First Look: Crimson Trace CMR-208 Universal Tactical Light

by
posted on April 19, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
crimson-trace-cmr-208-universal-weaponlight-flashlight-f.jpg
Whether for home-defense or personal protection in the wider world, having an illumination tool to light up potential threats in dark surroundings is imperative. While some may choose to use a handheld light in the support hand, having a firearm-mounted tactical light ensures users can have a solid, two-handed grip on their defensive firearm or a free hand for other tasks, and the Crimson Trace CMR-208 Universal Tactical Light is one of the latest on the market.

While the company has had firearm-mounted laser/light and light-only products in its product line for a number of years, the new CMR-208 takes the tactical weaponlight to the next level, having an up-armored housing machined from anodized aluminum instead of the molded-polymer models previously offered in the company's Lightguard lineup. This provides impact resistance rated for drops of up to 1 meter and a waterproof rating in standing water up to a meter deep.

The other enhanced element of the new Universal Tactical Light is increased output. Other light-only models in the Crimson Trace product line provided maximum outputs of around 100 lumens, such as the company's Lightguard and Rail Master Pro. The CMR-208 provides a maximum output of 420 lumens, ensuring that users have a much more powerful illumination tool that brightens every dark corner and reaches out further than ever before.

Additionally, the new tactical light is available with a number of different user-activated modes, such as high, low, strobe and momentary-on. The light's low mode is still more powerful than many of Crimson Trace's earlier models, providing a maximum output of 110 lumens. Powered by a single CR123A battery, the light's battery life in high is 1 hour, 5 minutes. In low mode, that battery life stretches to nearly two hours. With a battery installed, the entire CMR-208 weighs just 4.1 ounces. 

Users activate the light's modes through two paddles located at the rear of the unit. When mounted on a firearm's accessory rail, the paddles are positioned just forward of the trigger guard, providing an intuitive activation point for both left- and right-handed users. The light will fit any firearm equipped with a Picatinny accessory rail, but owners of Smith & Wesson M&P handguns will notice that the textured surface of the CMR-208 Universal Tactical Light matches the slide serrations used on popular M&P series guns. Suggested retail price is $99.99.

Latest

drill instructor
drill instructor

The Fix: How to Deal With a Bad Instructor

You are an experienced shooter with multiple instructor certifications. You have been teaching classes successfully for the last several years and recently decided that it was time to seek an advanced concealed-carry certification.

First Look: Tippmann Arms Integrally Suppressed Firearms

A carbine and a large-format pistol with integral suppressors are now available.

Drills You Can Run at (Nearly) Any Range

Maximize your training despite the limits imposed by your local range.

First Look: Rotapoint Crossfix Optics Mount

Rotapoint released a novel approach to cross-eye dominance for rifle shooters.

Review: Smith & Wesson Model 432 UC Revolver

Thanks to advancements in bullet design, the .32 H&R Mag. is a viable choice for self-defense, and Smith & Wesson’s new revolver chambered for it is an excellent option for everyday carry.

First Look: ZeroTech Vengeance 1-8x24 LPVO Scope

ZeroTech's second-focal-plane low-power, variable optic has up to 8x zoom potential.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.