Friday 19 October 2012

INFORCE White/IR Multifunction Weapon Mounted Light, Part One



INFORCE White/IR Multifunction Weapon Mounted Light, Part One
Prior to this deployment, a long time friend of mine, Earl Green, from Phase Line Green Tactical, recommended a new weapon light to me. Knowing his long experience in the tactical community and our shared belief in high quality gear for operators, I listen to his advice. He was recommending the INFORCE White/IR WML. I did a bit of online research on the WML and contacted their Canadian Distributor RAMPART INTERNATIONAL. After talking to the helpful staff, I ordered the light for use on this deployment. A few days later, it arrived in the mail.





Initial impressions
Immediately, I was impressed by the solid construction and feather-weight of the light. A compact 3 oz (0.085 kilogram) package.  It is a game of ounces. Ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. The controls seemed intuitive and simple for use in tactical applications. Then, I put a single CR123 into the light and checked out the intensity and beam shape. WOW! The INFORCE WML produces 125 lumens of white light with a tight beam appropriate out to mid-range and balanced peripheral light for discrimination of the surrounding area.
The angled activation button compliments my shooting technique, many other techniques as well, and eliminates the need for wires and remote switches.  It has been my experience that wires and tape switches have a habit of failing at the most in opportune times. Thus forcing you to switch to a handheld light which, while effective to illuminate threat areas, puts the operator into a non-standard shooting grip, then accuracy and speed are impaired.

Clamping system
INFORCE WML has an integrated NAR/MIL-STD-1913 rail compatible clamp with a simple and effective twisting lock system. No need to purchase a mounting system for this weapon light. There are no tools required. Simply, press the side of the clamping system, it will open, place it on the rail in its desired position and let go of the clamp. Once you are satisfied with the position, screw down the lock and it is set securely in position. I have found hand tight to be more than adequate for tactical usage.

Lockout
A white light negligent discharge (ND) can endanger a team and its mission. There are two lockouts on the INFORCE WML White/IR. The primary lockout it a simple lever that blocks the angled push button preventing and light ND. It can be moved in and out of lockout position with the operator’s thumb while in a fire position.  The secondary lockout, one I would use while transporting the weapon in a case, is to twist the bezel so the battery cannot connect.





LED/IR Selection lever
There is a switch on the side of the WML White/IR Light opposite to the clamping system. It has a white dot on it to designate the LED system; LED selection lever pointing forward with the white dot visible
for white light setting. By flipping the switch to the side without the white dot and you are in IR mode. LED selection lever pointing toward the back of the light for IR setting; no filters required. Pretty KISS!! It can be operated with a thumb while in a fire position. The orientation of the switch will depend on the side of the weapon which the light is clamped. The switch will be on the bottom with the light on the left side of the weapon. The light will be on the top if the light is clamped to the left side of the weapon.

LED light
The factory standard button set up is Momentary, Constant High, Low and Strobe.

  • Hold the angled button for momentary; as long as the button is depressed the light will stay on.
  • Tap once for High: 125 lumens with approximately 2hours of run time.
  • Tap again to switch to Low: 30 Lumens with approximately 10 hours of run time.
  • Double tap the angle button for Strobe: a devastating 125 lumen strobe!!!



The individual operator can program the light and reverse the High/Low to Low/High Capability and disable the strobe if they wish. I have play tested other setups and have returned to the factory setups. Reprogramming the light is simple and easy. I could easily see changing the setup to meet mission parameters as required.



IR Light
The factory standard button set up for IR mode is Constant, High, Low and Momentary.

  • Hold the angled button for momentary; as long as the button is depressed the IR light will stay on.
  • Tap once for High: 75 mW with approximately 3.5 hours of run time.
  • Tap again to switch to Low: 25 mW with approximately 17 hours of run time.



There is no strobe option with IR mode which makes sense because you would flash out your own NVGs; especially in enclosed spaces.





This is an excellent light for tactical work. It is light, compact and effective with an extensive run time in all functions powered by a single CR123 battery. INFORCE, also, has a white light only variant of this light which is perfect for the home-owner or LEO that does not have access to night vision. Both lights are relatively inexpensive for a purpose built weaponlight. One Shot Tactical Supply is listing the WML White for $159.99 CAD and the White/IR variant for $189.99 CAD.

On this deployment, I have not really had the opportunity to ‘run’ this light. So, I have not really put this light through its paces; like I have with other weapon lights on other deployments. It has been dependable and it is satisfying to have a solid reliable weapon light.  It is my intention to take part in a Phase Line Green Tactical 2 day Low Light course when I get INCAN. The performance of the light during this high intensity course will be the bulk of the INFORCE White/IR Multifunction Weapon Mounted Light, Part Two Article.



1 comment:

  1. Great review! Well written and very informative. This light does have features that the Surefire X300 doesn't have. It is nice to have all the added features of intensity and strobe that can be very handy but personally I like just a KISS kind of light. Very good point about the tape switches. I too have seen too many failures due to wear and tear and user abuse of these items. It is a shame that the light was not put through its paces...

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