The Sig Foxtrot 1X retails for just under $100, and when on sale, you can find it for closer to $75. But is it possible to get a quality light at this price?
A common rule for buying just about anything is that quality reflects price. However, this doesn’t always mean that price directly reflects quality. If you buy the “best” of something, there’s a good chance it will be more expensive than its lesser counterparts, right?
This general rule is a good starting place for most products, but it doesn’t mean you must spend buku bucks to get good quality. You have to find that perfect balance of quality and price.
A buddy of mine likes to shop by price alone. In his mind, the most expensive is always the best, so he goes right for the high-dollar stuff. He has some nice gear, but he also pays way too much for a lot of things.
Years ago, this would have seemed like a more rational strategy. But in today’s world, technology makes it possible to produce quality products at lower price points than in the past.
If someone had told me 10 years ago they bought a good weaponlight for under $100, I would have been skeptical. But over the years, I’ve found a lot of great quality lights at a decent price. The Sig Sauer Foxtrot 1X is one such light.
FoxTrot 1X Light
The Sig Foxtrot 1X is a rail-mounted light designed to fit those medium to compact-sized handguns. It offers 450 lumens of white light, which is sufficient for most self-defense scenarios. It’s not the most powerful WML on the market, but this is bright enough to identify threats and light up dark places without causing overwhelming reflections indoors.
Thanks to its slim profile, it fits snugly on a lot of popular guns like the Glock 19 and smaller models. It has ambidextrous paddle-style switches, which make it perfect for both right- and left-hand shooters.
You can activate the light with a simple press of your support-hand thumb. One thing I didn’t like was the amount of pressure required to press the paddle switch. It wasn’t bad, but it takes more pressure than other similar lights. Of course, this is a personal preference.
Changing the battery is straightforward. The Foxtrot 1X uses a single CR123A lithium battery, which can be swapped out by unscrewing the light’s bezel. I like this design better than a back-loading battery because you can change it without removing the light from the gun.
The light’s rail-mounting system is adjustable, so it will work with a variety of handgun rail sizes. To adjust the mount, simply loosen the mounting screw, slide the rail interface to match your gun’s dimensions, and tighten the screw. It’s that easy!
Specifications
- Output: 450 lumens
- Battery: CR123A lithium (included)
- Run Time: Approximately 1 hour
- Weight: 1.6 ounces (with battery)
- Mounting System: Adjustable rail mount
- Switch Style: Ambidextrous paddles
- Water Resistance: IPX4 (splash-resistant)
Using and Operating the Foxtrot 1X
Operating the Sig Foxtrot 1X is simple, which is nice compared to some lights that require a manual to program. This is because the light has only basic on and off settings. You can, of course, use momentary-on by pressing and holding either paddle switch. For constant on, quickly press and release the switch.
Most lights offer adjustable brightness settings, so this may be a drawback for some. But for a compact light that will most likely be used for conceal-carry, I find it perfect.
Options and multiple settings are great, but the more options something has, the more complicated it gets. When you’re using something for self-defense, you want it to be quick and reliable
I used the Foxtrot 1X on several compact handguns to see which ones it works best with. It fits my Glock 19 great, and works well with the CZ P10 M as well. My favorite combination, however, ended up being with the Taurus GX4. The light fits this handgun like it was made for it.
Because the paddle switches are a little hard to push, I found it difficult to stay on target using momentary light when firing. The force it takes to activate the light momentarily caused me to push the gun off target. When you activate the light before firing, however, the brightness is sufficient for self-defense use.
Holster Compatibility
Once you find a perfect handgun/light combination, it’s important to make sure you can get a compatible holster. In this case, finding a holster for the GX4 with the Foxtrot 1X was challenging—atleast finding a quality holster. I will have to do some more research to see what I can find on it, so check back in the future for updates.
I did find an excellent IWB holster for a Glock 19 with the Foxtrot 1X light, though. The Safariland Incog X IWB holster is made specifically for the Glock 19 and Foxtrot 1X.
In the past, I’ve used the Incog X for my M&P Shield 2.0 and loved it. This thermofield holster can be ordered with or without a mag caddy and uses passive retention to keep the gun in place.
The clips on the edges of the holster allow you to adjust the holster for the fit and draw you prefer. So, if you plan to use the Foxtrot 1X with a Glock 19, this is a perfect IWB holster for it.
Affordable and practical
For $100, the Foxtrot 1X is a great deal. It appears to be made well and has a total run-time of 1 hour on a single battery. It fits well with most guns I tried, but for a complete list, check out Sig’s list of compatible/non-compatible handguns on their website.
Except for the amount of pressure it takes to activate the light, this thing is hard to beat. The quick-adjust feature for the Picatinny rail is awesome as you can snap it on, move it, and then tighten it.
I found several places offering the Foxtrot 1X on sale for $75, making it an even better deal. So, if you want a simple, durable light for a great price, check this one out.
