What Is The Holosun P.ID & What Is It Used For?
The Holosun P.ID is an essential accessory for firearm owners, especially those who use their guns for self-defense or law enforcement purposes. P.ID simply means positive identification, aka it’s a rail mounted flashlight, and some models include a laser and one includes an infrared pointer as well. I will say, this is a very innovative design for a flashlight/laser combo, and it’s something I’m excited Holosun included in its lineup.
We’ll get into the specifics of each version of the P.ID, but first here are four reasons why the P.ID is a must-have accessory:
- Positive Identification of Threats: The P.ID is designed to provide positive identification of potential threats in low or no light conditions. In a self-defense situation, every second counts. The P.ID provides an advantage by helping you quickly and accurately identify potential threats, giving you more time to react and protect yourself.
- Universal Compatibility: The P.ID is designed to attach to any firearm with a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny accessory rail. It also includes adapters for universal compatibility, so you can use it with a variety of firearms.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: The P.ID is made from 7075 T6 aluminum, which is known for its strength and durability. It is also anodized for added durability, so you can be sure it will withstand heavy use. Additionally, it features up to 60 minutes of battery life on low mode, and its rechargeable battery can be charged without removal using the included USB magnetic charging cable.
- Easy to Use: The P.ID is designed for easy installation and use. It is a lightweight 5 ounces and it’s compact, making it easy to carry and handle. It also features a simple on/off switch, so you can quickly turn it on and off as needed.
What Are The Features & Specifications?
There are four models of the P.ID – P.ID, P.ID HC, P.ID Plus, and the P.ID Dual – and each one serves a unique function. Obviously, aside from the obvious features like a laser and infrared pointer, the most important feature a flashlight can have is how bright it is. But before we compare the lumens and candelas of each unit, here’s a quick explanation of each of those terms.
Lumens and candela are both units of measurement that are used to describe the brightness of a flashlight, but they measure different things.
Lumens refer to the total amount of visible light emitted by a flashlight, regardless of the direction in which the light is emitted. In other words, lumens describe the overall brightness of the flashlight.
Candela, on the other hand, refers to the intensity of the light produced by a flashlight in a particular direction. It measures the amount of light that is emitted per unit of solid angle in a specific direction.
To give an analogy, lumens would be similar to the total amount of water flowing out of a garden hose, while candela would be similar to the force with which the water is being sprayed out of the nozzle.
So in other words, lumens measure the total amount of light emitted by a flashlight, while candela measures the intensity of the light in a specific direction. A flashlight with a high number of lumens will generally be brighter overall, while a flashlight with a high number of candela will have a more focused, intense beam.
First let me just start with features that all of the flashlights have in common.
- All have a white LED beam.
- All have a rechargeable 18350 battery that is included. The P.ID battery can be recharged without removing it by using the included magnetic USB charging cable.
- All are made of durable 7075 T6 Aluminum.
- All have the highest water and dust proof rating, IP68.
- All weigh about 5 ounces.
- All have a high and low mode, and their battery lasts 1 hour on low mode.
- All attach to any firearm with a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny accessory rail and includes adapters for universal compatibility. (P.ID & P.ID HC include 3 adapters, and P.ID Plus & Dual include 2 adapters.)
- All have a limited lifetime warranty.
P.ID
The P.ID is the base model and is only a flashlight. In its high mode it has 1,000 lumens and 23,000 candelas. In its low mode it has 500 lumens and 11,000 candelas.
P.ID HC
The next step up is the HC, which stands for High Candela. In its high mode the HC has 800 lumens and a massive 42,000 candelas. In its low setting it has 400 lumens and 21,000 candelas which is almost the same candela rating as the P.ID on its high setting.
P.ID PLUS
Now we’re getting into the flashlights equipped with a laser. The laser position on the flashlight is in the flashlight itself, and not mounted under, which is a perfect design in my opinion. In its high mode it has 900 lumens, 20,000 candelas, and the laser is 5mw. "MW" is a way to measure how strong or powerful the laser is. It tells us how much energy the laser is using to make the light. In its low setting it has 450 lumens, 10,000 candelas, and the laser is 1mw. Before leaving the factory the laser has been mechanically zeroed to approximately 25 yards, which is just like their red dots. You can adjust the windage and elevation and it’s 4 MOA per click.
P.ID DUAL
Finally we have the flashlight with the laser and an infrared pointer. Like the PLUS, the visible laser and the infrared laser are mounted in the flashlight itself, which is perfect for being compact.
For those who do not know, infrared light is not visible to the human eye. It has a longer wavelength than visible light, which means that its energy is not high enough to be detected by our eyes. However, special cameras and sensors can be used to detect and "see" infrared light. In its high mode it has 800 lumens, 17,000 candelas, 5mw laser, and 0.7mw infrared laser. In its low setting it has 400 lumens, 8,500 candelas, 1mw laser, and 0.1mw infrared laser. So overall the dual is the least brightest flashlight in high and low modes.
In my opinion the HC and the PLUS are the two best options, and both have the same MSRP of $199.99. It would really depend on your preference of wanting the brightest light possible or having still a bright light but also including a laser. If you have a red dot already I’d want the brightest light possible, and if you don’t have a red dot then the laser option would be awesome. Again that’s my thought process, it’s totally up to you to install what you want on your firearm.
How Easy Is It To Install?
Installation is extremely easy, it only takes a minute or two, but as a reminder never install it on a loaded firearm. To install you use the included T10 torx tool, which is the same tool that comes with Holosun red dots. The P.ID also comes with two or three adapters, depending on the model, use the one that matches the angle of your accessory rail.
P.ID and P.ID HC Adapters
P.ID Plus and Dual Adapters
Install Instructions:
- The T10 torx screw will loosen the clamp block in order to install on the accessory rail.
- Press the head of the clamp screw to open up the rail clamp to its maximum width.
- Place the fixed side of the rail clamp against the firearm rail and swing the light into position until the recoil lug of the rail interface fully engages a slot in the accessory rail. Then press the clamp block so that it grabs onto the rail.
- While pushing forward on the P.ID, turn the clamp screw clockwise completely until the P.ID is secured onto the rail and cannot be moved forward or back.
Tips For Getting The Most Out Of The P.ID
There are a bunch of modes, especially on the PLUS & DUAL models, so I want to discuss how to get the most out of your P.ID by knowing what settings it has.
To turn on the P.ID (all models), short press either activation button on the left or right side, then it’ll be in high mode. Short press either activation button again to power off. To get into low mode you’ll need to hold both activation buttons simultaneously. You’ll have to press both again simultaneously to get back into high mode as well.
All models obviously have a constant on mode. A short press of the activation button will activate the light and/or laser depending on the mode. A second short press of either activation button will turn the light and/or laser off.
All models also have a momentary mode, if you press and hold either activation button for more than 0.5s, the P.ID will remain on until you release the switch for momentary operation.
All models also have a lockout mode. This function disables all functions to prevent unintentional light and/or laser discharges. Triple tap one of the top activation buttons to activate. The white light will blink once and power off the unit. Repeat process to deactivate lockout mode.
Now thats it for the P.ID and P.ID HC models, but for the PLUS/DUAL models there’s a few more options to manage the lasers.
For The P.ID PLUS/DUAL there are two sets of activation buttons, and it’s pretty obvious when ones operate the flashlight and lasers. But you’ll need to know which ones to toggle.
To change the operation modes, press and hold both the bottom activation buttons simultaneously for 3s to cycle through the WL+VIS (default), PLUS, IR, and Dual modes.
- WL+VIS mode: the indicator LED is off, the top buttons activate white light, and the bottom buttons activate VIS laser.
- PLUS mode: the indicator LED is blue, all four buttons activate both white light and VIS laser simultaneously.
- IR mode: the indicator LED is green, top buttons are disabled and bottom buttons activate IR laser only (P.ID DUAL ONLY)
- DUAL mode: the indicator LED is red, the top buttons activate white light and VIS laser, and the bottom buttons activate IR laser. (P.ID DUAL ONLY)
How Does It Compare To Other Flashlights On The Market?
For a comparison to other pistol flashlights on the market, I’ll break it down to what I think will be the two most popular sellers: the P.ID and the P.ID PLUS.
For the P.ID let’s compare two top pistol flashlights, the Streamlight TLR-1 and and Crimson Trace CMR-208.
|
Product |
Lumens |
Candelas |
Battery |
Battery Life |
Weight |
IP |
Other |
|
P ID |
1000/500 |
23,000/11,000 |
Rechargable 18350 |
1 Hour Low Mode |
5oz |
IP68 |
|
|
TLR-1 |
300 |
12,000 |
2x CR123A |
2.5 Hours |
4.18oz |
IPX7 |
Strobe Effect |
|
CMR-208 |
420/110 |
N/A |
1x CR123A |
1 Hour High / ~2 Hours Low |
4.1oz |
IPX7 |
Stobe Effect |
For those seeking a trusted brand, Streamlight's TLR-1 delivers with 300 lumens and 12,000 candelas of brightness. Its strobe effect can be a game-changer in disorienting potential threats. Plus, with a battery life of 2.5 hours and a weight of just 4.18oz, it's a great choice for those who prioritize longer battery life over brightness.
Crimson Trace's CMR-208 packs a punch with its 420 lumens on high mode and 110 lumens on low mode. Its strobe effect can be an effective tool for self-defense. While it doesn't have a candela rating that I could find online, it has a durable and lightweight design that is waterproof and impact resistant up to 1 meter.
As mentioned before, the P.ID offers an impressive 1000 lumens in high mode, making it perfect for positive identification of threats in low or no light conditions. It also is the only one with a rechargeable battery, which is a huge plus. With a durable and lightweight aluminum housing and an IP68 rating, this is a flashlight you can rely on.
Now let’s compare similar competitors to the P.ID PLUS. In this example we’ll look at Streamlight and Crimson Trace again.
|
Product |
Lumens |
Candelas |
Laser - Green |
Battery |
Battery Life |
Pricing |
Weight |
IP Rating |
Other |
|
P ID |
900/450 |
20,000/10,000 |
5mw/1mw |
Rechargeable 18350 |
1 Hour Low Mode |
$200.00 |
5.1oz |
IP68 |
|
|
TLR-10 |
1,000 |
10,000 |
5mw |
2x CR123A |
LED: 1.5 hours |
$220.00 |
4.62 |
IPX4 |
Strobe |
|
CMR-208 |
400 |
N/A |
5mw |
1x CR123A |
1.5 Hours |
$220.00 |
5oz |
NA |
First on the list is the TLR-10, boasting 1,000 lumens and 10,000 candelas. It has a 5mw laser and runs on 2x CR123A batteries. With LED and laser combined, you can expect up to 1.5 hours of runtime, and the LED alone can last up to 1.5 hours as well. The laser-only mode is regulated for 11 hours of output, and the strobe effect will last for up to 3 hours.
Next is the CMR-208, which features 400 lumens and a 5mw laser. With a runtime of 1.5 hours and a weight of just 5oz, it's a lightweight option that won't weigh you down.
Lastly, the P.ID PLUS has 900/450 lumens and 20,000/10,000 candelas. Not only that, but it also comes with a rechargeable 18350 battery, which is an extremely nice feature and the easiest of the 3 to deal with battery-wise. One thing that makes the PLUS unique is that it’s laser is not under the flashlight, but rather in the face of the flashlight itself. And at just $200.00, it's an excellent value for the features it offers.
In both comparisons, Holosun is a clear winner. It’s price point in on par with the others but the ruggedness and features stand out.
Final Thoughts
In the end, choosing the right pistol flashlight comes down to your specific needs and preferences. But whatever your needs, the P.ID has a version that’ll work for you. The P.ID is an indispensable accessory for firearm owners who value safety, durability, and ease of use. With its powerful illumination, universal compatibility, and long-lasting battery, the P.ID is a must-have, and we have them available now at FreedomGorilla.com!
