Meprolight STING Lumina: Dual-Wavelength Laser with Adjustable IR Illuminator

The STING Lumina is Meprolight's next-generation tactical laser aiming device, designed in collaboration with Israeli special operations units. It consolidates three capabilities that typically require separate devices or larger, heavier units: visible laser aiming, covert IR laser aiming, and active IR illumination.

The visible laser is available in red or green depending on model selection. Green is more visible in daylight and low-light conditions; red is cheaper to produce and traditional for most tactical applications. The IR laser provides covert aiming when paired with night vision devices, invisible to the naked eye but clearly visible through PVS-14s, DTNVSs, or any Gen 3 tube or digital NVG.

Where the Lumina differentiates itself is the integrated IR illuminator with adjustable beam diameter. Operators can quickly transition from a tight spot for longer-range target identification to a wide flood that lights up an entire room for CQB. An optional beam diffuser filter provides even finer control over the illumination pattern. For a deeper breakdown of how IR illuminators work and why beam adjustability matters, see our IR illuminator guide.

The shared zeroing mechanism is a standout feature. Many competitors require separate zero adjustments for visible and IR lasers, which means re-zeroing after switching modes or after hard impacts. Meprolight's simultaneous alignment simplifies setup and maintains accuracy across both wavelengths after a single zeroing session.

The Lumina mounts to any standard Picatinny rail via quick-detach mechanism. At under 250 grams, it adds minimal weight to the rail, leaving space for weapon lights and other accessories without overloading the handguard.

Activation is fully ambidextrous. The top-mounted button provides direct access regardless of shooting hand, while the remote cable connector supports pressure pad activation for shooters who prefer a tape switch on the handguard. A two-color LED indicator shows the active laser channel and battery status, with a dedicated low battery alert before output degrades.

Meprolight rates the Lumina for large caliber and high-recoil platforms. MIL-STD-810 compliance covers shock, vibration, sand, dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. This is the same standard applied to the AN/PEQ-15 ATPIAL, the U.S. military standard-issue laser aiming device.

The civilian IR laser market has expanded significantly over the past two years, driven by falling night vision prices and growing interest in NVG-capable rifle setups. The STING Lumina enters a field with established players at every price point.

The Lumina's adjustable IR illuminator beam is its clearest differentiator in this segment. Among the devices listed, only the Wilcox RAID-XE and the upcoming Holosun IRIS-ARC offer similar adjustability, and the RAID-XE sits at $3,000+ as a premium IR-only illuminator without a visible laser. The AA battery choice is also notable: cheaper, more available globally, and higher capacity than CR123A cells.

Meprolight has not announced civilian pricing. Given the feature set (three emitters, adjustable illuminator, MIL-STD-810, shared zeroing), a price point between $800 and $1,500 would position it against the Holosun IRIS-GR3/GR4 on the low end and the Steiner DBAL-A3 on the high end.

The STING Lumina targets three audiences: military/LE units already using Meprolight optics (Mepro M5, RDS Pro V2), civilian night vision shooters who want a compact all-in-one solution, and shooters building NVG-capable rifle setups who need IR laser and illumination without stacking separate devices.

The adjustable IR illuminator is particularly relevant for shooters who transition between environments. A focused spot works for identifying targets at distance in open terrain, while a wide flood fills rooms during CQB. Most competing units require swapping diffuser caps or accepting a fixed beam pattern, which is slower and louder.

For shooters already running a dedicated night vision build, the Lumina's sub-250g weight and compact footprint means it can replace a DBAL or PEQ-15 without adding rail weight. The AA battery eliminates the need to carry specialized CR123A cells for the laser in addition to other devices.