I just picked up a TLR-2s from Optics Planet:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/streamlight-tlr2-weapon-mounted-flashlight-laser.html
I did my homework on this item before ordering, but I had a few questions that weren't answered until I had the thing in my hands. The purpose of this post is to answer those questions for anyone else considering a similar purchase.
Function Check
After unboxing and inserting the batteries (CR123, same as my Surefire lights - bonus), I took a close look at the item itself. There are 2 exterior switches on the light.
The first is a small 3-way toggle switch; laser, light, or laser + light. Nothing complicated there.
The second is an ambidextrous rocker switch, accessible with the trigger finger of either hand (assuming light is mounted on a pistol). Push one way for momentary on, the other for constant on.
To activate the strobe function, you have to quickly push, release, then push and hold the momentary on switch. Unfortunately, as this means keeping your trigger finger on the rocker switch, you can not use the strobe function while engaging a target. IMO, this somewhat limits the usefulness of this feature.
Indoor Performance
The laser is highly visible indoors under fluorescent lighting. The main room in my shop is about 30' x 30', and Pythagoras tells us that the diagonal distance is approx 40'. I can point the laser from one corner of the room and easily pick out the beam in the opposite corner. I expect that it would be visible quite a bit further out than that, but I don't have a larger room available to test in.
Outdoor Performance - Night
At night, the laser is highly visible at 50 paces against a concrete barrier. (I'm 6' tall, so 50 paces should be pretty close to 50 yards). Again, I expect that it would be visible significantly further out than that, but I didn't have much more room to work with.
At this distance, the light casts a tight, well focused beam with no dark spots. The beam is actually better focused than my Surefire 6P xenon handheld light, and slightly brighter to my naked eye. I have every confidence that I could positively identify a target at 50 yards with the Streamlight TLR-2s.
Outdoor Performance - Day
As is the case with most red lasers, this one is virtually useless in bright sunlight. Aimed at the sunny side of a concrete barrier at 15 paces, I had to know exactly where to look to even find the beam. It was slightly better in shadow, but not by much. On a white wall in direct sunlight (again at 15 paces), I couldn't find the beam at all.
Other Thoughts
The light is water resistant, but not waterproof. This wasn't concern for me, but it might be a deciding factor for some people.
I haven't had a chance to mount it on a weapon yet. While I do not anticipate any problems, I can't verify firsthand that it will stay in place under recoil, maintain zero when removed, etc.
I haven't done a battery life test, but from everything I've read, it looks like I can expect about 3 hours. If there's any interest, I'll run the test and get back to you on this.
Overall, this looks to be a solid combo unit for outdoor low light and/or HD use. Aside from my minor disappointment about the method of activation for the strobe feature, I am very satisfied with this product.
R
http://www.opticsplanet.net/streamlight-tlr2-weapon-mounted-flashlight-laser.html
I did my homework on this item before ordering, but I had a few questions that weren't answered until I had the thing in my hands. The purpose of this post is to answer those questions for anyone else considering a similar purchase.
Function Check
After unboxing and inserting the batteries (CR123, same as my Surefire lights - bonus), I took a close look at the item itself. There are 2 exterior switches on the light.
The first is a small 3-way toggle switch; laser, light, or laser + light. Nothing complicated there.
The second is an ambidextrous rocker switch, accessible with the trigger finger of either hand (assuming light is mounted on a pistol). Push one way for momentary on, the other for constant on.
To activate the strobe function, you have to quickly push, release, then push and hold the momentary on switch. Unfortunately, as this means keeping your trigger finger on the rocker switch, you can not use the strobe function while engaging a target. IMO, this somewhat limits the usefulness of this feature.
Indoor Performance
The laser is highly visible indoors under fluorescent lighting. The main room in my shop is about 30' x 30', and Pythagoras tells us that the diagonal distance is approx 40'. I can point the laser from one corner of the room and easily pick out the beam in the opposite corner. I expect that it would be visible quite a bit further out than that, but I don't have a larger room available to test in.
Outdoor Performance - Night
At night, the laser is highly visible at 50 paces against a concrete barrier. (I'm 6' tall, so 50 paces should be pretty close to 50 yards). Again, I expect that it would be visible significantly further out than that, but I didn't have much more room to work with.
At this distance, the light casts a tight, well focused beam with no dark spots. The beam is actually better focused than my Surefire 6P xenon handheld light, and slightly brighter to my naked eye. I have every confidence that I could positively identify a target at 50 yards with the Streamlight TLR-2s.
Outdoor Performance - Day
As is the case with most red lasers, this one is virtually useless in bright sunlight. Aimed at the sunny side of a concrete barrier at 15 paces, I had to know exactly where to look to even find the beam. It was slightly better in shadow, but not by much. On a white wall in direct sunlight (again at 15 paces), I couldn't find the beam at all.
Other Thoughts
The light is water resistant, but not waterproof. This wasn't concern for me, but it might be a deciding factor for some people.
I haven't had a chance to mount it on a weapon yet. While I do not anticipate any problems, I can't verify firsthand that it will stay in place under recoil, maintain zero when removed, etc.
I haven't done a battery life test, but from everything I've read, it looks like I can expect about 3 hours. If there's any interest, I'll run the test and get back to you on this.
Overall, this looks to be a solid combo unit for outdoor low light and/or HD use. Aside from my minor disappointment about the method of activation for the strobe feature, I am very satisfied with this product.
R
