Surefire noticed that customers were beginning to use their pistol lights in ways many hadn’t thought of before such as in place of the scout light on their carbine so they looked for a way to introduce more functionality in a similar foot print. The result is the new RAID series of lights. There are three versions of the RAID M720 coming including a white light only variant, high intensity white light, and the white light/IR combo. An added bonus is that Surefire has introduced a strobe function to this series of lights.
As for the M720V (IR), they took the Vampire technology released last year and applied it to their weapon light but with a difference. A simple twist of the bezel located behind the head switches from white to IR to disable. Integrating both white and IR lights into the same package, the new M720V packs a lot of power into a compact package. There are three IR settings (Low, Med, High) and four white light functions (Flashlight, Med, High, and Strobe). The RAID can be dismounted from the weapon and used as a flashlight or the same function can be used as a navigation light.
Notice that the battery compartment is at an angle. This is so that you can swap the two CR123 batteries without removing the light from the weapon. In addition to the light’s integral switches, there is also an optional tape switch.
Out of everything I saw at the show, this is the one thing that everyone with a weapon can use. The M720V is available in March from Surefire with other models to follow throughout the year.
Tags: Surefire