I prefer the standard switch on the X300 due to the simple push momentary on activation far more than the toggle-on momentary switch on the TLR-1. The X300 is also lower profile which is a plus when mounting it in the 12 o’clock position.
Im not a fan of the mounting screw on the TLR either.
Having a strobe feature on a rifle mounted light doesnt float my boat so I dont see it as a plus for the TLR-1. A light on a rifle is for target ID, not for disco.
I wouldn’t say SF is into its own hype: their QC is still top notch, and for people who can spare the cash and don’t have the option to buy twice, it is THE option. As such, they can price items higher, and then dump that money into R&D for new shiny items.
As such, almost all my weaponlights are Surefire (with the exception of one homebuilt CREE unit on my .22 conveted rifle, AND, the TLR-1 that lives on my wife’s HD Pistol).
Anything that isn’t subjected to recoil - it’s something much more affordable.
I’d rather this thread not become a pissing match: for most applications the X300 is better. For the price, the TLR-1 C4 is unbeatable.
If Surefire is like Harley, Streamlight is like Ford and GM: wrapping up a sub-standard product in trinkets and other distractions. 
I don’t know why everyone always gets to rabid about these threads (well, yes I do, but that doesn’t mean I understand it). The activation and the mounting method on the Surefire are better IMHO. If I want those features I have to pay for that product. Yes, they are that much better that I’m willing to pay it. It is REALLY a big deal to me on the handgun, and having the identical activation on the pistol and the rifle matters to me. I buy less expensive X200s for training to lower some of that extra cost.
I have a TLR1. I even did a comparison of the two on my site. I by no means dislike the TLR1, but I don’t know how anyone can hold the two products in their hand, use the two, and (factoring out cost) think the TLR1 is a better product. Conversely, I TOTALLY understand why some folks will put cost at the top of their priority list and instead prefer the TLR1.
In general, every time I stray from SF to one of these other companies thinking “oh, this will be just as goo (or better) and cost me half as much” I wind up disappointed. YMMV
bottom line, go with what works for you. it seems these threads always follow the same flow that the M&P/Glock threads do. to each their own. ymmv. whatever you want to choose.
If SL is underestimating their lumens output, that would be news to me. I have been around SL for more than 10yrs and have never seen them do that. I hear that their CS and reliability are improving, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from when I used to stock them in our store.
I have not looked at the new SLR-1 with the C4 LED. From reading various forums, it looks like they have improved their LED capability a lot.
For me, it comes down to engineering/design of the X300. I like the ease of attachment, battery installation and the “push” activation (pushing the activation switch into the light vs. rotating the paddles of the switch around an central axis that aligns with the center line of the light).
Strobe is great (if you like it). I have found that a strobe feature (in a shoot house environment) can disorient and make it harder to ID targets rapibly (compared to standard light). YMMV.
C4
What I’ve never seen is a comparison in the throw and cone between an X300/X200B and a TLR-1. In addition to attachment method, switching and cost, this is one of the most important criteria (IMO) in choosing a light. There’s a great thread here comparing all the Surefire X series, but nothing for the TLR-1.
“Not for Disco.” I like that.
In shoot house environments (where I have to ID targets before I can shoot them), the strobe does NOT help with this and if anything makes it much more difficult IMHO.
C4
The X200A gives you throw. The X200B gives you width. The X300 gives you both.
The X200’s are no longer made (FYI).
C4
Yeah, while a strobe feature on a hand held light may have some utility for some very specific circumstances, I havent found one where it is practical for me. Demonstrating the disorienting ability of a strobe under controlled circumstances in a training environment is one thing, using it efficiently in a stressful Shoot/No Shoot situation is a completely diffrent thing that I think only adds to the stress & complexity of the situation.
I’m trying to get my hands on a “B”. People seem to think now that they are out of production they are worth something more. :rolleyes:
either way the bottom line is price. ill take the pepsi challenge any day against surefire. be it my my jet beam mounted on a rifle or my tlr-1s on my G19. i will agree that the switch system on the x300 is nice but they dont offer the strobe. say what you will about strobe but use it one time in a force on force situation and I became a believer. strobe isnt the ideal for every situation but its nice to have the option. the point is that surefire is over priced. sugar coat it any way you want and justify it with QC or CS you paid to much for a technology that is old. all surefire has to do is update there PWS boards and use top of the line emitters ( surefire uses the crappy ones) and they would be a contender for my dollar. i have yet to see a light offered by them that even peaks my interest. the first thing they need to do is support rechargeables. but thell never due that cause they would cut there Chinese made battery sales.
you really didn’t need to post anything else after that.
Bottom line for YOU is price.
id pay the extra if they offered anything worth it. out put = same. run time = same.
everything else is cosmetic. if you prefer push to toggle and its worth 150 more to you by all means do what you wanna do. but any one who says price doesnt matter needs to make my broke ass a loan.
Yes, for you it is price. The switching options (XT, DG and push to activate) are very important to me. How it attaches to the rail also matter greatly.
The strobe can work in FOF because everyone is a bad guy. Run it in a shoot house (live fire) where you have to pick and choose targets. Different ball game I think.
None of the best instructors in world (Vickers, Hackathorn to name a few) use any SL products. This is commonly referred to as a clue.
C4
id like to point out i never said surefire was an inferior product just that its price is overly inflated.
I’m not sure where you heard otherwise, but Surefire CR123A cells are made in the USA.
I don’t doubt that SureFire could make X300’s for $150 - but we’d be looking at shortages of them, and the pricing would compete with the 6V LED models paired with mounts - why bother with that if they’re selling almost all they can make at $200.
Light output isn’t critical - between 100 and 150 lumens will get the job done, run time is good for both. The attachment, switching, and overall form is the difference.
The X300’s are twice the price, but for most applications that $100 difference isn’t as big when compared to the whole weapon system. Anything with a rail to mount the X300 is going to set you back at least $500, night capable optics/sights another $100. On a day/night rifle, it’s twice that.
The price difference is tangible, but for rifle applications it’s easier to bury that price difference.
For the same reason Kia makes and sells cars, people living in the real world may not be able to afford all the toys they want. The SL line fills this gap, but a lot of people go with the cheaper option just to save a buck expecting the same thing for half the price.
For something that will have the mount permanently on, or low round count is expected, the TLR-1 delivers. Otherwise, X300.
Generally speaking 65 Lumens will do the job. Some will even argue that anything over 80 lumens (in a CQB environment) is too much.
For a lot of us that have been into combat type flashlights for a long time, SL always have a very bad taste associated with it. Their M3’s series was the main reason I think. I think it is hard for a lot of people to get over their bad reputation of poor quality, inflated Lumens ratings and bad CS.
C4
Quality products always cost more than “cheaper” alternatives. In my experience there are some things that you can skimp on…
IMHO, anything to do with weapons that might be used to save your life are not the places to try and save a buck and take a chance… For a range toy (if your into those types of weapons) who cares… On a SD/HD weapon I’ll pass.
On that note, grabbed my X300 on the way home from work. Toying with both was enough for me to get pissed off with the SL. If the idea is to have everything quick release, why do I wanna fool with screws and crap to remove it if I need to?
My regular guy mindset also liked the momentary switch of the X300 muuuuuch better.
Long story short, I have another surefire and I know it will work. Not that the SL wouldnt, but the X300 will.