Little review for the Streamlight TLR-7
Details: 500 lumen weapon mounted handgun light that will fit a variety of rails and comes with multiple adapters for major manufacture brands. Listed run time is 1.5 hours, runs off a single CR123 lithium battery blah blah blah, let's get to to the good and bad and the ugly.
Short story is that it's not ready for primetime.
The Good:
Very well built, sturdy, gives a nice wide beam for clearing say, your house.
Runs on the widely available cr123 vs some of the newer lights that run the CR2. Does have a lockout feature by turning the bezel.
Looks very good on the gun.
Very well built, sturdy, gives a nice wide beam for clearing say, your house.
Runs on the widely available cr123 vs some of the newer lights that run the CR2. Does have a lockout feature by turning the bezel.
Looks very good on the gun.
The Bad: the paddles suck. If you have big paws you might be able to activate the paddles with your index finger without changing your grip. I have average sized mits (wear a large glove) and I have to readjust my grip to toggle it on/off. The switch is responsive, press for on, press again for off, long press for momentary. Momentary for for clearing rooms wouldn't be convenient having to regrip. You can use your support hand thumb to press it but if you're going to have to open doors or whatever it's more convenient to have a better switch paddle. The paddles don't extend past the front of the trigger guard on the Glock pistols unlock the regular TLRs, Surefire X300 ultra, and inforce APL.
Index finger doesn't reach paddle with regular grip
Angle grip to reach paddle
2 handed grip allows you to activate the switch pretty well
The ugly: the color of the LED is more warm and yellow so the 500 lumen almost looks as bright as a lower lumen APL-C. The bluer hue light appears bright vs the TLR-7 yellow. It just looks dull. Again the paddles, This would be a really good light if it had standard TLR switches. You could just turn it on and leave it on but that might not be the most tactically advantageous option.
I wanted to like this light, I was excited to get it. I immediately started googling replacement paddles after putting this on my sidearm, which is not a good sign. A buddy bought it for me as an early birthday gift otherwise I would return it. (We were not asked by the manufacturer to review this product)
It's back in the box and I'll find something to put it on or sell it. I went back to the APL-C.
It's back in the box and I'll find something to put it on or sell it. I went back to the APL-C.
Comparison to APL-C
Update: 02/24/2018
After trying this out some more and switching back and forth between multiple lights we can say: we like it a little better. It is noticeably brighter than the APL lights (APL-C on left, TLR-7 on the right) The yellowish tint plays a trick on the perception but it does push a brighter beam, wider hotspot and more spill.
Still, the paddles aren't great. If we had a holder to fit it, i might carry it, but overall, until they make a better paddle system (maybe a TLR-7 v2.0?) Then we would switch over. It's still a very good light.
After trying this out some more and switching back and forth between multiple lights we can say: we like it a little better. It is noticeably brighter than the APL lights (APL-C on left, TLR-7 on the right) The yellowish tint plays a trick on the perception but it does push a brighter beam, wider hotspot and more spill.
Still, the paddles aren't great. If we had a holder to fit it, i might carry it, but overall, until they make a better paddle system (maybe a TLR-7 v2.0?) Then we would switch over. It's still a very good light.
Amazon affiliate link to TLR-7: http://amzn.to/2pfXDg6
*Note for those asking, it will not fit into an APL-C holster the "belly of the light is lower.
Hope this review helps.
Keep Calm and Carry Gear.
Zombie Tactical Cord
*Note for those asking, it will not fit into an APL-C holster the "belly of the light is lower.
Hope this review helps.
Keep Calm and Carry Gear.
Zombie Tactical Cord
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