Posted: 6/3/2008 12:43:45 PM EDT
|
Hey, I am looking into getting a tactical light for my smith and wesson m&p 9mm and i was wondering which would suite me better the streamlight or the surefire flashlight. Thanks in advance for your opinions and insight. Stephen |
|
Seems to me Surefire is EXTREMELY proud of their lights (high prices). I bought a TLR-1 last week (2 actually) and I am in love with them. It's super bright and I like that it's an LED that is shockproof and lasts longer than a xenon bulb. I got mine from LA Police Gear for $88, the Surefire looks to be close to $200. I would rather have 2 Streamlights than 1 Surefire. HOWEVER, I haven't had the pleasure of playing with a Surefire weaponlight, so you're only getting one side of the story  TLR-1 link |
|
The TLR1 is a much cheaper light. Around half the cost of the SureFire X300. However if you compare them, the X300 is a much brighter light. I know a few people that bought the TLR1 based on it's rated lumens, and price. Most of them were dissapointed in the light output, and would have been much more pleased if they'd have purchased the X300 instead. One co-worker took his TLR back and bought the X300. A guy in my unit has a TLR, I asked him how bright it was (because I was interested in one myself, because of the high enough listed lumens and the great price) and his response was, "it's not." They aren't as bright as the older X200s I've seen in the past. |
| While I think the TLR is a good light, especially for the price, I would prefer my old x200A over it and the x300 is both a brighter and (IMO) better light if yours will see any hard use. Still, that price is hard to resist if the TRL will do all you need I think, but only you can determine if that is the case. |
|
I'm a SF fan but havent tried Streamlight (for weapons) I know SF has a great warranty but you'll pay for it. Might want to consider that. Before anybody calls me a basher.....I will admit my SF didnt work worth shit in a fire so I had to get a Streamlight for my helmet (so I use both, SF reflected to much light off the smoke, instead of seeing a wall of black it was a wall of white  ) |
|
I have a Streamlight TLR-2 (TLR-1 with laser). This is an EXCELLENT combo that would go well with your S&W. That being said, the TLR-1 is about $100 cheaper and is a great white LED tactical light. Great controls. This has a very positive lock-up on the rail. I also like the Surefire G2 Nitrolon but have no experience with their weapon lights. The G2 LED is a very good weapons light if you have an AR, but is too long for your S&W. I've had poor experience with Insight for both light-only and light-laser. I don't like the locking mechanism on their units, and was disappointed in the lights. Not as bright as the LED competitors from Streamlight and Surefire, and focus was not as good. |
|
Thanks for all your help guys. I want a light that will blind the sob that comes in my door... if you know what i mean. I think im gonna spent the extra dough and go with the surefire x300...although i want a light-laser combo...I will do some more pondering over the 2 and make a decision in the near future. Thanks again for the input. Stephen |
He will take the time to talk to you about your needs, and set you up with a package that is exactly what you are looking for. Great Guys, great service, great prices. You can't go wrong there.
|
Ive got 3 surefire X200s. 1 X200a and 2 x200b. they are great lights and show up on EE for $120-150 shipped all the time. Ive never owned streamlight besides their M3X and M6X and both of those were shit lights in my opinion. I also have the smaller XML for my XD that they make and again the quality of the light output sucks. So if you cant tell Ill stick to my EE boughten $140 surefires |
Your thinking of Insight not Streamlight. Insight makes the M3X and XML. To the original poster:I would go with a Streamlight TLR-1 or TLR-2. Both excellent lights and way less than a Surefire. |
No he's not mixed up. The M3x used to be made or distributed by Streamlight. The TLR-1 seems to be the LED replacements for it. The M6X was the same, or very similar but with a laser on it as well. I think the M3x may have been made by Insight and distributed by Steamlight though. |
Probably distributed but I can't find a site that dos'nt say the manufacture of the M3X,M6X or XML is Insight Technologies. |
So neither are wrong. Made by Insight, and formerly co-distributed by Streamlight (with their name on the box). |
|
I picked up a TLR-2 this week... the mount is really firm, and the light output is just great. It probably isn't as good as the ShureFire, but that's negligible for my needs... the laser is easy to adjust, and the controls are easy to manipulate on a weapon. HOWEVER, after 60 9mm rounds out of my CZ, I tried the laser and it had stopped working. It has a warranty, so I contacted Streamlight and they said that it isn't a common problem, and really wanted me to send it in. So I'll be shipping it off tommorow to the factory... all in all their customer service was good. Hopefully I'll get it fixed and there won't be any more problems with it. If it breaks again, I'll just use it as a light and take it as a loss. But I'll buy SF next time... 
|
|
Good post. I'm in the market for a weapon light for my new XD and for my newly configured AR M4'gery. On my XD having just a bright as hell light is good enough, but having a laser aimed at someone's chest is one hellva of deterent coming out of a 45 or AR. I think having the laser option can really lead to a perp coming to terms that he is on the losing side and won't make you do the fatal action. |
|
I have used both the TLR-1 and Surefire X200 series lights on duty for both patrol and SWAT. The TLR is a nice light and I had no problems with it. The one downfall I have is the ability to add pressure switches vs. using the toggle. Surefires toggle can be pushed and it will blip. TLR you have to move the toggle. The DG pressure pad by SF is very nice, easy to use, and doesn't require a thumb....your middle finger pushes it. The TLR-2 laser, I would never own one. Played with one at the local academy where I teach part time, and the laser was moving after every shot....did not retain zero. I got my SF X200 for $150 used and it is solid. I'd spend the extra $60 if its gonna get hard use. VJ |
