Evaluation: Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL and HRT AWLS Weapon Lights

Mild is an important side of self protection and residential protection. Many violent crimes happen underneath cowl of darkness, and if you cannot see what’s in entrance of you, you will not have the ability to defend your self towards it successfully. This is the reason each defense-oriented firearm we personal — rifle, shotgun, or pistol — is supplied with a weapon gentle. We have examined and reviewed numerous completely different weapon lights over time, however just lately had a possibility to get our fingers on two variants of a brand new gentle design: the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL and the HRT Superior Weapon Mild System (AWLS). The 2 firms collaborated to provide a household of weapon lights with Valhalla’s intelligent omni-directional activation swap. Learn on for our assessment and impressions of the Baldr SOL and HRT AWLS.

HRT & Valhalla Tactical Collab

The photograph above reveals a HRT AWLS prototype we acquired for testing. Shortly after we acquired it, we additionally acquired Valhalla Tactical’s ultimate manufacturing model of the sunshine design, referred to as the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL. Each lights are clearly primarily based on the identical structure, and every affords a full-size 18650/2x CR123 model in addition to a compact 18350/1x CR123 model. Each lights use the identical Valhalla Tactical ODA tailcap with an revolutionary omni-directional activation swap. Very like a joystick on a online game controller, it may be pushed in any route to activate the sunshine in momentary mode, or clicked inward for constant-on mode. ODA sensitivity inserts are additionally included to fine-tune how a lot stress is required to activate the sunshine.

For those who choose an ordinary push-button tailcap, the “joystick” portion unscrews to disclose a rubber button that works like all conventional flashlight tailcap.

Subscribe Right this moment and Save!

Each the HRT AWLS and Valhalla Tactical Baldr gentle our bodies function built-in MLOK mounts which permit the sunshine to be put in straight onto most rifle, carbine, and shotgun handguards with no want for extra elements. This stable aluminum, monolithic design is powerful and easy, with solely two mounting screws versus 4 or extra. This is a photograph that reveals the AWLS put in straight on the handguard of a Major Weapon Programs MK116 carbine alongside Walker Protection Analysis NILE grip panels and a BCM vertical grip:

After a detailed examination, the Valhalla Tactical and HRT tailcaps and our bodies seem an identical, except for the laser-engraved brand close to the mounting floor. The top is the place the 2 lights start to vary noticeably. Each heads use business customary SureFire M600DF thread sample, to allow them to be put in onto Twin Gasoline SureFire gentle our bodies.

Within the photograph above, the pinnacle on the left is Valhalla Tactical’s model, referred to as the PDG DF Mod 1. It produces a most of 1,600 lumens and 58,000 candela. HRT’s head, pictured on the proper, is called the PSF-Mk6. It produces 1,700 lumens and 90,000 candela.

For many who aren’t up to the mark on flashlight terminology, which means that the full gentle output of those heads is analogous, however the beam sample is kind of completely different. The Valhalla head creates a softer and wider beam that is preferable for near intermediate vary, whereas the HRT head produces a centered highlight sample that is better-suited to long-distance engagements. The model you favor will rely on the surroundings the place you propose to make use of the sunshine.

Another noticeable distinction is that the HRT head’s output coloration is rated at 5,500K, a impartial “daylight” white. The Valhalla/PDG head’s output coloration is barely cooler — we would estimate it is about 6,500K. Each are inside the coloration vary we would think about acceptable for weapon lights.

Testing the Baldr SOL & HRT AWLS

The 18650-size HRT AWLS match properly on our 16-inch PWS carbine, and appears well-suited to this utility. Activating the sunshine is so simple as reaching a thumb over the bore and pushing down on the ODA “joystick.” Fixed activation can be simple to entry with a fast press ahead.

It is also value noting that this gentle physique is reversible, so you’ll be able to swap the pinnacle and tailcap if you wish to use the sunshine on the left aspect of a weapon. Together with inverting the physique on both aspect, this enables for 4 completely different mounting positions.

Granted, the HRT AWLS we’ve is a prototype, however we did discover a wierd activation delay with this model of the sunshine. Once we press the swap, there’s a few 1/2-second pause earlier than the sunshine activates. This isn’t the case with the production-ready Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL variant, which prompts immediately as you’d count on. It is also not the case if we swap the Valhalla DF Mod 1 head onto the HRT physique, so it seems to be remoted to the HRT PSF-Mk6 prototype head.

We will not say for positive if this situation carries over to the manufacturing HRT head, since we have not used one but.

As for the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL, we hooked up it to a Magpul forend on our customized Vang Comp Programs Remington 870 shotgun. Since this gun does not have a lot room for a distant tape swap, the all-in-one design is a superb match. The Valhalla head additionally creates a large beam sample that is appropriate to close-range shotgun makes use of.

Above: The Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL with ODA tailcap and DF Mod 1 head hooked up to a Magpul MOE 870 shotgun forend.

Closing Ideas

The HRT AWLS and its sibling the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL are refreshing additions to the checklist of weapon lights presently in the marketplace. The ODA tailcap is one among our favourite new merchandise to hit the market in recent times, profitable Recoil’s Finest Accent of SHOT Present award in 2022. We love that it affords all of the performance of a daily clicky tailcap with the added versatility of a detachable, omni-directional joystick possibility. The sunshine physique, whether or not you select HRT’s or Valhalla’s model, is sturdy and simple to put in on any MLOK rail with no want for extra mounts or adapters.

As for the HRT PSF and Valhalla DF heads, every affords professionals and cons for differing environments. The broader beam and decrease candela of the Valhalla head supply higher visibility in enclosed areas, whereas the HRT’s larger candela and higher throw could be preferable for punching by obstructions corresponding to automotive window tint or to be used in outside engagements past 100 yards. The activation delay we famous with the HRT head is an annoyance, however that could be a prototype-exclusive situation.

Lastly, we should always talk about pricing. A whole Valhalla Tactical gentle setup (head, physique, and ODA tailcap) prices $190, whereas an entire HRT AWLS setup prices $295. This $105 value distinction is tough to abdomen, since (so far as we are able to inform from testing and hands-on examination) the one practical distinction between the 2 lights is candela and coloration temperature. The tailcaps are an identical, and the our bodies are an identical except for the brand. However HRT’s standalone head prices $200, solely $9 lower than a Modlite OKW or PLHV2. For that reason, the Valhalla variant appears extra interesting except excessive candela is totally necessary in your utility.

For extra info on the HRT AWLS, go to HRTtacticalgear.com. For extra info on the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL and ODA tailcap, go to Valhallatactical.com.

Written by Patrick McCarthy