If so how’s it run? Brightness, battery life, ease of use/mounting? Also, do you have the remote battery door/cable added on? If I have a SF G2 would I just be better off getting a mount for it?
Thanks for your feedback!
I like my TLR-1. It’s quite bright, and it has a whiter color (less of a blue tint) than some other LEDs. The light is also a nice, distinct circular pattern and not a blob. It’s very easy to mount or remove with no extra tools required and I’ve never had it come loose on me. I have no experience with remote switches, though: I use the rocker switch. Battery life is no better or worse than other high-output LED lights I’ve used. In all, I have no complaints with it.
(I will note that I have minimal experience with the Surefire X200 models, so it would de difficult for me to say how they might compare.)
On a 16" carbine, I like a G2 in the VTAC mount. For the money (less than $50 total) that set up is hard to beat. I’d probably upgrade to a G2L (the LED version) and save money on bulbs in the long run. I have the TLR-1 on my 10.5" SBR. It’s not as bright as the G2, and it doesn’t have quite the range the G2 has; but at the distances I’m likely to be using my SBR (in the house or in my yard) it’s more than adequate I think.
Hope that helps.
Derek
Thanks for the response, good info for sure.
I am pleased with the TRL-1 for close range work. Mine has served me very well thus far. I have a remote tape/rocker switch installed which allows me to activate the light with my thumb from either side (4 o’clock and 8 o’clock). I have not had any accidental activations with this set up. The G2 will give you more range. I find the TRL perfect for room clearing/searches and you can’t beat the price. The pics are shitty, but you can see the set up.
I use the TLR-1 mounted on my Glock 35 for duty and have had no issues or complaints so far. It rides in a Safariland SLS holster (6280?) and is pretty bright and has laster through more rounds than my Surefire X200A (which I need to send back due to intermittent lighting).
I run a TRL-1 on my bed stand M&P 45 and on my Colt 6920. They put out 80 Lumens, 2.5 hours on 2 CR123 batteries and water proof to 1 meter for 1 hour. IMO its an excellent light source and pretty durable for the money. They are dirt cheap, around 75-120 bucks, depending on the source.
I run a TLR-1 on my house pistol, a Springfield full rail Operator. I like it alot.
I use a TLR-1 on my MP45 next to the bed in the night stand. I also have one in my tool box, bright light, chemicals like brake cleaner, gas and oil on it and it still works just fine. For the money you cant go wrong.
For the price of ONE X300, I can have TWO TLR-1’s… one for the nightstand P220R and one for the Noveske N4.
What does the X300 do that the TLR-1 won’t? Is the SF worth 2X as much?
I have one on Glock 35 also. Easy on and off and hasn’t loosened while shooting either.
I ended up ordering the TLR-1, seemed plenty good to me and the comparison pics showed the beam to hold up well next to the X300. If you haven’t picked one yet, I’ll let you know how it works once I receive it.
Posted by Palmguy in the X300 thread…
You only have to buy it once. Like all gear, you get what you pay for. 
I have the x200 and a TLR-1. They both do what they are supposed to do, but the momentary switch on the TLR-1 is a bit more touchy/sensitive than the x200. I have picked up the firearm with the tlr-1 and accidentally set off the light. I’ve not done the same running the x200. As always, YMMV…
Any negative experiences with the TLR-1???
Not personally. Some of the folks in my agency get them and while they are improved over the M3 and M6, they still seem to have issues. I never asked for details, but that’s because I’m content buying my own SF lights.
I was issued the Streamlight Nightfighter 2 and haven’t been impressed. The reach of the beam isn’t much to brag about, and the ring for using the Roger’s technique looks like an afterthought at best. It’s also difficult to adjust. I leave it in my car as an emergency light while a SF 6z rides my belt everywhere I go.
Don’t really have anything against Streamlights stuff… just haven’t seen anything from them that would tempt me from SF. And my comment about getting what you pay for is something I apply to most things in life so I probably should have caveated it a bit – wasn’t trying to slam Streamlight.
I currently run 5 TLR-1’s on my FN PS90’s, FN57’s & shotgun. While not suitable for longer outdoor ranges it’s plenty bright enough for shorter ranges (IMHO). My only complaint is a very minor one and it’s that it can take some effort to get the backplate retaining clip on after changing batteries. Best thing since sliced bread? No. However, it is an excellent value.
Tomac
TLR-1 on PS90:
TLR-1 on shotgun (since moved to directly under the bbl):
I agree with that, and the replacement door with the remote tape switch adapter is an even tighter fit. All in all, I’m quite happy with this light, plenty bright for me, I guess I’ll see how it holds up over the long haul.
I would never purchase another light from insight. I have an M6X (the latest version) and was running it on my Usp Tactical and after 3 mags the laser dot was about 5x its original size and was oval and the beam of light looked like it was coming out of a maglight. I called insight they told me that it was normal for the laser to get bigger after shooting it a few times (ya I guess it was made to break) and they told me to try another bulb so I purchased two more out of my own pocket $50 later its still terrible I guess the reflector moved or something came out of alignment. Called again and they wouldnt warrant it (I was 3 days over a year and a previous customer.) So needless to say that is the last time I will do business with them.
Okay - update. We are buying lights for our squad and the debate raged today over X300 v. TLR-1. We found out two of our guys had their TLR-1’s fall off their M-4s during quals - again. Because it happened last time they made extra sure they were tightened properly. They still fell off during the 15yd rapid fire stage. Granted, rifle fire is probably more intense than any handgun… but I’ve never heard of this with a SF light. These guys aren’t new to LE or guns so I am confident it wasn’t user error. SF may ask more $$ for their lights, but I continue to believe it’s well worth it.
in my experience, the recoil felt by a light is going to be stronger in a handgun than an AR. if these units worked fine while mounted on pistols, I’d check out the mount on the rifle before I blamed the light.