FOG HORN March 2020

Twobirds Flying Publications

A Look at Crimson Trace Weapon Mounted Lights Part I

CMR 209 and CMR 208

Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 A Look at Crimson Trace Weapon Mounted Lights Part I CMR 209 and 2020
CMR 208

A Look at Crimson Trace Weapon Part II I’ll be telling you about the company’s
CWL-102 and CWL-202 for your long guns.
Mounted Lights Part I - CMR 209 and
Before moving any further I have to tell you
CMR 208 that CTC’s CMR 208 and CMR 209 can be
mounted on any Picatinny style rail, but, look
By: Sal Palma
folks, they’re pistol tactical lights and proud of
it.

M.B.A. Programs spend a considerable amount

of time discussing market entry timing. At what
point does a company enter the market with a
product. Does an early entry have an advantage
or should a late entry go big or stay home. The
answers to those questions require an
understanding of the market space, the
competition and a clear vision of a company’s
direction. Crimson Trace Corp traces its
beginnings to 1994 in an Oregon garage
hardwiring Glock pistols, and from those The CMR 209 is a superbly implemented basic
humble beginnings becoming a global tactical light. I’m not going to tell you how I
competitor in the design and manufacture of swam out of a submarine at periscope depth
laser grips and laser aiming accessories for just with it because it’s not intended for that
about any platform with or without an application, but on your home defensive
accessory rail. Fast forward to 2020 and we see weapon, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better
Crimson Trace Corp., a member of American offering at a street price that’s under $70 USD.
Outdoor Brands Corporation, now a serious
competitor in optics, red dot sights and weapon This compact light
mounted tactical lighting. weighs a mere 1.98 oz.
with the battery
In this review I take a look at CTC’s weapon installed and its
mounted tactical lights in what will be a two polymer housing is
part presentation. Part I covers the CMR 208 impact resistant to 1
and CMR 209, for rail equipped pistols, and in

Copyright 2020, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 A Look at Crimson Trace Weapon Mounted Lights Part I CMR 209 and
meter. The light is IPX4 water resistant which
means it will get you through any rainy night.
I was particularly impressed with its 200 lumens
of output with a well-defined hotspot and
abundance of peripheral lighting, but before
you scoff at 200 lumens, try using a 1000 lumen
weapon mounted light while clearing your
home. It’s important to select your accessory
with a clear understanding of your application
and rest assured 200 lumens will do the job at
home.
The CMR 209 ergonomics are exceptional; the
only requirement is that the distance between
the front of the trigger guard and an available
slot is at least one inch.
The light activation paddles extend back to the
trigger guard so it’s not necessary to break your
grip in order to activate the light. Operating the
209 is the epitome of easy. Depressing and
holding the ambidextrous paddles provide
momentary activation. Tapping a paddle once
places the light in continuous mode. The CMR
209 can be easily activated with the trigger
finger or support hand.
The light is powered by a single CR2 lithium
battery which delivers 1 hr. and 30 min. of
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2020
CMR 208
continuous runtime. At this point, I want to
present a cautionary note.
Activating this light requires only a light press
on the paddles, which presents a couple of
challenges. First, if you need to maintain light
disciple keep your finger off the paddles.
Second, it’s also very easy to accidentally
activate the light in storage, particularly if you
have it mounted on the weapon. The easy fix is
unscrewing the bezel two to three turns to
break battery contact.
The CTC CMR 208 is a higher performance
offering and clearly more suitable than the CMR
209 to tactical application.
The light features the same Instant Activation
ambidextrous paddles as the CMR 208 but
there is where they depart.
Unlike the CMR 209 polymer housing, the CMR
208 is constructed from anodized aluminum, so
with a battery installed; it comes in at 4.1 oz. It
is also O-ring sealed and waterproof to 1 meter.
Like the CMR 209, this light throws a very bright
and tight 450 lumen beam with an outstanding
hotspot and very generous peripheral
illumination.
 A Look at Crimson Trace Weapon Mounted Lights Part I CMR 209 and
The CMR 208 has a wide array of operating
modes: momentary, constant, high (420
lumens), low (110 lumens) and strobe. Moving
through high, low and strobe requires pinching
both paddles simultaneously. The CMR 208
remembers the last mode selected, so the next
time you operate the light it will come up in
that state.
The CMR 208 is powered by a CR123A lithium
battery that delivers 1 hr. and 5 min. of runtime
on high and 1 hr. and 50 min. on low.
The light has an M.S.R.P. of $104.99 USD but
the street price is in the low nineties to high
eighties.
Crimson Trace has come a long way since its
days of working out of an Oregon garage and
the company’s entrepreneurial spirit and
technical competence is evident in their new
offerings so being last to market is not a
disadvantage especially when you can leverage
superb customer service, excellent products
and “batteries for life.”
The CMR 209 and CMR 208 are exceptional
products for your rail equipped pistols. Check
them out, you won’t be disappointed.
-SP
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2020
CMR 208
Manufacturer Specifications
CMR 209
 Instant Activation™: Tap-On / Tap-Off
 200 Peak Lumens LED White Light
 Material: Polymer
 Water Resistant (IPX4)
 Impact resistance up to 1 meter
 Modes: On/Off • Momentary
 Battery life: 1 hr. 30 min
 Weight: 1.98 oz. with battery installed
 Fits most pistols with M1913 Picatinny
(or similar) accessory rail measuring at
least 1" from recoil lug to trigger guard.
CMR 208
 Instant Activation™: Tap-On / Tap-Off
 420 (high) or 110 (low) Lumen LED
white light
 High output Cree® XPL LED
 Material: Anodized Aluminum
 Waterproof up to 1 meter
 Impact resistance up to 1 meter
 Modes: high, low, strobe, momentary
 Battery life: 1 hr. 5 min 420 Lumens / 1
hr. 50 min 110 Lumens
 Weight: 4.1 oz. with battery installed
 Fits most pistols, rifles, and shotguns
with M1913 Picatinny (or similar)
accessory rail measuring at least 1"
from recoil lug to trigger guard.