In-depth breakdown of 5 popular full-size pistol lights. We cover lumen output over time, total runtime, light color, flood, candela, switches, and batteries. Is the surefire still king of the pistol lights? Find out!
Surefire X300U-B
Streamlight TLR-1HL
Nightstick TWM-850XL
Inforce Wild 2
Olight PL-PRO
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Note: While we have relationships with many of these companies, we ARE NOT SPONSORED by any light manufacturers, nor are we affiliates of any manufacturer. We are a holster manufacturing company, and we are passionate about lights. Our goal is to provide excellent unbiased information to the community so that you may be better prepared, and so that light manufacturers will continue to provide better & better products.
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Exceptionally well done review. The issue for me is adding a tape switch: the PL-Pro is looks great, but the magnetic tape switch accessory looks fiddly. The Surefire DG switch looks like the best option, but it is a very pricey addition to an already gold plated light. Other manufacturers need to consider the switch issue as Surefire has the advantage here.
I like streamlight or surefire if i’m buying weapon mounted flashlight.
The Surefire X300 may not be the king of pistol lights, but Werkz is the king of light reviews.
Ok I'm gonna ask a stupid question so I'll apologize now. Have you ever mounted a light the had strobe action to basically blind the bad guy. Thank you. The video was fantastic.
Awesome review with many different aspects I think most people wouldn’t have thought of. I have both the surefire and the stream light and can definitely say I’d buy the streamlight my third time around. The switches are definitely much much better. Thank for the great review and confirming my choice!
I have the X300U and the OLIGHT. after seeing this video, I’m getting the Streamlight for my new Glock 19x
Surefire X300A on the 17/ Streamlight TLR7-A on the 19.
This was a great review, thank you!
Wow amazing video! July 4th 2022
Thank you for the great info and comparison. And confirmation bias 🤣 I've used my 2 ProTac HL-X's and TLR7sub for a little over a year now, and their solid output / battery life as well as the obnoxious price jump to get to Surefire has kept me happy with them.
I was a dumb monkey and broke a screw head on the TLR a few months ago, and their service rep was really nice and helped me get it mailed back to them in a few minutes. Turn around time was about 3 weeks, not bad for shipping through 3-4 states. My only gripe is I wish they sold their pressure pads individually, bought one from another site for the ProTac and turns out that particular one only fits the 2L-X, not the HL-X.. they reversed the cap threading between those two models. Go figure.
I have the PL-PRO and the Baldr mini. The two things I wish you had mentioned (if you did, I apologize I must have missed it) is the Locking swing arm which makes them super easy to install and uninstall, and the sliding rail mount which makes it a custom fit for any barrel length. I’d have to say though, the PL-PRO is my favorite. The hot spot /flood brightness combo is one I haven’t found with other lights.
Targon is 1000 lumens strong at $50. Still going strong.
Great review, but one question, where did you get the mannequin that looks like a black guy?
Your light videos are amazing. The best. You cover virtually every possible aspect, such as how short you can actually do a momentary-on based on the switch type. Not to obviously mention the actual lab-quality measurements. Kudos.
The TLR HLs are top of the line if you want reliability, run time, and subject control. I wish I could fit one on a 365XL. Come on, Icarus!
Great video….
Would you do this comparison with rifle mounted lights? Streamlight HL-X, Modlite 18650/18350, etc?
I own three Streamlight weapon lights 2 of them being the TLR -1s and the 3rd is the TLR-7A. I have a Inforce and a Olight Valkyrie PL mini. I don't have any Surefire lights and honestly money aside I'm totally happy with Streamlight. Personally I don't get why Surefire gets all the attention but to each their own.
Can't argue. I have 3 Streamlight TLR-1HL that I love. Glad they are still holding top spot. Guess I'll be getting a 4th after all.
You guys definitely have the best most detailed weapon light reviews. Thank you and keep it up! Also love my werkz holster 👍
I just purchased the Streamlight, it mounts perfectly on my Magpul 1913 rail that’s on my 870, on my Glock 17 and fits inside my Safariland duty holster.
Unfortunately it doesn’t fit my concealed carry holster’s that are designed for a Surefire X-300. Those I wear back and forth to work.
Excellent review!
Wow, what a great review. Thank you👍🏻👍🏻
At 95 bucks the pl- pro wins hands down LOL
Never owned a NFORCE that didn't break.
I like the brightness and flood of the Olight. The need for adequate flood cannot be overstated when the target is moving or there's more than one target you have to focus on. The USB charging can take some getting used to, but portable power banks are small enough to fit your pocket so it's not that big a deal.
Wheres the Modlight?
I really appreciate you guys making such a great video
I experimenting with a new full size EDC gun and I am in the market for a new light to compliment it, but there were not many good videos that showcased all the NEW lights. Most videos either showed individual lights or just a coupled comparisons.
Thanks to your style of testing, I felt like I was able to get a demonstration of all the lights and feel like I'm confident in what I want!
Definitely feel like for the money and what you get, Streamlight has (once again), got my business.
I would love to enjoy Inforce because they are king of cool light intensity, but they have too much of a bad reputation of having lights that fail (my APLc did not preform good, would not respond to controls every time and flickering) and as this demo showed, little to no flooding.
Feel like Streamlight does a good job providing an average person like me with good lights at affordable prices!
Thank you
Hands down the best light review for defensive use I've ever seen! Thanks for putting out the hard data as well as experiential information. I just recently purchased an x300u, but also have the Streamlight TLR 1 HL and others, and will definitely reconsider which lights go on which guns.
Would love to see a similar video for rifle lights! Streamlight vs Surefire vs Arisaka or Cloud Defensive or something. Regardless, thanks for putting this together!
amazing video…alot of informations. Thank you so much man
Excuse me sir. What red dot is that? Looks sharp. Thank you for the review, i will purchase the o light
Sure fire or no fire !!!
There’s a reason why I have 5 tlr-HL and only 1 x300. And it’s because their switches are sooooo mushy
Amazing..truly. 👍👍
I see better details with the x300, since everything isn't horribly white washed.
The TRL-HL switch sucks. Mine fell apart before I even used it… Not happy!
This channel has the most informative info i’ve seen. No unnecessary filler as well. It’s nice.
For me personally, the TLR-1 HL is the best option for a pistol light. Surefire is taking 90 years to release their Turbo series, and the Modlite PL350 has several issues that make it a no-go for me. Hence, I'll settle for 20k candela until Modlite decides to actually listen to their customer feedback and/or until Surefire decides to actually make something with more than 12k candela.
Thank y'all for the fantastic overview! These types of videos are exactly what we need more of.