I cannot remember where I read this but it’s been the most comprehensive list of lasers out there that I’ve found.
Here’s a breakdown of the current major MFAL (Multi Function Aiming Laser) options on the market with their respective pros/cons and price points.
1. RAID Xe, MAWL DA/X1, NGAL- 3-6k+ if you can find one, very few exist on the grey market. The current top tier of MFAL performance using VCSEL emitter technology at full power output. At this level, the differences between models are more in design and features rather than capability, and any one of them will effectively cover the entire spectrum of carbine active aiming applications, as well as most mid range precision applications.
2. LA5B - 3k+ essentially a higher output version of the PEQ15, substantially more powerful than even the modern VCSEL options listed above, really overpowered for the vast majority of common MFAL applications, especially for civilian shooters, but the extra power lends itself heavily to precision CNVD applications.
3. MAWL C1+/Raid Xe-C- currently the best readily available unrestricted LAMs on the market, but still 2800+ for the MAWL and 3500+ for the Raid. Uses the same VCSEL laser array that the full power versions use, but with reduced output for FDA compliance. The RAID Xe-C is far more difficult to justify at such a premium over the MAWL for what amounts to some different features and footprint.
4. Full power PEQ15- 2k+ for a clean perfect one all the way down to around 1500ish for a salty ass beat to shit probably not fully functional one, outclassed by current generation tech but still a very versatile, reliable, and useable unit that will cover all the bases for 90% of shooters, and the higher output designator can push through some environmental conditions that may overcome the civilian restricted designator of even a MAWL C1. Some will complain about the lack of warranty support, but the reality is that MFAL warranties across the spectrum only last typically 1 year or less, and there are options in existence for 3rd party repair for PEQ15s
5. PEQ15A/DBAL A2/A3 FP- similar in cost and performance to the PEQ15, only Steiner’s version.
6. DBAL D2 - 1200-1300- rock solid value for versatile useable performance, awesome illuminator for a civvy LAM, but bulky and heavy, has a more significant visual signature to consider, and you have to worry about the Steiner Port Prolapse (SPP) issue
7. DBAL I2 9007 single spectrum- 650-800, bottom line basic bitch option that works, but you'll grow out of it real quick, and it also has the issue of SPP
8. DBAL A3- 1200, essentially an I2 with a slaved visible laser, and again...........SPP
9. ATPIAL-C- 1300+, civvy version of the PEQ15, fixed shitty illuminator, but still durable and dependable. A bit difficult to justify the price tag at retail, unless you’re building a clone and can’t get FP
10. Perst lasers- 400-1500, Russian “full power” lasers with hit or miss output (2 lasers of the same model side by side can have substantially different output levels, from borderline civvy level to proper 40+ mw), poor collimation leading to excessive bloom, especially at higher output levels, and a poor track record in wet cold environments. Uses a large proprietary tape switch that precludes integration with current dual switch options. Can give ok performance if you’re lucky enough to get one without any of these issues, and can be a relatively budget friendly way to get a high power laser, if that’s all that matters to the buyer, but when all the drawbacks and potential performance/reliability issues are taken into account, the juice isn’t really worth the squeeze for serious use. The ultimate LARPer’s laser
11. Holosun- equivalent output to other legacy tech civilian restricted lasers. Some reports of plug connectivity issues, the illuminator output can be distorted or uneven, and the QD mount can have issues with unlocking under heavier recoil. The 321 can give the user DBAL A3 comparable performance at a lower price, but at the price of reduced reliability or output clarity.
12. The rest of the DBAL I2's with no illuminator(avoid at all costs)
13. Everything else is either too shitty to even consider, application specific, or doesn’t have sufficient time on the market to give solid input on.
