Introduction
Modlite has reputation for manufacturing high-quality, duty-grade handheld lights. They could even be credited for starting the candela craze that has influenced industry giants like SureFire and Streamlight to make higher-candela options.
Their entry into the pistol-mounted segment, the PL350, utilized their existing handheld light heads. While this delivered good performance, it was considered by many to be too large for EDC.
Their newest offering, the PL350C, seeks to address this complaint. Let’s see how it measures up.
Background
Modlite debuted the PL350C at SHOT Show 2024, and my son and I took a look at it when we stopped by their booth.
We were excited by what we saw, and we were even more excited when we saw a review sample show up in the mail.
First Impressions
The Pl350c is significantly smaller than its full-size predecessor. It uses a rechargeable 18350, and Modlite’s improved G2 switches.
For size comparison, I mounted a few different lights to a Staccato XC. The mounting keys are in slightly different positions on the PL350 and PL350c, which is why the PL350 sits slightly further forward in the comparison images.
Let’s compare width:
The PL350c is much smaller than the full-size PL350. Modlite not only shrank the head, but they also slimmed down the body, which should make it more comfortable for EDC (especially for those who carry appendix). While not exactly “compact,” the PL350c is much slimmer and slightly shorter than the X300.
Let’s look at Modlite’s claims for the light.
Manufacturer Claims and Specs
| Spec | Modlite PL350C | Modlite PL350 PLH-v2 | Modlite PL350 OKW |
| Lumens | 876 | 1,350 | 680 |
| Candela | 18,000 | 54,000 | 69,000 |
| Runtime | 35 Minutes | 35-40 | 35-40 |
| Color Temperature | TBA | 5700K | 5800K |
| Battery Type | Modlite 18350 | Modlite 18350 | Modlite 18350 |
| Length | 3.54″ | 4″ | 4″ |
| Diameter | 1.36″* | 1.25″* | 1.25″* |
| Price | $319.00 | $319.00 | $319.00 |
*As of when I’m writing this article, these are the specs on Modlite’s page. Rest assured that the PL350c is thinner than the PL350.
Our PL350c head is labeled “dual-fuel,” but I couldn’t get it to work with a single CR123A. Perhaps dual-fuel means that it will work with 2x CR123A in a handheld configuration, though I didn’t try for fear of damaging something.
Let’s go down to the lab and see if the PL350c meets its specs.
Into the Lab: Lumens, Candela, Runtime and Color Temp
The PL350c mounted to a Walther PDP.
Lumens
Modlite claims 876 lumens for the PL350c.
Here are my measurements, as compared to two versions of the PL350:
By the ANSI/Plato sampling standard, the PL350c produces 941 lumens, which is 107% of their claimed output. Nice!
Modlite only claims thirty-five minutes of runtime for the PL350c, but by the ANSI/Plato standard, it reaches thirty-nine minutes. Great to see Modlite exceeding their specs.
Let’s get a closer look at the first ten minutes:
These results are a pleasant surprise. The PL350C manages to compare favorably to the full-size lights in terms of lumen output despite its smaller size.
Candela
Modlite claims 18,000 candela for the PL350c.
Given its smaller reflector, the PL350c is inherently limited on how much candela it can produce. Let’s see how it does despite the handicap:
| Light | Candela (0s) | Candela (30s) |
| Modlite PL350c | 19740 | 18410 |
| Modlite PL350 PLHv2 | 54,260 | 52,910 |
By the ANSI/Plato standard, the PL350c produces 18,410 candela. This is a fair amount lower than the 52,910 candela I’ve measured from the full-size PL350 PLHv2, but it still exceeds their 18,000 claim, and it is enough to blind a potential assailant.
Beamshots from some comparable lights. Here we can see how the PL350c lands in-between offerings like the TLR-1HL and the X300 Turbo.
Color Temp and CRI
Color Temp and CRI can have a real effect on a light’s practical performance.
Light with a higher color temperature (higher color temperature appears more blue, lower color temperature appears more orange) will bounce off muzzle smoke, back into the shooters eyes. Light with a lower color temperature can pierce through smoke/fog more easily, allowing more light to reach its intended target.
Although these differences are marginal, they are still relevant in an industry that is obsessed with marginal advantages.
Modlite doesn’t have a color temp claim for the Pl350c. Here are my measurements:
| Color Temperature | CRI |
| 6568K | 68.9 |
These numbers are average compared to the competition. In the past, Modlite has offered options like the PLH-5K which had a color temperature closer to 5000K. It would be nice to see this option return.
For now, ~6500K and ~70CRI is sufficient.
Takeaways
The PL350c is the answer to those who complained about the size of the original PL350, and I think it’s well-executed. I’ve broken down the key points of the PL350c into a pro/con list:
| Pro | Con |
| Modlite quality and warranty Thinner than X300 and TLR-1 Same lumen output as full-size PL350 Rechargeable out-the-front battery Higher candela than X300U (similar candela to TLR-1 HL) Modularity (though larger heads likely require different holsters) | Expensive Longer than TLR-1 |
If you love the switches and quality of the original PL350, then this light may be for you. It’s not the smallest, but with the right holster, almost any setup can be comfortably carried, even in the appendix position.
At the time of publication, we have IWB holsters for the PL350c and the following pistols:
Please note that the above links are for the right-handed variant of each holster. We also have left-handed variants which can be found user our holster finder, as well as the rest of our products.
And more soon to come, including the P365 X-Macro and CZ P-10.
Is there anything I missed? Do you need a holster for a setup I didn’t mention here? Will you be picking up a PL350c? Let me know in the comments below!
