x300 vs tlr-1 vs procyon xti? [Archive]

reaper8154

10-17-2008, 10:47 PM

I had an X300 and loved it. I like the throw on it better than the TLR, but have no experience with the xti. My vote is for the X300. It is so awesome I wish I would have got one for my AR instead of the Pentagon light I am currently running.

marlinspike

10-17-2008, 10:53 PM

I should add that people should feel free to throw in another brand if there is another that is better.

nwusp45

10-17-2008, 11:05 PM

I can only compare the TLR to the X200. I like the X200 because it is easier to take on off; just slides off, where the TLR has a screw that has to be backed off. Since my duty weapon and CCW pistol are the same, this is an important feature to me. I think the TLR has a wider beam and the controls are easier to use. Least important is how they look, and I think the tension screw on the TLR looks pretty lame. Most I've seen end up with a little corrosion on them, probably not a big deal. They are both very good. Big reason I went with the X200 was because it was on close-out due to the x300 comming out so I got it for around $100.

marlinspike

10-17-2008, 11:06 PM

What's the deal with the switches on the x300? Is it not a toggle switch on the bag like all the other lights?

Also, does anybody find that lasers are helpful? To me they seem kind of distracting on a pistol.

Cadillac Johnson

10-18-2008, 03:01 AM

The X300 is definately a better light than the TLR-1. It's also a whole lot more expensive.

The TLR-1 is still the best value in a weapon light IMO.

Too bad Fenix doesn't make tac lights..

marlinspike

10-18-2008, 03:14 AM

Yeah, I think at this point I've decided on the X300 - it seems like both the XTI and X300 outclass the TLR-1 and the X300 is smaller and has a better battery life than the XTI.

But I'm a little concerned about what NWusp45 said about the controls. Any thoughts on that Cadillac?

mourneblade

10-18-2008, 03:40 AM

I have both the Procyon and the TLR-2. The Procyon is much brighter and slightly shorter. Of these two the attachment of the Procyon is much better. I've had the TLR-2 flip off the front of both my P30 and a Glock21 when shooting. If you tighten down the screw on the TLR-2 that's not a problem, but then it's not a quick release. The Procyon slides down the front of the rail, and probably would never come off during shooting, yet it's not too hard to remove. Just my two cents...

reaper8154

10-18-2008, 05:15 AM

The toggle switch on the X300 is similar to an M3, only a little stiffer I guess you could say.

LCSO264

10-18-2008, 08:51 AM

my vote is for the X300... We (work) bought several ProCyons...... The fit to the rail was horrible, very sloppy, with quite a bit of wiggle once they are "locked" on..... This ocured on Glocks, Sigs, and my HK45. We also tried them on the rail of our rifles, again a sloppy fit... I've not tried the TLR, but I understand it just underwent a re-design and boasts a 130 lumen output.... The X300 is rated at 120 and the ProCyon at 125 (I think?)...

Also, the X300 is the narrowest, but also the longer of the three... Not to mention the X300 has a remote switch option, which is similar to the older remote switches SureFire has offered for years... Down side to the X300, SureFire is proud of their products and the price shows it... But, you get what you pay for, especially in the firearms/accessory world....

good luck

LSP 972

10-18-2008, 01:52 PM

The toggle switch on the X300 is similar to an M3, only a little stiffer I guess you could say.

Except for one critical difference; on the SureFire offerings, you must push the switch FORWARD (on the same axis as the barrel) to get momentary light. Since this is the smartest way to employ light- quick flashes on/off for navigation/searching- it is important.

To everybody of my acquaintance, the downward movement with the off-side thumb required for momentary with the StreamLight and InSight (M3) offerings is a much more natural movement.

YMMV....

.

marlinspike

10-18-2008, 04:01 PM

Since this is the smartest way to employ light- quick flashes on/off for navigation/searching- it is important.

I agree for a cop, but for a non-cop, I think all one needs is the ability to turn it to steady on quickly as part of the draw. Is this equally possible with both?

HOOKER

10-18-2008, 10:59 PM

Who makes the weapon light that can strobe? Any experience with this?

ksigtuck

10-19-2008, 01:43 AM

While I have not had any experience with the other two, I do have the TLR-1 and it is a perfect light for me. I have it on my Glock 23 and it is very easy to use. I really like the on/off switch and the lock-on screw is not a problem at all. I hand tighten mine with my fingers and it is easy to get off and on. I have never had any problems with any corrosion on the screw as someone mentioned earlier. Of course this is just my opinion, YMMV. Just go to a shop that carries them and see if they will let you feel each of them on a pistol and pick the one that feels the best to you.
Tuck

mourneblade

10-19-2008, 02:19 AM

Who makes the weapon light that can strobe? Any experience with this?

The Procyon has a strobe mode, you kinda double-click the control lever.

mourneblade

10-19-2008, 02:23 AM

I agree for a cop, but for a non-cop, I think all one needs is the ability to turn it to steady on quickly as part of the draw. Is this equally possible with both?

My teacher told me to only use quick-flashes for home defense. He told me that the steady beam is better when you have a bunch of swat guys backing you up. I do some flash, aim, shoot drills every once in a while at the range.

marlinspike

10-19-2008, 02:47 AM

Just go to a shop that carries them

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh....

you're serious.

Fat chance of finding a store that carries any weapon light in this area (I looked and called around and checked the websites), let alone finding a store that carries all of them.

To complicate matters streamlight just updated the TLR-1 to 135 lumens. I wonder if it's the same light with a new rating test to trump up the numbers or actually a new light. Oh wait, I see LCSO said it did undergo a redesign.

LCSO264

10-19-2008, 04:43 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh....

you're serious.

Fat chance of finding a store that carries any weapon light in this area (I looked and called around and checked the websites), let alone finding a store that carries all of them.

To complicate matters streamlight just updated the TLR-1 to 135 lumens. I wonder if it's the same light with a new rating test to trump up the numbers or actually a new light. Oh wait, I see LCSO said it did undergo a redesign.

by redesign I meant they found a way to get some extra lumes out of it.. I assume that was done with a new lamp/LED, they could well have left the rest of the light the same? I just know the newer model has a higher lumen rating....

marlinspike

10-19-2008, 04:48 AM

Yeah, I looked into it, it's a new LED. Man, I wish the surefire were the brightest because I don't like that screw on the TLR, but 135 lumens vs 110 lumens is quite a bit different.

reaper8154

10-19-2008, 08:20 AM

Yeah, I looked into it, it's a new LED. Man, I wish the surefire were the brightest because I don't like that screw on the TLR, but 135 lumens vs 110 lumens is quite a bit different.

The X300 is plenty bright enough. Especially if it is going to be on a pistol. I wouldn't get caught up over a few lumens here and there.

LSP 972

10-19-2008, 03:58 PM

I agree for a cop, but for a non-cop, I think all one needs is the ability to turn it to steady on quickly as part of the draw. Is this equally possible with both?

You bet; just flick it downward on the SureFire. On the M3, it depends upon the way you have the back cover/switch assembly installed. If you want steady-on via the off-side thumb with a downward movement (which is natural), then you flip the back plate to that orientation. Unfortunately, they did away with this choice on the M3X. If you want steady-on with that one, you have to flick the switch upward. Not as natural a movement as downward, but still better than INward. IMO.

I'll agree that steady-on is probably better for an UNTRAINED person; but no way it is "better", in and of itself. In any event, that discussion is beyond the scope of this thread.

.

BTW... all this inward/upward/downward talk assumes you are right-handed, using the left hand fingers to manipulate the light switch.

marlinspike

10-19-2008, 04:11 PM

I'll agree that steady-on is probably better for an UNTRAINED person;

I guess where I'm coming from is as a non-cop, I won't find myself in a situation where I have to clear a warehouse (and as someone who lives in an apartment I won't have to clear a house either).

LSP 972

10-19-2008, 04:24 PM

I guess where I'm coming from is as a non-cop, I won't find myself in a situation where I have to clear a warehouse (and as someone who lives in an apartment I won't have to clear a house either).

I hear you. But you don't want to give away your position unnecessarily, either; even if you're only clearing a closet.

IOW, walking around, searching, whatever, with the light on all the time is not a good idea... for cops, non-cops, OR bad guys... ;)

.

reaper8154

10-19-2008, 07:50 PM

I hear you. But you don't want to give away your position unnecessarily, either; even if you're only clearing a closet.

IOW, walking around, searching, whatever, with the light on all the time is not a good idea... for cops, non-cops, OR bad guys... ;)

.

Don't tell the bad guys that...:92:

uspswatcop

10-19-2008, 09:03 PM

The X300 is the "best" handgun light on the market and they have unbelieveable customer service. They will take care of you and your light for as long as you have it. I have at least 20 some surefire lights and some have had issues and every issue was taken care of or they replaced the light.

Surefire will always get my money because of their customer service even if the X300 has a few lumens less then another light.

Dont get me wrong, I have tried and tested other brands and my personal opinion on most of them is they are junk compared to SF. It's like a DPMS rifle compared to an HK, they dont even come close!

Mikey

bnsutton

10-20-2008, 04:40 AM

^^^What he said^^^

LCSO264

10-20-2008, 11:29 PM

supes

10-21-2008, 01:08 AM

SL TLR-1: Cheapest of the bunch. Largest of the bunch. Thumbscrew mount. One mode of light.

Insight Procyon: Smallest of the bunch. Middle in price range. 3 modes of light. Has strobe ability. Brighter then TLR-1. Floodier light then X300.

Surefire X300: A little longer then Procyon. Smaller then TLR-1. Most expensive of the three. Different switching from the other two. One mode. 2 attachments possible. Has the most distance light viewability. Best runtime out of the three in terms of 100% brightness till it dims.

I have a X300 on my P2000. I wouldn't want anything else. Until the X400 comes out that is. :D