Modlite PLH v3: 1,500 Lumens, 60k Candela Weapon Light
Modlite just dropped the PLH v3, pushing the flagship balanced head to 1,500 lumens and 60,000 candela. It keeps the same footprint, threads onto any standard Modlite body, and is available now in black and FDE with single- and multi-mode variants from $279.
Key Takeaways
- →1,500 lumens / 60,000 candela:Up from the PLHv2's 1,350 lm and 54,000 cd, a roughly 11 percent bump in both output and beam intensity.
- →Same modular footprint: The v3 head threads onto any standard Modlite body, tailcap, and mount. No new system to buy into.
- →Dual fuel: Runs one 18650 cell or two CR123A batteries, with a cool white 5700K emitter behind a BOROFLOAT lens.
- →Black and FDE, single- and multi-mode: Both finishes and both mode variants are available now, made and assembled in the USA with a lifetime guarantee.
- →Pricing from $279: 18650 rifle light packages run $279 to $309 depending on tailcap and charger; mounts sold separately.
What Changed in the PLH v3
The PLH v3 takes Modlite's most popular head and turns up the output without touching the formula that made it a default choice for duty and home-defense carbines. It now puts out 1,500 lumens and 60,000 candela, a meaningful step over the PLHv2's 1,350 lumens and 54,000 candela. In practice that means a brighter hotspot for identification, slightly more reach, and more usable spill to fill a room, all without changing the balanced beam that defines the PLH line.
The PLH platform debuted in 2019, and the PLHv2 that followed in 2020 earned its reputation by delivering a dependable balance of throw and flood across a wide range of environments. The v3 is the next iteration of that head, not a redesign of the system around it. The emitter is still a cool white 5700K tint, which cuts through fog, smoke, and other photonic barriers better than warmer tints, and it still sits behind a BOROFLOAT lens rated at 98-99 percent light transmittance.
The head remains dual fuel, running one 18650 rechargeable cell or two CR123A primaries in an 18650 body, with a performance reduction on CR123As. The drivers are fully potted and tested to withstand select-fire SCAR 17 recoil, the bezel is 6061 series aluminum with Mil-Spec hard anodizing, and the whole light is made and assembled in the USA under a lifetime guarantee.
PLH v3 vs PLHv2: The Numbers
The PLH v3 is a head-only upgrade, so the comparison comes down to output, intensity, and the physical envelope, which is unchanged. If you already run a PLHv2, the v3 head drops onto your existing body, tailcap, and mount.
| Spec | PLHv2 | PLH v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Lumens | 1,350 | 1,500 |
| Candela | 54,000 | 60,000 |
| Emitter tint | Cool white 5700K | Cool white 5700K |
| Battery | 1x 18650 / 2x CR123A | 1x 18650 / 2x CR123A |
| Weight (with battery) | 5.3 oz | 5.3 oz |
| Length (clicky tailcap) | 5.375 in | 5.375 in |
| Body / mount compatibility | Standard Modlite | Standard Modlite |
The takeaway is simple: more light and more punch in the same package. A PLHv2 owner gains the upgrade by swapping a single component, and a new buyer steps into the entire Modlite modular ecosystem with the current-generation head. For the full field of rifle lights and how Modlite stacks up against SureFire, Streamlight, and Cloud Defensive, see our best AR-15 weapon lights guide.
Same System, Drops On Any Standard Body
Modularity is the reason Modlite owners stay in the ecosystem, and the PLH v3 protects that investment completely. The head threads onto any standard-sized Modlite body in seconds, so it works with 18650 bodies for full runtime, 18350 bodies for tight rail space, clicky and momentary tailcaps, and remote switches. Mounts from Modlite, Arisaka, and Unity Tactical that use the SureFire Scout interface all carry over.
That “no new systems” approach is deliberate. Modlite describes the v3 as “just the next evolution of a proven platform,” which means nobody has to re-buy mounts, switches, or bodies to get the brighter head. It is the cheapest path to current-generation output if you are already running Modlite, and it keeps the resale and parts ecosystem intact for everyone else.
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Rifle, Pistol, and Handheld
The PLH v3 is the balanced head in Modlite's lineup, which makes it the right pick when one light has to do everything. On a carbine or PCC it throws far enough to identify a threat across a yard while flooding a room with enough spill to see corners and peripheral movement. Pulled off the gun, the same body and tailcap work as a handheld for searching or admin tasks. For a long-throw rifle light, the OKW head pushes far more candela, while the PLH stays the do-it-all option.
If you are building a handgun rather than a carbine, the pistol-mounted versions of Modlite's heads compete with the best from SureFire and Streamlight. Our best pistol lights guide breaks down which weapon light fits which slide and holster, and you can spec a full setup in the rifle builder to see how a light pairs with your optic and handguard.
Pricing and Availability
The PLH v3 is available now at modlite.com in both black and FDE, in single- and multi-mode variants. The 18650 rifle light packages start at $279, with a shorter 18350 package also offered.
No Tailcap / No Charger
$279
18650 package, head and body
No Tailcap
$289
Adds the XTAR USB-C charger
Complete
$309
Clicky tailcap and charger
Mounts are sold separately, which is standard for the modular system and lets you match the mount to your rail and optic clearance. The complete package includes one 18650 battery and an XTAR USB-C MC2 charger. Official product page: Modlite PLH v3 18650 Rifle Light Packages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
▶What are the Modlite PLH v3 specs?
▶What is the difference between the Modlite PLH v3 and PLHv2?
▶How much does the Modlite PLH v3 cost?
▶Will the PLH v3 head fit my existing Modlite body?
▶Is the PLH v3 better for a rifle or a pistol?
▶Is the Modlite PLH v3 made in the USA?
What This Means
The PLH v3 is a disciplined update, not a reinvention, and that is exactly what made the PLH line stick. Modlite raised output and intensity by about 11 percent while keeping the beam character, the footprint, and full backward compatibility with every body, tailcap, and mount in the system. For owners, the upgrade costs a single head swap. For new buyers, it is the current-generation entry point into a modular ecosystem that holds its value.
It also keeps pressure on the high-output segment. Sitting in the balanced-beam space, the PLH v3 now overlaps even harder with SureFire's Scout line and Cloud Defensive's REIN on total lumens while keeping Modlite's signature throw. For a full breakdown of where it lands against the competition, read our best AR-15 weapon lights guide, and for Modlite's long-throw and EDC announcements see our Modlite OKW v2 breakdown and our SHOT Show 2026 Modlite coverage.
