igabo
Enlightened
Now, I haven't posted at CPF for a very long time... but here goes:
I'm sure many of you like myself, have wondered how these weapon-mounted lights stack up against each other, and after scoring a good deal on an X300, I have the opportunity to compare them head-to-head. I've had the TLR-1s for several months now, and have been really satisfied with the performance of it, and from what I've used it for; it stacks up really well against the X300, which costs more than double the price of the TLR-1s. On the other hand, there are many little features and indications that show that you get a better quality product with the X300.
TLR-1s
Good:
I picked this light up from amazon.com, and I was initially very impressed when I first received this item; I had a TLR-1 (C4, non strobe version), that was nice and all, but I found the strobe model to be a significant improvement over the standard version. The beam was tighter, it was noticeably brighter, and the light was warmer and whiter compared to the cold tint of the TLR-1. Anyways, onto the TLR-1s itself; like I said, it's very bright and throws VERY far. I don't have any good places to really measure its throwing capabilities, but in a somewhat-lit park across the street, the TLR would send some light 100 yards + (120 yards according to measurements from google maps). Although I personally wouldn't rely on a small light like the TLR-1s for something like ID-ing targets at 100 yards, because I'd still want more light. However, within 50 yards, it functions flawlessly, and is plenty bright for most uses. I'm not really a fan of the strobe feature, so I've turned it off.
Bad:
Although it feels pretty solid, the TLR-1s has a screw-on lens cap that can be easily removed exposing the inner electronics. Also, I suppose a problem came up during assembly, because inside the lens and on the reflector, I see dust particles inside and I've never removed the lens before, which tells me they got there during assembly, probably because the reflector was exposed to dust before the lens was screwed on, without cleaning of any sort. Also, I mounted this to my M&P, and even with the tighter picatinny rail bar, there is still a bit of wobble, but if you really tighten down the light, it goes away.
X300
Good:
In terms of build quality, you definitely get what you pay for with the X300; I can't find any flaws whatsoever with this light. I like the momentary on switch, where you simply push the switch in towards the light to turn it on, versus the rotating switch for momentary on. The switch is very stiff compared to the TLR-1s as well for constant on, which I like also, because it won't go on without a firm push. The beam is pretty good, and it throws very far, just like the TLR-1s. Also, the mounting system is excellent; it locks up to rails really solid, and it won't come loose, like it might on the TLR-1s. I like the color of the light as well, it's got a slightly warmer white than the TLR-1s, which I like and prefer.
Bad:
Price. Not much else to complain about though.
Differences:
Surprisingly enough, I find the two lights to be of nearly identical brightness, with the TLR-1s possibly being slightly brighter than the x300. I also prefer the tighter beam, with spill on the TLR-1s. Aside from that, the X300 beats the TLR-1s in every other category; build quality, ergonomics, mounting, etc.
IN SUMMARY: Essentially, in terms of the light that comes out of these weaponlights, the TLR-1s wins slightly (tighter beam/ more throw, maybe brighter), but as an accessory attached to a weapon and in terms of build quality/ergo's the x300 definitely wins. Nonetheless, I have had no problems whatsoever with either light, and I'm sure either one will serve you very well.
If you guys have any questions or requests, please feel free to ask, and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.
Thanks for reading!
http://forums.1911forum.com/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=3348851
In the beamshot, the TLR-1s is on the left, and the X300 is on the right.
I'm sure many of you like myself, have wondered how these weapon-mounted lights stack up against each other, and after scoring a good deal on an X300, I have the opportunity to compare them head-to-head. I've had the TLR-1s for several months now, and have been really satisfied with the performance of it, and from what I've used it for; it stacks up really well against the X300, which costs more than double the price of the TLR-1s. On the other hand, there are many little features and indications that show that you get a better quality product with the X300.
TLR-1s
Good:
I picked this light up from amazon.com, and I was initially very impressed when I first received this item; I had a TLR-1 (C4, non strobe version), that was nice and all, but I found the strobe model to be a significant improvement over the standard version. The beam was tighter, it was noticeably brighter, and the light was warmer and whiter compared to the cold tint of the TLR-1. Anyways, onto the TLR-1s itself; like I said, it's very bright and throws VERY far. I don't have any good places to really measure its throwing capabilities, but in a somewhat-lit park across the street, the TLR would send some light 100 yards + (120 yards according to measurements from google maps). Although I personally wouldn't rely on a small light like the TLR-1s for something like ID-ing targets at 100 yards, because I'd still want more light. However, within 50 yards, it functions flawlessly, and is plenty bright for most uses. I'm not really a fan of the strobe feature, so I've turned it off.
Bad:
Although it feels pretty solid, the TLR-1s has a screw-on lens cap that can be easily removed exposing the inner electronics. Also, I suppose a problem came up during assembly, because inside the lens and on the reflector, I see dust particles inside and I've never removed the lens before, which tells me they got there during assembly, probably because the reflector was exposed to dust before the lens was screwed on, without cleaning of any sort. Also, I mounted this to my M&P, and even with the tighter picatinny rail bar, there is still a bit of wobble, but if you really tighten down the light, it goes away.
X300
Good:
In terms of build quality, you definitely get what you pay for with the X300; I can't find any flaws whatsoever with this light. I like the momentary on switch, where you simply push the switch in towards the light to turn it on, versus the rotating switch for momentary on. The switch is very stiff compared to the TLR-1s as well for constant on, which I like also, because it won't go on without a firm push. The beam is pretty good, and it throws very far, just like the TLR-1s. Also, the mounting system is excellent; it locks up to rails really solid, and it won't come loose, like it might on the TLR-1s. I like the color of the light as well, it's got a slightly warmer white than the TLR-1s, which I like and prefer.
Bad:
Price. Not much else to complain about though.
Differences:
Surprisingly enough, I find the two lights to be of nearly identical brightness, with the TLR-1s possibly being slightly brighter than the x300. I also prefer the tighter beam, with spill on the TLR-1s. Aside from that, the X300 beats the TLR-1s in every other category; build quality, ergonomics, mounting, etc.
IN SUMMARY: Essentially, in terms of the light that comes out of these weaponlights, the TLR-1s wins slightly (tighter beam/ more throw, maybe brighter), but as an accessory attached to a weapon and in terms of build quality/ergo's the x300 definitely wins. Nonetheless, I have had no problems whatsoever with either light, and I'm sure either one will serve you very well.
If you guys have any questions or requests, please feel free to ask, and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.
Thanks for reading!
http://forums.1911forum.com/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=3348851
In the beamshot, the TLR-1s is on the left, and the X300 is on the right.