REVIEW: Princeton Tec Switch Rail

Looking for an affordable lamp for weapon or helmet mounting? Princeton Tec has something in its lineup that is lightweight, small, and sufficient for basic tasks: The Princeton Tec Switch Rail. We introduce it today.

Sometimes you need more. Or less. 10 lumens of light in 2018? That's nothing! But that's not the approach of the Princeton Tec Switch Rail. The manufacturer sees the small lamp as a task light that can be worn on both the weapon and the helmet.

The small light emitter from Princeton Tec weighs just 22 grams. It's a bit reminiscent of a shellfish, but that's beside the point.

The lamp is attached to the Picatinny rail via an integrated mount, which is then screwed in. However, this means that the lamp must be slid on and then the screw inserted. With a normal Picatinny rail, the rail on the weapon or helmet must be clear so that the lamp can be slid on.

It is operated via a button on the top rear area. The button can activate momentary light by holding it down or constant light by tapping the button.

Two LEDs provide 10 lumens of light. The Switchrail is available in different variants:

• 2x White Ultrabright
• 1x IR 1x White Ultrabright
• 1x IR 1x Red Ultrabright
• 1x White Ultrabright 1x Red Ultrabright

For models with different LEDs, the second mode is accessed by double-clicking.

The lamp is powered by two 2016 batteries, which are stacked on top of each other. The housing is IPX7 waterproof at a depth of one meter. The battery life is up to 36 hours.

The slim profile and light weight of the lamp qualify the Switch Rail as the perfect companion for the rifle…

…or the helmet. With 22 grams, you hardly notice that there is a lamp there.

The lamp has a short beam distance: you have about 2 meters for identification, but often that's all you need. Instead of attaching a large, bulky, and heavy Surefire lamp to the rifle and not needing it at the end of the day, the Princeton Tec Switch Rail is the better alternative, especially when you only need to light up the path, map, or team mate and don't want to use the lamp as an actual weapon light with blinding effect. The low output also keeps your own signature low and makes you harder to locate.

CONCLUSION: A small helper on the weapon or helmet with barely noticeable weight and sufficient lighting for the most essential tasks: Here the Switch Rail from Princeton Tec shows its strength.

The SwitchRail is available in Black or TAN for 60 euros at Marines-Shop.

ATTENTION: Please observe the firearms laws of the respective country! In Germany, the possession of a weapon light is already prohibited! The shots and the review were made in Switzerland.

Princeton Tec online: princetontec.com

Marines Shop online: www.marines-shop.com/en