X prism, 2.5-8x36 Leupold. It runs well.

Very nice KISS setup. I know that you didn’t ask for rifle setup advice, but since I think you’ve already gotten good input on the light, I have a couple observations: vert grips are at their finest with short handguards and a 3 o’clock mounted light with tailcap switch. The further out you grip, the more natural it feels to grip the handguard itself, and the closer you grip, the more natural a vert grip feels. Assuming the same stance, since squaring up more or extending the stock makes a handguard feel longer.

Now that you’re looking into getting a light that has 12 o’clock activation, you might decide you don’t want the vert grip at all, since gripping the rail itself will make light activation easier. I use the smaller nub that comes with the Magpul handstop kit as a 6 o’clock index point, so I always know that my hand is in the right spot to activate my light. At over 6’, you might start to want a longer handguard if you start shooting this way. Or maybe, you’ll just run your buttstock a click or two further out than you were before. Whichever way helps you keep your elbows tucked.

Two cents from the peanut gallery.

[MontanaMarine]

It's all good info. Between the grip type/placement, and light position, I'm sure there will be some adjustments I'll need to make.

[Jutt]

Anybody using one? thoughts?

I need a light for a 14.7" carbine. The OWL is on my short list.

Thanks, Shane

Saw your latest post, looking good. I picked up one for rural use in Colorado and I don't have NVGs (unfortunately) so rail space isn't a deal breaker. I'll add my 2 cents based on some comments.

Battery compatibility: I have a couple of Fenix headlamps and the protected Fenix batteries are too long for the OWL BUT the unprotected Samsung 30q 3000mAh/15A and Sanyo GA 3500/10A that came with the OWL fit and run awesome in the Fenix lights. Most of these new LED lights have the protection built in so protected 18650s aren't really necessary assuming you don't do something stupid like leave the light on continuously. The Nitecore D2 charger that comes with the OWL is really nice. Just throw the batteries in and forget about it (auto shutoff). There's a Sony VTC6 is a 3500mAh/30A battery available that's around 8 bucks and should be a cooker for those looking for even more output.

Pressure Switch: Feels fine to me but this is my first pressure switch so I don't really have much of a reference point. I can also easily reach it and activate it with my right thumb when running lefty drills.

Weight: It is heavy but not that big of a deal really. A lighter light with a laser/IR pointer would be just as if not more heavy and plenty of guys run that combo without regard to weight.

Reviews: Both mrgunsngear and garand thumb have good yt videos about this light (thanks fellas).

Looks and feels great on my MK18. Really happy with this light so far.

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