Budget Firearm Light

I am all about “you get what you pay for” and realize that statement is almost always true. When deciding on equipment that you may have to use in defense of yourself that is not the time for bargain shopping.

I have been on the fence for some time about adding a light to my home defense pistol. Quality lights are expensive so I figured I would buy an inexpensive light to try it out and if I like the set up. If I do I can look further into a nice light and if I decided I did not I would not be out much.

I found a Nebo Protec Elite HP190 brand new for about $40 locally. I picked it up and decided to give it a try.

Many of the people who read this hear me talk about my Glock 20 often as in rotation for my defensive/carry pistol. I installed the light on the G20 (it actually installs easily with a thumb screw). It will fit any standard light rail. I figured if anything would shake it apart the 10mm Auto would do the trick.

I have currently run the light on my Glock 20, Glock 17 Gen 4 (review here) and Colt M45 (review here).

I have run approximately 200 rounds through my G20, 100 through my G17, and 100 through the M45 with the light attached and on. I am on the third battery and the light has held up amazingly well so far.

The switch is a little awkward,  easily turned on by pushing the switch to the left with your trigger finger but it will require you to switch it off by another hand, pushing the switch back to the right.  The light has a full power strobe that is activated by turning the light on immediately after you switch it off. There is no option for momentarily on.

With one CR 123 battery the continues run time is approximately three hours and from what I have experienced that is about right. The housing is made of aircraft grade anodized aluminum. To install the battery you unscrew the front where the bulb is housed, which has an O ring located at the threads to be weatherproof. The bulb is rated for 110,000+ hours of life.

For the money it has been so far so good with the little pistol light.

I used it right much on the Kel Tec PLR-16 and it preformed well on that pistol chambered in 5.56 NATO. You can see that review here.