SHOT Show 2019: Viridian Gen 3 X5L with HD Camera

by
posted on February 1, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
viridian_lead_g3-x5lc_w_1.jpg

It's been amazing to watch the evolution of laser and light modules for firearms over the last two decades as they've become brighter, more compact and easier to use. I remember what a triumph it was for the industry when the technology advanced to the point that bright LED lights and laser sights could both be housed in a single unit. 


Now Viridian is taking the game to a whole new level with the incorporation of an HD camera and microphone into a module along with a green laser sight and light. The result is a new category of handgun and long gun accessory for self defense, training and recreational shooting applications. 



The new X5L Gen 3 with 1920 x 1080 HD camera features a 500 lumen LED white light, green laser and multiple operation modes. Viridian's patented INSTANT-ON technology can be used to automatically activate the unit to the user's presets as the pistol is drawn from the holster. A Micro USB port and indicator lights allow for onboard charging and file transfers along with removable battery packs that can be swapped out without removing the module from the firearm.

This latest version of the X5L has a suggested retail price of $599.

Latest

Beretta APX Ported 01
Beretta APX Ported 01

New For 2026: Beretta APX A1 Ported

Beretta first entered the polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol market in 2017 with its APX, and nearly 10 years later, the company has added the APX A1 Ported to the lineup.

CDC Restores Basic Armed Citizen Data

As of Aug. 24, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage is again providing defensive-gun-use data.

Rifleman Review: Taurus GX4 Strike Bravo

Since Taurus USA joined the micro-compact market with its GX4 in 2021, the company has expanded the line to include a number of different options, and the latest, the GX4 Strike Bravo, incorporates a unique chassis design.

Old (Un)reliable: Finding a Magazine that Works for Your 1911

There have been more than 100 manufacturers of 1911-style pistols and magazines, some more faithful to the original drawings than others.

3 New Shotgun Suppressors for 2026

Just because you're in the field hunting for upland game or busting clays at your local range doesn't mean you can't protect your hearing.

First Breach Begins Trading on NASDAQ Under "FBDT" Ticker Symbol

In August 2026, First Breach Defense Technologies, a producer of ammunition and unmanned aerial systems based in Hagerstown, Md., announced that its common stock had begun trading on the NASDAQ capital market under the ticker symbol "FBDT."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.