Got my Streamlight's yesterday. Debated about starting a new thread - product review, but this will be short and sweet, so I'll just put it here.
TL-2 Tactical Light
This is a hand-held, pocket sized, Xenon flashlight. It is black and uses 2 CR123 batteries. This is my first Streamlight product and I'm very impressed. I was looking for a flashlight, mainly to use at work that had a belt clip and used common batteries. I tend to gravitate to things that run on AAA, AA, C, D or 9v batteries. They're commonly available and we have plenty at work. However, the Lithium CR123 is rapidly becoming the "in" battery. Lithium has a long shelf life, lots of capacity and the 123 is just about the same volume as a AA. I think CR123 will be seen in more an more equipment (like wireless mic's) in the future. So The TL-2 seemed to fit the bill without breaking the bank. It has a strong aluminum body that is molded in a sort of miniature Picitinny rail pattern. Feels good in the hand and provides a good grip. The belt clip is spring METAL and is easy to get on and off the belt, yet feels secure. The beam is bright (~75lumen) and adjustable. Spare bulb is included. The switch on the back can be depressed part way for momentary or all the way to "click" on. The lanyard is more than a piece of cord, but has two adjustable stops and will be very useful for when I'm working on the catwalk. I would like some more of these lanyards for use with my other tools! One other VERY positive is the clear markings. Model #, Serial Number (yes S/N) and battery orientations. Easily located and easy to read. Streamlight is proud if their light and justifiably so.
I thought I wanted a brighter light (>100 lumens) but after taking this outside.....wow. It is brighter than any of the consumer "latern battery" flashlights I have. I love it. Highly recommended. Great value.
TLR-1 Weapon Mounted Light
This is a weapon mounted light intended for a "rail" system. All of the above accolades about the TL-2 apply here as well. The product is sturdy and has an extremely bright (~130lumen) LED technology. Again the battery orientation is very clear to read and the make/model/sn are plainly marked. The rear switch is easy to access with your forward hand (I'm mounting is on the side of a shotgun foreend so that it's right where my thumb would be.)
At first I was a little annoyed by the little bag of parts. I wanted to slap this sucker on the gun and go. But after I read the instructions I was very impressed with the trouble Streamlight has goneto, to insure rock stable mounting. (Scope ring manufacturers could take note here.) It seems that not all rails are made equal. Silly, me not everything is true Pictinny. There are evidently slight variations in, Picitinny (Mill-std 1913), Glock, S&W and Beretta rails. So rather than make a one size fit all clamp, they have four different inserts to insure proper fitting. (And the inserts are permanently and clearly marked.) Once you put in the proper insert for your rail and secure it with the provided hex screw (Allen wrench included, along with spare screw and lock washers....and the screws already have a locking "goo" on the treads!) you attach the light to the rails. The clamp is spring loaded (not loose) on the right side and the attachment screw has both raised ears and a coin groove. So it's semi-quick mount/dismount.
The TLR-2 has the laser which I didn't opt for, but would expect the same quality and attention to detail. Another highly recommended product. I'm impressed with SL and will be buying more of their products down the road. If only they made the TL-2 with the LED.
Alf
(Disclaimer: I don't own stock in SL. I don't work for them. I bought these items OTC from Midway USA.)
(I'll be posting my Mossberg foreend woe's soon and you'll understand why "clearly marked" is important to me right now.)
Oh, did I mention the both came with batteries!