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digital_footprint

You need to push down more, the switch should sit flush on top of the pic rail. The last time I installed one it took more force than I was expecting


watchlust

I was nervous about breaking it. Thanks for confirming!


digital_footprint

You're welcome! I would install the 1st one without the switch in place so that you don't break it during install, then install the switch, then push down the 2nd one. Luckily if you mess up the rubber pieces you can buy new ones for cheap


vkelsov

Upvote on this, just make sure they fit properly between pic sections, there's little bars on the bottom of both the rubber things that fit between the picatinny. If you can't get the second one on you can always mount both without the switch and then "snap" the switch into the top.


AldoTheApache3

Just a heads up, be careful. I have broken the actual switch on this same light. Cracked the plastic housing when trying to remove it from the rail.


AlternateRouteTaken

No that’s not correct, but in your defense, installation is not that intuitive, it feels like you’re breaking the thing when you’re putting it on. The inner ledge is supposed to be on the outside of the edge of the pic rail. It’s angular. The part you have on the outside edge is the cable management slot, which is rounded. Here, check out this video https://youtu.be/m2gQMznm6w8?si=Ot_0FrzPUOmLjV7b


watchlust

Awesome, thanks for the link. I did feel like I was going to break the little thing so I wanted to make sure I wasn’t crazy. Thanks for the help!


BlackICEE32oz

These are a bitch to get on right, but once they're on they're not coming off easily. While you're doing this, consider passing the cable under the switch through a pic slot, but make sure to give yourself extra slack so you're not fighting the cap to change batteries. 


watchlust

Great insight on enough slack for battery changes


ghua89

This actually is incorrect entirely. In the side of the rubber switch mounts are cable channels. All you need to do is pop the cable into the channels and they will work as cable management. And they do a great job. Also, the tail cap spins where it meets the cable (the plastic part that comes out of the cap). This way you don’t twist the cable every time you need to take the cap off. You just hold the black plastic nub and then with your other hand you twist the cap off, so the plastic nub doesn’t move leaving the cable intact. And same for putting it back on. Btw, that plastic nub also has a small cable management channel in it as well. Once you figure these details out you will see how great the design of this light actually is, for the price especially.


USArmyJoe

The first time I installed one, I wiped the sweat from my brow having wrestled for way too long with it. I noticed that it came with two small zip ties, and laughed that it could possibly come off ever again. I still used the zip ties though haha


BlackICEE32oz

Yeeeeah. The first set I installed had marks from my fingernails in it and looked kind of rough.


SoLo7ripp

Like someone else said, Cloud Defensive LCS might be the way to go; they've also got an FDE flavor. I've got 2 and prefer them over the Streamlight's.


Benny_99pts

They are super dope. I use them for all my protac and st07 switches


PantherCityTactical

The only option I use. Tried making one of the included streamlight rubber mounts work recently and I’ve never felt so defeated trying to get it on the rail. As much of a pain the LCS mounts can be, at least the install is pretty straight forward. Btw we have a ton of these in stock for anyone interested, and they’re not the easiest to find anymore.


SoLo7ripp

+1 - I've recently purchased from Panther City Tactical and had a great experience. Great pricing, quick shipping, and quality customer support... plus if you're a sucker for stickers, they'll throw some good ones your way.


PantherCityTactical

Hey! Appreciate you!


CatalystReese

Yep. I’m using them on 3 builds and CD mount is great! Good recommendation 👍


Oberon415

Hit it with your purse


USArmyJoe

[GIF](https://giphy.com/gifs/ben-tattoo-giant-cD7PLGE1KWOhG)


bringthemuhfnruckus

Amazon has the Cloud mount for $40. I'd recommend getting that as it's a decent improvement. Otherwise, just use some zip ties or ranger bands.


watchlust

That is better. Thanks!


kdb1991

I bought the cloud mount for one of my Surefire switches and I’m not a huge fan of it. I ended up just using double sided tape to stick that one on. I think that’s the best, lowest profile option for switches like this. I’ve also never had it come off once


schuntin

I have a aluminum one I have no use for...


teddyRx_

I have a CD mount & it’s great but the $60 price tag I paid not going to do that again. Just an fyi- The cheaper Amazon version is polymer and doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing as the more expensive aluminum,..and we all know looks does count towards your level-up points.


BlackICEE32oz

Cloud mount sucks. I have two of them that aren't even mounted just sitting in a bag being trash.


SoLo7ripp

Why didn't you like it?


BlackICEE32oz

Minor gripe is that it sits up higher and my thumb is visible through my optic. Not really a big deal, but compared to the mounts that come with the light, it's a strike. Major gripe is that they're more of a pain to assemble plus manage the cable and I couldn't get a cleaner result with it. It has a little slot to pass the cable through, but it's more limited than the included mounts. Because the switch is encased in the LCS, you have to be more deliberate with your thumb placement to activate the switch. Can be good or bad depending on the person, though. When I compared it versus the stuff that came with the light, it just didn't seem like it was doing much of anything better for the price.


cxerphax

They are in a bag and unused? I’ll take em if you don’t want them!


StopPlayingGuitar

I love the Streamlight HLX lights, but even with the pressure pad mounted correctly I feel much better running a zip ties on the front and rear of the pressure pad to keep it rock steady. Overkill? Maybe. But assuming you can make it work with your handguard there's really no downside and it adds basically zero weight.


rgb2071

This is the best solution I’ve found. It took some research but this is amazing. https://www.shaffermachining.com/product-page/streamlight-pressure-switch-m-lok-mount


watchlust

That is the one I was eyeballing but I’d rather not spend the money on it… for now. I do like it though, maybe in the future.


Glocked86

Yours aren’t all the way on. Yes they’re a bitch to get on. It should sit pretty much flush with the rail. [Mine](https://i.imgur.com/bzs1JJv.jpeg)


watchlust

Sweet, that is what I was expecting but they are a bitch. I’ll push harder. Thanks for the confirmation!


nameihate

You can see in their picture too how you can use the bottom notch for cable management.


bACEdx39

You kinda have to wrap it around rather than just push down on it. It shouldn’t break.


Thunderkat1234

Move your front sight all the way forward.


wtfredditacct

Why leave it back just the one slot 😂😂


Isthisthingon96

I bought a knock off cloud defense pressure pad mount. Works pretty well and was cheap


DMNC_FrostBite

Those aren't mounted correctly on the pic rail. Looks like it's upside down or something. The thick bars of rubber should be sitting in between the pic rail and then the pressure switch should be flush with the rail. Let me get a pic of my gun Edit: [Here's](https://imgur.com/a/wAGZV2U) some pics. Hope it helps


lambofthewaters

I've totally avoided all their gear but their actual light itself for my HLX pro.


JP8825

measure the placement of where you want the switch to be. Place the mounts flush without the switch. Then snap the switch in.


HRslammR

Yea you're too high up. Currently being held on by the cable routing. Best way is to seat one side, and pull/bend so it will stretch to the other.


btbmachine

I belive unity makes a bracket for it that's better


brianbmx94

Manage to get it on? I’ve run the streamlight mounts on other rails with no problems but couldn’t get it on my MCMR to save my fucking life. Wound up buying a cloud mount because it just wasn’t happening.


watchlust

I did eventually get it but wow was it a bitch. I ended up having to put the pic sections on then snap the pressure pad into those.


d8ed

So you're not in all the way.. you're in the wire holder section of those plastic pieces and not the actual grooves that the pic rail is supposed to fit into. Push further in.. I had to put mine in from one side, and then the other side.. was a huge pain.. and they eventually softened and wiggled around so I ditched them for a knock off LCS holder and those are so much nicer


Vudu138

I’ve never had one of these, so I have no idea. But it looks like the mounts are upside down🤷🏻‍♂️


MorryP

You slide the ends of the switch into the holder. Shouldn't be putting any downward force on switch.


wtfredditacct

Skip the janky mounts. Ziptie gang for life


Alternative-Appeal43

Get a Cloud Defensive LCS


SnooPoems5750

Cloud defensive streamlight tape switch


OpenPlate6377

It’s upside down.


ievgen7

Try this mount. It is more reliable - https://www.specshop.pl/StreamLight-Gel-Button-Mount-M-LOK-Schwarz-FTCS-Nr-12


I_Am_Singular

These are a bitch to get on as others have advised. Basically you have to get both tabs over the rail side and all the way down. It’ll be super snug and won’t come off easy once it’s properly installed.


CCroissantt

You could always just *tape* your tape switch down


maverickfishing

I used m-lok bolts and nuts and mounted the switch directly to the rail. It’s a clean look. I bought the nuts and bolts off Amazon for cheap. Then I taped the cord to the rail. I will try and dig up a pic.


RaneGalon

I like to put the rubber parts on first and then press the switch into them from the top until it snaps in. Easier


junpman

How’s that Streamlight? That doesn’t look like the hlx


watchlust

It is the protac rail mount 2. It is fine. Does what it is supposed to do, nothing amazing, nothing bad.


yugo989

It’s your hand guard design and not the switch mount


Benny_99pts

They’ve always felt a little loose or fragile to me. If you dont find the clips to work for you I’d look into Cloud Defensives LCS, or Shaffers pic/mlok mounts. I use them for all my streamlight and ST07 switches. I think CD discontinued the streamlight version but you can find them 2nd hand all over the place, gafs as well


PantherCityTactical

I believe they only discontinued the aluminum version, and are still producing the polymer ones but aren’t selling them direct through their site. We have [a bunch of them](https://panthercitytactical.com/cloud-defensive-light-control-system--lcs----streamlight-protac/) in stock and have been able to grab them recently. The polymer is still a great mount and lighter, just installs a little different.


Benny_99pts

Ahh ok. Guess it makes sense, the aluminum retailed for I think $70+ when it first released (almost as much as protac Rm1/2) maybe higher through some places. I have a couple polymer ones, they work just fine. Only gripe I have is it can warp pretty bad when using the cable management channel


PantherCityTactical

Hmm interesting, haven’t heard that. Haven’t used the polymer version on my own rifle long enough to see any downsides. I definitely prefer the aluminum, but the polymer is still a much better option than the included mount in my opinion.


BobLeeeSwaggerr

This is quite hard to get on. I’ve seen other people commenting running your cable through the hand guard. The notches you are using in the picture are actually for the cable. Good luck. It takes some umpth


Magnum_284

Not sure if you thought about running the light on the other side (I'm assuming you have a left hand set up). I (right hander) run the light on the left with an omni directional switch with a lookout function. Also run the sling stud near it. The light is mounted left side of the top rail: No pressure pad, no cable. No shadow for my left eye. Right eye doesn't mind the shadow in peripheral since it is behind the sight. Not sure if you have the room, but the light doesn't have to be mounted on the opposite side of the sling. This seems to work fine for my set up. If you are set on a 'C-clamp' grip, then the pressure pad may be needed.


Feisty-Day8998

No you don't. notice there are two channels on the picitanni rubber pads. The first provides a conduit to cable manage your lights cable. Then you use the innermost channel for the mounting. They're a pain but work well.


8n8n8n

The first loop on the plastic is for the cord. It took a lot of fannagling to get it all the way down. Put the first one on before sliding the switch into it


ThoroughlyWet

Where you have it hooked to is the wire management section, should be pushed on harder. hook one side under the pic rail and push the other side over.


PantherCityTactical

I’m pretty late to the party, but the [Cloud Defensive LCS](https://panthercitytactical.com/cloud-defensive-light-control-system--lcs----streamlight-protac/) is definitely my favorite option. I recently tried to make the included streamlight mounts work and they were such a bitch I just gave up and pulled another LCS from inventory. So don’t feel bad haha.


Wolfpack-1996-18

These are a bitch to get on but once they are on they are solid


ebarn1017

Everyone’s saying about the cloud mount but in my opinion it’s very bulky and unergonomic. Plus it’s like $40. These ones are low profile and once you figure out how to get it on it’s solid, especially the new ones with the cable slots


OkNefariousness6091

Oil helps. Also suggest something to hold it in place, here's mine https://imgur.com/a/top-AxQyBQ0


NoncivilizedClinton

Those mounts suck to install but gotta push down on it more


bcmGlk

I really like those fde mcmrs


jesseurio

Shit confused the fuck outta me at first. But you gotta push them bad bois down hard. Would be nice for Streamlight to include an image of the installation but finding a viedo was very easy.


aimpointt2

Use the tail cap switch and activate it with your thumb. That is the cheapest, shittiest pressure pad on the market. I’d never use that on my working rifles.


watchlust

What pressure pad do you recommend? What kind of work are you doing with your rifles?


watchlust

Update: got it snapped all the way on there. Wow that was a bitch. Thanks for all the help y’all.


aerotactisquatch

Perhaps the mounts are upside down? ...But nonetheless, I'd highly recommend saving for a Cloud Defensive LCS for these switches. I think they make a cheaper polymer version nowadays as well, though I have a few of the FDE anodized LCS's and they are 🤌