Assessment: Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL and HRT AWLS Weapon Lights

Mild is an important side of self protection and residential protection. Many violent crimes happen below cowl of darkness, and if you cannot see what’s in entrance of you, you will not be capable of defend your self towards it successfully. Because of this each defense-oriented firearm we personal — rifle, shotgun, or pistol — is provided with a weapon mild. We have examined and reviewed numerous totally different weapon lights through the years, however just lately had a possibility to get our arms on two variants of a brand new mild design: the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL and the HRT Superior Weapon Mild System (AWLS). The 2 corporations collaborated to supply a household of weapon lights with Valhalla’s intelligent omni-directional activation swap. Learn on for our evaluate and impressions of the Baldr SOL and HRT AWLS.

HRT & Valhalla Tactical Collab

The photograph above reveals a HRT AWLS prototype we obtained for testing. Shortly after we obtained it, we additionally obtained Valhalla Tactical’s last manufacturing model of the sunshine design, generally known as the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL. Each lights are clearly primarily based on the identical structure, and every presents 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 progressive omni-directional activation swap. Very similar to a joystick on a online game controller, it may be pushed in any course 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 want a normal push-button tailcap, the “joystick” portion unscrews to disclose a rubber button that works like every conventional flashlight tailcap.

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Each the HRT AWLS and Valhalla Tactical Baldr mild our bodies function built-in MLOK mounts which permit the sunshine to be put in straight onto most rifle, carbine, and shotgun handguards with out a want for extra elements. This strong aluminum, monolithic design is robust 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 Main Weapon Techniques 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 similar, except for the laser-engraved emblem close to the mounting floor. The pinnacle 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 Gas SureFire mild our bodies.

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

For many who aren’t in control on flashlight terminology, because of this the entire mild output of those heads is analogous, however the beam sample is sort of totally different. The Valhalla head creates a softer and wider beam that is preferable for near intermediate vary, whereas the HRT head produces a targeted highlight sample that is better-suited to long-distance engagements. The model you favor will rely on the atmosphere the place you propose to make use of the sunshine.

Another noticeable distinction is that the HRT head’s output colour is rated at 5,500K, a impartial “daylight” white. The Valhalla/PDG head’s output colour is barely cooler — we would estimate it is about 6,500K. Each are throughout the colour 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 software. Activating the sunshine is so simple as reaching a thumb over the bore and pushing down on the ODA “joystick.” Fixed activation can also be simple to entry with a fast press ahead.

It is also price noting that this mild physique is reversible, so you possibly can swap the top 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 permits for 4 totally 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 couple of 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 concern carries over to the manufacturing HRT head, since we’ve not used one but.

As for the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL, we connected it to a Magpul forend on our customized Vang Comp Techniques 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 connected to a Magpul MOE 870 shotgun forend.

Remaining Ideas

The HRT AWLS and its sibling the Valhalla Tactical Baldr SOL are refreshing additions to the listing of weapon lights at the moment available on the market. The ODA tailcap is certainly one of our favourite new merchandise to hit the market in recent times, successful Recoil’s Greatest Accent of SHOT Present award in 2022. We love that it presents all of the performance of an everyday clicky tailcap with the added versatility of a detachable, omni-directional joystick choice. 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 out a want for extra mounts or adapters.

As for the HRT PSF and Valhalla DF heads, every presents professionals and cons for differing environments. The broader beam and decrease candela of the Valhalla head provide higher visibility in enclosed areas, whereas the HRT’s greater candela and higher throw could be preferable for punching by means of obstructions akin 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 concern.

Lastly, we should always focus on pricing. A whole Valhalla Tactical mild setup (head, physique, and ODA tailcap) prices $190, whereas an entire HRT AWLS setup prices $295. This $105 worth distinction is tough to abdomen, since (so far as we are able to inform from testing and hands-on examination) the one purposeful distinction between the 2 lights is candela and colour temperature. The tailcaps are similar, and the our bodies are similar 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 software.

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