Supe Up Your Legacy Insight Technologies X2 or X2L Into a Blazing Tactical Light.

FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

30 December 2010 By: Sal Palma

Sup Up Your Insight Technologies X2 or X2L Into a Blazing Tactical Light.

Insight Technologies, now an L3 company, requires little in the way of introduction.

Since the early 80’s, the company has been producing advanced weapon sights and weapon mounted lighting. Their M3X and M6X have a dominant position in the Special Forces Community, and they have built a reputation for quality and reliability that is unsurpassed.

More recently, the company recognized a need for a more robust and waterproof mini red dot sight and addressed it with the introduction of the highly regarded Insight MRDS. The company’s M3 and M6X weapon mounted lights attached to any available Picatinny rail; however, their larger footprint required more real estate than the smaller frame pistols entering the markets could provide. Insight responded by introducing two brand new models, the X2 and X2L. The lights were quickly accepted and found their way on to a variety of configurations

and platforms where tactical lighting requirements were less demanding.

The X2 and X2L (laser equipped) are very compact and use an incandescent bulb that produces 40 lumens of intensity. This is not much more than an incandescent flashlight; however, it served the needs of consumers or users needing a small footprint over high intensity.

On the other hand, we know from countless training and combat scenarios that light intensity is a harnessable advantage, and in numerous instances a less lethal solution to a potentially lethal confrontation.

In 2010, Insight Technologies recognized the need to beef up the X2 and X2L, especially in light of Streamlight’s TLR‐3 and introduced two new models the X2 LED and X2L LED. The offering accomplished a number of things.

First, it gave Insight Technologies a more competitive offering; secondly, it delivered a significant increase in intensity from a wimpy 40 lumens to a whopping 80 lumens.

It also increased the light’s run time, durability and overall reliability.

The new X2 LED and X2L LED were a great improvement; however, it left the legacy X2 and X2L customers holding the proverbial bag, but shortly after the LED models were introduced, Insight announced an upgrade kit for legacy X2 and X2L owners – a brilliant move, I thought. However, the production gods had a different thought in mind and here we are, into 2011, with no upgrade kit to be had.

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, dba Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.

FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

As luck would have it and through the kindness of Insight Tech Gear, I was able to obtain an X2 LED, which I quickly dissected after its arrival.

Figure 1. LED Module Exposed

Note the RAIL marking on the top of the module; it indicates how the module is to be oriented in the housing.

Remember that light emitting diodes are solid-state devices and they are polarity sensitive; in order for them to operate correctly they have to be biased appropriately.

Here, Insight demonstrates their maturity by clearly labeling the module so that a child can install it properly.

There are no special requirements when handling the module; however, I suggest that you ground yourself to mitigate the risk of a static charge damaging the LED or its circuitry.

The next component that differs from the legacy X2 or X2L is the bezel and parabolic reflector.

The X2 LED retains its compact footprint, but where there once was an incandescent lamp now lives an LED module in a circuit pack that is about .5 inches high. The module houses all of the electronics needed to regulate the light, and produces a glorious 80 lumens of kick-ass tactical lighting.

Figure 3. Bezel, reflector and LED module.

The reflector is a highly polished steep parabola that tightly focuses the beam producing an excellent hot spot with an abundance of peripheral lighting.

Figure 2. LED module outside of the housing.

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, dba Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.

FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

-SP

Figure 4. Hot spot and peripheral lighting

Figure 5. Converted legacy X2L - Awesome!

Exactly when the LED upgrade kits will become available is yet to be determined.

M.S.R.P. was rumored to be at or around $70 price point but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Insight is well aware that the upgrade kit will undoubtedly cut into their X2 LED and X2L LED sales, so we may not see an upgrade kit until the LED models have matured a bit more. This would unquestionably be a shame, and a game I hope Insight will not play.

There is a real need and subsequent demand in the market for LED upgrade kits for the X2 / X2L and M6 /M6L, and this is Insight’s chance to say to its customers, we won’t burn your investment.

It’s too soon to say what path they will take; however, my money is on Insight, and miracles have been known to happen, especially after SHOT Shows.

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, dba Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.