SureFire Raid Weaponlight-White and IR Output

I struggle to give this light even four stars, not because it isn't an exceptionally good product -- it is -- but rather due the real elephant in the room, and its slightly smaller sibling. But first, let's digress a bit. I've been a Surefire fan for a very long time. How long, you ask? We're talking the pre-LED Mesozoic era of flashlights. The SF pedigree alone commands an exorbitant premium, and that's OK in my book, but there are limits. This light retails for $800. Regardless of how good it is, there is no reality in the multiverse that makes this light worth that kinda coin. None. SF could easily sell this for $299 and still make a healthy profit. Yes, it's built like a tank and is a piece of kit you can trust your life to (unlike its M952V predecessor that originally cost as much), and that never comes cheap. So, price aside, what's the problem? Well, first let's talk lumens. When every competitor starts at 500 lumens of white light, and three hours of battery life what does SF give us in the $800 M720V WML? 150 lumens? Seriously? Well, that must be for 12 hours, right? Nope -- 2. Yeah, you get the feeling that their light is a thinly veiled means to sell batteries. This thing sucks down SF CR123A batteries like Cookie Monster with a bad case of the munchies. It puts out sufficient white light for indoor use or short-range outdoor shooting, but you quickly realize how anemic it is when you need some REAL white light.Sound harsh? Wondering how, after reading to this point, I could give it even four stars? Read on...When the lights go dim, and the NODs come down, all is forgiven. I mean, really, why would ANYONE buy this light unless they're running night vision? Once you turn the M720V's "Vampire" head to IR everything suddenly makes perfect sense. Let's put something into perspective -- a true mil spec PEQ-15 laser illuminator pumps out 35mW of magnificent IR goodness. How does the M720V compare? 240mW. Yeah, it crushes any PEQ or DBAL. Add to that the gorgeous, graceful flood of IR it produces and I'll take this light over a PEQ every time -- laser notwithstanding. I can see coyote eyeballs over a quarter mile away with this epic light. Also, the dreaded "red glow" that can give you away with most IR LED sources is significantly muted with the 720. It is very difficult to detect with the naked eye. Lastly, the form factor of the 720 shows it was clearly designed to be a rifle WML and not a flashlight to be mounted as an afterthought. It integrates into your rail like it was always a part of your weapon, not something you stuck on it after the fact. When you're not using it, you forget it's there, waiting patiently to be thrust into action -- like a field goal kicker who never misses. He has one job, and he gets it done every single time. That's the M720V, in a nutshell.

The light is exactly what I was looking for probably going to get another one for my tavor

Just what I was looking for, surefire enough said

This light is incredible. It is almost indestructable and comes with everything needed. A quick detach and a cable with intermitten or constant on. Doesn't take up a lot of rail space

Sweet!!!

I ordered this M720V RAID in tan and it shipped and arrived on time. The factory Surefire packaging IS included. The light ships with the two CR123 batteries installed and ready to go.The light itself has a swivel actuator with the light disabled for shipping, so when you open the packaging it is possible to set the lever quick release, clip the included switch to your quadrail, enable the light, select your preferred setting and have the light running in less than 1 minute.Typical Surefire quality (which is a good thing), coupled with Amazon's typical price and delivery (also a good thing) make this a great buy for your favorite rifle.

Both IR and white light modes have good hotspots with good splash for close to mid range. Very sturdy construction. It is heavier than a normal light but much lighter than two separate white and IR lights. The tape switch does stick at first, so I recommend removing the tape switch plug a couple of times before you go out to the field with it so switch removal becomes easier.

I've set up a couple of carbines for indoor use for home, have NVDs to go with them and wanted to buy a dual-output light - visible AND IR - to go with them. There are few choices out there and it really boiled down to Surefire. I oould spend HALF this amount for used and iffy, a little more for somewhat better and a little insurance, or anther hundred for smaller, mounts under the quad rail and has better controls, inline output and smaller size and just an overall better configuration for a few hundred more. About like Surefire's suppressors. Pricier, buy worth the investment, I think.