Surefire X300U VS Olight PL Pro - Weapon Light Comparison Review

In this comparison review, we check out two weapon lights: Olight PL Pro VS Surefire X300U

Two very popular weapon lights with very different features and price point.

Let's see them side by side

Olight PL Pro VS Surefire X300U Comparison

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Surefire x300u vs olight pl pro side by side

When it comes to lumen and candela outputs, the Olight PL Pro wins!

When it comes to mil-spec durability, Both are great

When it comes to holster options, Surefire X300U wins

PREVIEW	Product 1	Product 2
	HIGHER CANDELA	BEST OVERALL
NAME	OLIGHT PL Pro	SUREFIRE X300U
BATTERY	3.6V Li Ion USB Rechargeable	2X CR123A
CONSTRUCTION	6061 T6	7075 T6
WEIGHT (NO MOUNT)	2.82 oz	4 oz
LUMEN	1500 +STROBE	1000
CANDELA	19600	11300
WATER RESISTANCE	IPX6	IPX7
BUY HERE	SEE BEST DEAL	SEE BEST DEAL
		CHECK ON OPTICSPLANET

Check out here: Ultimate handgun weapon lights

Light Beam Differences

Both lights have center hot spot and wide flood spills that are very common in pistol weapon lights for peripheral illumination.

Olight PL Pro (1500 lumens)
Surefire X300U (1000 lumens)

The Olight TIR reflector lens(1500 lumens) has a stronger beam because the increased candela rating (13800 cd) than Surefire (11300 cd).

Similar to Olight Odin Mini output. See more Olight Odin pics and review here

Note: First time Olight PL Pro users, please press and hold both switches at the same time for about 2 secs until the brightness increases, indicating it has exited lockout more. (PL PRO ships in Lockout mode)

When it comes to which light performs better if ambient light and back lights are present, the winner has to be the Olight for the higher candela.

Higher candela light have a easier time punching through photonic barriers, and it's something low light training talks about alot.

Learn More: What's Photonic Barrier

However, the Olight has a built in temperature control which will regulate the lumen output to a lower setting. It depends on how you use your light and how much you use it, the reduced lumen is not favorable.

Holster Options

Surefire X300 has more holster options - Need a holster? There are more light holsters made for the surefire and streamlight products than anything else.

The Olight PL Pro however, just doesn't have many holster options at all. If you want to carry your light with you, the X300 is the better light to get and you don't have to run into holster issues.

This doesn't make Olight PL Pro a bad light. In fact, it's a great weapon light for home defense, and there is no need to get a light holster for it.

Mount Differences

Both mounts work great - The Olight PL Pro has the QD lever style mount, and it's very easy to operate. Surefire X300U offers rail lock and T-slot mounts, and we recommend using the T-slot mount for the X300U.

However, the Olight seems to have potential snag issue with that QD lever sticking out.

Other than that, the Olight PL Pro does have a muzzle safe mounting design, which you don't have to slide the light from the front of the muzzle back and put your hands over the muzzle.

Is it a big deal? not really as long as the user is paying attention to basic gun safety.

The Surefire X300U definitely has the better and cooler looking mount than Olight.

Control Differences

Surefire x300u vs olight pl pro control switch

Surefire X300 has superior controls - They share some similarities, but the Olight PL Pro is pretty much a copycat of the Surefire X300, and the it has the better control switch design.

The controls on the Olight includes constant on, momentary and strobe that can be used from both sides.

However, the electronic push button senses how long you have pushed the button, and then it performs the correct function.

This is inferior to the rocker type switch because there is a delay, and you can't just do a quick tap for momentary on, and you have to hold it. This slows you down and could potentially affect motor skills during stressful situations.

3V CR123A VS 3.6V Li Ion Battery

olight pl pro usb charging vs surefire cr123A batteries 1

Olight's new 1500 lumen output is achieved by using the new 3.6V battery (USB rechargeable).

Higher voltage = higher lumen output is the basic idea that most modern weapon lights are using newer batteries for more lumens.

As 1000+ lumens intensity trend increases, 3V CR123A can no long support the high output.

Surefire X300U still uses the 2 CR123A batteries to power a 1000 lumens light, which is not a problem. It's still bright enough for most tactical applications.

Here is the bottom line, if higher lumen and candela are asbolutely important to you, the Olight PL Pro is the choice. On top of that you're saving money on a ton of battery, if you use the light a lot.