REVIEW: 1,000 Lumens - Surefire vs. Streamlight

1,000 lumens? That's about as much light as Darth Vader's lightsaber. Since weapon lights have switched from bulbs to LEDs, there's no stopping the escalation upwards. We took two very popular pistol weapon lights from two quality manufacturers and wanted to see what 1,000 lumens can do. So, this is more about the comparison rather than the individual lights.

One is the Surefire X300U-A, the other is the Streamlight TLR-1 HL. Both boast 1,000 lumens on the packaging.

Here they are lying peacefully side by side. Streamlight is smaller, but Surefire has a lamp head that can also be used for striking.

Here, the two rivals face each other, waiting to measure themselves. However, we'll still give you some key data:

STREAMLIGHT TLR-1 HL

Weight: 119g

Dimensions: 8.61cm long

Batteries: 2 x CR123A

Lumens: 1,000

Candela: 20,000

Runtime: 1.5 hours

Range: 283 meters

SUREFIRE X300U-A

Weight: 113g

Dimensions: 9.1cm long

Batteries: 2 x CR123A

Lumens: 1,000

Candela: 11,300

Runtime: 1.25 hours

Range: 213 meters

You can find more details on the manufacturer's websites.

Both are nicely labeled, and the operational method with the toggle switches is essentially the same. Even so, if you go back up to the details, you'll find that two specifications are the same: both use 2 CR-123A batteries, both produce the same number of lumens, namely 1,000.

But today, we're only interested in what can be done with so much light. And what is the difference between the two weapon lights in use? Comparing the information above, there are two significant differences: Surefire (left) claims its lamp reaches 213 meters, while Streamlight says 283 meters. That's a considerable difference of 70 meters. What does that mean?

The second value that is different is the Candela. Surefire offers 11,300 Candela, while Streamlight increases to 20,000 Candela.

The candela (Latin for "candle") is the SI unit of luminous intensity. The luminous intensity in a particular direction is the ratio of the luminous flux emitted by a light source in that direction to the solid angle encompassed by that direction. HERE is the full story of candela for those who want to know all about it.

Relaxing both lamps placed on a table in the forest: the cone on the left is wider, the one on the right is narrower.

Let's go indoor: Search operation! Good six meters, that's the light cone of the Surefire X300U-A.

Here, the sun is shining, this is the Streamlight TLR-1 HL on the white wall.

Viewed from the side: here's Surefire, …

… then Streamlight. The latter light comes much harder. We were there.

The head of the X300U-A. You can clearly see the jagged waveform that makes the lamp a close combat tool.

The head of the Surefire cannot be disassembled. The reflector is a parabolic mirror in the lamp that ensures the light is intensified in the right direction. That's why the Surefire is more even across the area.

Either way: the "beam" is quite impressive. In terms of price, Streamlight is significantly ahead of Surefire.

You can find both lamps at different retailers. The BLACK SHADOW sells the Streamlight TLR-1 HL for €229. At TACSTORE, the Surefire X300U-A costs €379.95.

SUREFIRE online: www.surefire.com

STREAMLIGHT online: www.streamlight.com