When it comes to tactical lighting solutions, Streamlight stands out as a leading manufacturer known for its blend of quality, durability, and cost-conscious design. Whether you need a reliable weapon-mounted light, a tactical handheld, or a robust everyday carry option, Streamlight offers products that meet the demands of diverse users without compromising on performance or breaking the bank.
A Brief History of Streamlight
Streamlight started in 1973 with a handful of employees developing a specialized lighting solution for a NASA simulator. They then quickly pivoted to the private sector, using the knowledge gleaned from that research to bring to market the SL-20, a top-tier rechargeable halogen lamp model that was cutting edge in its time.
Over the next 50 years, Streamlight continued to push the envelope, developing newer and more capable models as technology advanced, eventually culminating in their current lineup. Throughout this evolution, their commitment to quality and service remained stalwart, earning them an exceptional reputation that endures to this day.
Now, Streamlight is one of the most oft-recommended light manufacturers in the industry, trusted by police and civilian users alike for their personal defense and professional needs.
Premium Performance, Not Price
Streamlight’s success can be attributed to their exceptional performance-to-dollar ratio. Despite being one of the preeminent weaponlight manufacturers of the modern era, many of their products remain downright affordable.
The company employs rigorous testing procedures to ensure each product meets high standards of performance and reliability. Streamlight lights are known for their robust construction, often featuring materials like anodized aluminum and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses that can withstand harsh conditions. Scour the internet, and you’ll find countless anecdotes of their lights being dropped, beaten, dragged through mud and water, or even shot without losing function.
Despite the high-quality materials and construction, Streamlight manages to keep its products affordable. This balance of quality and cost-effectiveness makes Streamlight an attractive option for both professionals and enthusiasts looking for reliable lighting solutions.
Popular Streamlight Models
Streamlight offers a wide range of products, but a few models tend to crop up time and time again as the most popular and recommended.
TLR-1 HL
The TLR-1 HL is one of Streamlight’s most renowned weapon-mounted lights. It’s primarily used for full-sized handguns, but can be attached to almost any handgun with a standard Picatinny rail. Known for its powerful output, this model provides 1,000 lumens of intense white light. The TLR-1 HL features a durable aluminum body and a secure rail clamp system that ensures quick and easy attachment to a variety of firearms. It can be attached and removed using nothing more than a quarter or flat-head screwdriver, making it perfect for users who want to be able to move a single light between multiple handguns.
Users appreciate the ambidextrous momentary and steady on/off switch, which allows for versatile operation under pressure. The operational scheme is simple and intuitive, requiring a press down for momentary light or up for continuous, or the inverse for left-handed users. A quick double-click activates the strobe function.
The TLR-1 HL is also IPX7-rated for water resistance, ensuring it can perform reliably even in adverse weather conditions.
TLR-7A
The TLR-7A is another popular weapon light, designed for compact and subcompact handguns, though it won’t fit microcompact guns like the Sig P365 or Springfield Hellcat. Offering 500 lumens of output, the TLR-7A strikes an ideal balance between size and performance. Its low-profile design reduces the risk of snagging and adds minimal weight to the firearm, making it an excellent choice for concealed carry. It also sits flush or recessed with many common compact handguns, a feature that appeals to many for both aesthetic and functional reasons.
The TLR-7A features a customizable rear switch with high and low profile options, allowing users to tailor how accessible and obtrusive the switches are. The light’s secure mounting system ensures a stable attachment takes inspiration from the TLR-1 HL, requiring only a coin or flathead for installation and removal, and like the TLR-1 HL, it boasts an IPX7 water-resistance rating.
TLR-7 Sub
Specifically designed for subcompact handguns, the TLR-7 Sub brings the same level of performance and reliability as the TLR-7A but in an even more compact package. This model provides the same 500 lumens of output, ideal for close-quarter engagements and personal defense situations, if a bit lacking for large, open spaces.
The TLR-7 Sub features a rail grip clamp system that allows for easy attachment and detachment without tools, ensuring a secure fit. It is, however, less versatile than its larger brethren, requiring users to purchase a model designed for their specific handgun, rather than being customizable to different models through the use of interchangeable keys. However, conversion kits are available should you change your carry gun and wish to switch an existing light from one model to the other.
Its ambidextrous on/off switch and IPX7 water resistance make it a practical choice for everyday carry and professional use. At the time of this writing, models of the TLR-7 Sub are available for the Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, Glock Slimline series, and 1913 rails.
ProTac HL-X Pro
The ProTac HL-X Pro is part of Streamlight’s tactical flashlight line, designed for use on long guns rather than pistols. With a maximum output of 1000 lumens and 50,000 candela, the ProTac 2 is equally capable of lighting up a room or spotlighting a target across a field. It features multiple lighting modes, including high, low, and strobe, and an innovative Jack-Cap tailcap, which allows the use of a remote switch without giving up direct push-button function. This redundancy is highly valued for defensive applications.
The HL-X Pro is built with durability in mind, featuring an anodized aluminum body and impact-resistant glass lens. It also comes fully equipped with both push-button and Jack-Cap tailcaps, Picatinny and MLOK mounts, and a remote switch kit, perfect for mounting on an AR-15.
TLR-7 HL-X
Expanding on the success of the TLR-7, Streamlight introduced the TLR-7 HL-X, a more advanced version of the popular weapon-mounted light. The new TLR-7 HL-X offers an impressive 1,000 lumens of output when used with their SL-B9 rechargeable battery. It also maintains backward compatibility with standard CR123A cells, albeit with the same 500-lumen output of the original TLR-7.
The TLR-7 HL-X is built with the same rugged construction as its predecessor, featuring an anodized aluminum body and a shock-mounted glass lens that can withstand the rigors of heavy use. The IPX-7 water resistance rating has also been maintained.
Unlike most rechargeable batteries, the SL-B9 developed for use with TLR-7 HL-X does not require a specialized charger–instead, it’s built with a simple USB-C port to make charging quick and frustration-free.
With an unprecedented size-to-output ratio, the TLR-7 HL-X is without a doubt one of the best pistol lights for concealed carry.
Why Choose Streamlight?
Choosing Streamlight means opting for a brand that prioritizes performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness over marketing and clout. Streamlight products are simple, functional, and built for hard work.
Performance
Streamlight lights are known for their high-lumen output and advanced technology. Whether you need to illuminate a wide area or focus on a distant target, Streamlight offers models with varying beam patterns and brightness levels to meet different requirements. They are constantly pushing the envelope with new and innovative lights for everyone from professional users and law enforcement to your average joe.
Durability
Streamlight products are built to last. The use of high-quality materials like anodized aluminum and impact-resistant polycarbonate ensures that these lights can withstand the toughest conditions. Streamlight’s bulletproof reputation for ruggedness is proof that their lights can stand up to just about anything their users can.
User-Friendly Design
From easy-to-use switches to secure mounting systems, Streamlight designs its products with the user in mind. Many models feature ambidextrous controls, customizable settings, and quick-attach mechanisms, making them practical and convenient for a wide range of users.
Affordability
Despite their high performance and durability, Streamlight lights are competitively priced. This affordability makes them accessible to a broad audience, including professionals, hobbyists, and everyday users.
Streamlight’s Commitment to Innovation
Streamlight continues to innovate, regularly updating its product line to incorporate the latest technology and respond to user feedback. The company’s focus on research and development ensures that its products remain at the forefront of the lighting industry.
One good example would be their new TLR-7 HL-X and its incorporation of a more powerful LED emitter and rechargeable battery technology. This new light bridges the gap between the older TLR-7 models and the larger TLR-1 HL, providing a much-desired high-output light in a smaller form factor.
Consistently, Streamlight delivers user-focused products with features and technology that lead the industry, rather than follow the trends.
Applications of Streamlight Products
Streamlight’s diverse product line caters to a wide range of applications, from law enforcement and military use to everyday carry and outdoor activities. Here’s a closer look at some of the key applications:
Law Enforcement
For law enforcement personnel, reliability and performance are paramount. Streamlight’s weaponlights, like the TLR-1 HL and ProTec HL-X Pro, provide the intense illumination needed for tactical operations, helping officers and soldiers identify threats and navigate challenging environments.
The durability of Streamlight products has been consistently proven in the field, thoroughly justifying the confidence placed in them by numerous police departments.
Everyday Carry
For everyday carry, Streamlight offers compact and lightweight options like the TLR-7A and TLR-7 Sub. These models are ideal for concealed carry firearms, providing sufficient illumination without adding significant bulk or weight. Additionally, handheld lights like the Wedge offer versatile lighting solutions that can be easily carried in a pocket for more pedestrian tasks.
Outdoor and Recreational Use
Streamlight’s durable and high-performance lights are also well-suited for outdoor and recreational activities. Whether camping, hiking, or hunting, having a reliable light source is essential. Streamlight’s battery-powered lanterns and headlamps provide bright, dependable illumination in a variety of outdoor settings.
Conclusion
Streamlight has established itself as a trusted name in the world of tactical and everyday lighting solutions. With a commitment to quality, durability, and affordability, Streamlight continues to provide reliable products that meet the diverse needs of its users. Whether you’re looking for a powerful weapon-mounted light like the TLR-1 HL or ProTac HL-X Pro, a compact option like the TLR-7A or TLR-7 Sub, or just a pocketable light for your everyday needs, Streamlight offers dependable solutions that won’t let you down and won’t empty your wallet.
As the lighting landscape continues to evolve, Streamlight remains at the forefront, consistently innovating to deliver products that enhance safety and performance. If you’re in the market for a new tactical light or everyday carry flashlight, Streamlight is a brand worth considering for its blend of quality, reliability, and value.
