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[TheGearLocker]

When we were out in Las Vegas for SHOT this year, we made sure that we stopped by to visit the team from Princeton Tec to check out their MPLS family of LED lights. MPLS stands for Modular Personal Lighting System and it is pretty diverse family.

First up, we have the the Remix Pro MPLS, which has multiple connection points. When you open the package, you will find:

• NVG Adapter Plate
• Multicam Headstrap and bracket
• MOLLE Bracket
• CR 123 Battery

It is nice to see that they give you a battery in the packaging. I mean, to often it’s like getting  toy during the holidays and not being able to use it.

The battery installs by flipping down the battery cap. Once the battery is installed, you will have to squeeze the door shut until you hear a very loud “click”. To turn the light you use see a nicely sized rubberized button on the top. It is almost the length of the light head, which gives you a large target area to hit if under stress.

With the first press of the button, you get not a white light, but a red one. This was designed to prevent operators from losing their night vision and giving away their position (real world use).  You clicking the button a second time gets you a brighter red LED, holding the button down for 2 to 3 seconds brings up the white LED beam, and a final click time gets you the Hi-Beam white LED.  The max power of this light head is 70 Lumen and burn time ranges from 40 hours on low intensity to 5 hours on high intensity.

I have tested this unit using the MOLLE attachment on my Plate Carrier and the head mount on the very non-tactical use of walking my two dogs early in the morning and late at night.  The red LEDs offer a very nice glow that allows you to see a few feet around you. The brighter red LED gives you a larger area to illumination. When you click to the white LEDs you get a beam of light that goes out at least 5 feet.

 

I also have the Quad Tactical MPLS and can say the beam on the Remix Pro is more focused. I think this is due to the LED configuration.

The light itself rotates 180 degrees while on your head or your gear.  This is great for directing the beam of light in the direction you need it to go.

The Remix Pro has two headband options – Multicam and Black – and several different LED combinations (Red, Blue, Green, and IR).

The next light in the MPLS family that we are going to look at is their Switch .  This is a small two LED unit that has one RED and one white LED on a small boom.  Like its bigger brother, the Remix Pro, the first time you press the large on/off button, the red LED turns on. Holding the button down for 2 to 3 seconds will give you the white LED.

The picture above shows the Switch mounted to a rail on my Protec Alpha.  You can also mount the Switch onto a MOLLE  platform or a helmet with the different attachments that are provided in the kit.

 

 

I used the Switch while refereeing an CQB Airsoft event and it gives off enough light to read a map, and to see what is in front of you. It is just enough to allow you to see, but not to blind you or, in the case of the red LEDs, give away your position.  I see this being a great light for larger Airsoft events that have  night play.

The Switch comes in 3 different colors, Black, OD, and Tan. Princeton Tec also sells additional mounting options separately.

If you are looking for a versatile light that can go from a helmet to your vest to a helmet, I highly recommend checking out the MPLS family.

 

- Eric

 

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