Gear Review: Olight PL X 1200 Dual Beam Weapon Light

Weapon lights are one of those accessories that can make a big difference when you need them most. A firearm is only so useful in the dark, and being able to positively identify what you’re looking at is an important part of any defensive setup. Like most things in the gun industry, however, there are varying levels of quality and performance when it comes to weapon-mounted lights.

Today we’re looking at an affordable option from Olight. Some folks may turn their noses up at products made in China, and there are legitimate reasons to prefer domestically manufactured defensive equipment. But the market is changing, and dismissing good, affordable options based solely on where they’re made can mean overlooking some very useful equipment.

The Olight PL X 1200 is an interesting example. It’s a compact, rechargeable weapon light with a dual-beam design, allowing the user to switch between flood and spotlight illumination. It has an aluminum housing and an adjustable recoil lug to accommodate different pistol configurations.

Olight has developed a fairly recognizable approach to its products, and the PL X follows much of that same formula. Rather than relying on replaceable batteries, it incorporates an internal 960mAh lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery. That’s one of those features that will either appeal to you or turn you away from the product altogether.

I keep several firearms equipped with lights around the house, so having one with an internal rechargeable battery isn’t concerning. Charging is easy through a USB-C port, meaning you can use the same cable that’s probably already sitting on your nightstand.

The PL X offers two different illumination patterns. The flood setting uses two smaller emitters to produce a broad beam, while the spotlight setting concentrates illumination into a more focused beam. Switching between the two is accomplished with a small sliding selector on the side of the housing. That gives the user some flexibility depending on the environment and the type of illumination needed.

The housing is constructed from 6061 aluminum with a Type III hard-anodized finish. Mounting is accomplished with a clamp-style system that tightens against the pistol’s accessory rail. The clamp screw can be operated with a flathead screwdriver, coin, or spent casing. One thing I noticed while tightening it was the built-in detent mechanism, which produces a ratcheting sensation as the screw is turned. This helps keep the mounting system secure.

Another useful feature is the adjustable recoil lug. Located in the mounting area, it allows the user to position the light along the rail to get the best fit for the host pistol. That can be particularly useful when trying to position the controls where they’re most accessible for your grip.

Speaking of controls, there are activation buttons on both sides of the housing, making the light equally accessible to either hand. Pressing and holding either button activates the light momentarily. Releasing the button shuts it off. A quick press and release instead activates constant illumination, which remains on until another press turns it off. Pressing both buttons simultaneously activates the strobe function.

The PL X 1200 offers a maximum flood output of 1,200 lumens and a spotlight output of 900 lumens. Maximum intensity is listed at 22,500 candela, with a claimed beam distance of 300 meters. Lower output settings provide 300 lumens in flood mode and 200 lumens in spotlight mode. Olight lists a maximum runtime of 145 minutes, although actual runtime will depend on the selected output setting.

The light measures 2.48 inches long and weighs 3.07 ounces. It’s rated IPX7 for water resistance and is designed to withstand drops from up to 1.5 meters. At an MSRP of $119.99 (there’s also a model with a green laser for $149.99), it falls into a fairly approachable price category for a rechargeable pistol light.

For my evaluation, I decided to mount the PL X on one of my carry pistols. This month that happened to be a Taurus GX4 Compact in .380 ACP. Installation was straightforward, requiring little more than a screwdriver and Allen wrench to get everything positioned just right. The adjustable recoil lug made it easy to find the right mounting position and I was able to get the controls situated where they were comfortable to reach.

The light extends slightly beyond the width of the pistol frame, although that’s not particularly unusual for a weapon light. It’s roughly comparable to several other lights I’ve used, including the Streamlight TLR-8. I also moved the PL X between several other pistols during the evaluation, including my Shadow Systems DR920 and Bear Creek Grizzly 101.

Over the course of a month, I had plenty of opportunities to use the light around the house and at work. Dark stairwells, hallways, and warehouse spaces provided some useful environments to evaluate its performance. My initial impression was that the light might not be quite as bright as I expected. However, after spending more time with it, I suspect that initial impression had more to do with the battery’s charge level or ambient lighting conditions. In genuinely dark environments, the PL X provides more than enough illumination for identifying objects and navigating unfamiliar spaces.

The two beam patterns are an interesting feature, although I found myself debating which one I preferred. The flood setting gives you a wider area of illumination, which is useful when you want to see more of your immediate surroundings. The spotlight concentrates the output into a brighter, narrower beam with more focused illumination. Both have their uses and I like having the ability to choose between them rather than being limited to a single beam pattern.

The controls on the PL X are great. Having activation buttons on both sides of the housing makes operation simple, regardless of which hand is being used. The momentary and constant-on functions are intuitive, and the selector for changing beam patterns is positioned where it’s easy to reach without being particularly vulnerable to accidental movement.

I also like the simplicity of the charging system. USB-C has become so commonplace, and being able to recharge the light without buying specialized batteries is convenient.

Of course, the internal battery does introduce a limitation. If the light runs out of power somewhere away from home, you can’t simply replace the battery and get back to work. You’ll need access to a charging source. That’s one of the compromises associated with rechargeable weapon lights, and it’s worth considering before making a purchase.

Compatibility is another consideration. The adjustable recoil lug makes the PL X adaptable to a wide variety of pistols equipped with compatible accessory rails. However, the additional width of the light can complicate holster selection. That isn’t a problem unique to Olight, but it’s something worth thinking about before mounting any light to a carry pistol. Fortunately, there are manufacturers producing holsters specifically designed around the PL X, including options from Rounded Holsters.

Durability seems reasonably good based on my time with the light. The aluminum housing feels solid, and the lenses appear comparable to those found on other weapon lights I’ve used. The IPX7 water-resistance rating and 1.5-meter drop rating also provide some reassurance. I haven’t subjected the PL X to the kind of abuse that would establish long-term durability, so I won’t pretend to know how it will hold up after years of hard use, but nothing about its construction gives me any reason for concern.

There are a few compromises worth considering. The internal battery means you’re dependent on recharging rather than carrying spare batteries. The light’s dimensions may also eliminate some holster options, particularly if you’re accustomed to carrying a pistol without an accessory attached. And while the PL X offers plenty of output for its intended purpose, those looking for a dedicated high-output illumination tool may want to consider larger options.

On the other hand, I find the overall package fairly appealing. The dual-beam system provides some useful flexibility, the ambidextrous controls are excellent, and the USB-C charging system is convenient. I’m honestly a little surprised that more established weapon-light manufacturers haven’t adopted some of the control options found on this light.

Again, there’s also a green laser version of the PL X for those who prefer the additional aiming option. It adds another layer of functionality while retaining the same general design of the standard model.

After spending a month with the Olight PL X 1200, I’ve come away fairly impressed. Its combination of output, compact dimensions, rechargeable power source, and selectable beam patterns makes it a useful addition to a variety of pistols. At a street price around $120, it’s also considerably easier on the wallet than some of the more expensive options in the weapon-light market.

It’s not without compromises, particularly when it comes to the internal battery and holster compatibility. But those are trade-offs rather than deal breakers, and whether they matter will depend largely on how you intend to use the light. For someone looking for an affordable, rechargeable pistol light with some useful features, the Olight PL X 1200 is worth a look. I certainly wouldn’t dismiss it simply because of where it was manufactured.