{"id":860,"date":"2023-03-05T18:27:08","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T18:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=860"},"modified":"2023-03-05T18:27:08","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T18:27:08","slug":"a-cops-perspective-on-the-streamlight-tlr-1-hl-fde","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=860","title":{"rendered":"A Cop\u2019s Perspective on the Streamlight TLR-1 HL FDE"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

By Scott Wagner<\/a><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u2019ve worked with, evaluated and used Streamlight lighting products for many years as a law enforcement officer. I\u2019ve worked the streets on routine patrol, as a member of a county SWAT team and in an off-duty capacity over the last 36 years.<\/p>\n

\n<\/picture>
The Streamlight TLR-1 is a proven weaponlight design. The HL model pumps up the output while the FDE color gives customers a styling\u00a0option.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first Streamlight product I ever owned was a magnificent rechargeable SL-20 I had purchased used from a fellow officer in 1986. It was rated at 20,000 candlepower and blew away any of the other incandescent battery-operated lights then available. And that 450 lumen LED SL-20 is still available today.<\/p>\n

During the last 10 years of my active law enforcement career, I carried Streamlight weaponlights mounted on various duty handguns \u2014 particularly the TLR-2 units that include a laser sighting module below the LED lamp. However, I always backed up the pistol-mounted weaponlight when on duty with a full-sized patrol flashlight as well as a belt-mounted tactical light for emergency back-up \u2014 which again were mostly Streamlight products.<\/p>\n

I became accustomed to carrying pistols with tactical weaponlights affixed during the research for my first book Own the Night: Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights<\/em> (2009). Back then, the most powerful weaponlights for pistols were around 100 lumens. This seems unbelievably low now, especially considering the subject of this particular review is the 1,000 Lumen Streamlight TLR-1 HL Weaponlight.<\/p>\n

TLR-1 HL: A Worthy Addition<\/h2>\n

The TLR-1 HL is one of several TLR-1 models currently available. Because of its great success, the TLR-1 would rapidly evolve into an extensive series of weapon lights suitable for handgun and long-gun applications. Today the series runs from the TLR to the TLR-10.<\/p>\n

\"testing\n<\/picture>
The TLR-1 HL offers a lot of light. As seen in the photo above, it offers a large center focus area with enough peripheral light to illuminate the entire\u00a0hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The TRL-1 group includes four different models \u2014 the 300 lumen TLR-1, the 1000 Lumen TLR-1 HPL that features a 490 meter beam distance, the 300 lumen TLR-1S that includes a strobe setting, and the TLR-1 HL. For me, it\u2019s the TLR-1 HL that takes things to a new level.<\/p>\n

The HL version of the TLR-1 features a 1,000 lumen LED Lamp, which is the same size as the 1,000 lumen lamp on the TLR-2 HL G (green laser) that I also have. Unlike the 1,000 lumen Lamp on the TLR-1 HPL, the 1,000 lumen lamp is designed for much closer range searches \u2014 such as room\/home\/property perimeter \u2014 due to its wider-focus 283 meter beam distance. The TLR-1 HPL is best suited for use on a tactical rifle set-up.<\/p>\n

Streamlight products are rock-solid durable. Their LED lamps will last for 50,000 hours of continuous use \u2014 which is 2,083 continuous days\/5.7 years of full-power operation. I\u2019ve yet to see one fail and I\u2019ve never had a fellow cop tell me \u201cHey, guess what happened to me last night? My flashlight\u2019s LED lamp burnt out!\u201d<\/p>\n

TLR-1 Specifications<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Case Materials<\/td>\n6000 series machined aircraft aluminum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dimensions<\/td>\nLength: 3.39 in.
Width: 1.47 in.
Height: 1.44 in.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n4.32 oz (122.5 grams) with included CR123 lithium batteries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens<\/td>\nHigh temperature, shock mounted, impact resistant Borofloat\u00ae glass; white gasket sealed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Light Output<\/td>\n1,000 lumens, 20,000 candela peak beam intensity and 283m beam distance. TIR optic produces a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination. Optimized electronics provide regulated intensity.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Source<\/td>\nTwo 3-volt CR123A lithium batteries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operation<\/td>\nAmbidextrous momentary\/steady on-off switch. Double tap of momentary paddle within 0.4 seconds activates strobe. Strobe can be disabled.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Run Time<\/td>\n1 hour of regulated run time and 1.5 hours to 10% output<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Features<\/td>\nOperating temperature: -40\u00b0F to +120\u00b0F. IPX7 rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Serialized for positive identification.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Warranty<\/td>\nStreamlight\u2019s Limited Lifetime Warranty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price<\/td>\nAvailable on Amazon for $146.91<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

The Perfect Pairing<\/h2>\n

I requested a Flat Dark Earth Brown sample of the TLR-1 HL from Streamlight for review, since the color stands out nicely for photographic purposes against the black frame and slide of the 10mm Springfield XD-M<\/span> Elite 3.8\u201d Compact OSP<\/a> I used for this article.<\/p>\n

\"streamlight\n<\/picture>
The TLR-1 is an immediately recognizable design. It features an easy attachment method with a rear activation\u00a0switch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pistol is a mid-sized polymer-framed pistol chambered for the most powerful standard semi-automatic pistol cartridge on the planet \u2014 the 10mm. I had been working in law enforcement full-time for two years when the 10mm was introduced by Norma Ammunition. I\u2019ve always had a great deal of admiration for the 10mm and carried one on duty for two years. After all the teething issues the 10mm had initially \u2014 including cracked frames on some early 1911 pistols \u2014 I was amazed that this powerhouse of a round could ever be chambered in a compact, polymer-framed handgun \u2014 but it is totally at home in the XD-M<\/span> envelope!<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Streamlight has one of the easiest weaponlight mounting systems on the market in my opinion and has used the same system as long as I have worked with their products. They also have one of the best paper manuals in the industry with diagrams included with their products. No need to watch a YouTube video for mounting and operation.<\/p>\n

On the left side of the TLR is the \u201crail clamp tension bolt\u201d, which has two small protrusions for hand tightening on the rail. There is what appears to be a wide screwdriver indentation for tightening. However, don\u2019t use a screwdriver. The indentation is perfectly sized to fit a quarter, which has proven to be the best tool for tightening the unit to the rail, and a quarter won\u2019t mar anything like a screwdriver might. Five rail keys are included to lock the light into place.<\/p>\n

\"streamlight\n<\/picture>
The TLR-1 HL offers good reach and periphery illumination on a moonless night. It\u2019s also durable enough to handle the repeated impacts of 10mm\u00a0rounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The TLR-1 HL\u2019s lamp extends 1\u201d beyond the end of the slide when mounted on the short 3.8\u201d barrel of the XD-M<\/span> Elite. However, it\u2019s not a problem operationally. But, be aware that extensive shooting will require you to wipe the lens with a soft cloth or lens cleaner after firing to clean off the powder fouling.<\/p>\n

All TLR weaponlights use a toggle switch for operation. When mounted, the ambidextrous control paddles extend just past the front of the triggerguard where they can be operated by either trigger finger. For right-handed shooters, pushing down with the right trigger finger locks the TLR-1 into the \u201con\u201d position from the center \u201coff\u201d setting. Simply push up to shut off. Pushing up with the right finger is the momentary-on setting. Removing pressure shuts the light off. \u201cDouble-tapping\u201d the switch when pushing up activates the \u201cstrobe\u201d mode. The strobe mode can be locked out if desired. For left-handed shooters, pushing the toggle switch up on the left side locks the light into \u201con\u201d while pushing the toggle down activates the \u201cmomentary\u201d and \u201cstrobe\u201d modes.<\/p>\n

Wrap-Up<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important to reiterate that I\u2019ve never had any Streamlight product fail outside of the batteries \u2014 that goes for the lamp and the laser module, alike. I staked my life on them during 10 years of patrol with the final police department I worked for \u2014 weaponlights and handheld flashlights, alike.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Streamlight <\/p>\n

Streamlight TLR-1 HL<\/span><\/h3>\n


\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t10mm<\/sup><\/span><\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"XD-M\u00ae\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

XD-M\u00ae Elite 3.8″ Compact OSP\u2122<\/span><\/h3>\n


\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Own\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Own the Night: Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights <\/h3>\n


\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Scott Wagner I\u2019ve worked with, evaluated and used Streamlight lighting products for many years as a law enforcement officer. I\u2019ve worked the streets on routine patrol, as a member of a county SWAT team and in an off-duty capacity over the last 36 years. The Streamlight TLR-1 is a proven weaponlight design. The HL […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=860"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}