Which Pistol Light to Buy in 2024? We Tested Them All

Published on February 23, 2024
Duration: 26:46

This video provides a comprehensive review and comparison of popular pistol-mounted weapon lights, including the SureFire X300 Turbo, Streamlight TLR-1 HL, Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie, Olight Valkyrie Turbo LEP, and Goon Beam. The testers evaluate output, throw, spill, cold weather performance, water submersion, and runtime, offering insights into their strengths and weaknesses for tactical applications.

Quick Summary

The SureFire X300 Turbo offers a focused beam with high Candela for throw, while the Streamlight TLR-1 HL provides a wider flood for close-quarters illumination. Olight lights, now using CR123A batteries, performed well in durability tests but have sensitive switches. The Goon Beam offers a focused beam on a Streamlight footprint, and LEP technology like the Olight Valkyrie Turbo LEP provides long-range illumination with minimal spill.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Introduction to Weapon Light Review
  2. 00:30SureFire X300 Turbo Overview
  3. 01:18Streamlight TLR-1 HL Overview
  4. 01:38Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie Introduction
  5. 02:40Olight Valkyrie Turbo LEP (Laser)
  6. 03:00Goon Beam Overview
  7. 03:34Light Output Testing Begins
  8. 05:04X300 Turbo vs. TLR-1 HL Comparison
  9. 05:37X300 Turbo vs. Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie
  10. 06:00Olight Valkyrie Turbo LEP (Laser) Output
  11. 06:23X300 Turbo vs. Goon Beam Comparison
  12. 07:04Light Comparison Summary
  13. 07:31Longer Range Testing Setup
  14. 08:04X300 Turbo Long Range Performance
  15. 08:14TLR-1 HL Long Range Performance
  16. 08:30Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie Long Range
  17. 08:54Olight Valkyrie Turbo LEP (Laser) Long Range
  18. 09:14Goon Beam Long Range Performance
  19. 09:42Freezing Test Setup
  20. 11:08Post-Freezing Test Results
  21. 13:16Streamlight TLR-1 HL Post-Freeze Functionality
  22. 14:21Update on SureFire X300 Turbo After Freeze
  23. 14:44Goon Beam Battery Change After Freeze
  24. 15:38Water Submersion Test Setup
  25. 16:26SureFire X300 Turbo Water Test
  26. 17:08Goon Beam Water Test
  27. 17:26Streamlight TLR-1 HL Water Test
  28. 17:42Olight Valkyrie Turbo LEP (Laser) Water Test
  29. 18:09Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie Water Test
  30. 18:36Runtime Test Overview
  31. 19:13Runtime Test Results: Goon Beam Failure
  32. 19:48Runtime Test Results: Laser and X300 Turbo Failures
  33. 20:20Runtime Test Results: TLR-1 HL and PL-Turbo Valkyrie Endurance
  34. 20:51Final Thoughts and Recommendations
  35. 21:17SureFire X300 Turbo Analysis
  36. 21:23Streamlight TLR-1 HL Analysis
  37. 22:06Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie Holster Compatibility
  38. 22:20Price Points of Tested Lights
  39. 22:30LEP Technology Discussion
  40. 23:10Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie Price and Features
  41. 23:26Olight Safety Concerns and Improvements
  42. 24:13Goon Beam Footprint and Value
  43. 25:00Switch Feel and Operation Comparison
  44. 25:58Strobe Functionality Comparison
  45. 26:15Concluding Remarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pistol light offers the best balance of throw and spill for tactical use?

The SureFire X300 Turbo is noted for its focused beam and high Candela, providing good throw. The Streamlight TLR-1 HL offers a wider flood, making it better for close-quarters illumination. The Goon Beam provides a focused beam similar to the X300 Turbo but fits Streamlight holsters.

How did the tested weapon lights perform in extreme cold temperatures?

During a 30-minute freeze test, several lights, including the SureFire X300 Turbo and Goon Beam, initially failed to turn on or operated dimly. The Streamlight TLR-1 HL performed well, turning on crisply. Olight models also showed resilience after the cold exposure.

Are Olight weapon lights reliable and safe for tactical use?

Olight has addressed past safety concerns by switching to CR123A batteries. While they performed surprisingly well in tests, including submersion and cold, their switches are very easy to press, potentially leading to accidental discharge if not properly holstered. They also have an annoying strobe function.

What are the key differences between the SureFire X300 Turbo and the Streamlight TLR-1 HL?

The SureFire X300 Turbo offers a more concentrated beam with higher Candela for better throw, while the Streamlight TLR-1 HL provides a wider flood for broader illumination. The X300 Turbo's switches are stiffer, and the TLR-1 HL has a wider spill, making it suitable for close engagements.

Which weapon lights lasted the longest in runtime tests?

In runtime tests, the Streamlight TLR-1 HL and the Olight PL-Turbo Valkyrie were the last two lights remaining after over 3 hours, though their output had significantly diminished to barely usable levels. None of the lights met their advertised 1.5-hour runtime limits.

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