What's better than a Streamlight TL-3?

[ThomasH]

What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

I was thinking of buying the extended family a fleet of Streamlight TL-3 flashlights. The specs looked good on paper, 3-123 lithium batteries, 5 Watt Luxeon bulb and so forth, for US$100.

But CandlePower Forums doesn't seem to like them, I see comments like, "Dimmest 5W Luxeon you can buy." and "Terrible yellow beam." and so forth.

What should I get instead? Any opinions from you board memebers? :-)

- ThomasH

 

[JohnK]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

I've got a five watt that is nice and white. To my eyes, twice as bright as my TL-2 LED. Both these lights have a wonderful uniform spill over 100 degrees. They make very useful lights. The run time is quite long, I've gone hours without noticing a lot of dimming (although I'm sure they do).

The everpresent luxeon lottery exists with all manufacturers, save a few custom makers.

My first TL-2 LED was green as grass, and I returned it for replacement.

I've got several other 1, 3, and 5 watters. I still prefer the TL's except for throw.

 

[Frenchyled]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

Maybe try an Hyperlux V from TNC product, I think it's not more much than one TL-3, and it's a good 5 watts...But if you have more money think about Surefire U2, personally I haven't one so I can't compare.
I have both the TL-3 LEd and Hyperlux V, and frankly I prefer the HyperLux V from TNcproduct /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[leukos]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

I wasn't impressed with the TL-3 LED when I saw it in the store. You might get better results by looking at SL's new 3watt task light here or Inova's T3 T3 review . Happy hunting! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ThomasH]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

Hey, thanks for the advice!

I notice the Innova T3 is rated almopst as bright as the bigger Streamlight TL-3, is it really that bright folks? I guess it has a "ringy" beam pattern.

And for that matter the newer Streamlight 2l is also rated almost as bright as the TL-3. And the low beam sounds handy.

But I keep looking at the beam picture for the Pelican M6 LED light...

So which would you buy your extended family?

Although I like the ultimate brightness of the SL TL-3, the features of the new 2L are calling to me...(plus the smaller size)

Or should I just get the Innova T3? Decisions, decisions...

- ThomasH

 

[socals2k]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

i think the inova T3 is primarily for throw

you won't get much sidespill from it (my former Inova X0 told me that)

 

[Fat_Tony]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

I can attest to what socals2k said. I have an Inova T1 and a T3, and neither one has any sidespill whatsoever. They are all throw.

 

[ThomasH]

Re: What\'s better than a Streamlight TL-3?

Well, I like throw. I'm sure the Pelican is a tight beam, what about the 2L - is that also tight (esp. on high)?

I take it that the TL-3 is not a real tight beam, but it's bright enough so it isn't a big deal?

Would you Innova T3 owners trade straght across for a Streamlight 2L?

Would any TL-3 owners trade for a dinky 2L just to get the dual brightness feature?

- ThomasH