It shines a long distance and has a bright beam of light. It's not lightweight by anybody's standard but appears to be well balanced with a good feel. I only gave it a 4 stars because it hasn't been used enough to rate it otherwise. I wish it could be mounted on a riflescope and I'm not sure it can't be. I just have to figure that one out myself but it still seems to be a good light to have excess to.