TL-3 Vs Surge

CroMAGnet · Jan 30, 2005

Hi all /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Does anyone have any firsthand comparison knowledge of the Streamlight Tactical TL-3 and the PrinctonTec SURGE?

They seem to have almost identical output/LUX stats.
How do the beams compare?
How about the usable throw?
Can they use Lithium? Does that help the runtime and or output in either of these incandescents?

Quicbeams abreviated info
Streamlight Tactical TL-3 8800 LUX op10000 1hr-runtime on 3x123
PT SURGE 8800 LUX op9000 runtime 3-5hrs on 8AA

Thanks for looking

JohnK · Jan 30, 2005

These two lights are as different as night and day.

Both put out about the same lumens, the Surge just delivers it in a medium wide flood, the TL-3 in a tightly focused beam.

That said, they are both great lights. The Surge uses cheap AA's (although eight of them is not cheap). Surge run time is at least a couple of hours, the TL-3 only about an hour.

The TL-3 uses CR123 Lithiums only. The Surge uses alkalines. Lithiums in the surge would likely blow the bulb, IMHO.

The switch on the Surge is not the strongest (mine fell off, and I had the light replaced by PT).

The TL-3 uses a tactical momentary on tail cap switch, twist for constant on.

I use the Surge for run of the mill lighting chores. The TL series is carried when I am carrying a weapon (legally).

Sierra_Bill · Jan 30, 2005

The TL-3 has an adustable beam. The adjustment alters the size and intensity of the hot spot. The Surge is not adjustable.

The two lights have similar beams, but the TL-3 seems to have a slightly brighter hot spot and a broader spill. Both beams have artifacts visible at close range.

The Surge is a lot heftier and I find it's not that ergonomic, but that's personal preference. I feel like I might have trouble holding onto it under really adverse conditions. The TL-3 has a very grippy body that's easy to hold onto.

The Surge is waterproof to 500 feet. The TL-3 is water-resistant.

The Surge is a great deal in terms of output/dollar. The TL-3 is a better light overall IMO, except for runtime and water resistance.

Bill D.

3rd_shift · Jan 30, 2005

TL3 has a current draw of about 500-600 milliamps going through it's Luxeon5 emitter on good batteries.
That's about a 2-3 hour runtime.

chumley · Jan 31, 2005

I have 2 slight corrections, the PT Surge has a fully adjustable beam, unless PT changed the design. Also the TL-3 has both a led and a xenon model.

Personally, I carry the TL-3 on walks when I might need throw, but I use the Surge at home a lot more.

CroMAGnet · Jan 31, 2005

Chumley... perfect you have both AND go on walks. I was ondering if you could post a detailed explanation of what you see if you shine each down a dark long street... Beamshot would be awesome /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif But nawt a biggie.

And yes, my surge is adjustable too

paulr · Jan 31, 2005

3rd shift, I think this is about the xenon TL3, not the LED version.

I wouldn't describe either the Surge or TL3 as adjustable the way, say, a Mag is. They have adjustments that you'd make after changing the bulb, but you normally wouldn't frob around with it while using the light.

As for taking either light on walks, you'll broke buying batteries for the TL3. The Surge runs well on NiMH AA cells but it's a pain in the neck to change them. Maybe you want to think about a Streamlight Strion (not -quite- as bright as the TL3 or Surge) if you want something compact, or a Tigerlight if you need stupendous power. In between might be something like an Ultrastinger.

CroMAGnet · Jan 31, 2005

Paulr: Actually I'm was thinking of an inbetween thrower. I like my Surge but was checking out options. TL3 sounds like a batt suk and I am eyeing the Strion. But if it cant beat my surge then no need really. Surge rawks but, what else compares?

paulr · Jan 31, 2005

I don't understand the question. You want a thrower between the Surge and the TL3? Try a Stinger HP, roughly Surge sized (different shape). An Ultrastinger will outthrow both the Surge and the TL3, but is bigger. Tigerlight will clobber them all.

If you want a big cheap plastic thrower that weighs a lot more than a Surge, there's always the UK SL6 (six C's). It's a better-built light than the Surge, from what I hear, and is around the same price.

CroMAGnet · Jan 31, 2005

oic... no, I was going with your mention of the TigerLight. Since I have three, (as you can see in my sigline) I was looking for something smaller/pocketable but a thrower. comperable to the surge (which I have) but maybe more throw if it exists and/or smaller with the same throw/output like maybe the TL3 or Strion or maybe the scorpion even. But it looks like the PT Surge is the light. Best runtime and arguably best thrower and output of them all.

Hoya · Jan 31, 2005

CromagNet , the UK SL6 easily outthrows the Surge (i have both). but it uses 6 C batts and is slightly longer and heavier than Surge. It has got roughly the throw of a 6D M@g. I don't measure the distance, but I can put a beam (with the UK 6L) on the wall of the apartment opposite which is more than 100 metres away where the Surge cannot.

CroMAGnet · Jan 31, 2005

Thanx hoya /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have a few larger lights than my PT that also outthrow it. Trying to see if there is a smaller and lighter one.

paulr · Jan 31, 2005

There's also a UK SL4 which uses 4 C's instead of 6. It might also outthrow the Surge. The Surge has kind of a wide beam.

juancho · Jan 31, 2005

My Streamlight propolymer 4 AA incan, will outthrow mine Surge, because it have a more concentrated spot, (it have less lumens)for $22.00 at Brightguy I think that is an exellent buy. It also have a clicky in the tail, which is more convenient switch than the Surge.
But I like the 115 lumens of the Surge, I have five of them hanging from hooks near windows in my house (so I can grab one in case of fire)
The Streamlight propolymer 4 AA have a very nice deep reflector integrated with the lamp (module a la Surefire)
Juan C.

Sierra_Bill · Feb 1, 2005

[ QUOTE ]
chumley said:
I have 2 slight corrections, the PT Surge has a fully adjustable beam, unless PT changed the design. Also the TL-3 has both a led and a xenon model.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oops.... my Surge is also adjustable, as I just verified. Thanks for the correction. And yes, I was referring to the TL-3 xenon. However, the new TL-2 LED looks pretty impressive and I'm hoping they can improve the TL-3 LED as much.

Bill D.

CroMAGnet · Feb 1, 2005

[ QUOTE ]
juancho said:
My Streamlight propolymer 4 AA incan, will outthrow mine Surge, because it have a more concentrated spot, (it have less lumens)for $22.00 at Brightguy I think that is an exellent buy. It also have a clicky in the tail, which is more convenient switch than the Surge.
But I like the 115 lumens of the Surge, I have five of them hanging from hooks near windows in my house (so I can grab one in case of fire)
The Streamlight propolymer 4 AA have a very nice deep reflector integrated with the lamp (module a la Surefire)
Juan C.

[/ QUOTE ]

WOW! That's the light I've been looking for. Thank you everyone for the great info. I just don't know how I missed that Streamlight propolymer 4 AA incan. Better throw than an Inova X03 or my 3C-XP (which is a great thrower BTW) and about the same or better output. Rugged, waterproof uses 4AA for 3-4 hours of runtime and cost about $25. This is a winner! I wonder if this could go in my Bug-out-Bag with a good floodbeam headlamp like my TacTikka Plus.

Can the Streamlight propolymer 4 AA incan can use 4AA Lithiums?

Now just to decide whether to include a UK 4AA eLED or an MJLED or PEAK AA 3LED. But that will be easy once I check them out.

chumley · Feb 1, 2005

CromagNet, sorry I am still trying to figure out how to use a digital camera instead of film. From casual throw tests, I find that the TL-3 will outhrow the Surge, but with a tighter beam.

I used to carry the Surge before I got the PM6 and TL-3. The Surge is too big and heavy when there are lighter lights that can throw at least as far.

nfetterly · Sep 19, 2009

JohnK said:
The Surge uses alkalines. Lithiums in the surge would likely blow the bulb, IMHO.

I can attest to this, I flashed the bulb about 2 hours ago :candle: when I put lithiums in it. Now I'm looking for a bulb.

Paladin · Sep 19, 2009

I can't believe no one mentioned running the TL-3 Xenon or Led on a pair of 17500's.

Paladin

TL-3 Vs Surge

Flashlight Enthusiast

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Flashaholic

Flashlight Enthusiast

Flashaholic

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Flashaholic

Enlightened

Newly Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Similar threads