SHOT16: An Integral Weapon Light – LUX180

Weapon mounted lights, or WMLs, have been getting slimmer, smaller, and lighter as technology marches forward. Though right now the market is mostly about attachable lights, the concept of the integral has been around for some time. Surefire has notably produced them for shotguns, subguns, and M4s (though the latter have waned in popularity as more people opt for modular handguards).

Over at LUX180, they took the concept even further. The LUX180 WML seamlessly integrates in a Samson handguard. The handguard itself is the Evolution Series ‘EX', originally developed for piston systems. LUX180 used this added real estate to house electronics instead.

The LUX180 is activated via a pressure switch that you can mount of either side of the handguard. Currently the pressure switch is proprietary but compatibility with other systems may be available in the future. The (3) LED emitters on the front allow for a 180 degree flood without having too much of a dead zone from the barrel itself. The LUX180 runs on one CR123A battery and the light output is between 400 and 600 lumens. Future developments may include multiple light levels, IR options, and perhaps even a visible aiming laser.

Due to the small size of the unit, there are no reflectors around the LED emitters. Also, I would be curious to see what the light pattern and output would look like when a suppressor was attached, as many of them would at least partially block the emitters themselves.

MSRP is $299, but bear in mind that it includes the required Samson forend system. You can visit LUX180 online here.

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What is the NSSF SHOT Show?

The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services.

Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc

View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show right here.

2016 SHOT Show

January 18 — Media on the Range (numerous shooting facilities in and around Las Vegas)
January 19–22, 2016
Sands Expo and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours:
Tuesday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 21 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 22 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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