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

8/8/2019 Supe Up Your Insight Technologies X2 or X2L Into a Blazing Tactical Light.

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FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication

31 December 2010By: Sal Palma ( Follow me on Twitter )

Supe Up Your Insight Technologies X2 or X2L Into aBlazing Tactical Light.

Insight Technologies, now an L3 company,requires little in the way of introduction.Since the early 80s, the company has beenproducing advanced weapon sights and

weapon mounted lighting. Their M3X andM6X have a dominant position in theSpecial Forces Community and they havebuilt a sterling reputation for quality,reliability and customer service.More recently, the company recognized aneed for a more robust and waterproof mini red dot sight and addressed it with theintroduction of the, now, highly regardedInsight MRDS.The companys M3 and M6 / M6X weaponmounted lights attached to any availablePicatinny rail; however, their largerfootprint required more real estate than thesmaller frame pistols entering the marketcould provide. Insight responded byintroducing two subcompact models, the X2and X2L.The lights were quickly accepted and foundtheir way to a variety of configurations and

platforms where tactical lightingrequirements are less demanding.The X2 and X2L (laser equipped) areespecially compact and use an incandescentbulb that produces 40 lumens of intensity.This is not much more than an incandescentflashlight; however, it served the needs of consumers or users needing a smallfootprint over high intensity.On the other hand, we know from countlesstraining and combat scenarios that lightintensity is a harnessable advantage, and innumerous instances a less lethal solution toa potentially lethal confrontation.In 2010, Insight Technologies recognizedthe need to beef up the X2 and X2L,especially in light of Streamlights TLR-3 and

introduced two new models the X2 L.E.D.and X2L L.E.D.. The offering accomplished anumber of things.First, it gave Insight Technologies a morecompetitive offering; secondly, it delivereda significant increase in intensity from awimpy 40 lumens to a whopping 80 lumens.It also increased the lights run time,durability and overall reliability.The new X2 L.E.D. and X2L L.E.D. are a greatimprovement; however, they leave thelegacy X2 and X2L customers holding theproverbial bag, and shortly after the L.E.D.models were introduced Insight announcedan upgrade kit for legacy X2 and X2L owners a brilliant move, I thought. However, theproduction gods had a different thought inmind and here we are, into 2011, with noupgrade kit to be had.

Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, d.b.a. Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.
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As luck would have it and through thekindness of Insight Tech Gear, I was able toobtain an X2 L.E.D., which I quicklydissected after its arrival.

Figure 1. L.E.D. Module Exposed

The X2 L.E.D. retains its compact footprint,but where there once was an incandescentlamp now lives an L.E.D. module in a circuitpack that is about .5 inches high. Themodule houses all of the electronics neededto regulate the light, and produces aglorious 80 lumens of kick-ass tacticallighting.

Figure 2. L.E.D. module outside of the housing.

Note the RAIL marking on the top of themodule; it indicates how the module is tobe oriented in the housing.Remember that light emitting diodes aresolid-state devices and they are polaritysensitive; in order for them to operate

correctly they have to be biasedappropriately.Here, Insight demonstrates their maturityby clearly labeling the module so that achild can install it properly.There are no special requirements whenhandling the module; however, I suggestthat you ground yourself to mitigate the riskof a static charge damaging the L.E.D. or itscircuitry.The next component that differs from thelegacy X2 or X2L is the bezel and parabolicreflector.

Figure 3. Bezel, reflector and L.E.D. module.

The reflector is a highly polished and steepparabola tightly focusing the beam toproduce an excellent hot spot with anabundance of peripheral lighting.

Figure 4. Hot spot and peripheral lighting



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Exactly when the L.E.D. upgrade kits will become available isyet to be determined. M.S.R.P. was rumored to be at oraround the $60 price point, but I wouldnt hold my breath.Insight is well aware that the upgrade kit will cut into their X2L.E.D. and X2L L.E.D. sales, so we may not see an upgrade kituntil the L.E.D. models have matured a bit more.This would be a downright shame, and a game I hope Insightwill not play; there is a real need and subsequent demand forL.E.D. upgrade kits for both the X2 / X2L and M6 /M6Xfamilies. This is Insights chance to say to its customers, we

wont burn your investment.I can speculate to my hearts content but its too soon to say, with any degree of certainty, whatpath theyll take.My money is on Insight. They are a class act; miracles have been known to happen, especiallyafter a SHOT Show.One can only hope!

-SP

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