Surefire X200A/B Weapon Light

[korea115]

Many of you geardos may say (or not)..."Oh, why do a review on an item that has been out of production and where most people can't buy"....I know this has been out of production for quite a while but you can still get them used or new on eBay. Plus I just had an hour to waste so used it for productive usage.

 

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I got this Surefire X200 from a friendo from the Army Special Forces who used it on his Glock/Berreta for 2 tours in Afghanistan. It has been battle proven and weapon proven.

 

This is the predecessor of the X300, I don't know if it's the same design. This is a discontinued model.

 

My friend decided to use the X200 because he told me that he preferred to have an LED with low output and small area than to have a larger output with a large spread and expose his position or what not.

 

I can't seem to find specs on this, but I read somewhere on a random firearm forum, it was about 65 Lumen. It is LED bulb.

 

The light operates off of two (2) CR123 batteries. I only use Surefire CR123 batteries as they are cheap and effective. I don't understand why pharmacies sell Duracell ones at such as ridiculous amount. But I would be GLAD to accept free Duracell and Energizers CR123 to test them .

 

You can obviously use this with a real rifle and withstand the weapon shock. I haven't proven this as New York City sucks for firearm laws and I can't test it *one tear rolls down*

Again would love to get a firearm license to test it ATF(E), NYPD, Mr. Mayor, I know you're reading this...Approve me of a rifle and handgun license and you will be pleased with my weapon tests.

 

 

When on my AEG (Airsoft Electric Gun), I used to have on the top rail in front of the front sight. You might ask "Why do you put it on top, isn't that a weird spot and wouldn't it block your iron sights?" ...Actually it's rather slim line for me. I don't have or want any accessories on the side rails as I fear I may bang it on the wall, door, etc. So I rather have a skinny weapon profile. It's also comfortable after a while once you get enough muscle memory training especially after watching the Magpul Dynamic Rifle DVDs. (Great source of training if you haven't jumped on the band wagon. Even though Airsoft doesn't really replicate real firearms, most of the portion of the training can be applied in some way to airsoft handling.)

 

Though there was quite a little wobble on the rail. It was secure but loose. I guess that piece that goes into the rail slot isn't wide enough.

 

There is no momentary on switch, there seems to be a friction lock on the switch on both side. I don't know if mine is really old or if it was the design.

 

The battery compartment hinges upwards rather than most pistol lights. The door lock is on the bottom of the light.

 

You can buy a pistol grip switch which apparently comes in two different designs. There is also a rail switch for your rifles. Check Surefire's website or other sites to buy those accessories.

 

There is blue marker writing on the weapon light. I didn't ask what they were meant to be.

 

As for the light, there is a very concentrated spot when it is on, unlike other lights like my G2 where the spread was large spread. At far distances, the X200 seems to suck.

 

You can still find one or two on eBay going for more than $100.

 

Pros:

-Small Profile. Slimmer than the other pistol lights I used to own. I can effective use iron sights and weapon optics when this is on my top rail.

-LED output. Obviously this is better as it's brighter.

-ALL Metal construction. It can probably withstand my accidentally dropping it on a hard surface. There are some plastic such as the switch and rail grabber.

-Battery/Switch cover is hinged. I love how it just stays on the light. Though, losing the cover on any of your lights will probably be extremely hard unless you drop it when you’re riding on a chopper.

-Very concentrated spot of light. At short distance, there is a spot that just makes it seem like the bullet will land right there.

-Large release button. Most release presses on weapon light are skinny for glove use or even for bare hands. This light got large buttons so you can grasp the release mechanism securely with or without gloves.

 

Cons:

-Expensive...When it was out, they used to cost $250-$350 if I remember. For the amount of output on the light, you would have gotten a cheaper light for half the price by purchasing the Insight M3/X or Streamlight TLR-1.

-No momentary on switch. Like I said I don't know if its only my design, but I would like the ability to quickly snap light on my target. Or have a manual strobe effect.

-Low Output. Though, I like the low output because it won't expose my position...Most people will ask for a higher output to blind and stun the target.

-Out of production...It's a rare item nowadays since the X300 came out.

-Really hard to find a holster to fit one. I can't seem to find a website that sell Safariland holsters or other holsters that can fit an X200. You can try to contact the company to ask for one. Though Bladetech and Raven make custom holsters to fit one, there are still not a lot of internet retailers that sell them as widely available like the Safariland and Blackhawk SERPAs. For Law enforcement officers and people who go to a gun shop, they'll probably not find a Kydex holster that will fit the X200. User can always use a Nylon Holster which to some if not many are perfectly fine.

[Hatchet]

The x200/x300 share the same dimensions and the Safariland holsters shouldn't be that hard to get hold of if you're in the US. I picked one up for a 4.3 hi-capa from Optics Planet. Readers not in the US may struggle to pick up holsters, since anything involving weaponlights seems to be a no-go for export.

 

Are you certain there's no momentary on? On the x300 it's a push forward for momentary (for example with the thumb of the support hand), or rotate the switch for permanent. I believe the x200 was the same (based on reviews I've read).

[cracking day]

Indeed, push the button and its momentary, hardly moves though!

[korea115]

Yea I was just told about the momentary on switch by pushing the button forward.

 

I only have one problem which is when it's on the 12 o'clock on my rifle, I have little to no space on the switch to press it forward. I would find it difficult to use when one has troy sights or other wider sights. Don't know if the MRE has a bit of space for the user to push the light with or without gloves.

 

Then again most people don't use it on their rifle at that position and it was designed for the pistols. If used on a rifle, most would have them on the side or bottom. A little training would be needed.

 

I think a spring mechanism on the switch similar to the M3s would be better for me. I grip my RAS like the Magpul guys so my thumb rides a bit higher and its a bit easier to flicker the switch downwards or upward and get a quick snap of light rather than pushing the light.

[Hatchet]

Alternatively Surefire sell 2 different tape switches for the X series of lights - however like most Surefire accessories they're not cheap. You'd end up better off picking up a G2X tactical for $55 and using the X200 on a pistol.

[korea115]

Yea those tail and tape switches will run ya $100-$200 .

 

There's the one that is a single tail with the button that runs underneath the trigger guard.

 

Another one that's is a Y-shaped that hugs in front of the grip. I think this is the old generation.

 

The last is the tape switch which can attach onto a RAS for the rifle.

 

 

 

I have seen cheap alternatives on ebay of the X300/400, not sure on Asian airsoft retailers. 220 Lumen and tail switches for about $150ish.