Editor Rating
+ 9/10 Great Rail-Mounted Tactical Flashlight

Pros
+ Easy to operate.
+ Very reasonable cost.
+ Easy to install or remove without wiggle.
+ Suitable for wide range of weapons.

Cons
– It does not to have multiple brightness settings.
– The runtime is only around over one hours.

Introduction

When talk about Rail-Mounted Tactical led flashlights, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is one of the most famous and popular model. There are so many people have chosen and gotten a high appreciated it. I had a deeply researched and some experienced for TLR-1 HL. In this article, I will share to you about Streamlight TLR-1 HL review, pros & cons, comparing with other models and so on. I hope that what I write here, which give you have further information about the flashlight knowledge or help you understand clearly this model before has the decision purchase it or no.

Specifications

(taken from the website http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/)

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is powered by two CR123A lithium batteries.

• Length: 3.39 in. (8.61 cm)
• Width: 1.47 in. (3.73 cm)
• Height: 1.44 in. (3.65 cm)
• Weight: 4.18 ounce (118.6 grams)

The light also has the following features:

• LED: C4 LED
• Lens: TIR optic (http://flashlightwiki.com/Lenses)
• Output: 12,000 candela peak beam intensity; 630 lumens.
• Runtime: 1.25 hours
• Water-resistance:  IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes

First Impression

First, with aircraft aluminum body, black color, it looks so luxury and elegant. It’s not like in the old version – the TLR-1 (100 and then 300 lumens), the TLR-1 HL (630 lumens) is equipped with C4 LED delivers 12,000 candela peak beam intensity. It is a rail mounted tactical led flashlight with features: full on, momentary on and strobe effect, which are easy to control with either hand.

In addition, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL was built-in with some options “key”, which are interchangeable to many pistols. It included GLock, Beretta, Smith & Wesson 99 TSW and it’s as easy as removing the nut on the side and slipping the new bracket key in.

Operating & Features

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL does not have programmable or multiple brightness mode settings, it is only one level bright for full on, momentary on and strobe effect that is why the runtime just about over one hours.

However, the TLR-1 HL beam is very good. It is a nice floody beam as well as large hot spot. It’s a mix of throw & floody and the light will handle the stress of firing with no problem.

I want to say that a person with medium size hands shouldn’t have a problem to master the toggle switch but with your hands is small, the TLR – 1 HL also has a rigid pressure switch attachment available in case the toggle switch isn’t suitable to your shooting style.

The Price

The TLR-1 HL tactical led flashlight costs around $140. It is not a small investment. However, I think the price is very reasonable at all. It’s nearest competitor in this power and quality range runs well over $200, which making this Streamlight TLR-1 HL tactical led flashlight offering a great of a deal.

Testing

I tested the TLR-1 HL in dark room. After turned off all the lights of room, and then turned on TLR-1 HL with full on mode. I feel that my room is brighter than when all the lights in the room is turned on.  I aimed the TLR-1 HL at the ceiling, it reflects enough light to see clearly and easily anything in the room. In my opinion, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is a bit high bright for indoor using but for outdoor it would be greatest.

I tested it with Glock – GL19. I install the GL key (standard key or universal rail) and it keeping the rail slot very well, which will eliminate any moving forwards and/or backwards which might lead to loosening.

Generally, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL is fit & feel are great on the Glock 19. It’s is tight on the G19. I just need to tighten down the screw by a hand, and then just use a small knife or coin to tighten more about 1/4 turn. You will not need more effort for tightening down.

Moreover, the control modes are also in the perfect spot for me, I feel very comfortable and convenient when pressing on the light switch. In addition, the strobe mode is also very easy to activate without loosening up or changing my grip.

Reading more Streamlight tlr-1 hl review from Customers at Amazon.com

Comparison table of other Streamlight TLR series

TLR models	Material	Runtime	Lumens	Price	Details
Streamlight TLR-1 HL High Lumen	Aircraft Aluminum	1.25 hours	630 lumens	$$$	See it at Amazon
Streamlight TLR-2 HL High Lumen with Red Laser	Aircraft Aluminum	1.25 hours & 45 hours for laser	630 lumens	$$$	See it at Amazon
Streamlight TLR-1 C4 Led Basic Model	Aircraft Aluminium	2.5 hours	300 lumens	$$$	See it at Amazon
Streamlight TLR-2 C4 LED Basic Model with Laser Sight	Aircraft Aluminium	1.25 hours & 45 hours for laser	160 lumens	$$$	See it at Amazon
Streamlight TLR-3 C4 LED Compact Model	Nylon Polymer	1.5 hours	90 lumens	$$	See it at Amazon

Streamlight TLR-1 HL vs. Surefire x300 ultra

For now, I will be offering a side-by-side comparison of the Streamlight TLR-1 HL and the Surefire x300 ultra. I have some experience with each. There are obviously many other models available, including some with lasers, but I’m focusing in the Streamlight TLR-1 HL & the Surefire x300 ultra since they seem to be the most common. The both of the weapon-mounted led flashlight is attached and tested with Glock 19.

Streamlight TLR-1 HL	Surefire x300 ultra
Streamlight TLR-1 HL High Lumen	Surefire X300 Ultra High Ouput LED
630 lumens	500 lumens
1.25 hours runtime	1.5 hours runtime
2 CR123A batteries required	2 CR123A batteries required
TIR lens for peripheral illumination	TIR lens for peripheral illumination
Momentary / Steady On-Off switch and Strobe effect	Momentary / Steady On-Off switch
See it at Amazon	See it at Amazon

Control Switch:

With each model, they have a similar about looking and function of control switch, but there are a bit differences.

For the TLR-1 HL, the right-handed of shooter need to push the switch up for momentary on, or push the switch down for constant on. If the shooter was left-handed, just doing the opposite, the switch is one piece that extends to two side of the light across the face of the trigger guard. See pictures below.

For the Surefire x300 ultra, the shooter will need to push slightly the switch to forward (pushing the switch toward the muzzle of the gun) for momentary on. The full on mode turned on by pushing the switch either up or down.

Pressure Switch:

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL and the Surefire x300 ultra are also has a pressure switch available too. Whether it’s sometime called with difference name such as remote switch, contour switch, or pressure switch. You should choose and buy the pressure switch model that is suitable for your particular pistol so that it properly fits around the bottom of the trigger guard and on the front strap so that you can activate the remote switch with a squeeze of the middle finger.

The Streamlight TLR 1&2 contoured remote switch (fits standard Glock) fits around the bottom of the trigger guard and curves around to the side of each side of the trigger guard. The exterior of the Streamlight TLR 1&2 contoured remote switch is a slick metal-feeling shell that seems like it will stand up well to use.

The Surefire X300 DG grip remote switch (fits standard Glock) attaches in the same way but it is a little more streamlined as it does not wrap up on the sides of the trigger guard. The push button pad seems a bit smaller on the Surefire x300 ultra. The exterior protective coating of the Surefire X300 DG grip remote switch is a thin layer of rubbery material that can possibly tear over time.

I prefer the slimmer profile of the Surefire X300 DG grip remote switch, but I’m worried the thin rubber layer coating will be scraped. The Streamlight TLR 1&2 contoured remote switch is a little bigger, but its exterior is more durable.

Attachment:

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL has a large screw on the left side of the gun that has spring tension on the rail attachment on the right side of it. Once the light is on the rail, and the horizontal “key” is in the notch on the rail, this screw is tightened easily by using a screwdriver or coin etc and the light is safe to the rail.

The Surefire X300 ultra has a lever on either side of the light that is depressed against spring pressure to allow the light to slide onto the rail and locks in place once the horizontal “key” clicks into the notch on the rail.

Both are very safe when installed without wiggle. Over all I find the TLR-1HL a bit easier to install or remove. In reality, you won’t be taking it off and putting it back again for many times so that it is not a problem.

Each weapon-mounted led flashlight comes with a universal key for attaching to common rails (glock rails) as well as other key that can be put on such as 1913 rail, etc. The TLR-1 HL system of swapping these out is easier that requires removal of a single hex-head screw, where the Surefire X300 ultra requires removal of hex-head screw.

Which One Should You Buy?

There are main features of each that I prefer over the other, so it is hard to say. I have to be honest, when this one is around half the cost of other. It’s hard to get decision. I like the push-forward for momentary on mode of the Surefire X300 ultra but it is difficult to engage or disengage when installing and removing.

The momentary on for each is pretty easy to activate, just different from each other. I recommend the pressure switch for either. You are just easy to activate with a simple squeeze of your middle finger and not have to use your trigger finger to activate the light.

The assumption is that the Streamlight TRL-1 HL is running the similar LED as the Surefire X300 ultra. The lumens difference is most likely two things.

•  The Surefire X300 ultra tends to be really conservative on its ratings and
• The TRL-1 HL could be going with a lower run time to get a little more light.

It is hard to say which one is better, the both weapon-mounted lights will get the job well done. I think you’d be happier with the Surefire X300 ultra, but you’ll save a couple budget with the Streamlight TRL-1 HL.

Conclusion

The Streamlight TLR-1 HL weapon-mounted led flashlight is great. I’ve always been impressed with Streamlight’s quality and especially for a fair price. I like the TLR-1 HL than TLR- 2 or TLR- 3 because it is much brighter than the TLR-3, and has an aluminum body (vs. plastic, composite) for not too expensive. The TLR-2 is much more expensive because it is equipped with laser sights.

Personally, I’d go with a Surefire X300 ultra. The TIR lens is a much nice optic, I like the tool-less install and removal, I like the momentary on, the Surefire will have USA build high quality vs. Chinese.

Hopefully, this article has been helpful.  If you have any questions about the Streamlight TLR-1 HL review, please post ask in the comments section below. Thanks for visiting and reading!