Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Not wanting to rest secure in their success, Streamlight now strives to displace their champion with the introduction of the TLR-7 HL-X. This new light is just what we have been asking for, boasting double the lumens and a tighter beam pattern.
Table of contents
Preface
I have been a fan of Streamlight for most of my life. From the lights that I was issued or given during my time as a firefighter, to the ones I have used in my industrial career, and of course, the ones I have purchased for my weapons; I have always found quality and reliability in the Streamlight brand. With that in mind, you can understand how eager I was to try a TLR-7 HL-X when Streamlight offered to send me one for review. Let’s see if this new light lives up to the Streamlight reputation.
You can’t start to talk about the TLR-7 HL-X without mentioning its predecessor the TLR-7a. The TLR-7a is the light that changed the game in terms of weapon-mounted lights for concealed carry. After a short hiccup involving a clunky switch design on the original TLR-7, Streamlight quickly pivoted, redesigned, and released the TLR-7a with improved controls. The result was astounding. Thanks to its compact size, durability, and 500-lumen output popularity exploded. It seemed that everyone carrying a compact double-stack pistol was running one of these lights. And of course, I bought one for my G19 too.
General Overview On the TLR-7 HL-X
At first glance, the TLR-7 HL-X looks identical to its predecessor except for a slightly longer bezel. This bezel is what produces the tighter beam that helps illuminate targets at a distance more effectively.
The surface is coated in Streamlight’s typical matt black anodization and laser engraved with the usual model name and battery direction indicator.
A single flush mount side screw adjusts the rail clamp and can be manipulated with either a flat-head screwdriver or a spar coin (I have found that nickels work the best).
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The battery compartment is accessed by unscrewing the bezel. No need to remove the light for a battery swap here. The light can also be put in safe mode to ensure it doesn’t come on during transportation by unscrewing the bezel a quarter turn.
In the Mountains With the TLR-7 HL-X
After receiving the light it went straight on my G20 for a hiking trip in Colorado. This full-sized 10mm is heavy enough on its own so I outfitted it with a Holosun SCS and the TLR-7 HL-X. Both these slim options helped to offset the bulk of the otherwise chunky pistol.
This light fits the bill perfectly for a backcountry gun. The single-cell construction makes it no wider than the frame of my G20 and it is just a bit short of the muzzle. The tighter beam makes for a better throw which is perfect for the open spaces of the upper alpine landscape.
Additionally, since whatever gun I take hiking shares the space with medical supplies and food in my chest rig, any reduction in size means more room for the other necessities (snacks).
A Quick Dip
As expected, the week was full of good views and great weather but a week of bouncing around in a chest rig isn’t much of a test for a weapon light. Thankfully Colorado is full of scenic creeks. Upon finding one a safe distance from the trail I pulled out the G20, activated the light, and chunked it in the flow.
This may sound like a silly test but unfortunately for me, it is all too practical. As a kid, I was a bit less coordinated than I am today (yes it was worse). As a result, I had a bad habit of falling in creeks and taking the guns my uncles had loaned me for a swim. In reality, it only happened a couple of times and of course always with a good excuse. No matter how slippery the pipe was, it didn’t matter. It was a story and once an event is canonized in campfire lore, it is with you for life.
After about fifteen minutes I carefully fished it out while trying not to fall in myself. The light was still going strong. Needless to say, the TLR-7 HL-X had no trouble faring the shallow snowmelt stream.
From Glock to Raider
After getting back from the mountains I started working on a review of the Flux Raider X. As I was setting it up I decided to test it with the TLR-7 HL-X. Since the rail is fairly short on the Raider, most any light will be adding overall length so compactness is key.
Swapping the light from Glock to Raider was no issue. The light comes with an assortment of rail keys to customize the fit for any firearm with a standard 1913 rail or the slight variation that Glock uses.
On the Trail
With my TLR-7 HL-X adorned PDW slung to my side I hit the trail on my bike. Within a few miles, I found a new liking for this setup. As I weaved my way through the underbrush I didn’t have to deal with limbs and vines snagging on a holster like I would if I had been carrying a pistol on my hip.
Thanks to its slim design, this light did not become uncomfortable even after hours of rubbing against my side. Plus, the low-profile switches are less likely to accidentally activate compared to larger double-cell lights with more pronounced controls.
Power in Performance
Compact size is all well and good but it doesn’t mean a thing if the light has poor output. Thankfully performance is not a problem for the TLR-7 HL-X. Using the included rechargeable SL-B9 battery, this light pushes 1000 lumens with 22,000 candela. Both are truly astounding metrics for a light so small.
Running that much juice does come at a price paid in runtime. Don’t expect more than half an hour of operation out of your single cell. On the bright side, this light is dual fuel meaning it can also run a standard CR123A battery at 500 lumens, 11,000 candela, with a run time of 1.5 hours.
Final Thoughts On the TLR-7 HL-X
Overall I think this is a remarkable light. 1000 lumens used to be a level of illumination only achieved by full-size double-cell duty lights but now, in this compact package, it can comfortably live on my carry gun every day.
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As I mentioned in the intro, I have been a fan of Streamlight for years and this is another example of why. They already had the most popular concealed carry light on the market but that didn’t stop them from pushing the boundary to come up with something truly incredible.
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With a street price of around $170, it is a bit pricier than the TLR-7a but I think the extra illumination, tighter beam, and convenience of the rechargeable battery are worth the higher price. This is one light I do not hesitate to recommend.
Head to Streamlight’s Website for more information on the TLR-7 HL-X or find a dealer near you.
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Finally a review where the author puts his money where his mouth is. Dunking a pistol/ light combo is not often seen but often talked about. If you spend enough time outdoors odds are your going for a swim whether you intend to or not! Think flipped over canoe.