YARP 300 Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 My search for the final piece of my lightweight AR pistol is now down to this. Most parts have been acquired or are going to ship (someday) when the parts are available. I don't need a Super bright light, 150 Lumens would be just fine. I don't really use lasers (insert shark joke here) but am willing to give it a whirl. So it's come down to these models. Surefire X400 Streamlight TLR-2 I use Glock lamps on my pistols (Glocks) so I don't really have much experience with these. Can both of these hook on to a Picatinny Rail? Are they both about the same durability? Which one has better features? Which one would you choose? I like the price of the TLR-2 when compared to the Surefire X400 but I'm a little concerned about it's durability, I've come to like Surefire a good amount over the years and use a lot of there hand held flashlights which have been very rugged. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 id go with surefire if it were me. they cost more, yes. to me they make some of finest illumination tools in the industry. second to none. but that quality will cost. lifetime warranty.. it will mount to universal rails and picatinny. their quality is hard to match, much less to top it. the surefire laser is prolly the brightest ive seen on a unit as small as it is. durability wise id say surefire if i had to guess, but not certain. couldnt tell ya about the streamlight. never used one. i dont think it would be junk, just not a surefire. when it comes to weapons and equipment, i try not to take the cheaper route so long as i can afford to do so. ive never used both, so im pretty much one sided on this and cant really offer more info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BuffetDestroyer 969 Posted January 23, 2012 Report Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) I have a TLR 2 and it is an excellent US made piece of equipment. I had a TLR 1 (traded it and added money for the TLR 2) for about 7 years and it was plenty durable on my main carry Glock. The laser is very bright, but on sunny days it will be hard to find at the range without walking it out to the target (out to about 15 yards). I've never had issues with any Streamlights, so I have never dealt with their warranty department. Surefire has a proven reputation of some of the most durable and innovative light products and an exceptional warranty. The Surefire is slightly brighter at 170 lumens vs. 150-160 for the Streamlight. They both easily affix to Picatinny or standard pistol rails (Glock, M&P, XD). Battery life is a draw. I have read the pressure switch for the Streamlight leaves a lot to be desired. If you have goofy railed guns like USP's or no rail guns like the original Beretta 92, Surefire sells aftermarket adapters for theirs (not cheaply). For your intended purpose, either will work well, but Surefire is definitely the leader in the industry for quality and innovation (their lenses & materials are nearly 100% reflective forward). I wouldn't hesitate to go Surefire if you have the extra money and you want the absolute best you can get. If you are value-minded, the Streamlight is much cheaper and still of very high quality. BTW, You will be pleasantly surprised with the durability and brightness of either of these after using the Glock lights. Edited January 23, 2012 by BuffetDestroyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 I've run 2 TLR1s for a few years and my son has a TLR2 on his Sig. No issues with any of them. I haven't run an X400 but am sure it would be up to the task. The only direct comparison I can do is handheld. I have 2 each of both Surefire G2s and Streamlight Polytacs. The G2 looks a little better but other than that they work the same on both output and durability so far. At twice the price, I don't think I'm getting twice the light with Surefire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YARP 300 Posted January 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 LOL! Damn......you guys aren't making this decision any easier! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kevin.rose0@gmail.com 62 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 You can find people who sell the TR2 (with or without strobe) for under a hundred bucks. You won't find a surefire that cheap. The TR2 has a remote switch you can buy too, along with the new door you need to use it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 LOL! Damn......you guys aren't making this decision any easier! Of course there is another option....Maglite. Even if the bulb is toast or the batteries dead, you can still use a 4 D cell Maglite as a formidable club. Seriously though, I do like them and still have a couple for sentimental reasons after I switched to Surefire/Streamlights. You can find people who sell the TR2 (with or without strobe) for under a hundred bucks. You won't find a surefire that cheap. The TR2 has a remote switch you can buy too, along with the new door you need to use it. I believe you're thinking of the TLR1. Never seen a 2 for under 230 or so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deadeye 325 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Of course there is another option....Maglite. Even if the bulb is toast or the batteries dead, you can still use a 4 D cell Maglite as a formidable club. Seriously though, I do like them and still have a couple for sentimental reasons after I switched to Surefire/Streamlights. I seen on ebay a led upgrade for maglites that makes them 1000lm replaces factoy reflector with 3 leds http://www.ebay.com/itm/TerraLUX-MAGLITE-LED-Upgrade-Bulb-4-6-D-cell-Torch-TLE-310M-EX-/270881976522?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item3f11d2f0ca 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Never used any Surefire products. I do have multiple Streamlights, TLR-1 & TLR-2, on handguns, AR and S12. They've been dropped & knocked around, been left out side and rained on, had solvents dripped on them and had our three kids playing with'em... Never had any issue. The newer C4 LEDs are plenty bright, and the new model with Strobe is very disorientating... Let my wife flash me with it at night a few times, eye's accustomed to dark are basically blinded for several seconds. I have my AR set up with a TLR-1 C4 with pressure switch... Love it! Why pay more for the fanboy Surefire? Edited January 24, 2012 by ChileRelleno Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 Stay away from Streamlight's Scorpion model. I put one on the wife's S-.410, and the bulb/reflector did not last long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kevin.rose0@gmail.com 62 Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 I believe you're thinking of the TLR1. Never seen a 2 for under 230 or so. You're right. The one without the laser is what I was thinking of. TLR-1S. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Of course there is another option....Maglite. Even if the bulb is toast or the batteries dead, you can still use a 4 D cell Maglite as a formidable club. Seriously though, I do like them and still have a couple for sentimental reasons after I switched to Surefire/Streamlights. I seen on ebay a led upgrade for maglites that makes them 1000lm replaces factoy reflector with 3 leds http://www.ebay.com/...=item3f11d2f0ca Figures. I've got the old design so it won't work. That's really too bad because the converted light would be great for spotlighting deer. Not that I would ever do that, of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YARP 300 Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Found a streamlight TLR-2 locally that a guy want's to trade for. I may have to give this a shot before the Surefire X400, hopefully these will come down in price a bit more. I didn't realize how expensive they are until my option came down to "should I grab this Glock 26? or the Surefire flashlight?" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgconnor13 206 Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Both stream light and surefire are great lights. Pretty sure you could use a surefire light to pound a hole in some one's skull and it might only have a couple knicks in it afterwards. I have a streamlight TLR 1on my glock and surefire light on my long guns. both are great but the surefire lights are heavier built (in case you want to use your light as a hammer on some one's face or you are in the habbit of jumping out of aircraft with your weapon) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I've wanted a TLR-1 for a long time. I'll be picking one up once I get my tax refund. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgconnor13 206 Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 One thing I like about the stream light is it's held tight by a spring and a screw. I've have had the nuts on the sure fire weapon lights work loose during extended heavy firing, nothing a little loctite won't fix. Stream light is heavy enough for the average shooters use and cheeper then the surefire. Bother are great but I wouldn't spend more then you have too. Can always look for used lights to save a few dollars. I bought my EO tech and a couple weaopn lights used and saved a lot of money. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 I've wanted a TLR-1 for a long time. I'll be picking one up once I get my tax refund. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I tend to agree with Chile, Surefires are nice but are priced exorbitantly. I won't slam the product, just the price. BTW, the TLR1S (strobe) can be had for just a few bucks more and is worth it in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgiaPD 408 Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) I've had experience with both of them, so here is my unbiased opinion. They are both very strong and durable lights and you won't go wrong with either of them. Surefire: Tend to be a little brighter with a more intense beam, but they cost uber amounts more and the batteries tend to go down faster. Another issue that I had with them is when the batteries started to go down, they tend to just completely shut down with no light output at all instead of a slow dim. My duty lights do the same thing, so I know that it is not just this one. The LED lights give you more run time, but do not (in my opinion) put out as blinding or bright light as the standard bulbs. But I will caution you about the standard bulbs. If you store them and they accidentally get turned on and left running, the lense will get hot enough to melt and THEY WILL SET AN ENTRY VEST ON FIRE! Ask me how I know, lol. Streamlight: Generally not quite as bright, but still a good quality light platform that will work for just about every imaginable situation. Cost is considerably lower and the battery life appears to last a little longer. I do like that fact that you can see a noticable dim in the amount of light before they shut down, giving you a chance to change out the batteries. They also do not tend to not run as hot on the lense. As stated before, they both have their pros and cons, but for the price difference you can buy enough spare batteries to last a life time. Edited January 28, 2012 by GeorgiaPD 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SOPMOD 254 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 My Surefire X300 is so nice I gave my TLR-1 away and plan to buy another X300. The beam quality, method of attachment all superior. I wish the TLRs could compete because I have a buddy who can get them wholesale but the Surefire is just better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I've wanted a TLR-1 for a long time. I'll be picking one up once I get my tax refund. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I tend to agree with Chile, Surefires are nice but are priced exorbitantly. I won't slam the product, just the price. BTW, the TLR1S (strobe) can be had for just a few bucks more and is worth it in my opinion. Yeah, I've seen the "S" version. I figure since the price is so close to the standard version, I might as well get the strobe feature. I have no personal need to spend double (or more) the money on a Surefire for a light that's going to just sit on a nightstand gun. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TARE 47 Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) I have the TLR-2 laser light combo and it is great except the recoil of 12ga will turn it off, so you'd have toe iether hold it on turn it back on. A pressure switch would be a solution. Flawless on handguns in my experience. I am using the TR1 with a pressure switch on the saiga 12 and it has worked flawlessly. Edited February 11, 2012 by TARE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 My TLR-1S came in last week. I'm loving it. I will try to get some inside beamshots. One thing I noticed, a lot of different specs list it as 135 lumens. It's actually 160 lumens. Nice white light. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
timy 1,185 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 My TLR-1S came in last week. I'm loving it. I will try to get some inside beamshots. One thing I noticed, a lot of different specs list it as 135 lumens. It's actually 160 lumens. Nice white light. I thought you might like it. I certainly enjoy mine and am thinking about getting yet another one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ben4345 123 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 I am going to wait till 4seven introduces theirs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YARP 300 Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 I am going to wait till 4seven introduces theirs. What's that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ben4345 123 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) I am going to wait till 4seven introduces theirs. What's that? 4seven's has been digging into this market. http://www.4sevens.c...c9b99821e33320a Maelstorm series is aimed at military, LEO and real steal firearms. They are suppose to introduce a dedicated hand gun mountable light this year. Edited February 14, 2012 by ben4345 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheDriver 23 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Don't overlook Fenix. I've been VERY happy with mine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ben4345 123 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Don't overlook Fenix. I've been VERY happy with mine. Last time I checked, they don't have any real gun mountable lights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YARP 300 Posted February 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) I actually went with a Streamlight M6 from a recent trade. I was told it was something different but it seemed strong enough to withstand some beating. I also figured since this was just to try out the concept before spending any serious money (Surefire X400, Streamlight TLR-2), it would do just fine. I've also heard some good things about Fenix, very bright. How reliable/rugged are they? Ben4345, you just need to use some scope rings or actual flashlight mounts. I've done this with my Surefire GP in the past but don't really like the added weight. My main goal was to stay under 16oz of weight and add a laser illuminator since I've never really trained with one. That seems like it would be easy but the ounces quickly turn in to pounds. At an advertized 3.7 ounces (with battery) this oppurtunity was just to good to miss. My only complaint is that the light seems bright enough for use indoors but doesn't really penetrate at night outdoors (90 lumens). If I like the concept I'll up the ante to a brighter light, I think 150 lumen+ should be good for what I'm looking for. Edited February 14, 2012 by YARP Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BuffetDestroyer 969 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) If you want cheap, a Streamlight Polytac is about $40 and you can mount it with a 1" scope ring. Edited February 14, 2012 by BuffetDestroyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.