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Posted: 4/22/2004 3:35:37 PM EDT
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I saw an ad for a Streamlight TL-2 flashlight and it looked like a good deal. Streamlights seem to be a little less money than the Surefires. Would I be losing alot in quality? www.streamlight.com/tl-nf_info.htm Thanks |
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I like the Streamlight Scorpion & TL series because they offer strong performance without being as expensive as certain other SF models. They have strong output and normal user features that are very handy for the average user. Where Streamlight & SureFire primarily differ is in adaptability, with SF you have many options that allow you to customize a single light into many roles. With that said, it is possible to buy 2-3 different Streamlights that will cover several roles for the cost of single SF light or customizing a SF light. Personally, I prefer to use both company's products, for all general carry and work situations we love the TL-2 LED & the Streamlight Scorpion the most. They have been used extensively w/out fault and our personal Scorpions have been in use for approx. 3 years and have been used & abused. One Scorpion has performed double duty as a mechanic's light and really taken a lot of knocks and it's still on the same lamp! For tactical purposes or weapons purposes then the SF setups are the only way to go. For certain occassions, the Executive series (& L4) are sweet to carry because they're so discreet and so lightweight. And if you want high performance then the Turbohead variants are awesome. |
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I've never mounted a Streamlight to a weapon, but my old Streamlight Litebox is built like a tank. I also have a smaller rechargeable model that has held up great over the years as well. I don't how they rate in the overall hierarchy of lighting tools, but the two that I own are certainly first-rate products  |
I like Streamlights, especially the SL-20 rechargeables, but the TL-2 I tried out doesn't compare to the SureFire 6P. Regardless of what Streamlight says about being the brightest light in its class, it doesn't have the bright white light of the SureFire. Granted, the price is much better & it may be fine for most purposes, but I wouldn't want to depend on one in a SHTF situation. |
| sydney I just purchased five of the TL-2 from Brightflashlights after doing some experimenting with them. I own and have used a Surefire 6R in Law-enforcement and in my present occupation of investigating industrial accidents. The TL-2 are not as bright as the Surefire 6R&P and will not light up as large an area as the Surefire. But they are very bright and after you get used to the Blueish tint of the light you will appreciate the LED light. The big advantage the TL-2 LED has over the Surefire is the battery run time. The Surefire will run on one set of batteries for around 25 minutes compared to the 54 hours of run time of the TL-2LED. The TL-2LED has a lifetime Luxeon bulb that will not break as easy if dropped. Over all I am really starting to appreciate the TL-2 and I feel it would be a great light for most situation I feel comfortable enough with it that I would use it in a defensive situation in either CQ or up to around 75 yards. If the TL-2 is not enough light try the TL-3. I highly recommend Brightflashlights (Calvin) give him a call and he will be a great source of information for you and is great person to deal with. |
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Just to clarify, Shooter' has the TL-2 LED (1 watt) which is a great light especially for general purpose use. The highest output will last for 2.5-4 hours depending upon style of use and then you'll have declining brightness for a lengthy period in the event you don't have a battery change. The std. TL-2 has a conventional battery runtime of other xenon type performance lights (G2, 6P, Pelican M6, Str. Scorpion, etc. ) which is approx. 1hr. |
If the TL-2 @ 105 Lumens is good for out to around 75 yards, what would the TL-3 @ 200 Lumens be good for, 100yards, 150yards? Also, whatcolor are the TL-2 and TL-3? The pictures look kinda glossy black. |
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The TL-2 105 lumen rating is overstated your probably looking at an approx. rating of 70-80 lumens. The TL-3 rating is less overated and has terrifc performance for the money, as far as rating lumens output, your probably looking at an approx. rating of 170-180 lumens. Best useful range estimates for the TL-2 is approx. 60-65 yds. and the TL-3 has a range of approx. 100 yds. Smoke or fog will limit your range and the flood pattern is not as large as the SureFire lights. Here's a pic of several lights which include the NF-2, TL-2 (green) & TL-3 -  For EDC the TL-2 can feel really comfortable. |
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I bought the Nightfighter 2 the other day and was disappointed with the performance. As soon as I put the batteries in and turned it on I could see that it wasn’t as bright as I had expected. What really made me decide to return it was the “6 year old daughter” test. I shined it in her eyes and she tells me “Daddy that ones not bright, I can keep my eyes open!” I picked up this light for $22.00, it passed the “6 year old daughter” test. Brinkmann Light |
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I should've noted, the FIRST thing you need to do is set aside the yellow Streamlight batteries for resrve use later on when you have nothing else. The Streamlight batteries just don't have the power that others do, I honest believe you'd have seen a 20-25% performance increase with a set of SF batteries in it. Look I'm not trying to say the TL-2 beats a SF P60 based light but it's close in performance, it's a solid light, the recessed momentary button is nice, spare lamp onboard is nice and the pocket clip is really useful for EDC. |
Ya know BF this crossed my mind after I returned it and bought the other light. I should have thrown in a set of SF batteries. Oh well, the cheaper light for $22 isn't really a bad light at all, maybe I'll pick up another Streamlight next time I'm light shopping. |
There's nothing wrong with the Brinkmann light either, it's built after their LX model which has good performance. As for the NF-2, I personally don't like the grip ring design and the pocket clip on it isn't as functional. The TL-2 is the more useful light IMO and it's the same as the NF-2 except for the features. If you want a combat grip style light get the SF G2Z or C2 Centurion. |
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