M3 vs. TLR-1 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Godenyen · 09-25-2006, 08:08 AM

I was thinking of getting a fairly inexpensive light for my .40 tactical and I'm down to about to choices. The M3 and the TLR-1. I can find both for about the same price so I'm wondering which would be better. Any comments?

Zinji · 09-25-2006, 10:43 AM

I think the M3 is a little brighter than the TLR-1. Other than that, it's a matter of will you be keeping the light on the gun most of the time (TLR-1) or do you want to be able to slip it on and off easily (M3)?

jednp · 09-25-2006, 11:28 AM

Or do you want probably 1.5 hours of bright runtime, followed by probably another hour of very useable light? Or maybe close to 1 hour runtime with the M3, then it's done? Plus no bulb to burn out, or break under recoil. And also, and this is just my personal opinion, I find the light from a bright LED to be much more bothersome to my eyes than I do a normal light.

And on the brightness, the tlr-1 is rated at 80 lumens. The m3 is rated 80-90 lumens. I have personally had the light of the tlr-1 shined in my eyes at night from about 60 yards away. It hurt my eyes. That's not to say that the m3 won't do the same. But just to show that the LED lights they have now, are every bit as powerful. And you get that power, coupled with the longer runtime.

You have color differences. the LED puts out a whiter light, while the M3 puts out a more yellowish light. That plus the runtime, bulb that cannot burn out vs led that won't burn out. That's about all the differences there are. My personal opinion is go with the LED. I've got other flashlights that are the high output xenon. I tend not to use them anymore since I started purchasing LED lights. To me they seem brighter, and I'm not buying batteries all the time. That may not be important with a gun mounted light though. My vote is for the TLR-1, but I don't think you could go wrong with the M3 if you choose it.

Dustoff '68 · 09-25-2006, 12:25 PM

The TLR-1 is the best out their for the money...it's all aluminum, waterproof, brighter and indestructable LED, and just as easy to put on and take off as the M3...the most important attribute, though, is the 100% life time no questions asked" guarantee...Streamlight will replace your light for whatever reasons, and you don't have to provide a reason.

Godenyen · 09-25-2006, 12:50 PM

Being able to take it on and off is important to me, since there are very few duty holsters for the XD tactical and hardly any at all for one with a light. I know there are some out there but I can only afford one thing at a time right now.

**Old School** · 09-25-2006, 01:15 PM

I find that the TLR series fits the XD better than the M3. I also find that the Glock tactical light is the best fitting light for the XD, on the market. The price for the Glock light is very good too.

demon · 09-25-2006, 02:36 PM

I really like my TLR-1. I've found a couple holsters for an XD that fit the M3 but not the TLR-1. Maybe there might be more holster options in the future when this light and gun combo become more popular (crossing fingers) so I'm keeping it. I do like the battery lifespan and the light that the LED puts out. The all metal housing is a plus to me as well.

GaryNH · 09-25-2006, 02:59 PM

Removing the TLR is not a real problem. I've shot mine fingertight with no loosening. Even using a coin for that last little bit of torque is not that much of a hassle getting it off. I figure about 5 seconds on or off.

Gary

malkore · 09-25-2006, 03:02 PM

I JUST put a new TLR-1 on my XD.45 4" over lunch. it fits well, and is plenty bright. I snagg'd it for $100 with 20 free Energzier batteries, plus teh 2 batteries that come with the unit.
I like the LED bulb too, and the whole thing is tight and very sturdy.

Krackels · 09-25-2006, 03:37 PM

Don't mean to hijack, but do they make remote switches for either? For on perhaps a carbine or long gun.

09-25-2006, 08:08 AM	#1
Godenyen XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 10	M3 vs. TLR-1 I was thinking of getting a fairly inexpensive light for my .40 tactical and I'm down to about to choices. The M3 and the TLR-1. I can find both for about the same price so I'm wondering which would be better. Any comments? __________________ XD40 Tactical OD Savage Arms .22 .36 Colt 1851 Navy .58 1853 Enfield

09-25-2006, 10:43 AM	#2
Zinji XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 162	I think the M3 is a little brighter than the TLR-1. Other than that, it's a matter of will you be keeping the light on the gun most of the time (TLR-1) or do you want to be able to slip it on and off easily (M3)? __________________ Springfield Armory XD 45 ACP Tactical w/ M6X Remington 870 Tactical 12 gauge w/ TLR-1 Beretta Px4 .40 Smith & Wesson M&P 9c Frodo (Yorkshire Terrier) Do you feel lucky?

09-25-2006, 11:28 AM	#3
jednp XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 4,691	Or do you want probably 1.5 hours of bright runtime, followed by probably another hour of very useable light? Or maybe close to 1 hour runtime with the M3, then it's done? Plus no bulb to burn out, or break under recoil. And also, and this is just my personal opinion, I find the light from a bright LED to be much more bothersome to my eyes than I do a normal light. And on the brightness, the tlr-1 is rated at 80 lumens. The m3 is rated 80-90 lumens. I have personally had the light of the tlr-1 shined in my eyes at night from about 60 yards away. It hurt my eyes. That's not to say that the m3 won't do the same. But just to show that the LED lights they have now, are every bit as powerful. And you get that power, coupled with the longer runtime. You have color differences. the LED puts out a whiter light, while the M3 puts out a more yellowish light. That plus the runtime, bulb that cannot burn out vs led that won't burn out. That's about all the differences there are. My personal opinion is go with the LED. I've got other flashlights that are the high output xenon. I tend not to use them anymore since I started purchasing LED lights. To me they seem brighter, and I'm not buying batteries all the time. That may not be important with a gun mounted light though. My vote is for the TLR-1, but I don't think you could go wrong with the M3 if you choose it. Last edited by jednp; 09-25-2006 at 11:35 AM.

09-25-2006, 12:25 PM	#4
Dustoff '68 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 755	Tlr-1 The TLR-1 is the best out their for the money...it's all aluminum, waterproof, brighter and indestructable LED, and just as easy to put on and take off as the M3...the most important attribute, though, is the 100% life time no questions asked" guarantee...Streamlight will replace your light for whatever reasons, and you don't have to provide a reason.

09-25-2006, 12:50 PM	#5
Godenyen XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 10	Being able to take it on and off is important to me, since there are very few duty holsters for the XD tactical and hardly any at all for one with a light. I know there are some out there but I can only afford one thing at a time right now. __________________ XD40 Tactical OD Savage Arms .22 .36 Colt 1851 Navy .58 1853 Enfield

09-25-2006, 01:15 PM	#6
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,776	I find that the TLR series fits the XD better than the M3. I also find that the Glock tactical light is the best fitting light for the XD, on the market. The price for the Glock light is very good too. __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

09-25-2006, 02:36 PM	#7
demon XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 514	I really like my TLR-1. I've found a couple holsters for an XD that fit the M3 but not the TLR-1. Maybe there might be more holster options in the future when this light and gun combo become more popular (crossing fingers) so I'm keeping it. I do like the battery lifespan and the light that the LED puts out. The all metal housing is a plus to me as well.

09-25-2006, 02:59 PM	#8
GaryNH XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 30	Removing the TLR is not a real problem. I've shot mine fingertight with no loosening. Even using a coin for that last little bit of torque is not that much of a hassle getting it off. I figure about 5 seconds on or off. Gary __________________ Semper Fi *XD SubCompact .40 Bi-tone* *XD Service .40 Green* *Beretta 92FS* *Colt 1991A1* *S&W 637* *Bushy AR* *Rem 870* *and more...*

09-25-2006, 03:02 PM	#9
malkore XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: eastern Nebraska Posts: 646	I JUST put a new TLR-1 on my XD.45 4" over lunch. it fits well, and is plenty bright. I snagg'd it for $100 with 20 free Energzier batteries, plus teh 2 batteries that come with the unit. I like the LED bulb too, and the whole thing is tight and very sturdy. __________________ malkore my guns - http://home.neb.rr.com/malkore/firearms.html

09-25-2006, 03:37 PM	#10
Krackels XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 19,821 Blog Entries: 6	Don't mean to hijack, but do they make remote switches for either? For on perhaps a carbine or long gun. __________________ "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." --Benjamin Franklin PA Roll Call

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