View Full Version : Surefire X300 vs. Streamlight TLR-1s
Texpatriate
04-14-11, 13:39
Has anybody done a real "let's beat the living crap out of these two lights" kind of side by side review on the X300 and the TLR-1s? Got a link to the review? I'm tired of reading these reviews that make comments that are the equivalent of "oh my goodness its just so bright and the beam is just so perfectly round, I just love it....." I want to see them reviewed side by side, with a thousand or more rounds fired with them mounted, dropped in the mud, buried in the sand, submerged in water, dropped on concrete from a height of 50 feet, etc., etc. I want to really know if the X300 is actually worth spending over 2x as much as the TLR-1s on.
I have two of the TLR-1s's and have been nothing but happy with them. I also prefer the beam the TLR's put out as its more of a flood rather than a spotlight like the X300's. As much as I like my TLR's I'd fully expect the X300 to come out the victor if a comparison like you described took place.
Has anybody done a real "let's beat the living crap out of these two lights" kind of side by side review on the X300 and the TLR-1s?
No, but a sampling of one of each wouldn't be enough, anyways... to have any validity, you'd have to buy ten of each, mount them on 20 guns, and then see how many of each fail.
Anyway, search, and there are complaints of TLR-1s falling off (I have one, and I make sure it's on really tight). I can't remember anybody actually breaking one or the other.
You mentioned submerging in water. Per the manufacturers websites:
TLR-1 is waterproof at 1 meter for 1 hour
X300 is submersible to 22 meters.
infidelprodigy
04-14-11, 14:51
In the retail stores I've worked at, I have sent back a few TLR lights with broken switches and/or fractured lens. Inversely, I have yet to have anyone bring me a broken X300.
In the effort of full disclosure, a very good friend of mine has owned a X200A for approx. 4 years and is now having some issues with the momentary pressure switch (has to push forward hard to activate). So nothing is completely indestructible. But I would side with the X300, I have 3 with no issues at all, plus a couple X200A that are still going on training guns.
toasterlocker
04-16-11, 21:18
Unfortunately, there weren't any cameras running, but a fellow cadet I went to academy with personally witnessed a Streamlight rep take an unloaded Glock with TLR attached, and pound a nail into a board with the bottom of the TLR. Light worked fine afterwards. Take that for whatever it is worth.
toasterlocker
04-16-11, 21:22
In the retail stores I've worked at, I have sent back a few TLR lights with broken switches and/or fractured lens. Inversely, I have yet to have anyone bring me a broken X300.
Not trying to stir the pot, but a part of me is wondering if this has something to do with the fact there are probably a lot more TLRs circulating out there as opposed to an actual difference in quality.
Spahr0311B
04-27-11, 06:19
For what it's worth. Everyone in my department uses the TLR family of lights. Mostly TLR-1 and TLR-2, with a few 1s's mixed in. Haven't heard of any failures to date. Most of them were issued about 4 years ago.
Opposite side, I have no experience with the X300.
Have yet to have any issues with my sample of one TLR-1, but haven't done anything extreme to it neither. The only one of the TLR series I have heard of issues with was the TLR-3.
Alaskapopo
04-27-11, 08:51
Has anybody done a real "let's beat the living crap out of these two lights" kind of side by side review on the X300 and the TLR-1s? Got a link to the review? I'm tired of reading these reviews that make comments that are the equivalent of "oh my goodness its just so bright and the beam is just so perfectly round, I just love it....." I want to see them reviewed side by side, with a thousand or more rounds fired with them mounted, dropped in the mud, buried in the sand, submerged in water, dropped on concrete from a height of 50 feet, etc., etc. I want to really know if the X300 is actually worth spending over 2x as much as the TLR-1s on.
I won't own anymore Streamlights due to bad experiences with the older M3 and crappy customer service on Streamlights part. But I will say the X300's I own have held up to thousands of rounds of .223 on my patrol rifle and the same on my duty handgun (was a 45 acp now a Glock 9mm) I don't take the light off at all when I am trianing or shooting matches. It stays on. That killed my former stream light purchases. So yes its worth the price.
Pat
toasterlocker
04-27-11, 19:50
I won't own anymore Streamlights due to bad experiences with the older M3 and crappy customer service on Streamlights part.
Can't speak for the customer service because I haven't needed it, but I can say the TLR and the M3 are completely different animals. And don't mistake me for some sort of Streamlight apologist, as you will have a hard time finding someone who HATES their Stinger line more than me. In fact, the TLR is pretty much the only Streamlight product I would recommend.
I think most of the Surefire's "advantages" are merely personal preference. I can't stand the beam profile/color and the switches on the X300, while others I know love 'em.
Don Robison
04-27-11, 21:46
It's a personal preference, but I hate the switches on the TLRs. No push function like the X300 and to me they don't have a positive feel when activating them.
titsonritz
04-27-11, 22:02
It's a personal preference, but I hate the switches on the TLRs. No push function like the X300 and to me they don't have a positive feel when activating them.
This^^^
misanthropist
04-27-11, 23:10
I use a TLR-1 but like most users, I don't really ask that much of the light.
However, I figure "good enough for Defoor, good enough for me".
http://www.kyledefoor.com/2010/06/streamlight.html
the tlr's are great lights and Id like to say that they are just as good as...
but they arent. surefire really does have it wrapped up with the x300 line. nothing comes close.
The switches on the back of everything besides a X300 suck ass. They either feel like crap, do not have a positive feel, don't have momentary, or the way the switch is attached to the light is trash.
In the retail stores I've worked at, I have sent back a few TLR lights with broken switches and/or fractured lens. Inversely, I have yet to have anyone bring me a broken X300.
In the effort of full disclosure, a very good friend of mine has owned a X200A for approx. 4 years and is now having some issues with the momentary pressure switch (has to push forward hard to activate). So nothing is completely indestructible. But I would side with the X300, I have 3 with no issues at all, plus a couple X200A that are still going on training guns.
Early X200s had a leaf spring on the switch that would wear out over time. Newer X series (200, 300, 400) have a coil spring. Surefire will replace for free.
Amontgomery
05-04-11, 15:23
In the retail stores I've worked at, I have sent back a few TLR lights with broken switches and/or fractured lens. Inversely, I have yet to have anyone bring me a broken X300.
In the effort of full disclosure, a very good friend of mine has owned a X200A for approx. 4 years and is now having some issues with the momentary pressure switch (has to push forward hard to activate). So nothing is completely indestructible. But I would side with the X300, I have 3 with no issues at all, plus a couple X200A that are still going on training guns.
Just curious, is your X200A (the one that has problems) a 4-screw or a 6-screw model?
Dos Cylindros
05-04-11, 22:03
I have an older X200 (four screw mount) that I bought when they first came out many years ago. It has served as both my duty handgun light, and was retired to my bedside light after my agency issued us new X200's. After untold rounds, duty abuse and numerous qualifications, trainings and live house clearings on search warrant and partol entries I finally wore out the switch early this year. It had the old leaf style spring. I called surefire expecting to be charged as I figured it was a "wear item." They sent me a new updated switch for no charge.
The light is still going strong, and is now relegated to the center consol of my vehicle as I have a new X300 for my nightstand gun. The X series of light are the best in my opinion. I have used the older insight lights and one stopped working after one day at the range. I know the X series lights work, and despite their expense I will stay with what I know what works and has good factory support.
Followthehollow
05-13-11, 17:31
In the retail stores I've worked at, I have sent back a few TLR lights with broken switches and/or fractured lens. Inversely, I have yet to have anyone bring me a broken X300.
In the effort of full disclosure, a very good friend of mine has owned a X200A for approx. 4 years and is now having some issues with the momentary pressure switch (has to push forward hard to activate). So nothing is completely indestructible. But I would side with the X300, I have 3 with no issues at all, plus a couple X200A that are still going on training guns.
I had the lens break free in the housing on my X300.
No abuse or anything, I was just shooting it on my TRP.
Looked at it after shooting and could see glass fragments inside, and it would spin in the housing. It seems to be a 2 layer lens or something, and the outer layer would move.
The light still worked, and of course Surefire fixed me up very quickly, but just throwing it out there as having happened.
I work for a large federal agency that just approved weapon mounted lights. As part of the training, we had to shoot with the authorized models before making our personal choice.
The Surefire X300 had the brightest best quality light output. It is built like a tank. My issue was that the sharp serrations tore up your off hand thumb when using the momentary light feature.
The Blackhawk light requires the use of their holster which eliminated it from my consideration. I carry a Safariland ALS/SLS holster. I do not like the serpa duty holster.
The Insight M3 LED had good light output. The switch was user friendly (and non painful.) The plastic body was lightweight. Initially I was worried about this. Truth be told, all of the abuse my light is likely to take will occur in holster. The hard shell of the Safariland holster gives me confidence that the light will be OK.
I bought the Insight M3 LED for duty use.
In building my AR-15, I purchased an Streamlight TLR-1. I have a mount that attaches to the front sight. The TLR-1 has an optional backplate and pressure switch designed for long gun mounting. I ordered them from www.lapolicegear.com They had a 15% off coupon code going (SPRING15) The TLR-1 is sturdy (metal-construction) and has a user friendly switch.
How are you guys running TLR-1 or -1s' and 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock preventing light NDs?
Seems like the paddle switch, if not mounted in a 12 o'clock position in front of the FSB or 6 o'clock position in front of a VFG, would cause problems.
Tape switch?
How are you guys running TLR-1 or -1s' and 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock preventing light NDs?
Seems like the paddle switch, if not mounted in a 12 o'clock position in front of the FSB or 6 o'clock position in front of a VFG, would cause problems.
Tape switch?
Running a tape switch to the right side of the foregrip. I am right handed.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=67758&highlight=X400
Surefire hands down
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=67758&highlight=X400
Surefire hands down
That's quite an in-depth "Summary" of said lights.
Well I'm sold on the X300 after using one with the devgru switch.
My thoughts on these lights;
I was issued an M-3 about 10 years ago and for the time it was light and fairly bright. We still have guys using those same lights today. So much for durability issues.
We started buying TLR's about 4 years ago because they fit in the same holsters, which is important as a department. I bought 3 myself and used them on pistols and carbines on occasion. I couldn't justify the cost of the SureFire 300's. I was fairly happy with duability, light output, and the switch, which was easy to use. I didn't like the strobe feature as it was hit or miss and I seemed to hit it on accident when I didn't want it. Size is relative and they were good on the pistol but stuck out IMO on the carbines too much wherever they were put.
Then I traded for a SureFire 300. OK, not bad. Size, light output good, durability I'm sure is good. I like the smaller size a lot. I'm the guy that prefers 14.5 lightweights, mini scouts, and T-1's so they fit into my preferences very well. I do not like the amount of force needed to turn it on. It works but seemed a little much. I found that I really did like the momentary on. Surefire got that right. About 12 months ago I bought a used DG switch for $40.00. WOW. I'd hit the motherload for a pistol light. Then I found that with .mil or LEO I could buy the X300's for about $170.00-$180.00 before the price increase and the DG's for $60.00. All total about $250.00 in real dollars delivered each. Still a lot but considerably less than about $350.00 delivered retail. As I bought SureFires I sold my TLR's. With the recent increase I'm glad I already have 4, 3 with DG's on my Glocks(1 duty, 1 SWAT, and 1 house or wifes gun) and 1 in the safe. Currently it's much easier to switch lights as Safariland holsters not are a generic fir for lights. That was a real issue for me because I had a basketweave model for days, nylon look model for nights, drop leg for SWAT, and maybe a paddle for plain clothes/offduty.
In closing I think the TLR is a great value and works well. If you prefer it no worries as it's a lot less as well. If they had a DG switch I'd be all over them if I hadn't invested so much to get where I'm at.
I haven't used the X300 but have used the Insight Tech WX-150 and the TLR-1S.
I prefer the Insight's tighter beam and think this probably makes it a better choice for long gun applications where a farther shot may be required. I also like that the WX-150's switch doesn't have to be pushed down as far to activate the light.
In the TLR's favor is cost and the mounting bracket. I've seen a couple P2000's that seem to have some "slop" in the dust cover and the TLR can be tightened down to the rail for a solid fit. Best of all is the fact that the strobe feature can be programmed out of the TLR-1S. While the strobe feature seems to be the current trend on all these lights, I find it rather useless and too easy to activate during recoil.
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