Surefire X300 vs TLR-1s: a review/comparison

Tactical Gear Tactical Lights, Lasers & Knives
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Hello everyone, this only is my second post here and my first review/comparison! Hope you guys can take away something from it.

I’m sure many of you like myself, have wondered how these weapon-mounted lights stack up against each other, and after scoring a good deal on an X300, I have the opportunity to compare them head-to-head. I’ve had the TLR-1s for several months now, and have been really satisfied with the performance of it, and from what I’ve used it for; it stacks up really well against the X300, which costs more than double the price of the TLR-1s. On the other hand, there are many little features and indications that show that you get a better quality product with the X300.

TLR-1s

Good:
I picked this light up from amazon.com, and I was initially very impressed when I first received this item; I had a TLR-1 (C4, non strobe version), that was nice and all, but I found the strobe model to be a significant improvement over the standard version. The beam was tighter, it was noticeably brighter, and the light was warmer and whiter compared to the cold tint of the TLR-1. Anyways, onto the TLR-1s itself; like I said, it’s very bright and throws VERY far. I don’t have any good places to really measure its throwing capabilities, but in a somewhat-lit park across the street, the TLR would send some light 100 yards + (120 yards according to measurements from google maps). Although I personally wouldn’t rely on a small light like the TLR-1s for something like ID-ing targets at 100 yards, because I’d still want more light. However, within 50 yards, it functions flawlessly, and is plenty bright for most uses. I’m not really a fan of the strobe feature, so I’ve turned it off.

Bad:
Although it feels pretty solid, the TLR-1s has a screw-on lens cap that can be easily removed exposing the inner electronics. Also, I suppose a problem came up during assembly, because inside the lens and on the reflector, I see dust particles inside and I’ve never removed the lens before, which tells me they got there during assembly, probably because the reflector was exposed to dust before the lens was screwed on, without cleaning of any sort. Also, I mounted this to my M&P, and even with the tighter picatinny rail bar, there is still a bit of wobble, but if you really tighten down the light, it goes away.

X300 (170 lumen version)

Good:
In terms of build quality, you definitely get what you pay for with the X300; I can’t find any flaws whatsoever with this light. I like the momentary on switch, where you simply push the switch in towards the light to turn it on, versus the rotating switch for momentary on. The switch is very stiff compared to the TLR-1s as well for constant on, which I like also, because it won’t go on without a firm push. The beam is pretty good, and it throws very far, just like the TLR-1s. Also, the mounting system is excellent; it locks up to rails really solid, and it won’t come loose, like it might on the TLR-1s. I like the color of the light as well, it’s got a slightly warmer white than the TLR-1s, which I like and prefer.
Bad:
Price. Not much else to complain about though.

Differences:
Surprisingly enough, I find the two lights to be of nearly identical brightness, with the TLR-1s possibly being slightly brighter than the x300. I also prefer the tighter beam, with spill on the TLR-1s. Aside from that, the X300 beats the TLR-1s in every other category; build quality, ergonomics, mounting, etc.

IN SUMMARY: Essentially, in terms of the light that comes out of these weaponlights, the TLR-1s wins slightly (tighter beam/ more throw, maybe brighter), but as an accessory attached to a weapon and in terms of build quality/ergo’s the x300 definitely wins. Nonetheless, I have had no problems whatsoever with either light, and I’m sure either one will serve you very well.

If you guys have any questions, please feel free to ask, and I will answer them to the best of my ability. I’ll try to get beamshots of the two next to each other, but that might be a bit of a challenge, because I don’t have a camera with me…

Thanks for reading!

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Here are some pics from my camera phone (sorry for terrible quality):







In the beamshot, the TLR-1s is on the left, and the X300 is on the right

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Thanks for the review, I like both lights but I have come to the conclusion that the X300 is almost 3x the price, but not even twice the light.

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the benefits of the X300 only become apparent when one factors in durability. Since many will never take their lights to that extreme; most would be fine with a TLR1, though some (like myself) subscribe to the “overkill never hurts” theory and run the X300s.

On a side note I have WX-150s which I would place somewhere between the TLR-1s and X300s as far price/quality ratio is concerned.

My $.02

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I disagree.

Its worth noting that the TLR-1 has been upgraded through its life. The ones mounted to our issued carbines are not even close to the X300 I personally own (170 lumnes). Overall the build quality of the X300 is vastly superior to that of the TLR-1.

I also prefer the beam of the X300 vastly to that of the TLR-1. Similar to my Scout light, the X300 casts a very definite hot spot, ideal for weapon light usage. Whereas the TLR-1 diffuses at a much shorter range. It will fill a room with light, but it really looses out in the throw department…it just doesn’t reach as far. For a weapon light, I want a majority of the light where the busisness end of the weapon is pointing; what i’m going to be focusing on. There is enough side spill with the X300, but the two are radically different in this regard.

Like all things, there is a sliding scale to what you get for your dollar. I wouldn’t expect it to be three times better if its three times the cost, but it is higher quality and you can tell where that money is going. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention all the switch options Surefire has for the light as well. Something I haven’t seen with the TLR-1.

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Wish this was up before I bought my light.

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CQC, I have a TLR-2 that is mounted to my HK P2000 and that gun light combo have seen over 10k rounds with light attached. With that being said all my other HKs wear an X300.

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The TLR-1 is trash and the OPs review is misleading.

The X300 has switching attachments that the TLR-1 doesn’t have. This was not mentioned in the review.

The toggle switch on the X300 is vastly superior to the TLR-1 in terms of positive engagement, quality, and ergonomics.

If one deviates away from surefire they will eventually regret it.

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I never meant to mislead anyone, but these are just my observations… I’ve encountered no problems with it, and Im pretty sure its well accepted that the Streamlight TLR-1s is still a good quality product, especially for the price.

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I think if you have to qualify a statement of “good quality product” with “for the price”, it probably means there are better choices.

I’ve never been wowed by anything Streamlight, but I do recognize that cost is a consideration. Having been born lacking a silver spoon, cost is as much of a factor as anything else I buy. My one caveat would be, as the older I get, the more I find that I’m less willing to make compromises in the things I buy. Nice things cost money and you get what you pay for. Things that are “just as good as” seldom are.

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Buy cheap - buy twice…

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That’s definetely true, you are gonna lose out on some things if you go with the TLR-1s (not much, truth is). Whether or not you consider those things worth the extra $150+ is another story.

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My friend, what is the purpose of these lights? Their purpose is to illuminate/blind your target while being attached to the firearm.

Now the question is: Does the X300 illuminate/blind the target 2x-3x better than the TLR-1?

Answer: no

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I recently had a TLR-1 go tits up on me after about 15,000 rounds through my Glock 19. To be fair, the TLR-1 I had was the version right before they changed over to the C4 LED. This is just my experience; therefore, it cannot be taken as a general representation of the quality of the light. However, I have since switched over to the X300.

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Nothing wrong with switching to the X300, but have you tried contacting Streamlight for their lifetime warranty service? I’ve heard good stuff, and I’ve even heard they might even put in the new C4 LED for you.

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That’s pretty overly simplistic. Very overly simplistic.

Like I said before, there is a sliding scale to price and what you receive. Is it 2-3x better? That’s subjective, but I would say yes. There are a lot of features of the X300 I like better, build quality, beam profile, switch, switch options, and mounting, that I like much better.

For those that carry and use weapon lights for looking in dark places for others who may be armed and intent on killing them, I would recommend the X300 over the TLR-1 without hesitation.

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I have not had a chance to contact their customer service, but I have dealt with them in the past and they have always gone out of their way to make the situation right.

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How is this over-simplistic? What are the other functions of the lights that I missed?

In your case, the correct question would be: how do all of these small differences affect the end result?

That said, I understand that you prefer the x300 and are willing to pay a lot more for several options that do not make a difference in the end result. It is simply a matter of preference.

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I have owned and used Streamlight M3, M6, and TLR’1’s as well as Surefire X200A, X300B, and X300’s for searching and building clearing. The M3 & M6 were pretty shoddy, but the TLR1s isn’t bad at all given it’s price. I really like the floody, bright beam, especially for indoor work, and the easy to use switch. However, the easy to to use switch is also it’s downfall since it activates too easily and it’s construction does not reassure me, I am sure one good doorjamb hit could break it off. Also, the attachment system is slow and leaves much to be desired otherwise.

The X300 has a tighter beam with more throw, although I would probably prefer the TLR1 beam for pistol use. As everyone else has said the X300 is smaller, tougher, with a more reliable switch assembly and I would agree it is a much better duty light, especially with the availability of DG switches allowing for one handed use.

The TLR1s is fine for a house gun or other less rigorous use, but I wouldn’t use one for serious work if I had an X300 or X200B handy.

Dennis.

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That’s strange, I keep hearing that the X300 beam is tighter, but in my experience, and from the beamshot (even though its crappy), the TLR-1s seems tighter. It might just be my specific TLR-1s perhaps, because I do remember that my non-strobe TLR-1 had a wider beam.