Should you have a light on your home defense pistol? That’s easy – yes!
Fenix just dropped an updated version of the GL19R weapon light and I’m happy to report that it packs a ton of bang for your buck.
The Fenix GL19R V2 is incredibly powerful, very user-friendly, and shockingly affordable. I got my hands on one at launch time, so let’s check out the specs as well as my initial impressions.
Fenix GL19R V2 Specs & Features
Specs
- Platform: Pistols (Glock, Picatinny rail adapters included)
- Output: 1,200 lumens
- Intensity: 44,300 candela
- Beam Distance: 420 meters
- Run Time: 55 minutes
- Battery: Rechargeable (USB-C)
- MSRP: $99.95
Features
- Super bright, far-reaching beam
- Rechargeable battery with a battery level indicator
- Spare parts included
By the numbers, the GL19R is a bit of a drag car; it’s all about horsepower. It produces the same 1,200 lumens as its now-discontinued predecessor, but candela gets a massive boost from 11,000 to 44,300.
That means the light punches much further into the night. According to Fenix, beam distance has doubled from 210 meters to 420 meters. I’m sure you’ll never shoot that far with a pistol, but we have to know the target and what lies beyond it, right?
There’s a distinct bright spot in the center of the beam for optimal target identification and a close-quarters aiming reference. The rest of the beam expands the field of view significantly with relatively crisp fall-off at the edges.
All that brightness comes in a surprisingly compact package. The GL19R V2 looks downright tiny next to a Streamlight TLR-1, and it’s every bit as powerful.
The GL19R V2 comes with ambidextrous activation switches and a rechargeable battery that you can also swap out like a conventional battery. There’s a battery level indicator under the USB-C port cover, so you won’t get left in the dark without warning.
One of the ways Fenix kept the price down is by eliminating superfluous features. There’s only one mode: as bright as possible. The switches move on one axis; up for momentary-on and down for constant-on (some manufacturer’s switches rotate for constant-on and depress for momentary-on).
Fenix ships the GL19R V2 with spare parts, including a charging port cover, O-ring, switches, and mounting adapters for Picatinny and Glock accessory rails.
In my limited time with the GL19R V2, I’ve been very impressed with its power output. This thing lights up the night like a pair of high-beam headlights. It’s also proven itself durable, intuitive to use, and less bulky than a lot of comparable weapon lights.
It doesn’t feel as bomb-proof as, say, a Surefire, but it’s less than a third of the price, so I’m not complaining. This is a fantastic buy for shooters on a budget.
Adding a light to your pistol is one of the best things you can do from a safety and effectiveness standpoint. I’m thrilled to see something this powerful available to price-conscious buyers.
Fenix lists an MSRP of $99.95 for the GL19R V2.
What do you think of the new Fenix GL19R V2? Let us know below. For more great pistol upgrades, check out our guide to the Best Pistol Lights.
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