Posted: 10/25/2014 7:54:29 PM EDT
| Weapon light suggestions? I currently have the TLR-1s, which I like, but I want another light for a different gun. I've heard some stuff about Inforce. Anyone have experiences with them? |
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I'm not a fan of the TLR-1.
I use primarily Surefire lights on all my pistols and long guns. Their stuff is pricey but buy once cry once because their gear is tank tough and service is top shelf. All that said I recently picked up an Inforce pistol light and one of their carbine lights for a 9mm SBR. They are built nice, bright, positive lock out, light weight and priced right. Not sure if I'd choose it for duty as its polymer but still a solid alternative. I say buy one I bet you will like it. |
| Electronics - optics and torches, in my experience these are two areas you don't want to cheap out on. The Inforce is nice if you are going to CCW with a light on as it's shorter than the X300U. Other than SF, I've had Streamlight and Insight (used Inforce but have not owned one yet), they are good too but they're not a Surefire. What's nice about the X300 over the competitors is its build quality, made in US, good battery compartment (TLR sucks), clear and fully ambi controls, and no strobe/cycling through modes. |
| Excellent insight thank you so much. The only thing I don't like about the TLR-1 is how you need a tool to remove it from your weapon... It's not made to just be able to snap off and on. As soon as I graduate the academy and get hired working the streets I'm probably going to get the x300. The price really isn't that bad for it nowadays. But I have a few months left so maybe something else will catch my eye. |
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Excellent insight thank you so much. The only thing I don't like about the TLR-1 is how you need a tool to remove it from your weapon... It's not made to just be able to snap off and on. As soon as I graduate the academy and get hired working the streets I'm probably going to get the x300. The price really isn't that bad for it nowadays. But I have a few months left so maybe something else will catch my eye. You don't need a tool. It's a spring loaded screw. You unscrew the retained screw and depress it to open up the clamps and release the light from the mount. To remount it, you install in the reverse order. The screw has knobs on it that allow you to get it hand tight, or you can use a coin from your pocket to tighten it further. It's actually quite simple to use. Here - watch this. 
That being said, I'm still a X300 fan. |
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What are the TLR's shortcomings? Quoted:
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I'm not a fan of the TLR-1... Quoted:...What's nice about the X300 over the competitors is its build quality, made in US, good battery compartment (TLR sucks)... What are the TLR's shortcomings? Don't get me wrong, the TLR is a great light, it's just not to the level of Surefire - And that's okay as one is $80 and the other is $210. Shortcomings of the TLR is it is not nearly as robust as X300, battery compartment is hard to open, the mounting system while you don't have to slide the light, the TLR is not as naturally tight as the SF, and the actual light projected is not as well balanced as X300. Again, nearly 1/3 the price |
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Don't get me wrong, the TLR is a great light, it's just not to the level of Surefire - And that's okay as one is $80 and the other is $210. Shortcomings of the TLR is it is not nearly as robust as X300, battery compartment is hard to open, the mounting system while you don't have to slide the light, the TLR is not as naturally tight as the SF, and the actual light projected is not as well balanced as X300. Again, nearly 1/3 the price Quoted:
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I'm not a fan of the TLR-1... Quoted:...What's nice about the X300 over the competitors is its build quality, made in US, good battery compartment (TLR sucks)... What are the TLR's shortcomings? Don't get me wrong, the TLR is a great light, it's just not to the level of Surefire - And that's okay as one is $80 and the other is $210. Shortcomings of the TLR is it is not nearly as robust as X300, battery compartment is hard to open, the mounting system while you don't have to slide the light, the TLR is not as naturally tight as the SF, and the actual light projected is not as well balanced as X300. Again, nearly 1/3 the price The two major things I've heard from some big time shooters are that it's hard to take the light on and off compared to other lights. Also, apparently it is much heavier than other lights and you don't want to add as much weight to the front of the handgun. However, I actually like the little bit of extra weight to the front. It is hard to take the battery out... that's for sure. It's a pain in the ass actually lol. But I got the TLR-1s as a Christmas present so I didn't have to spend anything! Can't beat free. I believe the price is $120 for it though. Much better than nearly $250 or $300 for the X300 and some other lights. |
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I have little real world experience with the TLR-1s as I have never owned one.
Several guys on my team use them and I've seen them go tits up during training and operationally. Seeing that I've never chosen to buy one. Your experiences may vary. I also see a lot of guys use the X300 on their AR rails. I don't care for this setup either. Without a trigger guard behind the battery door a hard hit can dislodge it. A company makes a steel protector to fix this but just not my thing. For my ARs I use either s Scout light or my current duty setup is a Surefire Fury (EAG model) in a Larue mount. No wires to catch and clicky tail cap that is positive and never has bumped on in storage. 
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Quoted:
I'm not a fan of the TLR-1. I use primarily Surefire lights on all my pistols and long guns. Their stuff is pricey but buy once cry once because their gear is tank tough and service is top shelf. All that said I recently picked up an Inforce pistol light and one of their carbine lights for a 9mm SBR. They are built nice, bright, positive lock out, light weight and priced right. Not sure if I'd choose it for duty as its polymer but still a solid alternative. I say buy one I bet you will like it. I have NEVER been disappointed with my Surefires. You are paying for a lot of machined metal most times and their great CS. The Streamlight and Inforce seem like good options for the budget minded. |
| I think the Streamlights are great lights for a great price. I have a TLR-1s and TLR-1HL, one on a rifle, one on a pistol. I've never had a single problem with them. I find them easy to install and take off. Finger tight has always been plenty to keep it on but a quick quarter turn with a penny gaurantees it's not going anywhere. Getting the battery door open is tricky the first couple times you do it. After a couple of battery swaps there's nothing remotely difficult about it. Initially I had planned on upgrading to a Surefire but was so satisfied with the Streamlights I saw zero point in spending that much money for a light I find to be marginally better at best...instead I bought another Streamlight. |
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I think the Streamlights are great lights for a great price. I have a TLR-1s and TLR-1HL, one on a rifle, one on a pistol. I've never had a single problem with them. I find them easy to install and take off. Finger tight has always been plenty to keep it on but a quick quarter turn with a penny gaurantees it's not going anywhere. Getting the battery door open is tricky the first couple times you do it. After a couple of battery swaps there's nothing remotely difficult about it. Initially I had planned on upgrading to a Surefire but was so satisfied with the Streamlights I saw zero point in spending that much money for a light I find to be marginally better at best...instead I bought another Streamlight. Excellent points. I feel the same way. I would love to get a Surefire though... really like the x300 but since I haven't had a problem with my Streetlight I don't see the need to spend the money to get one. YET. |