Streamlight TLR7 vs TLR8

Published on May 2, 2018
Duration: 8:50

This review compares the Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8 weapon lights, highlighting their suitability for serious handgun use like home defense. The TLR-7 offers 500 lumens with a 1.5-hour runtime, while the TLR-8 adds an adjustable laser sight with a 1.5-hour runtime for light and laser combined, or 18 hours for the laser alone. Both lights are designed to be compact and avoid impeding suppressor function, particularly with eccentric designs like the Osprey 45.

Quick Summary

The Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8 are both compact weapon lights offering 500 lumens. The TLR-8 distinguishes itself by including an adjustable laser sight, providing enhanced target acquisition capabilities. Both are designed for suppressor compatibility and offer approximately 1.5 hours of runtime with the light active.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction: Handgun Setup for Serious Use
  2. 00:15Problem with Large Tactical Lights and Suppressors
  3. 00:44Limitations of Smaller Lights
  4. 00:50Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8 Introduction
  5. 01:05Streamlight TLR-7 Overview
  6. 01:23Streamlight TLR-8 Overview
  7. 01:43Key Difference: Laser Sight
  8. 02:04Do You Need a Tactical Laser?
  9. 02:11Personal Experience with Tactical Lasers
  10. 03:09Laser as a Teaching Tool
  11. 03:34Price Comparison: TLR-7 vs TLR-8
  12. 03:52Downrange Testing Setup
  13. 04:11TLR-7 Testing
  14. 05:09Mounting System Details
  15. 05:33TLR-8 Testing with Suppressor
  16. 06:07Suppressor Clearance Check
  17. 06:11Laser Visibility in Daylight
  18. 06:33Shooting with Laser Only
  19. 07:03Trigger Follow-Through Observation
  20. 07:28Laser Difficulty in Broad Daylight
  21. 07:48Laser Effectiveness Conclusion
  22. 08:00Prioritizing Effectiveness in Self-Defense
  23. 08:31Outro and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between the Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8?

The primary difference is that the Streamlight TLR-8 includes an integrated, adjustable laser sight, while the TLR-7 is a light-only unit. Both offer 500 lumens of light, but the TLR-8's laser adds functionality for target acquisition, especially in low light.

Are the Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8 compatible with suppressors?

Yes, both the TLR-7 and TLR-8 are designed to be compact and avoid impeding the cycling of semi-automatic firearms, even when using eccentric sound suppressors like the Osprey 45. This prevents the light from striking the suppressor.

What is the battery life of the Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8?

The Streamlight TLR-7 has a runtime of about 1.5 hours. The TLR-8 offers 1.5 hours of runtime when both the light and laser are used simultaneously, and an impressive 18 hours if only the laser is used.

How do the Streamlight TLR-7 and TLR-8 mount to firearms?

Both lights come with interchangeable mounting plates to fit Glock, MIL-SPEC Picatinny rails, and Beretta 92/96/90two models, offering versatility for different handgun platforms.

Related News

All News →

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from BurstReview

View all →