AR Light

[boricua9mm]

You were aware that it's a three position switch, yes? On-Off-Momentary. No way I can see to accidentally turn it on if you're using the momentary function.

As I mentioned, I've had the light for YEARS. I'm quite aware of its functions. The light easily and readily gets bumped into constant on mode during recoil. This happens every so often when mounted on my handguns, and it happens on my ARs, Shotguns and SBRs as well. The switch rocks easily and freely in both directions, and it gets bumped into the ON position much, much easier than the X200/X300 switch. We're talking about a very small arc here, it's not 180 degrees in the opposite direction. All it takes is a bump or a small nudge.

With the X200/300, momentary is achieved by pushing the switch in, and rotating the switch to constant-on mode takes much more force than it does on the TLR1. For those reasons, I find the Surefire X lights to have a superior switch mechanism.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The light easily and readily gets bumped into constant on mode during recoil. This happens every so often when mounted on my handguns, and it happens on my ARs, Shotguns and SBRs as well. The switch rocks easily and freely in both directions, and it gets bumped into the ON position much, much easier than the X200/X300 switch. We're talking about a very small arc here, it's not 180 degrees in the opposite direction. All it takes is a bump or a small nudge.

Has absolutely never happened to me. I've had them on many handguns in 9mm, 10mm and .45, as well as on 5.56 & 7.62mm rifles (including SBR). Gotta be an issue with positioning of the hand. Or there was something amiss with your light.

momentary is achieved by pushing the switch in, and rotating the switch to constant-on mode takes much more force than it does on the TLR1. For those reasons, I find the Surefire X lights to have a superior switch mechanism.

Personal preference. I happen to like that it's just as easy to go constant on with the TLR series. I've owned Surefires, but after playing with the first of my TLRs, I just didn't see what the extra money was buying me.

 

[Outlaw Man]

The Streamlight TLR is a good light and will run you close to that $100 mark. You can pick up a pressure switch for another $30-40, or as a package for about the same cost. There are some less expensive options out there, but I've always been skeptical of their quality.

In my experience, a tailcap switch is as convenient as a pressure switch if you position the light correctly so that you can hit the tailcap switch with your left thumb (assuming you are right handed);

That's my preferred method, as well. I always inadvertently bump pressure switches.

If you don't want a pressure switch, a Surefire G2 in a mount is a little less expensive.

 

[Jackal]

Why is this a Streamlight vs Surefire debate, when there are so many better 1" bodied light out there? Wanna light up the night? Get a real light, not some little 80-300 lumen candle. There's a wide world of quality 400-900 lumen lights that will easily mount to a rifle.

 

[Inebriated]

400-900 lumen lights that will easily mount to a rifle

That is wholly unnecessary.

 

[back40]

The light easily and readily gets bumped into constant on mode during recoil.

never had this happen whether mounted on handguns or rifles.

There's a wide world of quality 400-900 lumen lights that will easily mount to a rifle.

completely overkill. ever try using that inside a home that's pitch black after you've been asleep?

 

[benEzra]

400-900 lumen lights that will easily mount to a rifle

Like boricua9mm pointed out upthread, what works great for long range night hunting outdoors may suck indoors, and vice versa.

The primary purpose of a light, for me, is in-home defensive use, not hunting. My house has a white painted hallway and numerous small rooms with white painted walls. 80 lumens, for my needs, works great, whereas flashing a 900 lumen light in my house would blind *me* as well as anyone else in the room. Also, if you go too bright on an indoor light, you can make your red dot harder to use.

On the other hand, if lighting up targets outdoors at long range were my primary goal, my 80 lumen light would be woefully inadequate. So it depends on what your individual needs are.

 

[agtman]

Skip the pressure switch gimmick ... So early 2000s-ish and the cord is always a weak point.

Go with the Travis-approved Inforce WML. I can highly recommend the momentary on/off unit.

Simple to use; mounts securely to a rail; doesn't flash unless your finger wants it to; excellent brightness.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Why is this a Streamlight vs Surefire debate, when there are so many better 1" bodied light out there? Wanna light up the night? Get a real light, not some little 80-300 lumen candle. There's a wide world of quality 400-900 lumen lights that will easily mount to a rifle.

The TLR1 HL is 630 Lumens

The Surefire X300/400 Ultra are 500 Lumens

I've had "rifle lights", and much prefer the light weight, compactness and integral mounting systems of these ones that were originally designed around pistols.

If you need a light brighter than either of those two, you should have been using night vision.